Illinois State University history

The mission of the College of Education at Illinois State reflects the words of the University’s second president, Richard Edwards, the second president of Illinois State (1862-76), who declared the preparation of teachers to be “the grandest of enterprises.”

Illinois Wesleyan’s tradition of engaging its students inside and outside the classroom dates back to its earliest days when explorer-geologist John Wesley Powell, a one-armed Civil War veteran and a founder of the National Geographic Society, joined the faculty in 1865.

That year Illinois State Normal University (now Illinois State University) was established, and in 1867 the town was incorporated and renamed Normal.

The first female graduate, Hannah I. Shur, received her diploma in 1872.

ISNU acquired a unique status in the 19th century, and in 1873, it was the largest such institution in the country.

Gus A. Hill was the first African-American graduate, earning a law degree in 1880.

The University's first international students, Y. Osawa and K. Tanaka, arrived from Japan in 1889.

In 1907, ISNU became one of the first normal schools in the nation to offer a collegiate education.

While the oldest building on campus – Stevenson Hall – dates to 1910, 17 of Illinois Wesleyan's large buildings have been constructed since World War II.

The elementary school was named Thomas Metcalf School in 1912 after one of the most influential faculty members of ISNU. Five years later, University High School was established to serve students in grades nine through 12.

In 1926, performers were hired to do tumbling/pyramid acts during ISU football and basketball games.

The department that would come to be known as Photographic Services was first established in 1939 when Dean Ralph Linkins recommended to Illinois State Normal University President Raymond Fairchild that freshman Nelson R. Smith Jr. be tasked with taking pictures for use in University publications.

George guided the Rotary to tremendous growth about nationally and abroad, including a triumphant return to Japan in 1949, a decade after the country had severed ties with the organization.

He continued to serve in this role for the next 52 years until his retirement in 1991.

In 1996, ISU’s General Services Building was officially renamed the Nelson Smith Building in his honor.

They wanted to use the bounty of their good fortune to give others an opportunity." The Means celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2000, just weeks before George's passing.

Jerry Libenstein, a longtime friend and colleague of Smith’s, was the university photographer until his retirement in 2002 after 32 years of service.

Academic Retrenchment and Social Redirection , 43 minutes, 2006.

Welcome Center was opened in 2008.

A second photographer, Michelle Hassel, joined the Marketing and Communications team in 2019.

Noel reported he hopes to see the program become even more competitive in the coming year as it transitions to a blended format in the spring of 2020.

© 2021 Illinois State University Privacy Statement • Appropriate Use Policy • Accessibility