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

"Atomic Attack" At NIU in 1968

From the August 8, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"The United States will be under 'atomic attack' for 24 hours this weekend as nearly 30 Northern Illinois  residents take shelter in a university dormitory here.

"The shelter is in the basement of the 13-story Stevenson Towers on the Northern Illinois University campus will house participants from age three to adults during a drill  conducted by NIU's disaster preparedness committee."

Better Prepared Than Sorry.  --Cootbomb

NIU's Stevenson Towers in 1967

From the March 1, 2017, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1967, 50 Years Ago.

"Bids for construction of Phase II of the Stevenson Towers residence hall at Northern Illinois University will be submitted to the Board of Governors.

"Total proposed budget for the 1,020 residence hall is $5,662,147 for construction cost and architect's fee."

Building NIU One Dorm At a Time.  --Cooter

Looking Back to 1966: NIU's Stevenson Towers Named

From the November 23, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1966, 50 Years Ago.

"A well-kept pre-election 'secret' can now be told.  Last August, Northern Illinois University's governing body approved the name Adlai E. Stevenson Towers for their new residence hall going up on NIU's West Campus.

"However, because the late Mr. Stevenson's son, Adlai E. Stevenson III, was a candidate for Illinois State Treasurer, the Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities, in its impartial wisdom, requested that the announcement of the naming be delayed until after the November election."

But, I Lived in Lincoln Hall at NIU.  --Cooter

Fiftieth Anniversary of "Star Trek"-- Part 4: My Memories of the Show

I never watched it during its original airing, however.

I started watching it while a freshman at Northern Illinois University living in Lincoln Hall 1969-1970.   My roommate, Chuck, had one of the two small (about 12-inches, black-and-white TVs) on the dorm floor, 3A

Every night, after supper, we would go back to the room and watch reruns of "Star Trek" on that little TV.  We would eventually have about ten other guys crammed into that little room watching that little TV.

It was pretty much the standard thing to do.  After that, we often would crack out the cards and play Hearts until the wee hours of the morning.

Ahh.  College Life Back Then.  --DaTrekkies

University Plaza Building Permit Issued in 1965

From the Nov. 4, 2015, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1965, 50 years ago.

"A building permit for construction of a $2,840,000 dormitory complex, the largest privately funded project in DeKalb's history was issued today by the City of DeKalb.  The permit will be used for the construction of two dormitories and a central dining area and recreation facility by University Plaza at 900 Crane Drive.

"Grading has already started on the big project and construction is expected to begin soon."

University Plaza is still there as a private dormitory at Northern Illinois University.  When I was a student there, 1969-1973, it was considered the top dorm on campus.  Those living there got the best food.  But it was considerably more expensive than the regular dorms.

--DaCoot

40th Anniversary of Kent State Today-- Part 1

It was 40 years ago today that Ohio National Guard troops opened fire on anti-war protesters at Kent State University, killing four and wounding eleven.

The Vietnam War was the big thing on college campuses back in the late 60s-early 70s. When boys graduated high school, they essentially had the choice of two things: go to college or go to Vietnam. Some opted for a third choice to leave the US, many going to Canada or Europe.

Of course, this depended upon your draft lottery number. If you got a high number, chances were good that you wouldn't be drafted. The first year they had the lottery, I was too young and got a #31. I figured that meant that I would get a high number when it counted. Wrong. I got a #22. I had always planned on being a teacher and going to college so I didn't go just to avoid the draft, but there were many guys who did.

I was a freshman living at Lincoln Hall dormitory at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb at this time. Just about once a week, there would be an anti-war march through campus. I did not participate, nor did most of my dorm floor, but we watched. I remember once someone in the march had a Viet Cong flag and some of our guys ran out and took it.

However, when word of Kent State reached campus, things got ugly, as they did at colleges all across the United States. How dare the National Guard kill unarmed students doing a legal protest.

Marches were planned for the next day, and to say the least, things were getting tense.

Next, Violence at Good 'Ol NIU. --Cooter