- The first issue of The Argus was published on September 17, 1894
- IWU rests on land once cared for by native nations including the Kickapoo, Peoria, Ochethi, Sioux and Miami
- IWU has many famous alums including Richard Jenkins, Jack Sikma and Chris Fusco
- The first female graduate was Hannah I. Shur, who received her diploma in 1872. She was the 74th student to receive a diploma from the university
- The first day of classes were held on Monday, October 28, 1850. Seven students attended and tuition was $3 to $5 per quarter. There was no president or board of trustees at the time
- Comedian Andy Dick attended IWU, but did not graduate
- Actor John Belushi applied to IWU, but was not accepted
- The first commencement was held on July 3, 1853. Only two degrees were awarded that day. The first BA degree went to James Hugh Barger.
- IWU played its first football game in 1887.
- The school colors used to be navy blue and gray
- Gus A. Hill was the first African-American graduate of IWU in 1880
- IWU switched its colors to green and white in 1898
- The first international students at IWU arrived in 1889 from Tokyo
- Ralph C. Smedley, the founder of Toastmasters International was a 1903 graduate of IWU
- Ralph S. Freese wrote the school cheer song during the 1910-1911 school year
- In 1970, Presser Hall was set fire by juvenile arsonists
- During the Great Depression, IWU had programs that allowed students to pay their tuition in produce
- Buck Memorial Library used to be a school of law
- IWU is older than both ISU and UIUC
- The university archives are on the fourth floor of Ames and Meg Miner can tell you loads of more fun facts
And now you know!