Student Life - Northwest History

Students, along with faculty and staff, gather outside the front entrance of the Administration Building, known as Academic Hall, for a group photo.

Bedroom in a student summer cottage. The cottages were the equivalent, but a homier version, of a residence hall.

A typical living room in a student summer cottage at the Northwest Normal School.

A typical dining room in a student summer cottage at the Northwest Normal School.

A typical kitchen in a student summer cottage at the Northwest Normal School.

Group photo of the Men's Choral Club. Music was always an important part of life at the Northwest Normal School. The Acappella Club was particularly popular.

Young male actor playing a female role in true Shakespearean style in the Northwest Normal School's production of "Benvenuto Cellini."

Young male actor in the Northwest Normal School's production of "Benvenuto Cellini."

Young female student portraying an elegant lady in the Northwest Normal School's stage production of "Benevuto Cellini."

Young female cast member of the Northwest Normal School's theatrical production of the play "Benevuto Cellini."

Group photo of the first Normal School baseball team.

Group photo of the first Normal School basketball team.

The Northwest Normal School Drama Club in a group photo for their production of "Benvenuto Cellini."

Group photo of the first Normal School football team.

The Normal School Football team in their new, official Bearcat uniforms.

Group photo of the Normal School's first female physical education club in their physical education uniforms. In the back row are the members of the male physical education club.

The Northwest Normal School Drama Club traveled around the region, putting on plays in nearby towns. The students were not only able to gain practical experience in putting on a play for theater goers, but were able to enjoy some adventure by visiting nearby towns.

Northwest also had its share of famous visitors to campus. Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, gave a series of lectures at Northwest in 1916.

Students were involved in a variety of extracurricular activities at the Normal School from drama to football. As early as 1908, students attempted to establish a newspaper, but it wasn't until 1914 that they were successful with the Green and White Courier.

Greek societies were forbidden on March 18, 1914. The Board of Regents enacted a rule preventing fraternities and sororities from being formed on campus and ordered that any existing groups be dissolved. Students were not happy with the Board and a few protests were lodged, but these early efforts to retain Greek societies on campus were not successful. During this same year, the first indoor track meet was held in Room 114 in the Administration Building and the first Walk-Out Day occurred.