1. You’re surrounded by incredibly intelligent people who push you to be better
2. The Marching Illini were the first college band to do formations
3. Our beloved Alma is pretty photogenic and the Alma Cam is great for people watching
Watch the Alma Cam.
4. Professors offer a wealth of research and experience in their respective fields
5. Craving sushi? BBQ? Italian? Mediterranean? You can find it here among a slew of great local restaurants
6. Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is the place to go on campus for dance, theater and musical performances
7. Running or volunteering for the Illinois Marathon in the spring
This year’s theme is sesquicentennial!
8. The 19 Illini sports teams
9. Movies on the Quad or at the Illini Union are a great way to watch new movies for free!
10. Celebrity motivational speakers, singers and comedians that visit campus every year
11. Illini making an impact all around the world
12. 150+ undergraduate programs
13. 100+ graduate programs
14. We were here for the birth of the Internet (Illinois had one of the earliest nodes in ARPAnet, a precursor to modern Internet infrastructure, and it had PLATO...)
15. ... which stands for Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations) system, which evolved into one of the world’s first online communities.
PLATO, introduced by two Illinois researchers, had users that were among the first to send e-mail, use screen savers and play online games.
16. Hearing the Marching Illini practice in the fall or marching down Gregory on the Fridays before games during football games
17. The beauty of Lincoln Hall
18. You’ll make some of your best friends at Illinois and years from now, maybe they’ll even be the godparent to your children Lou and Henson
19. Or you’ll meet the love of your life and seal your future at the Eternal Flame, a gift from the class of 1912 Subtext: According to legend, if you kiss under the Eternal Flame you’ll be together forever. (Don’t know if that’s true, but we’ll definitely be #IlliniForever.) Link: http://www.las.illinois.edu/about/uofiq/1912gift/
According to legend, if you kiss under the Eternal Flame you’ll be together forever. (Don’t know if that’s true, but we’ll definitely be #IlliniForever.): http://www.las.illinois.edu/about/uofiq/1912gift/
20. A rich history in music, from our first band director being basically BFFs with John Philip Sousa (and we have Sousa’s personal library of band music in the archives) to the birthplace of electronic music
There’s even music being composed just for the sesquicentennial and being played on the Altgeld Chimes.
21. A diverse population that rivals the United Nations
Well, pretty close. About 193 member nations are affiliated with the UN, and our students come from more than 112 countries.
22. The echo spot in front of Foellinger Auditorium
23. You can work as an undergrad to help change the world now
Like students in the Illinois Cancer Scholars program who begin doing research in a lab as freshmen.
24. Beginning your graduate or postdoctoral work with fellow researchers and scholars who are as passionate about your field as you are
25. Nine student-led a cappella groups
26. Taking fun and exciting classes
Such as ATMS 120 w/ Eric Snodgrass
27. Spending summers in Champaign-Urbana, when you feel like you have campus all to yourself
28. Seeing the Vet Med animals remotely via its Wildlife Clinic’s critter cam.
Check out the Wildlife Clinic's newest patient.
29. The miles and miles of bike paths
30. Favorite late-night eats around Campustown, which begs the question of which is better: Papa Del’s v. Garcia’s? Cracked truck or Merry Ann’s diner?
31. The architecture on campus, from Foellinger to Hellene Gateway to Funk ACES library
All 💯
32. An ice arena that’s open all year round
33. Wealth of research programs across campus
34. Illinois has the largest living alumni base in the country
35. You can yell I-L-L anywhere around the world
36. And most people will answer with I-N-I
37. The center of campus is not too far from the beauty of the South Farms
38. Tons of registered student organizations (RSOs) to join and plenty of free stuff on Quad Day
39. Memorial Stadium, which was built in 1923 as a memorial to the Illinois men and women who gave their lives for their country during World War I
Their names appear on 200 columns that support the east and west sides of the stadium.
40. With 15 colleges, Illinois’ campus is full of students from all different backgrounds, pursuing degrees in almost too many fields to count
41. The squirrels on the Quad are so friendly
Maybe too friendly sometimes?
42. No matter what kind of study environment you may need, you can probably find it in one of the campus libraries
They’re literally everywhere.
43. Raise your hand if you’ve heard Lady Gaga or Hail to the Orange on your way to class playing from the Altgeld Chimes
You can request songs via email by contacting chimes@illinois.edu.
44. Spurlock Museum, which has more than 40,000 items in its collections including Noble Prize winner John Bardeen’s Presidential Medal of Freedom, amulet necklaces from Yemen and nearly 1,750 Mesopotamian tablets
That’s a lot of tablets.
45. Food trucks all over campus to curb your “been in class for about two hours plus forever and starving” hunger
46. Dogs and puppies on the Main Quad when the weather’s nice
47. The Beckman Institute and its impactful research, from hijacking a cell’s own metabolism to attack cancer cells to using cooling helmets to combat brain injuries in college football
48. Plenty of ways for students to be involved with campus governance, including Illinois student government or as a leader in their registered student organization
49. The Observatory
50. Walking by Smith Hall and hearing opera on the way to class
51. Golfing at the Orange and Blue Courses
52. When you can claim more than two family members as fellow Illini, whether it’s your cousin, brother, sister, aunt, grandma who walked up and down the Quad just like you
53. Allerton Park
Going to events in the mansion, touring the gardens and saying hello to the Sun Singer, exploring the trails or listening to jazz.
54. Participating in intramural sports
55. Sights and Sounds
When Illinois freshmen and transfer students learn the school song for the first time and form a massive Block I on the field of Memorial Stadium.
56. Whipped Cream in a Can came from Illinois
We can all be thankful for this one.
57. More than 25 national championships since 1900
58. Fun times in Champaign-Urbana with Ebertfest, the Urbana Sweet Corn Festival and other local festivals
59. We have one of the fastest computers in the world: Blue Waters supercomputer at NCSA
60. Appreciation for the generations that struggled through Registration Day in the past
It used to take days, and now it basically takes minutes.
61. So many cultural and resource centers
Including the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC), Asian American Cultural Center (AACC), Diversity & Social Justice Education (DiversityEd), La Casa Cultural Latina (La Casa), LGBT Resource Center (LGBTRC), Native American House (NAH) and the Women’s Resources Center (WRC).
62. Vanquishing the UGL doors which have been frustrating Illinois students for YEARS
63. Knowing that future generations won’t have to vanquish the UGL doors because we replaced them with brand-new doors this year
These UGL librarians know: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwBMJMbAqBI
64. Students get access to hundreds of free databases and resources like Rosetta Stone
And you could kick yourself for not using them more while attending Illinois
65. All night study sessions at Grainger Library
or ACES or the UGL
66. The Quad is the perfect place for a nice nap
67. The dining halls at Illinois offer an extensive list of options including six locations and a la carte offerings that provide vegetarian and vegan options
68. You can get a leg up before you even graduate by attending leadership events and conferences on campus
Visit leadership.illinois.edu for information on upcoming events and opportunities.
69. Orange Krush. Need we say more?
70. Campus Recreation is a great resource for those looking to get active
We have everything from club sports to group fitness and aquatic centers.
71. Jobs fairs, recruitment visits from top companies, and alumni connections offer a wealth of job and internship opportunities
72. Residence Hall communities
73. We mentioned the Quad, but there are study spots all over campus
Visit https://illinispaces.illinois.edu/uiuc to see what’s available
74. We start tailgating early!
75. The gameday atmosphere with everyone, whether they’re young or old, decked out in orange and blue
76. Going on a campus tour as a prospective student and learning things you never knew about the university
77. Illinois cares about sustainability and protecting our planet
Visit http://sustainability.illinois.edu/campus-sustainability/ for interesting things Illinois is doing with sustainability
78. Building community around the residence halls through events like the Urbana South block party
79. The Morrow Plots
Where the phrase “Don’t throw shade on the corn!” comes from. The Morrow Plots are considered the oldest agronomic experimental fields in the United States.
80. When all your hard work pays off and you graduate with thousands of other Illini
81. 23 Nobel Laureates
82. 23 Pulitzer Prize Winners
83. Resident advisors are great because of their creative programs and organized floor outings and dinners
84. Visiting the memorial to Illini Nellie, one of two “people” buried on campus
Our first president is buried behind Altgeld. Illini Nellie is a famous cow known for producing record-setting amounts of milk.
85. There are 145 years of fraternities and sororities at Illinois
86. Whether you want to catch a game with the Fighting Illini or see one of your favorite artists perform, the State Farm Center is great place to view the action up close
87. Hammocks on the Quad
88. Krannert Art Museum collections
Visit http://kam.illinois.edu/ for information on current and upcoming exhibits.
89. Accessibility started here with Tim Nugent, who founded the first comprehensive program of higher education for individuals with disabilities in 1948
He also served as Professor of Rehabilitation Education and Director of the Rehabilitation Education Center and the Division of Rehabilitation Education Services at Illinois.
90. The Insect Fear Film Festival has been scaring the general public with horrific films and horrific filmmaking since 1984
91. Looking at Foellinger Auditorium in every season
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96. Alumni, staff and faculty members who created amazing innovations that affect our daily lives today
There’s even a book about it that you can read just in time for the sesquicentennial.
97. When you lock arms with a total stranger and a thousand voices sing “Hail to the Orange” at football games, basketball games, Commencement
98. Taking a walk or going for a run through the University of Illinois Arboretum
See also: excellent study spot
99. Research Park
You can get a cool internship with a fortune 500 company or found your own startup!
100. Rubbing Lincoln’s Nose at Lincoln Hall for good luck before a tough exam
101. Living-Learning Communities are the bridges connecting academics and students’ home away from home with in-hall courses on everything from health professions to sustainability
102. With its chants and card tricks, Block I is a fan fave and campus tradition
103. We get to choose from more than 1,400 registered student organizations. If by some chance you can't find what you're looking for, you can create your own!
104. Proximity to practically everything you need to survive as a college student. Even when living in in the middle of cornfields
105. Not to compete with the Quad, but Alma in every season is one reason we love Illinois
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110. Those needed, important coffee dates with friends all over campus
111. The historic round barns that can be found on the south part of campus
112. Dial-a-Carol
An annual tradition based out of Snyder Hall since 1960, students sing holiday carols for 24/7 during the week before winter break.
113. Access to tons of destinations via Willard Airport
Skip that long train ride to Chicago next time.
114. Imitating the statues by the Main Library
C’mon, you know you’ve done it.
115. Buying food or snacks on the Quad for a good cause
116. Seeing the all of the farm animals at the South Farms
117. Illinois students and professors are constantly making an impact in their fields of study and expertise
118. When you learn that yes, you DO look good in orange and blue #fashion
119. Illinites at the Illini Union is a great way to take a break from the weekly stress of classes and have fun for free
120. Red Grange, a three-time All-American, is the greatest college football player to ever live
121. Stand-up comedy at the Illini Union courtyard cafe
122. Grange Grove is one of the best spots for tailgating nearby the stadium and to view the “Fighting Illini walk”
123. Multicultural advocates are the go-to resource for diversity and inclusion needs in the residence halls
124. The MTD bus system is pretty much curbside service
125. When the sun is shining, there’s a slight breeze and everyone’s in a good mood, the Quad is the perfect place to be whether it’s studying or hanging with friends
126. Did you know there’s a theater room in the basement of the Illini Union?
127. Study abroad opportunities are available through different colleges if you’re looking for a particular experience
128. Who knew diagonal crosswalks were a thing that we’ve always needed?
129. Playing baseball, frisbee, cricket or whatever you may enjoy most on the the Quad with friends
130. Krannert Center Student Association
As one student described it, “Volunteering as an usher has given me the opportunity to see literally dozens of shows per year for free, including many I might not have known about otherwise. In addition, the meetings and social activities place an emphasis on bringing students together to appreciate all art forms, and it’s this kind of creative community which has given me the greatest sense of 'home' on campus.”
131. The Rare Book and Manuscript Library
You can see one of Gwendolyn Brooks personal letters or material from the 14th to 20th centuries from Asia.
132. Sharing your love of the U. of I. with your mom and dad on Dads Weekend or Moms weekend
133. Dressing up in flannel for your RSO’s barn dance
134. Meeting the professor who changed what you thought you’d do for the rest of your life, but for the better
135. Being able to get involved in a passion that’s not necessarily your major
Play the banjo, but you’re in Engineering? Go for it. Love to sing but studying psychology? Join an a capella group.
136. Japan House
A gem of the Arboretum, the Japan House offers multiple public events through the year and tea ceremonies.
137. Internship opportunities
In fact, 39% of graduates from the Class of 2015-2016 indicated that they received a full-time offer from their internships, according to illinisuccess.com
138. The first day you arrive on campus for Welcome Week and you’re nervous, but excited
139. Kayaking in Boneyard Creek
140. Slacklining on the Quad
141. Hidden gems that you’ve discovered on campus
One Illinois alumna: the conservatory in the Plant Science Laboratory is the best place to catch some warmth and sunshine during winter time.
142. When all your hard work pays off and you graduate with thousands of other Illini
143. Lots of opportunities to volunteer and fundraise for a cause or organization that’s meaningful to you
144. Playing with total strangers’ animals on the engineering Quad
145. Visiting Curtis Apple Orchard or the Reindeer Ranch in the fall
146. Doing something goofy whenever there are tours of prospective students walking by
Because we work hard, but know how to have fun
147. The miles and miles of bike paths
148. The atrium in BIF (Business Instructional Facility
149. Dressing up to the nines for your RSO’s formal or semiformal
150. We can't wait to see what the next 150 years will bring!
Share your #ILLINOIS150 story on our sesquicentennial website: 150.illinois.edu
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