Monthly Archives: October 2015

120 Years of Sororities at Illinois

Around this time of year, 120 years ago, the first sororities (womens fraternities as they were known as at the time) were initiated at the University of Illinois. There is some controversy over which organization was the very first, based on charter approvals and initiation dates. In any event, Pi Beta Phi initiated nine charter […]

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A Homecoming History

With Homecoming week in full swing, it is worthwhile to take a trip back in time and see where the idea of “homecoming” at the University of Illinois came from and what it was like in its first years. Clarence Fiss Williams and W. Elmer Ekblaw (who also wore the hat of botanist on the Crocker […]

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The History of 501 E. Daniel and its Tenants

Here at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, we have the number one graduate program in Library and Information Science. Many people are aware of this, but not as many know that the number one iSchool is housed in a former fraternity house. Prior to the 1990s, 501 East Daniel Street belonged to the Heth […]

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#AskAnArchivist Day 2015 Summary

Yesterday, October 1, was #AskAnArchivist Day when archivists all over the country respond to questions about their collections, the profession, and more on Twitter. Staff at the University of Illinois Archives and the Student Life and Culture Archives answered questions and shared some of their favorite items and images throughout the day. Here’s a recap of some […]

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The Story of Orange and Blue

  From its founding in 1867 until fall of 1894, the University of Illinois struggled to commit to school colors. Professor Winton Solberg writes in his history of the University: For years, uncertainty existed as to the University colors. Many different color combinations had gained recognition, with the Athletic Association making the selection. For a […]

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