College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Turns 100

Year-long commemoration planned to mark milestone for LAS.

The College of Literature and Arts and the College of Science united 100 years ago to form the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The College of Literature and Arts and the College of Science united 100 years ago to form the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

It’s been a busy 100 years at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois. For the next year, the largest college on campus will commemorate all that’s been accomplished.

Formed in 1913, the College of LAS will be highlighting people, events, and achievements that have shaped liberal arts and sciences at Illinois during the past century. From the naming of Centennial Scholars to a Gallery of Excellence, the college will offer a glimpse of how research and education in these areas evolved at the U of I—and how they continue to move forward.

“This anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of liberal arts and sciences, and how they can complement each other,” says Brian Ross, interim dean of the College of LAS. “The merging of such a wide range of fields was a bold concept back in 1913, but, as we’ve proven at the U of I, the combination helps to make all of our programs stronger.”

Included in the celebration will be the naming of Centennial Scholars, consisting of faculty from an array of programs who have made outstanding scholarly contributions in their field. Scholars selected for this honor will receive funding to advance their research and classroom initiatives.

A Gallery of Excellence will highlight noteworthy people and events that have shaped the college or displayed the potential of an LAS degree. Additionally, the College of LAS will promote this milestone year through stories, signage, social media, and other publications and publicity that deepen the understanding of this college at the heart of campus.

The commemoration will be taking place throughout the 2013-2014 academic year, starting in the fall. Further details will be released in the coming months.

The College of LAS was created by the Board of Trustees in 1913, when the College of Literature and Arts merged with the College of Science. Today it enrolls more than 13,000 students in more than 60 departments and academic units ranging from anthropology to chemical engineering.