IWU 175th Anniversary Digital Archive

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  Belles-Lettres Society Exhibition Program

  Illinois Wesleyan University

  This program provides insight into the events of an 1869 Belles-Lettres Society Exhibition, which included musical performances, debates, and discussions.

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  University Seal

  John Wesley Powell

  Former IWU professor John Wesley Powell is best known for his expeditions along the Colorado River, but he also designed the university seal and created the motto Scientia et Sapientia, meaning "knowledge and wisdom". The photograph shown here depicts the seal mounted on McPherson Theatre.

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  William H. H. Adams Daguerrotype

  Unknown

  This circa 1860 photograph depicts Willian H. H. Adams, fourth president of Illinois Wesleyan University (1875-1888). During his presidency, he increased student enrollment and earned the reputation of "debt killer" by ridding the university of $50,000 of debt.

  Prior to his role at IWU, Adams served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Adams started his military career in the 111th Illinois Volunteer Regiment in 1862. While there, he was promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant. After nine months, he transferred to the 4th Regiment U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery, functioning as one of the first regiments to recruit African Americans. Here he rose through the ranks of Captain and ended up as Major.
  
  In 1865, Adams retired from the army and finished his education at Northwestern University, earning his license to preach. Shortly after retiring, Sarah Adams (William's wife) passed away. Quickly after, Adams remarried to Hannah Westfall and bore four children. In 1872, the family moved to Clinton, IL, where Adams took up a position as the minister of the Methodist Church.

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  Declaration of Intent: IWU's Birth Certificate

  Illinois Wesleyan University

  Known as Illinois Wesleyan University's birth certificate, this document was created and signed by the 30 founders of the university on Sept. 23, 1850. Initially, the founders intended to name the institution Illinois University, but before the paperwork was filed with the courthouse on Dec. 3 of that year, the declaration had been edited to insert the word "Wesleyan", presumably to honor the patronage of the Illinois Conference of the Methodist Church.