More on NIU

The Tribune Article continued that Northern is a big draw for Illinois students looking for an affordable eduacation at a large, public campus. The vast majority are from Illinois and most of them from the Chicago area. Large numbers of students go home every weekend.

I could have gone to any school in Illinois, but chose Northern because it was close to home, BUT NOT THAT CLOSE.

Compared to U of I, getting in is considerably easier. Plus, NIU's sports teams are NCAA Division I. We are what is called Mid-level. We're good, but have big problems competing with the Major Division I teams.

Academic strengths are business, education, and art. NIU also has a law school. Both Liz and I received out teaching degrees here in 1973. A lot of the teachers we taught with in Round Lake were NIU grads.

Northern was founded in 1899 with 173 students attending classes in the Castle on the Hill, Altgeld Hall. Back then, it was called Northern Illinois State Normal School and its purpose to educate future teachers. Later, it became Northern Illinois State College before getting its present name in July 1957. I also recall that at one time it was Northern Illinois Teachers College.

Altgeld Hall, named after Illinois' education governor, and the Lagoon area in front of it are perhaps the most beautiful spots on campus in my estimation.

The story is around that when the selection committe visited Dekalb, the Kishwaukee River had been dammed up and the water slowly released when the visitors were in Dekalb in the summer to make it more appealing. It just might have worked because Dekalb got the school.

Some famous graduates are US Rep Dennis Hastert, actress Joan Allen, and Garrett Wolfe, Chicago Bears running back. Also, there's the RoadDog, whoever he is. Also William the Goose.

Feb. 17th Chicago Tribune "NIU a strong draw for Illinois residents" by Jodi S. Cohen.

My Old School. --RoadDog