NLU History
In 1886, Elizabeth Harrison founded the teacher-training school that eventually became this university, now know by the initials NLU.
What is National Louis University?
NLU’s main campus is located in this major Midwestern city, in an urban setting right in the heart of downtown
What is Chicago?
In 1986, Michael W. Louis provided a historic $30 million gift to the institution—one of the largest ever to an Illinois college—eventually inspiring this new university name.
What is National Louis University?
In 2020–21, NLU served over 10,000 students, with roughly 45 percent undergraduates and 55 percent graduate students, and about this percentage identifying as a minority.
What is about 65 percent?
This founder of NLU was both an education pioneer and a social reformer, using her kindergarten training school to improve conditions for families and neighborhoods in Chicago.
Who is Elizabeth Harrison?
Elizabeth Harrison originally created NLU as a training school for women to teach very young children, helping ignite this now-standard level of schooling in the United States.
What is kindergarten?
The flagship downtown Chicago campus at 122 S. Michigan Avenue sits just steps away from this world-famous park that hosts music festivals, public art, and ice-skating.
What is Millennium Park?
That landmark gift from Michael W. Louis enabled the institution to expand beyond education into new fields, including business, fine arts, English, psychology, and this area of public decision-making.
What is public policy?
According to recent data, NLU’s undergraduate acceptance rate is about 93 percent, signaling a strong focus on this aspect of access for aspiring students.
What is a high level of access / open admissions focus?
NLU’s historical connection to the National Congress of Mothers helped pave the way for this modern organization, better known by a three-letter acronym that appears on many school newsletters.
What is the PTA?
Long before it was called National Louis University, the institution was known as Miss Harrison’s Training School and later took this name in 1930 as it became a leader in teacher education.
What is the National College of Education?
In 2006, NLU closed its former main site in Evanston and shifted its northern suburban operations to this nearby community, continuing its presence in the Chicago area.
What is Skokie, Illinois?
NLU is organized into four main colleges, including the National College of Education, the College of Professional Studies and Advancement, the Undergraduate College, and this college focused on culinary and hospitality programs.
What is Kendall College?
NLU’s total undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023 was 4,239 students, with an academic calendar that is described using this phrase, indicating that offerings vary by program.
What is “varies by program”?
Among NLU’s notable alumni is Asheru, known professionally in this creative industry, where he has contributed as a hip‑hop artist and educator.
What is the music industry?
The university’s official name changed in 1990 to National Louis University in honor of this family, whose major philanthropic gift helped expand the institution’s programs and reach.
Who are the Louis family?
Beyond Illinois, NLU also serves students through a regional campus in this sunny U.S. state, providing access to learners across 13 central counties.
What is Florida?
NLU is accredited by this regional accreditor, which oversees the quality of many universities in the Midwest and beyond.
What is the Higher Learning Commission?
Many of the young people served by NLU’s innovative Undergraduate College are first-generation students, meaning they are the first in their families to reach this educational level.
What is a bachelor’s degree?
Another notable NLU alum, Andrew Clements, became a bestselling author in this genre, writing popular titles like “Frindle” for young readers.
What is children’s literature?
In the early 1900s, NLU’s work in early childhood education helped launch this national parent–teacher advocacy organization, still active in schools today.
What is the Parent-Teacher Association (the PTA)?
One of NLU’s downtown buildings, acquired in 2018 at 18 S. Michigan Avenue, houses the culinary arts and hospitality management programs of this well-known college now integrated into the university.
What is Kendall College?
In 2026, NLU was preparing to mark this major anniversary, celebrating nearly a century and a half of innovation and problem solving in education.
What is the 140th anniversary?
NLU’s mission is deeply tied to equitable opportunity; one of its strategic aims is to help students overcome both academic and financial hurdles that might otherwise block them from earning this key credential.
What is a college degree?
Linda Holmes, listed among NLU’s notable alumni, went on to serve in this state-level legislative role in Illinois government.
What is Illinois state senator?