Discover the Top 7 Surprising Fun Facts About Illinois State University You Never Knew!

1. Diverse Intellectual Cocktail

In a colorful blender filled with 20,720 brilliant minds, Illinois State University mixes up a diverse intellectual cocktail, chock full of rainbows and 4.0 dreams: As of fall 2020, 31% of the freshman class hails from traditionally underrepresented groups, their high school GPAs blending smoothly at 3.5, while their average ACT scores swirl near 24. Bonus garnish: over 400 new students have shaken up the Honors Program, and graduate student enrollment sparkles with a 4% increase from the previous fall.
Source => news.illinoisstate.edu

2. Quidditch Magic on Campus

Wizards and muggles alike, unite! Grab your broomsticks and prepare for takeoff, as the world of academia dives headfirst into the whimsical realm of Quidditch, leaving professors in a flurry of robes and Hogwarts house scarves: Illinois State University has a registered student organization called the Illinois State Firebirds, adopting the beloved sport from the Harry Potter series and competing in national Quidditch tournaments. Mere mortals can join the enchanting fun too, as students are sorted into houses and build strong bonds on and off the pitch, proving that friendship truly is the most magical force of all.
Source => news.illinoisstate.edu

Did you know that 1.5 million bats call Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge their home, creating the world's largest urban bat colony? Witness their nightly insect feast and join the delighted locals and tourists! 🦇

=> Fun Facts about Texas

3. Free New York Times Access

When life gives you lemons, Illinois State University hands you a free subscription to The New York Times: Milner Library offers complimentary access to the renowned publication, ensuring all Illinois State-affiliated folk stay hooked onto global news and nuggets without feeling the squeeze on their pockets.
Source => library.illinoisstate.edu

4. Tree Campus USA Honors

Talk about branching out in education: Illinois State University has been honored as a Tree Campus USA seven times in the last eight years for their outstanding tree management, environmental stewardship, and engaging students in service-learning projects.
Source => news.illinoisstate.edu

5. Milner Library's Circus Collection

Step right up, folks, and prepare to be amazed by the most stupendous, dare we say - tent-tastic - fact about Illinois State University: Their Milner Library boasts an incredible collection of all things circus, including Maureen Brunsdale's enlightening book In the Shadow of the Big Top: the Life of Ringling's Unlikely Circus Savior, rare books, and photographs that chronicle the dazzling and daring history of the American circus.
Source => gammaphicircus.illinoisstate.edu

6. Rugby Anniversary Fundraiser

Talk about a "rugby scrum-tious" anniversary: Illinois State University's Rugby Alumni is raising funds to support both the Men's and Women's rugby teams as they scrum their way into their 50th and 45th anniversary celebrations, respectively, ensuring they’re well-equipped, can travel in style, and continue to tackle the field of ISU rugby.
Source => hatch.illinoisstate.edu

7. Academic Smorgasbord of Programs

If you're hungry for knowledge, Illinois State University has quite the academic smorgasbord: boasting 300 undergraduate and graduate programs, including appetizing courses in agriculture, business, communication, education, and health professions.
Source => princetonreview.com