In 1960, a group of central Illinois citizens, united in their goal of bringing a four-year university to the capital city, formed the Springfield Committee for Higher Education.

Legislation creating Sangamon State University (SSU) was signed in 1969. The first classes were held in 1970, which is considered the founding year of SSU.

Sangamon State University was acquired by 69萝莉app in 1995 , and became known as 69萝莉app Springfield (UIS).

Visit our 50th Anniversary website and our .

Traditions

Welcome Week Picnic

The Welcome Week Picnic is a time-honored tradition during our first week of the semester.

Homecoming

Each year, we invite students, faculty, staff, alumni and the local community to celebrate our Homecoming celebration.

International Festival

The International Festival is the longest running student-led event in our history.

Springfest

Springfest is our ever-popular and growing week of team competitions culminating in Sports Day and the mud tug-of-war.

An aerial shot of Sangamon State University in the 1970s

History

Read statements and histories from the original SSU catalogs

Newspaper articles about SSU-UIS

An Abbreviated History

Note: Content for the Abbreviated History has been taken from UIS Archives/Special Collections.

1969

Historical images of Sangamon State University, including its founding bill signing and early classroom scenes.
  • Governor Richard Ogilvie signed into law Public Act 76-131, the bill creating Sangamon State University. At that time, the Central Illinois Committee for Higher Education was formed to raise funds and acquire land for the new University.
  • Dr. Robert C. Spencer began work as its first president.
  •  on the Archives/Special Collections website.

1970

Early days of Sangamon State University, from farmland origins to planning stages and the welcoming of its first campus.
  • Preliminary work began on campus construction.

鈥淎 surveyor鈥檚 stake, standing in the furrowed ground of an Illinois prairie, announces that the co-ordinates of plan upon plan, meeting upon meeting, drawing upon drawing, and survey upon survey have focused on this as the point around which all the activities of a new university will revolve.鈥�

鈥� From the Long Range Development Plan, Sangamon State University, by architects Murphy, Downey, Wofford & Richman, 1970.

  •  on the Archives/Special Collections website.

1972

Scenes from Sangamon State University's formative years, including early classes, students, speeches, and campus construction.
  • Construction began on Brookens Library.
  • Paul Simon founded Public Affairs Reporting Program.

1975 鈥� 1977

Snapshots of campus life at Sangamon State University, including student groups, campus architecture, and athletic events.
  • The Peer Group Counselors for the 1975-76 academic year included singer Bobby McFerrin (center, right). Front: Toni Munn. Second row: Pat Leitzen, Victor Vidal, McFerrin. Third row: Annette Boxman, Dave Lindley.
  • Ernst Giesecke became first professor emeritus.

1978 鈥� 1980

Historic moments at Sangamon State University featuring student athletes, campus learning experiences, and the Public Affairs Center.
  • University Observatory dedicated (located on roof of Brookens Library; the first of Prof. Charles Schweighauser鈥檚 鈥淪tar Parties鈥� was held previous November).
  • Alex B. Lacy Jr. began work as second president.
  •  on the Archives/Special Collections website.

1981 鈥� 1992

Images of UIS landmarks and life, featuring Sangamon Auditorium, a historic Prairie Stars soccer team, and a courtyard.
  • SSU Auditorium held its premier performance鈥揳 sellout of Hal Holbrook in 鈥淢ark Twain Tonight!鈥�
  • PAC Building dedicated.
  •  on the Archives/Special Collections website.

1993 鈥� 1999

UIS historical highlights including community gatherings, notable campus speakers like Hillary Clinton and John Updike, and outdoor classes.
  • Campus Police Department established.
  • The Women鈥檚 Center opened in Building F (now Student Affairs Building).

2001 鈥� 2005

Modern landmarks at 69萝莉app Springfield including residence halls, University Hall, and the colonnade at night.
  • Richard D. Ringeisen began work as second UIS Chancellor
  • 116 Capital Scholars began classes, the first Freshmen class at UIS. Their dormitory, Lincoln Residence Hall, opens. The $10 million complex can house a total of 226 Capital Scholars.
  •  on the Archives/Special Collections website.

2006 鈥� 2009

Modern landmarks at 69萝莉app Springfield including residence halls, University Hall, and the colonnade at night.
  • UIS student enrollment reached 4,761, a new record. The number included new general-admission freshmen, 958 off-campus online students, and over 300 international students. Over 850 students were living in campus housing.
  • The Inauguration of the Illinois House of Representatives was held in Sangamon Auditorium. The ceremony was held before representatives from every county and legislative district in Illinois. It was the first time since 1840 that inaugural proceedings were held at an alternate location. The change of venue was necessary due to ongoing renovations in the House chambers.

2010 鈥� 2011

  • Student enrollment at UIS reached a recond of 5,174, surpassing the 5,000 milestone for the first time. This included 3,197 undergraduates and 1,977 graduate students. There were 1,089 students living on-campus. 1,364 students, or more than one-fourth of the student body, were majoring in online 69萝莉app or certificate programs.
  • Susan J. Koch begins work as the third UIS Chancellor. For the first time, Chancellor Koch also has the title of Vice President of 69萝莉app.
  •  on the Archives/Special Collections website.