Indiana State University

Indiana State University Summary

Indiana State University (ISU) is a public university that is located in Terre Haute, Indiana. 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 in the heart of the city. 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. Memorial Stadium, the home field for Indiana State’s NCAA Division I-AA football team of the Gateway Football Conference, is located on Wabash Avenue, two miles east of the main 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 east of Terre Haute. 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 plot of land approximately 18 miles east of Terre Haute near Brazil, Indiana, and includes eight man-made lakes. Indiana State was created by an Indiana statute on December 20, 1865 as the (Indiana) State Normal School. As the State Normal School, its core mission was to educate elementary and high school teachers. Five years later, the newspaper was renamed the Indiana Statesman. Like most institutions of higher learning, Indiana State University has student government at ISU that is called like most campuses the Student Government Association (or SGA). Indiana State’s current SGA President is Robert Anthony “A.J.” The Eastern Division was created in 1918 in the building that was donated by the Ball family that formerly housed a sequence of private normal schools in Muncie, Indiana. The Eastern division became Ball State Teachers College in 1929 when Indiana State Normal School became Indiana State Teachers College. The Indiana State Teachers College Board of Trustees governed both colleges until 1961, when Ball State was made independent as Ball State Teachers College with its own board of trustees. As the ultimate milestone in their parallel transformation from normal school system to now separate universities, in 1965 the State of Indiana renamed both Indiana State and Ball State to be universities: Indiana State University and Ball State University. Indiana State University-Evansville was created as a branch campus in 1965. Like Ball State University, it became an independent institution of higher education when it was granted independent standing as the University of Southern Indiana in 1985. Indiana State University is academically organized into six colleges and one school: 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. Starting with incoming freshmen in Fall 2007, Indiana State University became the first public university in Indiana to require notebook computer ownership of all undergraduate students by 2010. The Seal of Indiana State University depicts a book with a torch. Named after Fred Donaghy, graduate of the Normal School (1912) and a professor of life sciences, this campus 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. January 6 – 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. 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. 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.

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

Indiana State University History

Indiana State was originally founded as Indiana State Normal School in 1865. The University changed its name three times and finally agreed upon today’s name in 1965. Indiana State has had ten presidents serve during its history, including William Wood Parsons, whose tenure as President lasted more than 35 years (1885-1921).

Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was founded in 1865 as a normal school, became a state college in 1960, and received university status in 1965. The University now awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Individual programs are also accredited by appropriate bodies.

There are study abroad programs offered through the College of Arts and Sciences, and there are several degree completion, certification, and graduate programs available through distance learning. Distance learning courses include on-line, televised, correspondence, and videotape lessons.

Indiana State University defines its mission as “to educate students to be productive citizens of Indiana by making the knowledge and expertise of its faculty available and accessible.”

Indiana State University Academics

Indiana State is home to six different colleges offering more than 100 majors. The most popular majors include elementary/early childhood education, criminology, communications, and systems & decision sciences. Total faculty count more than 450, and the faculty-to-student ratio is low at 1:17. The average class size is 23. Indiana State advocates experiential learning, regardless of major, meaning that all students in all disciplines have the opportunity to actually practice their field of study rather than just read and hear about it.

The University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the College of Business, the College of education, the College of Health and Human Performance, the College of Nursing, and the College of Technology.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines, including the arts and humanities, business, education, communication disorders, health, exercise, nursing, and career and technical education. There are also a number of pre-professional programs. Associate degrees are offered in criminology, liberal studies, speech-language pathology, and several technology fields.

Master’s degrees are awarded in many fields, including the humanities, education, communication, marriage and family therapy, and public administration. An MBA is awarded. A specialist degree (Ed.S.) is also available in school administration and in school psychology. There are also a number of certificate and non-degree programs.

The school awards doctoral degrees in fields such as education, clinical psychology, geography, guidance and psychological services, life sciences, and technology management. There are various concentrations within many of these programs.

Indiana State University Unique Programs

Some of the more unique majors offered at Indiana State include packaging technology, criminology, athletic training, human resource development, and construction technology. The Criminology program offers a choice of a 2-year or 4-year degree, and a graduate program. Areas of focus include corrections, law enforcement, security, and delinquency prevention. Internships are also available. The Department of Aerospace Technology prepares students for a career in aviation. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aviation Flight Technology, Aerospace Administration, and an Associate Degree in General Aviation Flight Technology.

Indiana State University Financial Aid

In-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students were $3227 per semester in 2004-2005 for a course load of more than 18 credits Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.

Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

Indiana State University Students

Freshmen must reside in one of the campus’ residence halls unless they live with their parents, are married, or have a valid excuse. Students who have already lived in a residence hall for two years are exempt from this requirement. There are ten different residence halls on campus, as well as university apartments. For Greeks, there are some residences available to them. ISU offers more than 125 student organizations, student government, residence hall groups, and media such as newspapers, radio, and magazines.

In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, and administration buildings, Indiana State University has a theater, a center for fine and performing arts, and various athletic facilities.

The Indiana State University Library offers electronic catalogs, interlibrary loan, and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. It has thirteen special collections, including rare books, collections pertaining to Indiana, and other manuscripts and materials.

Indiana State University Traditions

Indiana State has had the same school colors-blue and white-since 1899. The University’s traditional symbols are the book and the torch, and are celebrated in a traditional ceremony that confirms seniors’ desire to become active alumni. Each year on Donaghy Day, named after a respected alum, students gather to plant trees and help beautify the ISU campus.

Indiana State University Local Community

Terre Haute is a major source of manufacturing, employment, service, and shopping for the western area of Indiana. The city serves over 500,000 residents. The city sits next to the famous Wabash River. Attractions include the Children’s Science and Technology Museum, Dobbs Park Nature Center, Hook Observatory, Native American Museum, and an array of historical museums.

The town of Terre Haute is a located in West-Central Indiana on the banks of the Wabash River. The town is home to a planetarium, a children’s science and technology program, several theaters, art museums, other museums, and a symphony. There are several parks, public golf courses, and a nature center.