Skip to main site navigation OPEN THE MAIN MENU History of Illinois Tech Home About History of Illinois Tech About Mission and Vision OPEN THE MISSION AND VISION SUBMENU History of Illinois Tech CLOSE THE HISTORY OF ILLINOIS TECH SUBMENU Mergers and Changes Inventing the Future Historic Architecture Hall of Fame Early Leadership Past Presidents Leadership Administrative Offices Contact Us Campus Information OPEN THE CAMPUS INFORMATION SUBMENU Rankings and Recognition OPEN THE RANKINGS AND RECOGNITION SUBMENU The Sermon and the Institute In 1890 when advanced education was often reserved for society's elite, Chicago minister Frank Wakeley Gunsaulus delivered what came to be known as the "million dollar sermon." From the pulpit of his South Side church, near the site Illinois Institute of Technology now occupies, Gunsaulus said that with $1 million, he could build a school where students of all backgrounds could prepare for meaningful roles in a changing industrial society. Inspired by Gunsaulus's vision, Philip Danforth Armour Sr. (1832–1901) gave $1 million to found Armour Institute—and Armour, his wife, Malvina Belle Ogden Armour (1842–1927), and their son Jonathan Ogden Armour (1863–1927), continued to support the university in its early years. When Armour Institute opened in 1893, it offered professional courses in engineering, chemistry, architecture, and library science. Illinois Tech was created in 1940 by the merger of Armour Institute and Lewis Institute. Located on the West Side of Chicago, Lewis Institute, established in 1895 by the estate of hardware merchant and investor Allen C. Lewis, offered liberal arts as well as science and engineering courses for both men and women. At separate meetings held by their respective boards on Oct. 26, 1939, the trustees of Armour and Lewis voted to merge the two colleges. A Cook County circuit court decision on April 23, 1940, solidified the merger. Learn more... Illinois Tech welcomes you to join our community of people who discover, create, and solve. Apply today, visit us in Chicago, and contact us for more information. REQUEST INFO VISIT APPLY CONTACT 10 West 35th Street Chicago, IL 60616 312.567.3000 Contact Us Social Media Links Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Instagram CAMPUS Emergency Information Employment Alumni WEB LINKS Privacy Copyright Concerns IBHE Online Complaint System Student Complaint Information Student Non-Discrimination Policy We use technologies, such as cookies, to customize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze traffic to the site. By using or registering on any portion of this site, you agree to our privacy and cookie statement. DISMISS PRIVACY STATEMENT