Indiana State University Indiana State University ( ISU ) is a public university located in Terre Haute , Indiana , United States . The " Princeton Review " has named Indiana State as one of the " Best in the Midwest " seven years running , and the College of Education ' s Graduate Program was recently named as a ' Top 100 ' by U . S . News & World Report while the graduate program in nursing was recognized as among the " Top 75 ' in the nation by U . S . News . The magazine currently classifies Indiana State University as a tier 2 national university . The current Carnegie classification for ISU is Doctoral / Research University . Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools . ISU is also included in Carnegie ' s new Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships category that recognizes substantial commitments to both an academic approach to mutually beneficial and respectful community collaboration and extensive outreach and partnerships . Indiana State offers 100 + majors , notably education , business , criminology , finance , insurance and risk management , nursing , athletic training , and construction technology ; the university ' s graduate education , financial services , nursing and clinical psychology programs are nationally recognized . Indiana State is a diverse university , with 3 . 8 % of students attending as international students and 19 . 5 % of students belonging to a minority . Of the 19 . 5 % minority students , 75 . 4 % are African American , 8 . 3 % are multiracial , 8 . 3 percent are Hispanic and Latino American , 5 . 8 percent are Asian American , and 2 . 1 percent are Native American . Indiana State is the first public university in Indiana to require incoming freshmen to have a laptop . ISU offers Dell Latitude E6420 laptops to incoming freshmen with high high school GPAs of 3 . 0 or higher ( on a 4 . 0 scale ) as part of its Laptop Initiative . ISU is a member of the College Consortium of Western Indiana . This membership allows students who are full - time at their home institution to take classes at the other member institutions of Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology and Saint Mary - of - the - Woods College . History . Indiana State University was established by the Indiana General Assembly on December 20 , 1865 , as the Indiana State Normal School in Terre Haute . As the State Normal School , its core mission was to educate elementary and high school teachers . The school awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1908 and the first master ' s degrees in 1928 . In 1929 , the Indiana State Normal School was renamed the Indiana State Teachers College , and in 1961 , was renamed Indiana State College due to an expanding mission . In 1965 , the Indiana General Assembly renamed the college as Indiana State University in recognition of continued growth . Campus . The Indiana State University main campus is located on the north side of Terre Haute ’ s downtown business district and covers more than in the heart of the city . Over 60 brick and limestone buildings and laboratories comprise the main campus . Starting in the 1960s and continuing through the 1990s , ISU lost many of its historic buildings , but efforts to beautify the campus continue : a section of Seventh Street that runs by the university has been converted into a boulevard with flower beds and antique light posts ; the old power plant was razed in 2002 and replaced with a modern facility ; Stalker Hall reopened in fall 2005 after a complete renovation ; Normal Hall , a Neo - Classic building erected in 1909 , originally served as the library , and is line for renovation in 2011 - 12 . In 2009 , the university dedicated a more than Student Recreation Center , financed via private funding and student fees . Also in 2009 , the College of Education was relocated to the newly renovated , historic University Hall . Beginning in 2012 , the College of Business will relocate to the renovated Terre Haute Federal Building , a classic Art Deco building erected in 1933 . The Indiana State University field campus is an outdoor teaching , learning , and research area designed to accommodate educational programs and services . The field campus is located on approximately east of Terre Haute near Brazil , Indiana , and includes eight man - made lakes . Fairbanks Hall . Fairbanks Hall serves as both a working art studio as well as gallery space for the art department of Indiana State University . Originally built as a Terre Haute public library in 1903 - 06 ; it is an outstanding example of Beaux - Arts architecture and constructed entirely from Indiana Limestone . In 1903 , Mr . Fairbanks offered to construct a new public library on a site the city would provide ; it was to be named in honor of his mother Emeline Fairbanks . Terre Haute acquired a parcel of land at Seventh and Eagle Streets by May 5 , 1903 , the groundbreaking took place on March 15 , 1904 . On August 10 , 1904 , the cornerstone was placed . A timecapsule containing the history of the building , as well as a list of city and university officials , photographs of the namesake Fairbanks family , a copy of the program for the ceremony , copies of the city ' s newspapers and a 1904 Terre Haute city directory . The informal opening and dedication of the completed building was April 29 , 1906 . On Saturday , August 11 , 1906 , a formal ceremony to open the building to the public was held , the following Monday , the Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library opened to the general public . In 1978 , Indiana State University took ownership and following its renovation , it was christened Faribanks Hall in honor of the prominent Terre Haute businessman and philanthropist , responsible for its original construction , Mr . Crawford Fairbanks . As part of the new Indiana State Master Plan , Fairbanks Hall will receive a comprehensive study to determine a new use of the space . It is a historically significant structure and will continue to be used by the University . Normal Hall . Normal Hall is the current home of the archives of Indiana State University . Originally built as the library in 1909 , it is the last remaining structure from Indiana State ’ s Normal School era . In 1957 , it was remodeled and in 1961 , it was re - dedicated as ‘ Cunningham Memorial Library ’ in honor of Indiana State ’ s first Librarian , Mr . Arthur Cunningham ( 1891 - 1928 ) . On the centennial of its construction , it was announced that it would be fully remodeled and will become a student academic honors center . Pg . 3 - 5 University Hall . The Indiana State Teacher ' s College Laboratory School was a PWA - funded project . The land was donated to the University by the City of Terre Haute . The initial wing of the building was completed in July , 1935 . The Sycamore Theater and a gymnasium were completed in 1937 through funding provided by an additional PWA grant . Terre Haute - native Gilbert Brown Wilson added several murals to the interior . The laboratory school used to operate as a unit of the Vigo County School Corporation . In 2008 - 09 , it was renovated at a cost of $ 29 . 8M and became the new home of the Bayh College of Education . 2010 Master Plan . On December 18 , 2009 ; the Indiana State University Board of Trustees accepted a new Master Plan , This plan will guide the physical growth and development of the Indiana State University campus for the next 15 to 20 years . It provides a blueprint for campus improvements in the near and mid - term and an overriding philosophy for the long term . Primary components of the plan include : • Meeting the functional needs of academic programs within the current facility square footage . • Improving student housing choices . • Serving as a partner and catalyst to the redevelopment of downtown Terre Haute . • Improving vehicular and pedestrian circulation systems and wayfinding . • Supporting the redevelopment of the Wabash Riverfront . • Providing athletic facilities that are competitive with peer institutions • Responding to contemporary and practical sustainable design practices . Academics . Colleges and school . Indiana State University is organized into six academic colleges : ISU offers more than 90 programs in the Colleges of Arts & Sciences , Business , Education , Technology , and Nursing , Health and Human Services . The College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers programs that lead to doctoral and master ' s degrees . Students can also pursue certificates in a concentrated area of study , enroll in professional development courses , and fulfill continuing education requirements . Library . The Cunningham Memorial Library collections include more than 1 . 3 million items . Undergraduate students may check out most materials for a three - week loan period , using their student ID . The library is part of the Library Consortium of Vigo County . Through a search engine called Fusion , students may search through 400 , 000 records found in the library catalogs for the Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology , Saint Mary - of - the - Woods College , and the Vigo County Public Library . More than 110 full - time service computers are available throughout the library . Nine computers are equipped with scanners and one computer has ZoomText capabilities that enlarges print and screen and reads aloud for the visually challenged . New furniture , computer hardware , and software enable groups of students to collaborate electronically . Printers and photocopiers are also available . Collaborative , group , and individual study areas are offered as well as group study rooms . One study area is dedicated to adaptive technology , which includes a Braille display , a reading machine , a special individual monitor for people with retinal degenerative diseases , a head tracker , a multi - colored QWERTY layout with keys four times larger than normal , a voice - to - text program , and software to help people who struggle with reading . Accreditation . Indiana State University as a whole has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools continuously since 1915 . The College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business ( AACSB ) and the College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education ( NCATE ) . The nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission ( NLNAC ) . The Bachelor in Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education ( CSWE ) . The Undergraduate Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education ( CAATE ) . The Graduate Athletic Training program is accredited by the National Athletic Trainers ' Association - Graduate Review Committee ( NATA - PPEC ) . The Physical Education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education ( NCATE ) . University traditions . Donaghy Day . Named for Fred Donaghy , graduate of the Normal School ( 1912 ) and a professor of life sciences , this tradition was initiated in 1976 as a day set aside for the community to celebrate the season and to work to help beautify the campus and surrounding community ; Donaghy Day is now conducted during the first week of the fall semester and is used to acquaint new students with the university ' s commitment to community engagement . Homecoming . The term Homecoming was first used in print announcements for the Alumni - Varsity Basketball Game on December 9 , 1916 . By 1919 , this event became known as Blue and White Day and featured dances and entertainment for alumni of the Normal School . In 1921 the events were organized around a football game scheduled earlier in the autumn . A bonfire and pep rally were added to the festivities in 1922 ; the Blue - and - White Parade in 1923 ; and in 1937 , Bette Whitmore ( Kappa Kappa ) was elected ISU¹s first Homecoming Queen . Founders Day . Conducted in January or February of each year , this event commemorates the opening of the institution in 1870 when 23 students presented themselves to a faculty of three on the first day of classes at the Indiana State Normal School . Mascots . The school has had two mascots . Early on in the school ' s history , the athletes were referred to as the " Fighting Teachers " , until the students chose the name " Sycamores " , from the abundance of Sycamore trees in Indiana and especially in the Wabash River Valley ; though it is believed that the students voted on ' Sycamores ' on a lark , never thinking it would win . During the 1950s and 60s , the sycamore tree itself was used as Indiana State ' s mascot . However , as a tree does not lend itself well to an athletic mascot , especially considering Indiana State ' s in - state rivalries with the Ball State Cardinals and Butler Bulldogs , the university created an Indian mascot named Chief Quabachi , and his Princess , in 1969 . This change paid homage to the fact that ISU was the " State " university of a state named after Indians ( prior to statehood Indiana was primarily inhabited by Indians ) . However , the university stopped using Chief Quabachi as a mascot in 1989 . For six years , Indiana State did not have a mascot , until 1995 , a blue - and - white " furry woodland creature " named " Sycamore Sam " was developed to replace Chief Quabachi and continues to serve as Indiana State ' s mascot . Tandem . This student - organized race was first run as part of Spring Week activities in 1970 . Teams are coed mixed pairs , which compete on tandem bicycles . Trike . The Indiana State Tricycle Derby was first run in 1963 as a 10 - lap race around the sidewalks of the Quadrangle on children ' s tricycles . The races featured a men ' s and women ' s division ( the Powder Puff Derby ) . The races now feature men ' s and women ' s teams racing on specially built tricycles at the new Recreation East complex at Ninth and Sycamore streets . In October 2005 , the Michael Simmons Student Activity Center opened at Rec East , featuring commemorative displays chronicling the history and the participants of trike and tandem , containing bleacher seating , an all - purpose room , restrooms , an observation deck , and storage . The Walk . The unofficial tradition during homecoming is known as " The Walk . " A large number of students , typically reaching in the thousands , make the two mile ( 3 km ) walk east on Wabash Avenue towards the Football Stadium stopping and having a drink at each bar along the way . In 2010 , the university launched “ SoberRide ” and “ Designated Walker ” programs for homecoming . The Walk can be traced back to the early 1980s when students walked from Saturday night football games back to campus , stopping for a beer at every establishment that served beer , including the Pizza Hut , on Wabash . Songs . Fight Song . " March On ! ( You Fighting Sycamores ) " , the university ’ s fight song , was authored and arranged by Joseph A . Gramelspacher , an ISU professor of music , as a pep song . It was first performed at a homecoming eve pep rally on October 20 , 1939 . " March On ! ( You Fighting Sycamores ) " Before March On ! , the school ' s fight song was Cheer for the Blue and White , composed in 1931 as part of the Indiana State Teachers College song contest . Alma Mater . Charles M . Curry , Professor of English and Literature authored " The Alma Mater " . It was originally entitled , " Indiana ’ s Normal " and first printed in a June 1912 issue of the " Normal Advance " . Dr . Curry used the music of Annie Lisle for " The Alma Mater " . Athletics . The school ' s athletic teams are known as the " Sycamores " . They participate in the Division I Missouri Valley Conference and NCAA FCS Missouri Valley Football Conference . Athletically , it is best known as the alma mater of basketball legend Larry Bird ; World Champion gymnast Kurt Thomas ; and Olympic , World and Pan - American Champion free - style wrestler , Bruce Baumgartner . The legendary basketball coach John Wooden coached the Sycamores before accepting the Head Coaching position at UCLA . The Men ' s Basketball team won the 1950 NAIB National Champions and were National Runner - Up in 1946 and 1948 . They were also the NCAA College Division ( Div II ) National Runner - Up in 1968 and the Division I National Runner - Up in 1979 . The 1950 team comprised the core of the 1951 Pan - American Gold Medal Team . In 1971 , Coach Grete Treiber led the ISU Women ' s gymnastics team to a National Runner - up finish at the AIAW National Championships . Kurt Thomas led the Men ' s Gymnastics Team to the 1977 NCAA National Championship . Indiana State University Chess Captain , Taylor Pinnick , has led the Sycamores to 9 consecutive wins in the Missouri Valley Conference . Facilities . Hulman Center , originally named Hulman Civic - University Center , is a multi - use arena that opened in December 1973 . It seats 10 , 200 people for basketball and is home to the Indiana State University Sycamores men ' s and women ' s basketball teams of the Missouri Valley Conference . It has hosted multiple concerts and the Missouri Valley Conference men ' s basketball tournament title game in 1979 , the year legendary Larry Bird helped the undefeated Sycamores reach the championship game of the NCAA tournament . The baseball field is located within a mile of the main campus along the scenic Wabash River . Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium is home to the Terre Haute Rex team . Memorial Stadium , the home field for Indiana State ' s NCAA Football Championship Subdivision football team of the Missouri Valley Football Conference , and the women ' s soccer team is located on Wabash Avenue , two miles ( 3 km ) east of the main campus . Walter E . Marks Field for track and field and Ferne Price Field for softball are among the many athletic facilities located on campus . Indiana State University has hosted eight ( 2002 , 2004 – 2010 ) NCAA Division I cross country championships at the spectacular LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course . Indiana State will host the championships in 2013 . The University also hosted the 1975 NCAA Gymnastics National Championships . The school also hosted the 10th NCAA Wrestling Championships in 1937 ; remarkable considering the school had yet to establish a wrestling program .