Student Life at Illinois: 1920-1929 – Student Life and Culture Archives

1920-1929

1920

Women’s Club damaged by fire.
First all-University mixer held.
David Kinley assumed the UI presidency from the retiring Edmund James.
Library (Altgeld Hall) chimes dedicated to the University as gifts from the classes 1914-1921.
Chapters of Phi Epsilon Pi and Alpha Epsilon Phi established.
Alpha Alpha Alpha organized.
First Dad’s Day held.
Smith Memorial Music Hall and Education Building (now University High School) completed.

1921

1922

Mothers Association established.
First broadcast of campus radio station occurred on April 6, 1922. Dean of Men Thomas Arkle Clark delivered a talk on “Why College Students Fail.”
During commencement address, Lorado Taft presented plaster cast of Alma Mater statuary group. Plaster cast was displayed on Auditorium steps.
University High School opened its doors to 63 students.
Cement surface installed on Boardwalk, which ultimately became known as the Broadwalk.

1923

Sigma Pi Alpha installed.
Maria Leonard named Dean of Women.
Hillel Foundation established on campus.
Horticultural Field Laboratory completed.
Illinois defeated Chicago 7-0 in first football game played at Memorial Stadium.
Football team won national championship title.
First Axe-Grinder’s Ball held.

1924

Freshman women’s honor society Alpha Lambda Delta formed.
A May 3, 1924, Daily Illini editorial condemned newly revised Interfraternity Council constitution which provided admittance to Jewish fraternities but not to African-American ones.
Illinois athletes won three gold medals and one silver medal in track and field at the Olympics.
On Memorial Stadium’s dedication day, Red Grange scored four touchdowns in the first twelve minutes in a game against Michigan. Grange would make two more touchdowns and the Illini would go on to win 39-14 in one of the most famous games in college football history.
New Agriculture Building (now Mumford Hall) completed.

1925

Crossword puzzle craze swept campus.
On March 9th student riot at Orpheum Theater caused $800 in damages.
Registration snafus forced dismissal of classes.
Ex-President James died.
Illibuck tradition with Ohio State began. Initially, a live turtle was given to the winner of the Illinois-Ohio State football game, but after the turtle’s death in 1927, a wooden replica served as the trophy.
Bronze Tablet established to honor seniors of the highest scholastic standing.
Seventeen fraternities boycotted Midway Confectionery on Fourth Street in a bid to force store out of fraternity district.
New Men’s Gymnasium (now Huff Hall), New Commerce Building (now David Kinley Hall), West Residence Hall (Evans Hall), and McKinley Hospital completed.

1926

Smallpox outbreak struck campus, with 30 cases reported.
During annual spring celebration, some 2,000 students marched in downtown Champaign, causing seven injuries and $1405 in damages.
Lester Leutwiler became the first Chief Illiniwek, debuted during football game against University of Pennsylvania.
National Spanish honor society organized.
Number of sororities on campus reached 36, up from 20 in 1920.
No-car rule imposed restricting driving on campus.
First unit of Main Library completed.

1927

Roller-skating craze engulfed campus.
Smoking banned on campus.
April 4th hailstorm damaged greenhouses and other buildings to the extent of $22,665.
Five-day Thanksgiving holiday established.
Football team won national championship title.

1928

1929

Quarantine imposed after outbreak of scarlet fever.
Chapter of Sigma Phi Beta installed.
Early May storm blanketed campus with 1-inch of snow.
Alma Mater statuary group dedicated during ceremony held on commencement day. Sculptor Lorado Taft was present for the occasion.
Martin Kamerer opened a pharmacy on Daniel Street that would ultimately become the campus institution Kam’s.

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