The College of Education celebrates 125 years!
NAU was founded in 1899 as Northern Arizona Normal School (NANS) to train teachers for Arizona’s rural schools. It began with just 23 students and two faculty members, reflecting the state’s growing need for qualified educators. Today, NAU serves 28,468 students, with about 11% of the student body in the College of Education.
In 1925, NANS evolved into a teacher’s college, the Arizona State Teachers College, offering four-year degrees. In 1937, graduate work at ASTC became possible with the addition of the Master of Arts in Education degree. In 1939, Ida Mae Fredericks became the first Hopi to receive a college degree. Interestingly, enrollment at ASTC rose during the Depression, from 321 students during the 1929–30 academic year to 535 by 1940. In 1945, it was renamed Arizona State College at Flagstaff.
After World War II, the GI Bill increased enrollment at Arizona State College (ASC). To maximize enrollment capacity, President Lacey Eastburn authorized $1.2 million in 1957 to build a new education center. A former public school teacher, Eastburn emphasized the importance of education and teacher preparation. After his death in 1957, ASC commemorated his legacy by renaming the building the Eastburn Education Center. In addition to faculty offices and college classrooms, the building housed an experimental research facility called the Training School. Before closing in 1983 due to financial concerns, the Training School’s faculty researched, studied, and implemented new pedagogical techniques for early childhood students in grades 1–6. Today, Eastburn Education Center houses the College of Education and continues training future teachers.
Under the leadership of President J. Lawrence Walkup, we became Northern Arizona University in 1966, marking a new chapter of growth and expansion.
In 1970, NAU joined the Big Sky Conference, and last week, we celebrated a thrilling victory over Idaho State, 30–36. The Walkup Skydome, completed in 1977, became a landmark for NAU and has hosted countless graduations.
In 1998, NAU launched online programs, and today, more than 40% of our COE students are located online or at statewide campuses. A significant milestone came in 2021, when NAU was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the US Department of Education. This recognition reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and meeting the needs of our diverse and underrepresented students.
In March 2023, NAU opened the long-awaited Early Learning and Development Center serving 3–4-year-olds. We recognized the first class of ELDC graduates in May 2024. Today, the center serves over 40 children ages 2–5
While much has changed over the years, one thing remains constant—the relationships between faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors. These bonds have endured for 125 years and will continue for generations to come.