Author Archives: Ellen Swain

Reflections on Opening Day 150 years Ago – 2 March 1868

By Ellen Swain | Published: March 1, 2018

Gregory Behle, Professor at The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California, and kick-off presenter of the Archives Sesquicentennial Speakers Series, March 2, 2017, authored this post at the request of the Student Life and Culture Archives to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first day of class.  Behle’s research focuses on accessibility, student life, and campus […]

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The First Years of U of I Student Life: Sesquicentennial Speakers Series Kickoff

By Ellen Swain | Published: February 23, 2017

The First Years of University of Illinois Student Life…with Reflections on Today, 1868-2017 March 2, 2017 University of Illinois Archives, Rm 146 Main Library 7pm-8:30pm March 2, 1868, marked the first day of class at the newly established Illinois Industrial University.  Who were the University of Illinois’ earliest students?  What did they study?  Where and […]

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Republican President comes to Champaign-Urbana… in 1911

By Ellen Swain | Published: July 22, 2016

The Republican National Convention has taken center stage in Cleveland this week. One of Ohio’s famous Republican politicians has a connection to the University of Illinois!   In February 1911, President William Howard Taft (1857-1930) toured Champaign-Urbana and the University of Illinois.  Taft is the only U.S. President (1909-1913) who also served as a Supreme […]

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Alma Mater and the Commencement Connection

By Ellen Swain | Published: May 13, 2016

Eighty-seven years ago, on a warm day in June, our Alma Mater statue was unveiled as the centerpiece of the 1929 commencement week program.  The concert band played and a host of officials gave speeches.  UI President David Kinley prophetically declared, “The significance of this gift is for the future, what it will mean for future […]

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Writings Depict Illinois Student Experience

By Ellen Swain | Published: December 17, 2015

As finals wind down and students leave campus for a much needed winter break, the SLC Archives thanks all students who visited the Archives this semester for class introduction sessions and tours or to conduct research for essays and final papers! Classes from the Undergraduate Rhetoric Program are frequent users of SLC materials and English […]

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