Student Engagement and Enrollment
The 1900s saw Indiana University become much larger and consequently create its own distinct character. The adoption of the name “Hoosier” starting in 1923 unified community members under a single identity. Returning veterans from World War II created a population boom on campus that transformed the University into a nationally recognized institution. Hoosiers continued to mold their identity around student involvement, such as sports: the University began recruiting players to further the school’s prestige and traditions such the Indiana-Purdue rivalry solidified Indiana University’s position on the national stage.
Our projects differ in the kinds of people involved, time periods examined, and the types of sources used. Despite these differences, they all show how important student body growth and identity development have been to the history of Indiana University.
