Exploring Northern Illinois University: A Comprehensive Overview

Northern Illinois University (NIU) stands as a public research university located in DeKalb, Illinois. Founded in 1895 as the Northern Illinois State Normal School by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld, its initial mission was to educate teachers for the state. Today, NIU is composed of seven degree-granting colleges and hosts a diverse student body of approximately 16,000. The university's vision is to be the premier student-centered, research-focused public university.

A Historical Perspective

The establishment of Northern Illinois University was part of an expansion of the normal school program that began in 1857 in Normal, Illinois. The institution underwent several name changes before the legislature officially designated it Northern Illinois State Teachers College in 1921, empowering it to confer four-year Bachelor of Education degrees. The institution continued to evolve, and in 1951, the Teachers College Board authorized the college to grant Master of Science in education degrees, leading to the establishment of the Graduate School.

A significant turning point occurred on July 1, 1955, when the state legislature renamed the college Northern Illinois State College, allowing it to broaden its academic offerings beyond teacher education. The Teachers College Board subsequently permitted the college to introduce curricula leading to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

The governance of NIU also evolved over time. In 1965, the Illinois State Teachers College Board became the Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities. In 1967, authority for Northern Illinois University was passed to a newly formed board of regents. In 1984, the board created the position of chancellor for the three regent universities to act as a chief executive for all three schools.

Campus and Facilities

The main campus of Northern Illinois University is situated on 756 acres in DeKalb and comprises 64 major buildings. Among the most iconic structures is Altgeld Hall, a castle-themed building inspired by Governor John Peter Altgeld. The Fanny Ruth Patterson Complex, offering accommodation for 1,000 students, opened in the fall of 2012.

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Athletic Facilities

The university boasts a range of athletic facilities. Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium, with a seating capacity of over 23,000, serves as the home of NIU football games and hosts various outdoor events. Huskie Stadium is surrounded by grassy areas used for recreation and tailgating. Other athletic facilities include Ralph McKinzie Field (baseball) and Mary M. Bell Field (softball).

At the north end zone of Huskie Stadium are the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Academic and Athletic Performance Center, opened in August 2007, and the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center. The NIU Athletics facilities also include the NIU Convocation Center.

The Convocation Center, a 10,000-seat arena opened in 2002, hosts NIU men's and women's basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, and volleyball games. Parking is free in the Convocation Center parking lots (C1, C2, and C3) for NIU Athletics events held there. However, parking in Lot C4 requires a Huskie Athletic Fund donation of $5,000.

Located at the corner of Annie Glidden Road and Lucinda Avenue is the Chick Evans Field House, which features activity rooms, a jogging track, multipurpose courts, and a cardio- and strength-training room.

Academic Profile and Rankings

NIU is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities - High research activity". The university is also a member of the Universities Research Association.

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Center for Southeast Asian Studies

Established in 1963, Northern Illinois University's Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) is one of seven federally recognized National Resource Centers (NRC) for Southeast Asian foreign language and area studies.

Student Life

Northern Illinois University offers a vibrant student life with over 400 student organizations, including recreational sports clubs. Greek organizations at NIU host IFC Tugs, a bracket-style athletic tournament.

Arts and Culture

Students, faculty, and guest artists in NIU's College of Visual and Performing Arts host over 200 art exhibitions, music concerts, and theatrical and dance productions each year. The NIU Art Museum, located in Altgeld Hall, features a variety of exhibitions. NIU's Pick Museum, located in Cole Hall, showcases works from the university's anthropology collection. The Department of Communication sponsors the annual Reality Bytes Film Festival.

Child Care

NIU's Campus Child Care Center provides care for children aged two months to five years, with a summer school program for children ages 6 to 8.

Athletics

The Northern Illinois Huskies are members of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mid-American Conference. The athletic program includes seven men's sports and 10 women's sports. The NIU Huskies are represented by two mascots: Victor E. and Mission. NIU was a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1920 to 1967.

Transportation and Directions

Northern Illinois University is accessible via several routes:

From I-90: Exit onto State Route 20 East. From 20 East, take SR 47 South to SR 38. Take SR 38 West approximately 15 miles to DeKalb. Alternatively, exit onto SR 47 South and take SR 38 West approximately 15 miles to DeKalb.
From I-88: Take Exit 92--Annie Glidden Road (toll) and go north two miles. From Glidden Rd.
From I-39: Exit I-39 to I-88 East. Travel I-88 East to Exit 92--Annie Glidden Road (toll) and go north two miles. From Glidden Rd. take SR 38 (Lincoln Highway) west to athletic facilities.
From SR 23: Travel north to SR 38 (intersection of 4th St. and Lincoln Highway in DeKalb).

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