HR0129 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0129 LRB101 11114 ALS 56333 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Southern Illinois University on the occasion of its sesquicentennial anniversary; and

WHEREAS, In 1868, educators in southern Illinois held meetings throughout the area to discuss the need for a teacher training school in the lower half of Illinois; the General Assembly passed the charter establishing Southern Illinois Normal University on March 9, 1869, and the charter was signed by Governor John Palmer on April 9, 1869; and

WHEREAS, The University opened in 1874, and the first class had 54 students; the first graduating class consisted of 143 students, including two African-American students; and

WHEREAS, Southern Illinois Normal University's enrollment grew, and by the late 1930s, the administration and alumni began petitioning the Governor and the General Assembly to expand the university's offerings to include liberal arts degrees in anticipation of increased enrollment following the conclusion of World War II; and

WHEREAS, On June 30, 1943, the General Assembly granted Southern Illinois Normal University the ability to grant liberal arts degrees and master's degrees in education; in 1947, the 65th General Assembly dropped "Normal" from the university's name, and it became known as Southern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Over the next few decades, enrollment and academic programs grew substantially, and university officials took notice of the lack of opportunities for higher education in the Metro East area; in 1957, the university purchased the defunct Shurtleff College and began enrolling and educating students; in 1960, land was purchased, and classes began at the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville campus in 1965; and

WHEREAS, The University continued to expand and established the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Today, Southern Illinois University is a strong, diverse, student-centered, research-intensive, comprehensive university that embraces a unique tradition of inclusive excellence, innovation, and outstanding teaching to transform the lives of students; and

WHEREAS, Southern Illinois University's 150th anniversary celebration includes a Day of Giving on March 6, 2019; throughout the year, the University will celebrate with special exhibits, lecture series, and campus and community events; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Southern Illinois University on 150 years of service to southern Illinois and beyond; we admire their commitment to excellence in teaching and research and to providing a transformative educational experience for all students; we wish them 150 more years of excellence; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to President J. Kevin Dorsey as an expression of our esteem and respect.