Beyond these doors lies a hub of innovation. This is Tech North. Tech North at the Illinois Institute of Technology. It stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to providing cutting-edge resources for its students.
Tech North is more than just a computer lab. It is a space where ideas take flight. Here, students have access to thirty workstations. These workstations are available around the clock during the fall, spring, summer, and break semesters. Access is simple. A quick swipe of a HawkCard grants entry to this technological haven.
Imagine students collaborating on projects. Picture them burning the midnight oil. They are fueled by passion and equipped with the tools. Tech North becomes their second home. It is a place where they transform lives and invent the future. That is also the motto of the Illinois Institute of Technology.
IIT itself has a rich history. It traces its roots back to 1890. It officially took its current form in 1940. That was the year that the Armour Institute and Lewis Institute merged. The Armour Institute was founded thanks to Philip Danforth Armour. Armour was inspired by a sermon by Chicago minister Frank Wakely Gunsaulus. Gunsaulus claimed that he could build a school with a million dollars. In this school students could learn to think practically. Students could learn by doing. Armour provided that million.
Over the years, IIT has expanded. It has embraced new disciplines. The Institute of Design joined in 1949. Chicago-Kent College of Law became part of IIT in 1969. The Stuart School of Management and Finance was established in the same year. In 1986, the Midwest College of Engineering joined the university.
Tech North has adapted too. Once known as the Institute of Gas Technology North Building, it has evolved to meet the changing needs of students. Today the College of Architecture and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat use the building.
IIT’s main campus is a landmark. It was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. His vision was to create a spacious and open environment. This would contrast with the surrounding urban landscape. Tech North is part of this campus. It reflects Mies van der Rohe’s commitment to modern design.
The location of Tech North is significant. It sits in the Bronzeville neighborhood. This area has a rich African-American history. It was once known as the Black Metropolis District.
Tech North is a vital resource. It empowers students to explore, innovate, and create. As you stand here, consider the countless projects. Consider the collaborations that have taken place within these walls. This is where the next generation of tech leaders hone their skills. Tech North supports their dreams. It helps them to shape the world of tomorrow.