NIU 1922: Ain't No 'Girls College' No More

From the March 8, 2022, MidWeek "Looking Back."  (DeKalb County, Illinois)

Here is a name for Northern Illinois University that I did not know.  But, evidently in its earlier days it was called "Girls College."

Here's the article from March 1922:

"It will not be many days before the work of installing a chapter of the Y.M.C.A. at the Teacher' College will be completed.  Dean of Men Robert G. Buzzard called a meeting of all men members of the student body and faculty at which time a brief  outline of what is to be done was given.

"A forming of the Y.M.C.A. at the Teachers' college would be a fair indication that the college is growing away from the old name "Girls college."  The last few years has seen a wonderful growth in the number of men students at the college."

And the gals were so happy.

No More "Suitcase College" Here.  --Cooter

Twelve Discontinued Beers That Sadly You'll Never See Again-- Part 1: Good Ol' Falstaff

From December 7, 2022, Eat This, Not That!  by Tanya Adwards.

If you like beer like me, you'll find this of interest.  Fortunately, I had not ever heard of or had most of them.  I will start by listing the ones with which I  was familiar.

1.  Bud Dry--  Heard of it, but never tried it.  I'm not a big Bud fan, especially of Bud Light.

2.  Miller High Life Light--   Tried it, but no Miller High Life product out of a can hits it with me.  It's got to be in a Blonde or nothing.

3.  Pete's Wicked Ale--  Heard of it but never tried it.  Unfortunately craft beers are expensive and I tend to be a cheap beer drinker.

4.  Falstaff--  A favorite of mine--  and CHEAP!!!

5.  Meister Brau--  A Chicago beer bought by Miller and phased out.  Of interest, Meister Brau was one of the first breweries to feature a light beer, Meister Brau Lite.  This is where Miller Lite comes from, my favorite beer.

6.  Milwaukee's Best--   This became a favorite beer of college students because it was CHEAP.  Back in the 1970s at NIU in the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, we drank Old Milwaukee for the same reason.  A six pack of Old Milwaukee went for 99 cents.  A six pack of Coca-Cola went for a $1.49.  As such, we were FORCED to drink beer.

7.  Red, White & Blue Lager--  Again, it was CHEAP!

**  Anybody remember Pickett Beer from Dubuque, Iowa.  I used to buy their beer for $5 a case!!  And, it was good.

Little Old Cheap Beer Drinker Me.  --CootDrunk

May 1972: The Two Year Anniversary of the Kent State Killings

From the MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back" for May 4, 2022.

1972, 50 years ago. 

"On Thursday morning, students at Northern Illinois University will conduct an anti-war march into DeKalb  and will hold a moratorium on classes at the university.

"The march is being held on the second anniversary of the killings at Kent State University and the subsequent  death of 15 people in demonstrations at Jackson State and Augusta, Georgia."

The Kent State shootings caused some violent confrontations between students and various law enforcement groups.

--Cooter

Bluto Meets Clark at the Volo Auto Museum-- Part 2: Acquiring the Corvette

The Corvette was featured in the 1978 breakout movie for John Belushi, "Animal House" and was featured in posters of it.  (And, it sure reminded me of my dear old frat rat days with the Delta Sigs at NIU.)

That Corvette spent decades in a pole barn near Eugene, Oregon, where the movie was filmed.  The previous owner, before Brian Grams, director of the Volo Auto Museum, said that its previous owner, Paul Smith, bought it in 1975 as a gift for his wife.  But, neither one of them liked the car much, so, it sat, accumulating only about 200 miles on the odometer, most of those coming during the filming of the movie in 1977.

Paul Smith is an old-time drag racer and car guy.  He used to scout cars for film projects, and he offered his Vette when the producers of "Animal House" were looking.

--Cootimal

Going Back to 1970-- Part 1: 'What Is Life'

On May 8, 2021, Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM went back to 1970 on its Saturday Morning Flashback Show.  It took me right back to that great college/fraternity year at NIU.

Songs played:

TEACHER--  Jethro Tull  Remember, they were the recipients of the first Grammy for Heavy metal.

WOODSTOCK--  Joni Mitchell

GALLOWS POLE--  Led Zeppelin

I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU--  Temptations

WHAT IS LIFE--  George Harrison  What is better than one Beatles group?  Why, four different Beatles releasing songs at the same time. Lots more Beatles music.

REVIVAL--  Allman Brothers Band

WHY DOES LOVE GOT TO BE SO SAD--  Derek & the Dominos

THANK YOU--  Sly & the Family Stone

FEELIN' ALRIGHT (LIVE)--  Joe Cocker

COUNTRY GIRL--  Crosby, Stills & Nash

SHAKIN' ALL OVER (LIVE)--   Who

MAKE ME SMILE--  Chicago

ARE YOU READY--  Pacific Gas & Electric

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Lookin' At The devil, Grinnin' At His Gun, Fingers Start Shakin', I Begin To Run."  Answer below.  --  RoadDog

"Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)"

A Coal Shortage in 1920

In the last post, I wrote about the Normal School in DeKalb, Illinois, (NIU) having a shortage of coal in 1920.  Evidently this was not just here, but elsewhere.  I came across an blurb in the September 20, Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph newspaper from 1920 as follows:

"A large group of citizens met in the BHS (Bloomington High School)  auditorium to  tackle the coal shortage.  They decided to wire President Woodrow Wilson and ask him to take action against speculators.

"Keeping the McLean  County Coal Co. open is the heart of the issue."

************************************

And, I found a copy of the November  2, 1920 Duluth (Minnesota) News Tribune with headlines "Duluth Coal Companies Charged With Illegal  Combination, Shortage Forced, Prices Boosted."

"A group of West Duluth residents yesterday charged that coal companies have conspired to cause a shortage of coal and to boost prices.  The residents have formed a committee to urge the U.S. District Attorney to  start proceedings against the coal companies."

--Cooter

NIU's Official Entryway Garners an Award in 1995

 From the September 9, 2020, MidWeek   "Looking Back."

1995, 25 Years Ago.

"As Northern Illinois University prepares to kick off its centennial  celebration next month, one of the October 1 events will be the presentation of the Restoration Recognition Award.

The City of DeKalb's Landmark Commission is honoring NIU for recreating the past through the entry gate on Castle Drive.  The design is based on the original gateway to the State Normal School."

And, that is one really pretty entry way to one of the most beautiful spots on campus.

--Cooter

Moratorium Problems at DeKalb High in 1969

From the Nov. 20, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1969, 50 Years Ago.

"A couple of NIU students were reported to have been physically ejected from DeKalb High School by high school students yesterday, following the passing out of moratorium day literature.

"George Walters, principal, stated that the university students  were in the high school building without permission."

*********************************

"Effective September 1970, DeKalb Senior High School will change from a three year  high school, grades 10 through 12, to a four-year high school, grades 9 through 12.

During the Vietnam War Era Protests.  --Cooter

NIU Makes Plans for Building Construction in 1970

From the March 4, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1970, 50 Years Ago.

"New buildings which NIU plans to construct in the next 10 years include a science building, student services center, liberal arts classroom, men and women's physical education buildings, a fine and applied arts structure, more student housing and a building with business affairs and computer services will be housed.

"Also to be considered would be the construction of a golf course, sports arena and auditorium and a building to house an engineering school."

This is Northern Illinois University's 125th anniversary.

In the Midst of a Building Boom.  --Cooter

Fish Thieves Strike NIU's Lagoon in 1920

From the May 27, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"Although the youngsters have been catching a lot of little fish in the normal lake (now NIU's Lagoon), no reports of any sizable ones being caught have been received, the average fish being less than eight inches long.

"There is a rumor current that the cause of the condition is that seiners have  been busy on the lake at unearthly hours and have taken all the fish out of the lake."

Sneaky Fish Thieves.  --CooterWhere'stheFish

NIU's 125th Anniversary-- Part 4: Huskies, Greeks, Lorado Taft and Grad

1940--  Northern Illinois' athletic teams  are formally named the Huskies.

1944--  First official Greek organizations installed.

1949--  Leslie A. Holmes  becomes fifth president.

1949--  The NISTC Foundation established.

January 22, 1951--  The first master's degree is authorized.

1951--  Gilbert Hall, the first men's dormitory, opens.

1951--  Lorado Taft Field Campus is established.

1952--  Founding of the Graduate School.  I received my BS-Ed in 1973 and MA-History on 1981.  Both from NIU.  Liz received her BS-Ed in 1973 and MA-Ed from Concordia College.

--CootGrad

NIU's 125th Anniversary-- Part 3: NISNS to NISTC and World War II

1917--  NISNS Board of Trustees replaced with  "Normal School Board."

1919--  J. Stanley Brown becomes  second president.

1921--  Name changed to Northern Illinois State Teachers College  (NISTC).

1927--  J. Clifton Brown becomes third president.

1929--  Karl L. Adams becomes fourth president.

1936--  Alumni Association is incorporated.

1945--  World War II leaves its mark on NISTC.  I will be writing about NISTC/NIU and WW II in my Tattooed On Your Soul:  WW II blog.

--CooterHuskie

NIU's 125th Anniversary, A Look Back Timeline (1895-1900)-- Part 1: All This and Teddy Too

1895--  Legislation passed  to create a new normal school (for teachers) in northern Illinois.

1895--  DeKalb chosen as the location for the new normal school.

1899--  John W. Cook becomes first president.

1899--  Northern Illinois State Normal School opens.

1899--  First issue of student newspaper published  (October 1899).

1899--  First marching band starts with 14 members.

1900--  Future President Theodore Roosevelt campaigns on campus.

1900--  First commencement honors 16 graduates.  (3 men and 13 women)

Let's jump ahead a few years.

1973--  RoadDog and Liz graduate from NIU.

It's Been A Real Long Time.  --RoadHuskieDog

Crimson Days Marks Opening of NISNS (NIU) in 1899

From the April 3, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

Photograph from 1899.

A photograph shows a horse-drawn carriage fully festooned with flowers and a woman in it in her finest cloths.

The caption reads:  "Crimson Days marked the opening of Northern Illinois University (Northern Illinois State Normal School) on September 21, 1899.  It was a three-day celebration that included the dedication of Altgeld Hall."

--Cootgeld

NIU's Lagoon Open to Fishing Back in 1920

From the May 13, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"An announcement today that will be hailed with delight by hook and line enthusiasts is that from  the Normal school (NIU at the time) to the effect that the administration is planning to grant permission to the public to fish with hook and line in the lake on the Normal school grounds (now the Lagoon) on Saturday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

"No seining will be permitted at any time.  The notice is signed by Dr. J. Stanley Brown, president of the school.

"If you can't find the boys on Saturday, you'll know where they are.  Get your fish worms ready fellers!"

Fishin' at the NIU's Lagoon.  --DaCoot

The First Earth Day, April 22, 1970, at NIU

From the April 22, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1970. 50 Years Ago.

"A science class at the NIU Lab School in observation of 'Earth Day,'  buried pollution and other evils of the world this morning.

"The group had a funeral march through NIU's campus and later buried the coffin near the lab school."

Wonder whatever happened to it?

Here's to the Earth.  The Only One We "Got."  --CootEarth

Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne Mace, Daniel Parmenter, Gayle Dubawski

This date, twelve years ago, a murderer burst into a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and killed these five people and wounded many others.  I will not give his name as mass murderers should never be recognized.

At least he finally did something right with his life and killed himself.

Not Forgetting.

NIU's New Music Building Gets Funding in 1969

From the March 27, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1969, Fifty Years Ago.

"The federal government has approved a $1 million grant to be used for the construction of Northern Illinois University's planned $5 million Music Building.

"The structure will be built  on a site bounded on the north by Lucinda avenue, on the east by the Kishwaukee River, and on the south by the new Art Building.  Gilbert Hall men's dormitory is directly west of the planned structure."

I don't know what happened, but the proposed site for the new Music building is now the Art building.

--Cooter

NIU's Class of 1969's Carillon Gift

From the March 13, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1969, 50 Years Ago.

"Sounds of a carillon concert will ring from atop a 17-story tower on the Northern Illinois University campus at noon.

"A guest carilloneur will play a demonstration concert on what Northern's seniors hope will be their gift to the university."

The tower would be the what is today the Holmes Student center.  I can find no mention of whether or not it is still there.

--Cooter

NIU Has Biggest-Ever Enrollment in 1968

From the November 7, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"Northern Illinois University recorded its largest enrollment increase in history this fall with 20,719 students on campus."

And, to think, just a year later I was on campus.

Growing Pains.  --RoadNIU