Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University. It is a public research university system in the state of Illinois, primarily known for its two main campuses in Carbondale and Edwardsville. Founded as a teachers college, the system has grown into a significant educational and economic force in the region, offering a comprehensive range of academic programs. The university is also recognized for its contributions to research, particularly in fields like aviation, medicine, and agricultural science.

History

The institution was founded in 1869 as Southern Illinois Normal University, with its original campus established in Carbondale through the efforts of local politician John W. White and supported by legislation from the Illinois General Assembly. Its initial mission was to train teachers for the southern region of the state, a need highlighted in the aftermath of the American Civil War. The university expanded its scope beyond teacher education in the mid-20th century, gaining university status in 1947 and subsequently establishing the School of Medicine in Springfield. The growth of the St. Louis metropolitan area led to the creation of the Edwardsville campus in 1957, which later became a degree-granting institution in its own right. Key figures in its development include presidents like Delyte W. Morris, under whose lengthy tenure from 1948 to 1970 the university experienced massive physical expansion and academic diversification.

Campuses

The system's flagship and original campus is located in Carbondale, situated in the Shawnee National Forest region, which provides a distinctive rural setting. This campus is home to notable facilities such as Morris Library, the University Museum, and the SIU Arena. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus is located in the Metro East region near St. Louis, featuring a more urban setting and modern architecture, including the iconic The Gardens at SIUE and the Vadalabene Center. Additional system locations include the School of Medicine in Springfield and the School of Dental Medicine in Alton, which operate in affiliation with major hospitals like Memorial Medical Center. The university also maintains agricultural research centers, such as the Thompson Woods property.

Academics

The university system is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and comprises multiple colleges and schools, including the College of Agricultural Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Business and Analytics. It is particularly renowned for its programs in aviation management, forestry, and radio-television-digital media, with the Carbondale campus housing the nationally recognized School of Journalism. The Edwardsville campus is known for its School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing. Specialized research institutes across the system include the Center for Archaeological Investigations, the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, and the Advanced Coal and Energy Research Center. The university press, Southern Illinois University Press, is a notable academic publisher, especially in fields like philosophy and Abraham Lincoln studies.

Athletics

Athletic teams, known as the Salukis, compete at the Carbondale campus in NCAA Division I as members of the Missouri Valley Conference, with a storied history in sports like men's basketball under coaches like Jack Hartman and Bruce Weber. The football team has competed in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and has made appearances in the NCAA Division I Football Championship. The Edwardsville campus teams, called the Cougars, compete primarily in NCAA Division I for most sports as members of the Ohio Valley Conference, with notable success in soccer and baseball. Prominent athletic facilities include Saluki Stadium and the SIU Recreation Center.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include television personality and comedian David Letterman, Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate Kary Mullis, and former United States Senator Paul Simon. The arts are represented by alumni like artisan James D. Butler and pulitzer prize-winning poet Mona Van Duyn. In athletics, notable figures include NBA coach Bruce Weber and Olympic medalist Diane Dixon. Former faculty of note include poet and essayist John Gardner, philosopher John Lachs, and agricultural scientist George Washington Carver, who served on the board of trustees. The university's School of Medicine has been associated with prominent physicians and researchers like Dr. J. Kevin Dorsey.

Category:Universities and colleges in Illinois Category:Southern Illinois University Category:Public universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1869