As America Approaches 250: SIUE brought changes to region in 1950s, 1960s
This quilt of farmlands in the mid-1950s would go on to become the site of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville a decade later. (SIUE archive photo)
By Kathy Turner • The month of January is dedicated to the twenty years spanning 1940 to 1960. Those 20 years brought a great deal of change to the region with the development of SIUE.
The university started as a dream of regional parents and business leaders. In 1955, they started a campaign to get a university to serve the region. They were concerned that young people had no option in the area to advance their education after high school and it was impacting the region economically.
The Southwestern Illinois Council for Higher Education was formed in 1956. The group convinced educational leaders in the state that the metro-east needed more opportunities. They contacted state officials and, together, they hired a consultant to help document the need.
The resulting report, the See-Myers report, was presented in 1957. It showed that the Madison and St. Clair counties areas had the largest population concentrations outside of metropolitan Chicago. Despite the dense population, it also revealed that only three percent of that population had completed a four-year college education. With no university located convenient to the region, area businesses used the information to reinforce their message of need to have an opportunity to hire college-educated students.
In 1957, SIU opened two residence centers in Alton (the former Shurtleff College) and East St. Louis. A private fundraising campaign was kicked off to purchase land for a new campus. This was not without controversy. Farmers along Poag Road were not happy with the campus location that included many long-standing farms. There were even reports of farmers firing shotguns at helicopters carrying state representatives and potential donors.
But by 1959, the campus enrollment had increased to 3,800, which outgrew the temporary facilities. The new site for a permanent campus was finalized. Illinois legislators authorized a bond issue to fund a public university in the area in 1960. An election for the bond issue overwhelmingly approved the development.
The new SIU Edwardsville (then partnered with SIU Carbondale) broke ground in 1963. By 1965, the University opened the Peck Classroom Building and the Lovejoy Library. The campus, which covers 2,660 acres, was on its way to serving the region.
The two facilities in Alton and East St. Louis continue to serve residents and be part of the SIUE campus. The Alton facility houses the School of Dental Medicine. The East St. Louis Center is used for education and community services to the area.
Some of the campus’ original buildings take shape during the mid-1960s. (SIUE archive photo)
From the inception, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has not only brought students to the area but also faculty, staff and administrators. This aided in the growth of the communities surrounding the university.
SIUE itself has also grown. Today, the student enrollment is above that of SIU Carbondale for the Fall 2025 semester. The university offers Division I athletic programs, a school of pharmacy and many new buildings to educate the ever-growing student population.
The school has also gone from a commuter university to one that offers multiple dormitories and apartment options for students. Its continued expansion has greatly impacted the communities in the area.
The fan-shaped parking lot forms to the east of the buildings. (SIUE archive photo)
