Illinois State University is a public university located in the town of Normal, Illinois. It was the first, and remains the oldest, public institution of higher education in the entire state. Like many state universities, it usually just goes by its initials ISU, like its neighbor Iowa State University.

Illinois State University was originally named Illinois State Normal University and was founded in 1857 by Jesse W. Fell. The legal documents to officially establish this university were drawn up by none other than the future President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The original “Normal Schools” were designed specifically to focus on the education of teachers in the state. This philosophy remained for over a full century.

In fact, it wasn't until 1964, over one hundred years after being founded, that Illinois State University at Normal changed its name to Illinois State University and expanded its curriculum to a full liberal arts emphasis. ISU is still known as a teaching school, and it remains bay far and away the most productive teaching school in the entire state of Illinois.

ISU is not considered a division I school, but they are considered I-AA and the ISU athletic teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference and the Gateway Football Conference. Their team name is the “Redbirds,” which refers to the Illinois state bird, which is the cardinal. ISU is also home to the world's tallest residence hall, the Watterson Towers, which house and amazing 2,200 students. This building is a pair of towers which was completed in 1967.

While the better known and larger University of Illinois is not in direct competition with Illinois State University because of the disparity in size, but even so there is still the same good natured joshing that often happens between students of two schools in the same state–hence how often if you ask an Illini what ISU stands for, try not to laugh or scowl when they respond, “I Screwed Up.”