Legacy of SIU

SIU Legacy Timeline

Alternate view of SIU Legacy Timeline
The cornerstone laying of the first building occurred on May 17th, 1870.
 The cornerstone laying of the first building occurred on May 17, 1870.
  The first meeting of regular Board of Trustees took place in 1873 and was addressed by Gov. John L. Beveridge.
Dedication of First Buildingion of First Building
 Dedication of first building and the inauguration of Dr. Robert Allyn as first president on July 1, 1874. The first day of school followed on July 2, 1874.
Start of Military Training Program
 1878 establishment of Douglas Corps Cadets and beginning of a program of military training under the authority of the United States War Department.
Fire destroys First Building
 The first building was destroyed by fire on Nov. 26, 1883. A temporary frame building became occupied by Jan. 24, 1884.
  Adlai E. Stevenson, vice president of the United States, served as the commencement speaker. (1895)
Altgeld Hall 1896
 1896 Altgeld Hall was opened for classes and remains to be the oldest surviving structure on campus.
Wheeler Library Completed
Wheeler Library dedicated on June 6 1904.
  1909 U.S. presidential nominee speaks. An American lawyer, statesman, politician, and three-time Democratic Party nominee for president of the United States, William Jennings Bryant, spoke at the commencement ceremony . Bryan was known as one of the most popular speakers in American history, he was noted for his deep, commanding voice.
1912 University Farm Acquired
1912 University Farm acquired
Anthony Hall Dedicated
The dedication of the newly constructed women's residence facility, Anthony Hall, took place on Oct. 13, 1913. Named for women's rights activist Susan B. Anthony.
First Obelisk Published
1914 The first volume of Obelisk, Southern's annual, published.
Publication of Egyptian as a weekly campus paper is launched.
1916 Publication of Egyptian as a weekly campus paper is launched.
1918 Shryock Auditorium dedicated and addressed by ex-president William Howard Taft.
1918 Shryock Auditorium dedicated and addressed by ex-president William Howard Taft.
Lucy K. Woody was appointed as the first Dean of Women at Southern and served from 1926-1945.
 Lucy K. Woody was appointed as the first dean of women at Southern and served from 1926-1945.
1928 Southern Illinois Normal University recognized by American Association of Teachers Colleges as a Class-A College.
1928 Southern Illinois Normal University recognized by American Association of Teachers Colleges as a Class-A College.
1931 Southern becomes a fully accredited institution as a degree-conferring teachers college by the North Central Association.
1931 Southern becomes a fully accredited institution as a degree-conferring teachers college by the North Central Association.
Eli G. Lentz was appointed as the first Dean of Men and served from 1935-1945.
Eli G. Lentz was appointed as the first dean of men and served from 1935-1945.
1938 McAndrew Stadium Completed
1938 McAndrew Stadium completed
1947 Name of Southern Illinois Normal University changed to Southern Illinois University by legislative act.
1947 Name of Southern Illinois Normal University changed to Southern Illinois University by legislative act.
Southern Illinois Edwardsville officially chartered in 1947.
 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville officially chartered in 1947.
For the first time, in 1950 Southern Illinois University's Homecoming dance became desegregated.
For the first time, in 1950 Southern Illinois University's Homecoming dance became desegregated.
1949-50 school year celebrates 75th anniversary of Southern Illinois University.
1949-50 school year celebrates 75th anniversary of Southern Illinois University.
1951-52 school year sees change in mascots. University goes from being the Marroons to the Salukis. King Tut is adopted as the first official saluki mascot for the campus.
1951-52 school year sees change in mascots. University goes from being the Marroons to the Salukis. King Tut is adopted as the first official Saluki mascot for the campus.
1952-1953 Woody Hall opens as a women's dormitory. Women move from Anthony Hall to Woody, as men move in.
1952-1953 Woody Hall opens as a women's dormitory. Women move from Anthony Hall to Woody, as men move in.
1954 Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt speaks on the United Nations at Shryock Auditorium.
1954 Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt speaks on the United Nations at Shryock Auditorium.
New Life Science building opens for classes in fall of 1954 with the first elevator on campus.
New Life Science building opens for classes in fall of 1954 with the first elevator on campus.
Library formally dedicated April 25 - 26 1958. The library was officially named Morris Library on June 24th, 1958.
Library formally dedicated April 25 - 26 1958. The library was officially named Morris Library on June 24, 1958.
1960 President John F. Kennedy stops at SIU during the presidential races.
1960 John F. Kennedy stops at SIU during the presidential races.
1961 Department finds homes in 6 geodesic domes designed by Buckminster Fuller, the renowned designer and former member of the SIU design department faculty.
1961 Department finds homes in six geodesic domes designed by Buckminster Fuller, the renowned designer and former member of the SIU design department faculty.
1961 marked the first year for WSIU television joining WSIU radio.
1961 marked the first year for WSIU television, joining WSIU radio.
1961 University Center opens for business replacing the old student union on Harwood Avenue.
1961 University Center opens for business replacing the old student union on Harwood Avenue.
Walter Cronkite and CBS interview Buckminster Fuller about his design for Expo '67 held in Montreal, which is a 20-story pavilion bubble.
In 1965 Walter Cronkite and CBS interview Buckminster Fuller about his design for Expo '67 held in Montreal, which is a 20-story pavilion bubble.
Hazel Scott becomes the first African American to be crowned Homecoming Queen in the fall of 1967.
Hazel Scott becomes the first African American to be crowned Homecoming queen in the fall of 1967.
1969 Custodian finds smoking building at 7:30 a.m. alerts fire department and efforts to save records being. The fire was set with accelerants in the ROTC classrooms, and there was graffiti found on the walls, no one was ever charged for the fire. Students, President, and Vice Presidents band together creating a human chain in an attempt to save documents and research materials. Eventually, they have to retreat as the building begins to collapse.
1969 Custodian finds smoking building at 7:30 a.m. alerts fire department and efforts to save records begin. The fire was set with accelerants in the ROTC classrooms, and there was graffiti found on the walls. No one was ever charged for the fire. Students, president, and vice presidents band together creating a human chain in an attempt to save documents and research materials. Eventually, they have to retreat as the building begins to collapse.
1969-1970 school year sees the end of green beanies for freshman class..
1969-1970 school year sees the end of green beanies for freshman class.
1971 Steagall Hall becomes first co-ed dorm. Two more are slated for the 1972-73 school year due to the success of the experiment.
1971 Steagall Hall becomes first co-ed dorm. Two more are slated for the 1972-73 school year due to the success of the experiment.
Student Rec Center opens during the summer of 1977.
Student Recreation Center opens during the summer of 1977.
1980 Campus ranked as one of the best in the nation for its available handicap facilities.
1980 Campus ranked as one of the best in the nation for its available handicapped facilities.
1980 Amtrak station becomes a pipeline for students to travel from SIU to northern points of the state.
1980 Amtrak station becomes a pipeline for students to travel from SIU to northern points of the state.
1995 President Clinton become the first U.S. president to visit SIUC while still serving office.
1995 President Clinton becomes the first U.S. president to visit SIUC while in office.
1997 Former U.S. Senator Paul Simon was a professor at Southern Illinois University, where he taught classes in political science, history and journalism. He joined SIU's faculty in 1997. Simon was founder and director of the Public Policy Institute at the Carbondale campus.
1997 Former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon was a professor at Southern Illinois University, where he taught classes in political science, history and journalism. He joined SIU's faculty in 1997. Simon was founder and director of the Public Policy Institute at the Carbondale campus.
1996 SIU unveils new Illinois license plate. Intended to raise funds and promote school spirit.
1996 SIU unveils new Illinois license plate. Intended to raise funds and promote school spirit.
2007 SIU honors legacy. This annual celebration is to remember the contributions of all those who came before us, to take pride in our history and to inspire each of us to continue making our own contributions to the next chapter.
2007 SIU honors legacy. This annual celebration is to remember the contributions of all those who came before us, to take pride in our history and to inspire each of us to continue making our own contributions to the next chapter of our history.