Indiana State University

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Indiana State University
Motto: More. From day one.
Established: 1865 (details)
Type: Public
Endowment: $72.5 million (2008)
President: Daniel Bradley
Faculty: 410
Students: 10,487
Undergraduates: 8,386
Postgraduates: 2,071
Location: Terre Haute, IN, USA
Campus: small city: 235 acres (0.95 km2)
Former names: Indiana State Normal School
Indiana State Teachers College
Indiana State College
Colors: ISU Blue and White          
Mascot: Sycamore Sam
Athletics:
12 Division I NCAA teams
called Sycamores
Website: www.indstate.edu

Indiana State University (ISU) is a public university located in Terre Haute, Indiana.

The Princeton Review has named Indiana State as one of the "Best in the Midwest" five years running[1], and the College of Education's Graduate Program was recently named as a 'Top 100' by U.S. News & World Report while the graduate program in nursing was recognized as among the top 75 in the nation by U.S. News. The magazine also classifies Indiana State University as a fourth tier national university. The current Carnegie classification for ISU is Doctoral/Research University.[2] ISU is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. ISU is also included in Carnegie's new Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships category that recognizes substantial commitments to both an academic approach to mutually beneficial and respectful community collaboration and extensive outreach and partnerships.

Indiana State offers 100+ majors, notably education, business, criminology, finance, insurance and risk management, nursing, athletic training, and construction technology; the university's education, financial services, geography and clinical psychology programs are nationally recognized.

Indiana State is a diverse university, with 2.4% of students attending as international students and 17.9% of students belonging to a minority. Of the 17.9% minority students, 74.8% are African American, 9.7% are multiracial, 7.8 percent are Hispanic and Latino American, 5.9 percent are Asian American, and 1.9 percent are Native American.[3]

Indiana State is the first public university in Indiana to require incoming freshmen to have a laptop. ISU offers Dell Latitude E6400 laptops to incoming freshmen with high high school GPAs of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) as part of its Laptop Initiative.

Contents

[edit] History

Indiana State University was established by the Indiana General Assembly on December 20, 1865 as the Indiana State Normal School in Terre Haute, as Terre Haute was the only community to offer land and money to the new school. As the State Normal School, its core mission was to educate elementary and high school teachers. The school awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1908. Master's degrees were granted in 1928.

In 1929, the Indiana State Normal School was renamed the Indiana State Teachers College and in 1961, Indiana State Teachers College was renamed Indiana State College due to an expanding mission. In 1965, the Indiana General Assembly renamed Indiana State College "Indiana State University" in recognition of continued growth.

[edit] Campus

The ISU Campus.

The Indiana State University main campus is located on the north side of Terre Haute’s downtown business district and covers more than 140 acres (0.57 km2) in the heart of the city. Over 60 brick and limestone buildings and laboratories comprise the main campus. Starting in the 1960s and continuing through the 1990s, ISU lost many of its historic buildings, but efforts to beautify the campus continue: a section of Seventh Street that runs by the university has been converted into a boulevard with flower beds and antique lightposts; the old power plant was razed in 2002 and replaced with a modern facility; Stalker Hall reopened in fall 2005 after a complete renovation; Normal Hall, a Neo-Classic building erected in 1909, originally served as the library, is being renovated. In the fall of 2009, the College of Education will relocate into the newly renovated, historic University Hall.[4] In the near future, the College of Business will relocate to the renovated Terre Haute Federal Building, a classic Art Deco building erected in 1933.[5]

The Indiana State University field campus is an outdoor teaching, learning, and research area designed to accommodate educational programs and services. The field campus is located on a scenic 93-acre (380,000 m2) plot of land approximately 18 miles (29 km) east of Terre Haute near Brazil, Indiana, and includes eight man-made lakes.

[edit] Academics

[edit] Colleges and School

Indiana State University is organized into six academic colleges:

  • College of Arts and Sciences
    • containing the Departments of: African and African American Studies • Art • Chemistry • Communication • Criminology • Ecology and Organismal Biology • Economics • English • Family and Consumer Sciences • Geography, Geology, and Anthropology • History • Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics • Life Sciences • Mathematics and Computer Science • Music • Philosophy • Physics • Political Science • Psychology • Social Work • Sociology • Theater
    • also containing: Center for Biodiversity Studies • Criminology Institute • Center for Economic Education • Center for Governmental Studies • Sociology Research Lab (SRL) • Center for the Study of Health, Religion, and Spirituality • Science Education Center • Center for Urban and Environmental Changei
  • College of Business
    • containing the Departments: Analytical • Organizational
    • also containing: Small Business Development Center • Gongaware Center for Insurance Management • NetWorks Financial Institute • Center for Public Service and Community Engagement • Center for Research, Enterprise and Economic Development (CREED) • Leadership Development Institute (LDI)[1]
  • College of Education
    • containing the Departments of: Communication Disorders • Counseling • Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology • Educational Leadership, Administration, and Foundations • Educational and School Psychology • Elementary, Early, and Special Education
    • also containing: Professional Development Schools (PDS) • Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education • Indiana Special Education Administrators' Services (ISEAS) • North Central Association (NCA) • Upward Bound Program • Project PRE (Partnering to Reform Education)
  • College of Graduate and Professional Studies

ISU offers more than 90 programs in the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Technology, and Nursing, Health and Human Services. The College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers programs that lead to doctoral and master's degrees. Students can also pursue certificates in a concentrated area of study, enroll in professional development courses, and fulfill continuing education requirements.

  • College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services [2]
    • containing the Departments of: Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Nursing [3]• Athletic Training [4]• Health and Safety [5]• Physical Education [6]• Recreation and Sport Management [7] as well as The Landsbaum Center for Health Education [8]• Richard G. Lugar Center for Rural Health [9] • West Central Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) [10](This College was created July 1, 2007, incorporating the former College of Nursing and the College of Health and Human Performance. The first Dean of the College is Dr. Richard Williams [11]).
  • College of Technology
    • containing the Departments of: Aerospace Technology • Electronics and Computer Technology • Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Technology • Industrial Technology Education • Manufacturing and Construction Technology
    • also containing: Indiana Packaging Research and Development Center • Technology Services Center • Workforce Development

[edit] Degrees

  • Undergraduate baccalaureate degrees: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.),
  • Graduate degrees: Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Education (M.E.), Master of Music (M.M.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

[edit] Accreditation

Indiana State University as a whole has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools continuously since 1915.[6] The College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

[edit] Traditions

[edit] Donaghy Day

Named for Fred Donaghy, graduate of the Normal School (1912) and a professor of life sciences, this tradition was initiated in 1976 as a day set aside for the community to celebrate the season and to work to help beautify the campus and surrounding community; Donaghy Day is now conducted during the first week of the fall semester and is used to acquaint new students with the university's commitment to community engagement.

[edit] Homecoming

The term Homecoming was first used in print announcements for the Alumni-Varsity Basketball Game on December 9, 1916. By 1919, this event became known as Blue and White Day and featured dances and entertainment for alumni of the Normal School. In 1921 the events were organized around a football game scheduled earlier in the autumn. A bonfire and pep rally were added to the festivities in 1922; the Blue-and-White Parade in 1923; and in 1937, Bette Whitmore (Kappa Kappa) was elected ISU¹s first Homecoming Queen.

[edit] Founders Day

Conducted in January or February of each year, this event commemorates the opening of the institution in 1870 when 23 students presented themselves to a faculty of three on the first day of classes at the Indiana State Normal School.

[edit] Mascots

Early on in the school's history, the athletes were referred to as the "Fighting Teachers", until the students chose the name "Sycamore Trees", from the abundance of the trees in Indiana and the Wabash River Valley. In 1969, a committee created the concept of "Chief Quabachi" of the fictional Sycamore tribe as a representative for the school. He was accompanied by the Indiana Princess. This remarkable Native American chief (and accompanying "legend") was used as a mascot until 1989. In 1995, the university welcomed Sycamore Sam, a blue and white fox-like creature, to the ISU family. Sycamore Sam can be spotted at many sporting events and around campus during orientation or other major events.

[edit] Tandem

This student-organized race was first run as part of Spring Week activities in 1970. Teams are coed mixed pairs, which compete on tandem bicycles.

[edit] Trike

The Indiana State Tricycle Derby was first run in 1963 as a 10-lap race around the sidewalks of the Quadrangle on children's tricycles. The races featured a men's and women's division (the Powder Puff Derby). The races now feature men's and women's teams racing on specially built tricycles at the new Recreation East complex at Ninth and Sycamore streets. In October 2005, the Michael Simmons Student Activity Center opened at Rec East, containing bleacher seating, an all-purpose room, restrooms, an observation deck, and storage.

[edit] The Walk

The unofficial tradition during homecoming is known as "The Walk." A large number of students, typically reaching in the thousands, make the two mile (3 km) walk east on Wabash Avenue towards the Football Stadium (approximately two miles) stopping and having a drink at each bar along the way. This tradition has met with great resistance throughout the years by the university faculty, Terre Haute residents and the Terre Haute Police Department. However, every bar on Wabash welcomes students, alumni, and everyone else who wants to experience "The Walk".

The Walk can be traced back to the early 1980s when students walked from Saturday night football games back to campus, stopping for a beer at every establishment that served beer, including the Pizza Hut, on Wabash and ending up at the stadium.

[edit] Songs

[edit] Fight Song

March On (You Fighting Sycamores), the university’s fight song, was authored and arranged by Joseph A. Gramelspacher, an ISU professor of music, as a pep song. It was first performed at a homecoming-eve pep rally on October 20, 1939.

[edit] Alma Mater

Charles M. Curry, Professor of English and Literature authored The Alma Mater. It was originally entitled, "Indiana’s Normal" and first printed in a June 1912 issue of the Normal Advance.

[edit] Athletics

Main article: Indiana State Sycamores
Indiana State Sycamores logo

[edit] Facilities

Hulman Center, originally named Hulman Civic-University Center (now Hulman Center), is a multi-purpose arena opened in December 1973. It seats 10,200 people for basketball and is home to the Indiana State University Sycamores men's and women's basketball teams of the Missouri Valley Conference. It has hosted multiple concerts and the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament title game in 1979, the year legendary Larry Bird helped the undefeated Sycamores reach the final game of the NCAA tournament.

The Varsity soccer and baseball fields are located within a mile of the main campus along the scenic Wabash River. Memorial Stadium, the home field for Indiana State's NCAA Football Championship Subdivision football team of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, is located on Wabash Avenue, two miles (3 km) east of the main campus. The Duane Klueh Tennis Complex, Walter E. Marks Field for track and field and the Ferne Price Field for softball are among the many athletic facilities located on campus.

Indiana State University has hosted three NCAA Division I cross country championships at the spectacular LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course at the Wabash Valley Sports Center, three miles (5 km) east of Terre Haute.

[edit] Men

[edit] Women

The school's athletic teams are known as the Sycamores. They participate in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Missouri Valley Football Conference for football only and the Division I Missouri Valley Conference in all other sports. Athletically, it is best known as the alma mater of basketball legend Larry Bird; World Champion gymnast Kurt Thomas; and World and Olympic Champion wrestler, Bruce Baumgartner. The legendary basketball coach John Wooden coached the Sycamores before accepting the Head Coaching position at UCLA. The Men's Basketball team finished as the NAIB National Champions in 1950 and as National Runner-Up in 1946 and 1948. They were also the NCAA College Division (Div II) National Runner-Up in 1968 and the Division I National Runner-Up in 1979. The 1950 team comprised the core of the 1950 Pan-American Gold Medal Team. In 1971, Coach Grete Treiber led the ISU Women's gymnastics team to a National Runner-up finish at the AIAW National Championships. Kurt Thomas led the Men's Gymnastics Team to the 1977 NCAA National Championship. The University also hosted the 1975 NCAA Gymnastics National Championships.

[edit] Notable faculty and alumni

Main article: List of Indiana State University people

[edit] References

  1. ^ Taylor, Dave (2008-07-31). "Indiana State among 'Best in the Midwest' for fifth straight year". Indiana State University. http://www.indstate.edu/news/news.php?newsid=1389. Retrieved on 2009-02-09. 
  2. ^ "Carnegie Classifications > Indiana State University". Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/classifications/sub.asp?key=748&subkey=14235&start=782. Retrieved on 2009-02-09. 
  3. ^ Indiana State University Fast Facts, 2009, http://www1.indstate.edu/news/fastfacts.htm 
  4. ^ http://www1.indstate.edu/coe/universityhall/index.htm
  5. ^ http://www.indstate.edu/business/magazine/spring2008/fedbldg.htm
  6. ^ "High Learning Commission". http://www.ncahlc.org/index.php?option=com_directory&Action=ShowBasic&instid=1191. Retrieved on 2007-08-26. 

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 39°28′10″N 87°24′25″W / 39.469525°N 87.40706°W / 39.469525; -87.40706

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