From left to right, the Law Building (Harker Hall), University Hall, and the Carillon Tower of the Altgeld Hall Library Building, found in Record Series 39/2/20, Box BUI – University Hall.
The turn of the century Illinois campus featured three towers along Green Street (seen above). While Altgeld Hall remains today, its two-towered peer building is gone. On Wednesday, September 13, 1871 the cornerstone was laid for the new multiple purpose University building later known as “University Hall”. The formal dedication was Wednesday, December 10, 1873, and Illinois Governor J.L. Beveridge gave the address. For seventy-six years, University Hall served most of the University population. Today, the Illini Union stands on University Hall’s former site, and all that physically remains is the bell, the clock, and the sandstone portal entrance (now, since 1998, at the Hallene Gateway Plaza).
Alta Gwinn Saunders, Associate Professor of Business English
Written by Anna Trammell
Students today have an overwhelming number of dining options and they can stop in at any one of the numerous Starbucks or Espresso Royale locations for a cup of coffee or tea. In 1916 there were fewer options. The entrepreneurial women of Delta Gamma saw this as a business opportunity.
The perfect chapter house had gone on the market at the corner of Mathews and Nevada, but the women of Delta Gamma did not have the funds to purchase it. The Delta Gamma Alumnae Association decided to open up a tea room to earn the money to pay for the new house. The effort was championed by Alta Gwinn Saunders, a founder of the Delta Gamma Iota chapter. Saunders was an Associate Professor of Business English from 1917-1948 and was heavily involved in Delta Gamma throughout her career. [1] Continue reading “Campus Eateries and Hangouts: The Green Tea Pot”→
The Republican National Convention has taken center stage in Cleveland this week.
One of Ohio’s famous Republican politicians has a connection to the University of Illinois!
President Taft reviews the University of Illinois cadet regiment, 1911.
In February 1911, President William Howard Taft (1857-1930) toured Champaign-Urbana and the University of Illinois. Taft is the only U.S. President (1909-1913) who also served as a Supreme Court Chief Justice (1921-1930). His visit included a tour of the University grounds and a review of the cadet regiment. “To see so many young men and women preparing themselves to meet the problems of life is indeed a rare pleasure,” Taft told the crowd gathered to hear his remarks. Read more about his celebrated visit and his interesting prediction for the cites of Champaign and Urbana in the Urbana Courier-Herald.
Eighty-seven years ago, on a warm day in June, our Alma Mater statue was unveiled as the centerpiece of the 1929 commencement week program. The concert band played and a host of officials gave speeches. UI President David Kinley prophetically declared, “The significance of this gift is for the future, what it will mean for future Illini.”[1]
President David Kinley (left) and Lorado Taft in front of Taft’s Alma Mater during the sculpture’s dedication, 1929
Surely, he had no idea how true these words would be.
Sculpted by Lorado Taft (Class of 1879) and funded through the senior gifts of the classes of 1923 through 1929 and the Alumni Association, Alma was “temporarily” erected behind the Auditorium (named Foellinger in 1985) until a more prominent location could be secured. She remained at this spot for thirty-three years. [2]
In 1962, the Alumni Association identified the perfect setting for Alma—the corner of Wright and Green, her present location. Not everyone agreed and many felt more discussion was needed. A Daily Illini reporter wrote:
Alma Mater is moved from Foellinger to its current location, August 20, 1962
“Admittedly, the site behind the Auditorium is isolated from the mainstream of campus events. But what a cheap and tawdry relocation has been suggested! The Green-Wright intersection is congested with cars, trucks, Illi-Busses, a bicycle lane, the constant roar of traffic and the blue haze of auto exhausts. No perspective, no quiet, no thoughtfulness is possible nearby. Placing the beautiful Alma Mater in such a location seems to be a violation of all standards of good taste . We hope, indeed, that the Alumni Association will not move to an ultimate blasphemy and place traffic signals in the hands of Learning and Labor, providing the Alma Mater figure with a No Left Turn signboard.” [3]
The move occurred in summer (August 20, 1962) with little fanfare. [4] Except for a brief visit to Chicago for restoration in 2012-2014, Alma Mater has graced this corner ever since.
Students have their photo taken with Alma, 2016
Over the last decades, one of the most memorable Illinois commencement traditions is for new graduates to line up for photos in front of the Alma Mater. In 2010, Public Affairs made this tradition even more special by outfitting Alma in her own regalia for the occasion.
Thomas Hendrickson is an undergraduate in history at the University of Illinois and an Undergraduate Assistant at the Archives Research Center.
A total of ten residence halls are named after women who have had a profound impact on the University of Illinois.
Allen Hall
Allen Hall is named after Louisa C. Allen (1848-1920). She was only 22 years old when she was hired at the University and given the major tasks of overseeing female education and developing instruction in domestic science for women. Despite little institutional support and with no precedent upon which to model such a program, Allen offered a full new course of study during the 1875-1876 academic year. Her early work helped make higher education more obtainable for women. [1]Continue reading “Behind the Names: Residence Halls Named After Women”→
