About
The Holmes Student Center (HSC) functions as the heart for student life at Northern Illinois University and as a central resource for the greater DeKalb County community.
The HSC is home to a hotel, restaurants, recreation facilities, meeting rooms, administrative offices and more. See our building directory for a complete list of what we offer.
Mission
As an integral part of the educational mission of Northern Illinois University, the Holmes Student Center is committed to providing the campus community with a gathering place that enhances student life, cultivates unity and promotes development through a variety of cultural, educational, social and recreational programs.
History
The Holmes Student Center has served the Northern Illinois University community for more than a half-century.
The University Center, as it was originally called, opened its doors in the fall of 1962. Then-President Leslie Holmes described the facility as the “hearthstone” of campus and a unifying force that would hold the university together.
By 1968, the center had doubled in size, with the addition of a west wing topped by a 16-story tower that defined the building as a campus landmark. In 1974, the building was re-dedicated as the Leslie A. Holmes Student Center.
During the 1989-1990 school year, the exterior of the tower was re-clad with white limestone panels. New, tinted windows were installed, and a lighted copper pyramid was placed over the top.