History & Traditions

Chartered in 1895, Northern Illinois University first opened its doors in 1899 as the Northern Illinois State Normal School solely to prepare college-educated teachers.

We have grown into a world-class university that attracts students from around the globe while still primarily serving Illinois.

Yet two traditions established Sept. 12, 1899, remain paramount today. We are deeply committed to preparing teachers and providing an excellent and affordable higher education to Illinois families, some of whom have never sent a child to college before.

Beginning

A demand for more – and better – public schools is what prompted then-Illinois Gov. John Peter Altgeld to expand the “normal school” system he always had championed.

For the 146 women and 27 men in the inaugural class, their first vision of Altgeld Hall must have seemed like a dream: A European-style castle built on the vast Midwestern plains for a cost of $230,000.

Over the next century, enrollment grew 145-fold as the campus spread to 755 acres and became home to nearly 60 major buildings and 25,000 students. World War II and the wars in Korea and Vietnam accelerated enrollment as returning veterans put their GI Bill benefits to work.

Growing

Northern became Northern Illinois State College on July 1, 1955, and Northern Illinois University on July 1, 1957.

The Illinois General Assembly granted NIU its own governing board in 1996. Regional education centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville and Rockford were built to offer many of NIU’s programs at times and locations designed to accommodate the needs of its vital service region.

Leading

Since his arrival at NIU in 2000, President John G. Peters has guided the university into modern times through his stalwart commitment to students and his relentless and successful pursuit of greater recognition and expanded resources.

Peters’ Vision 2020 Initiative provides NIU with a strategic roadmap toward becoming the most student-centered public research university in the Midwest. His promotion of enriched and engaged learning opportunities is producing graduates who are creative critical-thinkers and communicators.

The "Residential Renaissance" program Peters launched built and opened NIU’s first new undergraduate residence hall in more than 40 years as well as the Northern View Community, a unique apartment-living experience for undergraduate and graduate students and families.

He instigated the university’s first comprehensive capital campaign, which generated more than $150 million. NIU has raised more than $187 million in private giving under the Peters administration.

During his tenure, Altgeld Hall was restored to its former glory. Barsema Hall opened as home to the College of Business, ranking among the nation’s most technologically advanced business schools. Other construction projects under his administration include the 10,000-seat Convocation Center area, the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center and two new buildings for Intercollegiate Athletics.

Meanwhile, President Peters has committed the university to expanding its service to Illinois families through partnerships that improve our cities and towns, our schools and our state’s economy.