Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History John B. Freed, author of Educating Illinois: Illinois State University, 1857-2007, covers Illinois’ first public university from its founding in this keynote address given to new faculty August 15, 2011.

3 thoughts on “A condensed history of Illinois State University

  1. Janet Ullrich Stukenberg says:

    Excellent, informative presentation! It answered many of my long time questions about ISNU. Could you help me find an e-mail address as to who to contact at ISU regarding former classmates from 1959?

    1. Annette Vaughan says:

      Janet — Stephanie Duquenne from the Alumni Relations office coordinates our classmate reunions, she should be able to help you! Her email is saduque@ilstu.edu. Thanks for commenting!

  2. Jim L. Nelson says:

    Thank you for sharing Distinguished Professor John Freed’s keynote talk–worthy for orienting new faculty and other community members alike in appreciating the characters and quirky CONTEXT that created ISNU; the courageous compassion that compelled early catalysts to inspire INCLUSIVENESS; and the legacy of innovations for IMPACTING larger society. While this impact has been foremost through teacher training and leadership development, Dr. Freed notes that one of the earliest examples of institutional investment in expanding our understanding the world was a contribution towards John Wesley Powell’s 1869 Colorado River expedition. Indeed, from encouraging discoveries in the depths of the Grand Canyon in ISNU’s early years, to mentoring graduate students heading into Peace Corps Service and the worldwide and local breadth of community and economic development in recent decades, ISU redefines ecole “normal.”