While Illinois State Normal University’s first president, Charles Edward Hovey (1827-1897), served in that role for only four years (1857-1861), his impact on the campus can still be felt to this day. The documents and objects he left behind are likewise scarce but highly meaningful.
From an alum’s historic dive to a former faculty member’s early exploration of the Grand Canyon, historian Tom Emery explores this month in Illinois State University history.
More than a dozen Redbirds have represented Illinois State University at the Olympic games dating back to 1936, from Doug Collins to Charlotte Lewis. Historian Tom Emery profiles two athletes and a coach who made history at the Olympics: Tidye Ann Pickett, Dr. Nell Jackson, and Cathy Boswell ’83.
From a fierce Civil War battle that tested the 33rd Illinois “Teacher’s Regiment” to the University’s reaction to Apollo 11 landing on the moon, historian Tom Emery explores this month in Illinois State University history.
John Walker Duff (1888-1974) was the second of seven children born to Peter C. and Fannie E. (Walker) Duff in Normal, Illinois. A track and football star while a student at Normal High School, Duff was drafted into World War I at the tail end of the conflict.
From a college baseball national championship to the first commencement ceremony, historian Tom Emery explores this month in Illinois State University history.
Explore the World War I experiences of Illinois State Normal University (ISNU) students, faculty, staff, and alumni through letters, photographs, questionnaires, news clippings, postcards, and other primary sources preserved by Milner Library’s namesake, Angeline “Ange” Vernon Milner (1856-1928) in the World War I Illinois State Normal University Service Records.
Queer Coalition, Illinois State University’s LGBTQIA+ faculty, staff, and graduate student affinity group, will be partnering with cultural heritage collections across campus this summer to explore queer history through an intersectional lens. Attendees can expect a 30-minute presentation followed by a Q&A. All are welcome to attend.
The Civil Service Council will feature a Civil Service employee at Illinois State University each month to highlight an exceptional colleague and the outstanding work being done on campus. This month, learn about and applaud Senior Archives Specialist Julie Neville.
From Abraham Lincoln’s first reference to the founding of Illinois State University to the demise of Old Main, historian Tom Emery explores this month in Illinois State University history.
