CAMPUS EVENTS: 1960 - 1951
1960
  • The Committee for Liberal Action (CLA) formed to “fight student and administration apathy.” The group placed stickers protesting racial discrimination in store windows, and staged a sit-in at Walgreens.
  • Biology instructor Leo Koch was fired after writing letter to the Daily Illini endorsing premarital sex. In response, American Association of University Professors censured the University for five years. CLA members hung an effigy of President Henry from a tree in front of YMCA to protest the firing.
  • Senior Ron Stein won the pentathlon at the first Paralympic Games, held in Rome. Five Illini wheelchair student-athletes and three alumni earned gold medals at the games.
  • Former University President Arthur Willard died on September 12th.
  • Shortly before he was elected president, Senator John F. Kennedy addressed some 10,000 people on the Quad, becoming the first presidential candidate to do so at Illinois.
1959
  • Burrill Hall opened, serving as headquarters for new School of Life Sciences.
  • All elms on the Quad were gone.
  • Art and Architecture Building (now Art and Design) completed.
  • Orchard Place Apartments opened.
  • University recognition withheld for student organizations restricting membership on the basis of race or religion.
1958
  • Allen Hall opened to accommodate 669 women.
  • Board of Trustees modified ban on “political speakers” to permit on-campus addresses by presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
  • Digital Computer Laboratory completed.
  • Gregory Drive Residence Halls opened.
1957
  • Senator John F. Kennedy addressed 1,200 graduates at the midyear convocation held in the Auditorium.
  • Bevier Hall and Child Development Laboratory dedicated.
  • Students conducted “water riots” on Memorial Day.
  • The School of Journalism and Communications and the School of Physical Education became colleges.
1956
  • The Law Building dedicated.
  • Ban on “political speakers” was temporarily lifted. Vice-Presidential candidate Estes Kefauver became first authorized political speaker on campus in more than 60 years.
1955
  • David Dodds Henry appointed University president.
  • Dutch elm disease killed 48 of the 117 elms on the Quad.
  • Student registration held in the Armory for the first time.
  • Korean native Duck Choo Oh named Homecoming Queen.
1954
  • Committee on Student Affairs ruled that any student working on a publication like Shaftfaced possible disciplinary action.
  • Vice President Richard Nixon delivered speech from steps of YMCA.
1953
  • “Panty-raid” fad swept campus.
  • Campus ban on automobiles suspended for trial period of one year.
  • Board of Trustees forced President Stoddard’s resignation. Some 1,000 students marched from Auditorium to President’s house in support of Stoddard. Lloyd Morey named acting president.
  • The Student Community Human Relations Council began campaign to end discrimination by local barber shops.
PictureRose Bowl program, 1952
1952
  • Illinois defeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl, 40-7.
  • Men’s basketball team won Big Ten, advanced to the first-ever officially recognized Final Four.
  • The Alumni Association honored Illini student athletes with the first George Huff awards.
PictureCheerleaders, circa 1951
1951
  • Student Community Interracial Committee dissolved. The Student Community Human Relations Council–a new anti-discrimination group- organized.
  • Committee on Student Discipline demanded immediate resignation or removal of Sigma Delta Chi officers following publication of Tumor issue deemed offensive.
  • The first African-American homecoming queen at Illinois, Clarice Davis, crowned.
  • Men’s basketball team won Big Ten, finished in third place in the NCAA Tournament.
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