Category: Found in the Archives

“A Mad Mixture of Sleigh Bells and Telephone Bells”: The History of Dial-a-Carol at the University of Illinois

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Written by Anna Trammell The holiday season is once again upon us and along with it an Illinois tradition returns. From December 7 until December 13, thousands of callers from around the world will dial in to Snyder Hall 24 hours a day to be serenaded with yuletide tunes. Betty... Read More

Campus Life on the Silver Screen: The 1916 Film “Pro Patria”

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  Written by Anna Trammell Betty Gibson, a University of Illinois freshman, is attracted to a wealthy classmate named Eduardo Salazar. Between registering for classes, attending parties at fraternity houses, watching baseball games, and conducting experiments in the chemistry laboratory, Betty realizes her true love is actually fellow student Happy Harding and the... Read More

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

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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... Read More

Campus Eateries and Hangouts: The Green Tea Pot

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Written by Anna Trammell Students today have an overwhelming number of dining options and they can stop in at any one of the numerous Starbucks or Espresso Royale locations for a cup of coffee or tea. In 1916 there were fewer options. The entrepreneurial women of Delta Gamma saw this as... Read More

Republican President comes to Champaign-Urbana… in 1911

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Written by Ellen Swain 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... Read More