Indiana State University facts for kids
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Former names
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Indiana State Normal School (1865–1929) Indiana State Teachers College (1929–1961) Indiana State College (1961–1965) |
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| Type | Public doctoral university |
| Established | 1865 |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | approx. $110 Million (January 2024) |
| President | Deborah J. Curtis |
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Academic staff
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565 |
| Students | 8,305 (fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 6,669 (fall 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 1,636 (fall 2023) |
| Location |
,
U.S.
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| Campus | Small city, 435 acres (176 ha) |
| Colors | Royal blue and white |
| Nickname | Sycamores |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I – MVC |
| Mascot | Sycamore Sam |
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Indiana State University (ISU) is a public university located in Terre Haute, Indiana. It first opened its doors in 1865. Today, ISU offers many different study programs. You can choose from over 100 undergraduate (first-degree) programs and more than 75 graduate (advanced degree) programs. It's known as a university where students can earn advanced degrees like doctorates.
Contents
The Story of Indiana State University
Indiana State University started way back on December 20, 1865. It was first called the Indiana State Normal School. It was built in Terre Haute thanks to a generous gift of $73,000 from Chauncey Rose.
When it first opened, its main goal was to train teachers for elementary and high schools. The school began giving out its first bachelor's degrees in 1908. Later, in 1928, it started offering master's degrees.
Over the years, the school's name changed as it grew and offered more types of education:
- In 1929, it became the Indiana State Teachers College.
- In 1961, it was renamed Indiana State College.
- Finally, in 1965, it officially became Indiana State University. This new name showed how much the student population had grown and how many more degrees were available.
An old seminary building, once used by the Vigo Collegiate Institute, is now part of the Indiana State University campus.
Exploring the ISU Campus
The main campus of Indiana State University is in downtown Terre Haute. It covers a large area, more than 200 acres, right in the middle of the city. The campus has over 60 buildings made of brick and limestone, including halls and labs.
The university works hard to make the campus beautiful. A part of Seventh Street that runs by the university has been turned into a pretty boulevard with flowers. Older buildings have been updated, like Stalker Hall in 2005 and Normal Hall in 2015.
In 2009, a large Student Recreation Center opened. It's a great place for students to stay active. The Bayh College of Education moved into the newly renovated University Hall. The Scott College of Business is now in the historic Terre Haute Federal Building, which is an Art Deco style building. The Fine Arts Building also got a big update in 2019.
ISU also has an outdoor teaching area called the field campus. It's about 18 miles east of Terre Haute and has 93 acres with eight man-made lakes. It's a great spot for outdoor learning and research.
Fairbanks Hall: Art and History
Fairbanks Hall is a special building. It's a place for learning about art and also a venue for performances. Inside, the Bare-Montgomery Gallery lets students show off their artwork or create their own exhibitions.
This building is both an art studio and a gallery for the university's art department. It was originally built as a public library in Terre Haute between 1903 and 1906. It's a beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture, made entirely from Indiana Limestone.
The building was named after Emeline Fairbanks, thanks to her son Crawford Fairbanks, who offered to pay for its construction. A time capsule was placed in the cornerstone in 1904, holding items like the building's history and photos. The library officially opened to the public in 1906.
In 1978, Indiana State University took over the building. After it was renovated, it was renamed Fairbanks Hall to honor Crawford Fairbanks, who made the original library possible.
Normal Hall: A Historic Learning Center
Normal Hall was built in 1909 and was originally the university's library. It's the last building remaining from Indiana State's early "Normal School" days. It served as the library until a new one, Cunningham Memorial Library, was built in 1974.
In 2014-2015, Normal Hall had a big renovation. Its beautiful grand staircase and a stained-glass dome were restored. The building is now a modern academic honors center for students. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Center for Student Success (CFSS)
The Center for Student Success is located inside Normal Hall. It helps students in many ways, offering:
- Tutoring and extra instruction
- Mentoring and advising
- Counseling and workshops to help students succeed
The center also has special programs for students, including those who are the first in their family to go to college, or those with disabilities.
University Hall: Home to Education
University Hall was built in the 1930s as a laboratory school. It was funded by the Public Works Administration. In 2008-2009, it was renovated and became the new home for the Bayh College of Education.
The Bayh College of Education includes many departments and centers focused on teaching, learning, and related fields.
What Students Learn at ISU
Students and Technology
For fall 2023, about 29% of students were from minority groups. The top countries for international students are India, Nigeria, and Ghana. Most students come from Indiana, especially from Vigo and Marion counties.
Indiana State was the first public university in Indiana to require new students to have a laptop. Now, students who qualify for certain financial aid programs receive a laptop computer when they start.
Colleges and Programs
ISU offers over 100 different study programs. These programs are spread across six main colleges:
- Bayh College of Education (started 1865)
- Donald W. Scott College of Business (started 1918)
- College of Graduate and Professional Studies (started 1961)
- College of Arts and Sciences (started 1962)
- Bailey College of Engineering and Technology (started 1962)
- College of Health and Human Services (started 1963)
| USNWR National University | 382 of 394 |
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| Washington Monthly National University | 228 of 442 |
Students can earn bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. They can also get special certificates or take courses for professional development. Many programs are also available online through Indiana State Online.
ISU is part of the College Consortium of Western Indiana. This means full-time students can take classes at other nearby colleges like Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
Cunningham Memorial Library
The Cunningham Memorial Library has a huge collection of over two million items. Undergraduate students can borrow most materials for three weeks using their student ID.
University Accreditation
Indiana State University has been officially approved, or "accredited," by The Higher Learning Commission since 1915. This means the university meets high standards for education. Specific colleges and programs also have their own accreditations, like the Scott College of Business and the Bayh College of Education.
Fun Traditions at ISU
Donaghy Day
Donaghy Day is a tradition that started in 1976. It's named after Fred Donaghy, a former student and professor. On this day, new students help clean up and beautify the campus and the local community. It's a way to show ISU's commitment to helping others.
Homecoming: A Big Celebration
ISU's Homecoming dates back to 1917. It started as an alumni reunion with a basketball game. Over the years, it grew into a huge celebration.
- In 1921, "Blue and White Day" began, with events like a pep session and a luncheon.
- The first student-organized parade, which is now one of the largest in the nation, happened in 1923.
- A bonfire and football game were added in 1935.
- The first Homecoming Queen was crowned in 1937. Later, the "Sycamore Court" was created to include more diverse student representatives.
Today, major Homecoming events include:
- A campus-wide Blue and White Homecoming Parade
- The Sycamore Tricycle Derby
- Stompin' (a dance event)
- A Torchlight Parade and Pep Rally
- Tent City (a gathering before the football game)
- The Football Game itself
The Walk
"The Walk" is a unique ISU Homecoming tradition that started in the late 1970s. On game day, thousands of students walk two miles down Wabash Avenue towards the Football Stadium. The university has added programs like "SoberRide" to make the walk safer. This walk also happens at the same time as the Blue and White parade.
Founders Day
Founders Day is celebrated each year in January or February. It remembers the university's opening in 1870, when 23 students met with three teachers on the first day of classes.
Mascots: From Teachers to Sycamores
The school has had two main mascots.
- In the early days, athletes were called the "Fighting Teachers."
- Later, students voted to change the name to "Sycamores." This name comes from the many Sycamore trees found in Indiana, especially near the Wabash River. For a while, a student even dressed up in a tree costume!
Since a tree isn't the best mascot for sports, the university introduced an Indian mascot called Chief Ouabachi in 1969. This honored Indiana's history. However, the university stopped using Chief Ouabachi in 1989.
For six years, ISU didn't have a mascot. Then, in 1995, Sycamore Sam joined the ISU family! He's a friendly blue-and-white character loved by everyone.
Why "Sycamores"?
In 1921, a contest was held to pick a name for the athletic teams. The name "Sycamores" won a student vote in January 1922. Indiana State University has used this team name ever since.
Spring Week and Tandem Race
Spring Week began in 1970 as part of ISU's 100th birthday celebration. The main event is the Tandem Race, which is believed to be the only co-ed tandem bicycle race in the country. Today, Spring Week is the biggest campus activity in the spring. It includes community service, educational events, and fun competitions for students.
Tandem teams are made up of campus groups, with 10 male and 10 female riders, plus alternates. The race has changed locations over the years, from Fairbanks Park to the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds, and now to the Recreation East Facility on campus. The Michael Simmons Activity Center was added in 2005, giving officials a place to score the race and fans a better view.
Blue and White Colors
In 1899, the school colors were changed to Yale Blue and White. These colors are also used in the Blue and White Parade and the Blue and White Dance during Homecoming.
Book and Torch Symbols
The book and torch are important symbols of the university. They are shown on its official seal. The book represents knowledge and truth gained at ISU. The torch stands for the inspiration that students find there.
Book and Torch Ceremony
This special ceremony marks when the senior class commits to becoming active alumni of Indiana State. It's a tradition where the graduating students promise to stay connected to the university.
Trike: The Tricycle Derby
The Indiana State Tricycle Derby started in 1963. It was a 10-lap race around the campus Quadrangle using children's tricycles. There were separate races for men and women. Now, the races feature men's and women's teams on specially built tricycles at the Recreation East complex. The Michael Simmons Student Activity Center, opened in 2005, has displays about the history of the Trike and Tandem races.
ISU Songs
Fight Song
The university's fight song is "March On! (You Fighting Sycamores)". It was written by Joseph A. Gramelspacher, an ISU music professor, and first performed in 1939. Before this, the school's fight song was "Cheer for the Blue and White".
The School of Music has many groups for students to join, like the Marching Sycamores, Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles, and various choirs.
Alma Mater
The university's alma mater song was written by Charles M. Curry, an English professor. It was first called "Indiana's Normal" and used the music of Annie Lisle.
Sycamore Sports
The school's sports teams are called the Sycamores. They compete in NCAA Division I in the Missouri Valley Conference.
ISU is famous for its athletes, including:
- Basketball legend Larry Bird
- World Champion gymnast Kurt Thomas
- Olympic wrestler Bruce Baumgartner
- Famous basketball coach John Wooden also coached the Sycamores.
The men's basketball team has had great success, winning a national championship in 1950 and being runner-up in 1979 with Larry Bird. The men's gymnastics team won the NCAA National Championship in 1977.
Sports Facilities
- Hulman Center is a large arena that opened in 1973. It seats 10,200 people for basketball games and is home to the men's and women's basketball teams. It's currently being updated.
- Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium is the baseball field, located near campus.
- Memorial Stadium is where the football and women's soccer teams play.
- The Gibson Track and Field Complex is a newer facility for track and field events.
- Price Field is home to the softball team.
Indiana State University has hosted many important cross country championships at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course. They have also hosted NCAA Gymnastics and Wrestling Championships.
Men's Sports
- Baseball – Bob Warn Field
- Basketball – Hulman Center
- Cross country – LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course
- Football – Memorial Stadium
- Track and field – Gibson Track and Field
Women's Sports
- Basketball – Hulman Center
- Cross country – LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course
- Soccer – Memorial Stadium
- Track and field – Gibson Track and Field
- Softball – Eleanor Forsythe St. John Softball Complex
- Golf – various local courses
- Volleyball – ISU Arena
- Swimming
Famous People from ISU
Many successful people have graduated from Indiana State University, becoming leaders in sports, business, education, and more!
