David Felmley

Longest Serving President

David Felmley (1857-1930) was ISNU’s sixth president and the longest-serving to date. A native of New Jersey, Felmley spent his early years in Illinois before attending the University of Michigan. He later became the superintendent of schools in Carrollton, Illinois before being hired in 1890 at ISNU as a professor of mathematics. Ten years later, Felmley was named as Arnold Tompkins successor and the university’s sixth president.

Campus Growth

Felmley’s presidency started at a time when the country was experiencing a societal change. He believed everyone deserved access to an education and saw normal schools as the place both for the education of students and the training of high quality teachers. Felmley also recognized that teachers needed training to teach practical skills along with languages and mathematics. Felmley sought construction funding, and, by 1909, the university had a Manual Arts building (now known as Edwards) where teachers-in-training could learn hands-on skills such as woodworking and bookbinding. Felmely was also able to acquire funding for five more structures: the University Farm (1911), Fell Hall (1919), Metcalf School (now Moulton Hall, 1920), McCormick Gymnasium (first named Felmley Gymnasium, 1925 and renamed McCormick Gymnasium, 1930), and Felmley Hall of Science (1930).

A New Academia

Early in his presidency, Felmley worked to expand the kinds of teaching skills offered at ISNU and increased the physical space on campus for students to learn and train. His work helped ISNU to become a four-year baccalaureate degree granting institution in 1907.

Death of a President

Felmley stepped down from the presidency in January 1930 due to illness. One week later, Felmley died in his home. Respected across campus, students volunteered to stand guard at his casket in Capen Auditorium while his body lay in repose. David Felmley was buried in Carrollton City Cemetery in Carrollton, Illinois. Soon after his death, plans were made to name the new science building in his honor. This caused a slight shuffling of building names; the recently completed gymnasium already bore his name. The gymnasium was renamed McCormick Gymnasium while the science building was officially named the Felmley Hall of Science.