blog posts

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  How U of I librarians shaped the U.S. western frontier

  Dec 2, 2019 8:15 am344 views

  The School of Information Sciences at Illinois sent the first librarians to the United States’ western frontier in the early 1900s to establish libraries and educate the growing population.

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  The 1909 Cherry Mine disaster and Illinois rescue and relief fund work

  Nov 18, 2019 9:15 am7 views

  On November 13, 1909, a fire trapped 300 miners in Cherry, Illinois, killing 259 workers - citizens, immigrants, and children. Meanwhile, Illinois international students raised funds to help support the devastated families.

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  George Huff: Transitioning the Illini into a respected power

  Jul 17, 2019 8:00 am2 views

  Part two of three: The story of George Huff and his influence on U of I history. He grew from a strapping farm boy into a dominating athlete, then into a strategically talented coach annd visionary administrator.

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  UI Archives: Love Letters of Illini, Olympian Harold Osborn

  Sep 29, 2017 8:45 am0 views

  In the 1920s, the Illini Athletics HOF inductee corresponded with Margaret Estelle Bordner, chronicling their long-distance romance and courtship

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  Chancellor’s Medallion awarded to three who have preserved U of I history

  Jun 23, 2017 8:00 am3 views

  The Chancellor’s Medallion is the highest campus honor, having been awarded just six times since it was first presented in 1999.

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  A rich trove: Roger Ebert at the University of Illinois

  Apr 21, 2017 10:30 am0 views

  Roger Ebert was not a typical University of Illinois student. His time here laid a foundation for his future, as they do for most students. But, unlike most students, they also shaped the university.

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  What did a University of Illinois student handbook look like in 1934?

  Apr 20, 2017 11:15 am3 views

  The handbook allowed Illini to plan which class dance they’d attend, pencil in a class schedules and check guidelines on curfew. (Yes, there was a residence hall curfew.)

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  America's first sports psychologist was an Illinois professor

  Nov 2, 2016 2:30 pm24 views

  In 1938, Chicago Cubs owner P. K. Wrigley hired experimental psychologist Coleman Griffith — and didn’t listen to a thing he said.

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  The Snoot Boot, college craze of the 60s, started in Illinois' Busey Hall

  Jan 14, 2016 11:00 am37 views

  The inventors were photographed for Life magazine and featured on Chicago’s WLS Radio Station after knitting one for popular DJ Dick Biondi, who in turn promised to give a plug to the “nostril hostels.”