Author Archives: Anna Trammell

The “Wind, Motion, and Freedom” of Lillian Gatlin, UIUC’s Pioneering Aviatrix

By Anna Trammell | Published: March 13, 2018

This guest post was written by Nathan Tye. Nathan is a doctoral candidate in the Department of History at the University of Illinois and the Assistant Book Review Editor of Middle West Review. The early history of aviation is filled with pioneers and “firsts” whose accomplishments were quickly overshadowed by more impressive feats. Lillian Gatlin, […]

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“A Mad Mixture of Sleigh Bells and Telephone Bells”: The History of Dial-a-Carol at the University of Illinois

By Anna Trammell | Published: December 8, 2017

The holiday season is once again upon us and along with it an Illinois tradition returns. From December 14 until December 21, thousands of callers from around the world will dial in to Snyder Hall 24 hours a day to be serenaded with yuletide tunes. Betty Gordon is commonly credited with conceiving of the Dial-a-Carol […]

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This Just In: Alpha Epsilon Phi Records, 1947-2017

By Anna Trammell | Published: July 12, 2017

The Student Life and Culture Archives recently acquired the records of the Alpha Epsilon Phi Mu Chapter. These records, dating back to 1947, illustrate sorority and Jewish student life on campus through photographs, correspondence, and a complete set of meeting minutes 1958-1980. Also included are 15 scrapbooks from 1974 to 2017. Alpha Epsilon Phi was […]

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Campus Life on the Silver Screen: The 1916 Film “Pro Patria”

By Anna Trammell | Published: April 21, 2017

  Betty Gibson, a University of Illinois freshman, is attracted to a wealthy classmate named Eduardo Salazar. Between registering for classes, attending parties at fraternity houses, watching baseball games, and conducting experiments in the chemistry laboratory, Betty realizes her true love is actually fellow student Happy Harding and the two become engaged. Meanwhile, Dale tries to win back […]

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Campus Eateries and Hangouts: The Green Tea Pot

By Anna Trammell | Published: August 25, 2016

Students today have an overwhelming number of dining options and they can stop in at any one of the numerous Starbucks or Espresso Royale locations for a cup of coffee or tea. In 1916 there were fewer options. The entrepreneurial women of Delta Gamma saw this as a business opportunity. The perfect chapter house had gone […]

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