![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3e/Illinois_State_University_seal.svg/640px-Illinois_State_University_seal.svg.png&w=640&q=50)
Illinois State University
Public university in Normal, Illinois, US / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Illinois State" redirects here. For the U.S. state, see Illinois.
This article is about the current university. For the unrelated, private institution, see Illinois State University (Springfield, Illinois).
Illinois State University (ISU) is a public research university in Normal, Illinois. It was founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University and is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching and is recognized as one of the top ten largest producers of teachers in the US according to the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education.[7][8] It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".[9]
Quick Facts Former names, Motto ...
![]() | |
Former names | Illinois State Normal University (1857–1964) Illinois State University at Normal (1964–1967) |
---|---|
Motto | Gladly We Learn and Teach |
Type | Public research university |
Established | 1857; 167 years ago (1857) |
Founder | Jesse W. Fell |
Accreditation | HLC |
Endowment | $224.7 million (2024)[1] |
Budget | $561.3 million (2024)[2] |
President | Aondover Tarhule [3] |
Provost | Ani Yazedjian (acting)[4] |
Administrative staff | 3,563 |
Students | 20,989[5] (2023) |
Undergraduates | 18,450 |
Postgraduates | 2,539 |
Location | , , United States |
Campus | Urban campus, 1,180 acres (477.5 ha) |
Language | English |
Newspaper | The Vidette |
Colors | Red and White[6] |
Nickname | Redbirds |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division I FCS MVFC — MVC |
Mascot | Reggie Redbird |
Website | illinoisstate |
![]() |
Close
The university's athletic teams are members of the Missouri Valley Conference and the Missouri Valley Football Conference and are known as the "Redbirds," in reference to the state bird, the cardinal.