President's Message
As Governors State University celebrates its 40th anniversary, we can look back to a time before the dawn of the Information
Age. When former Illinois Governor Richard B. Ogilvie established GSU in July 1969, the technology we associate most with our modern era’s digital revolution - personal computers, cell phones, and digital music players - simply didn’t exist. But Governors State was always a very modern university, even in a time of manual typewriters and rotary dial phones. Its founding spirit, steeped in educational innovation and experimentation, remains strong today.
In its earliest days classrooms, by design, lacked walls and students were judged by competencies instead of grades. GSU, founded amid experimentation, has made many changes after thorough assessment and evaluation. Classrooms now have walls and students receive grades. But other important elements of GSU have not changed, and never will. Innovative ideas will always have a home at Governor’s State along with the commitment to provide a quality education, embrace diversity, reach out to our students and surrounding communities, and serve the traditionally underserved.
During this 40th anniversary year, GSU can point to decades of success. Our graduates have meaningful careers in teaching, medicine, business, government, and many other fields, providing daily benefits to our communities. The university, by staying true to its founding principles, is exceptionally diverse and innovative, providing an environment where students learn from one another, as well as from their professors.
What could be more exciting than watching GSU’s marvelous story continue to unfold? In the years to come, the story will only get better. Please join us as we celebrate our past and look forward to a bright future.
