University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

April 13, 2000

Contact: Bryant Payne (312) 355-2523; bpayne2@uic.edu

UIC PROFESSORS' BOOK SHOWCASES UNIVERSITY'S HISTORY

The University of Illinois at Chicago began as a medical school in the late 19th century. Today, it is a comprehensive Research I university with 15 colleges located in a prominent urban setting. The campus is the largest and most diverse in the Chicago area, serving students from around the world.

Fred Beuttler, Melvin Holli and Robert Remini, all UIC historians, have put together a publication with a glimpse into UIC's rich history, "The University of Illinois at Chicago: A Pictorial History." The book will be released to the public Tuesday, April 18, during a photo exhibit and book-signing reception at A. Montgomery Ward Gallery, 750 S. Halsted, 3 to 7 p.m.

"This is the first project of the Office of the UIC Historian that visually describes the formation of relationships between UIC and its surrounding neighborhoods," said Beuttler. "This pictorial history serves as an introduction to the full story of UIC, a major scholarly history book currently in production."

"The University of Illinois at Chicago: A Pictorial History," contains almost 200 historic photographs that serve as a record of the Chicago campuses of the University of Illinois.

"After a great deal of research, we choose emblematic photos that depicted great change or symbolic moments in the university's history," said Holli. "Many of these signature photos mark a very important time in our history that goes beyond the routine teaching and learning you normally associate with educational institutions."

In addition to the pictorial, the UIC Historians are working on several other projects including oral histories, a historical video, a Web site and the anticipated history of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"The major scholarly history book is scheduled to be released February 5, 2005, in time to celebrate UIC's 40th anniversary," said Remini. "It is important for individuals associated with UIC to know what was done and why it was done. And, as with any history book, this publications will help people understand who we are, what our goals are and where we are headed."

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