Illinois State University
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 |
| Founder | Jesse W. Fell |
| Accreditation | HLC |
| Endowment | $246.4 million (2025) |
| Budget | $566 million (2025) |
| President | Aondover Tarhule |
| Provost | Ani Yazedjian |
Administrative staff | 3,698 |
| Students | 21,994 (fall 2025) |
| Undergraduates | 19,513 (2025) |
| Postgraduates | 2,481 (2025) |
| Location | , United States |
| Campus | Urban campus, 1,180 acres (477.5 ha) |
| Newspaper | The Vidette |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Nickname | Redbirds |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division I FCS MVFC — MVC |
| Mascot | Reggie Redbird |
| Website | illinoisstate |
Illinois State University (ISU) is a public research university in Normal, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University and is the oldest public university in Illinois. It operates additional facilities in its twin city, Bloomington, and in Springfield.
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. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". 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.