Under the leadership of the school’s new president, Homer Horatio Seerley, a huge period of student and faculty growth began in 1890. There were 1,610 students and 37 faculty by the end of the decade. Many instructors came from beyond Iowa. Seerley and his faculty believed the school had strayed from its chief goal of “teaching people to teach.” A special course for primary teachers was established, as was a course for the specialization of high school teaching.

Additionally, the Normal School kept expanding its infrastructure: two new buildings were completed: a “cottage” for President Seerley’s family (1890) and an impressive new Administration Building with Greek, Roman, and Renaissance influences (1895). The Administration Building was much needed, as the original building on campus, Central Hall, and the second building, Gilchrist Hall, were badly overcrowded; President Seerley was teaching in the library. A parlor in Central Hall was now a classroom. “Each inch of space is utilized,” said one edition of the Normal Eyte school newspaper, regarding the cramped conditions.

Once the new Administration building was completed (construction took 2 years), the library and president’s office were on the first floor, classrooms on the second floor, and natural sciences and a museum room on the third floor. The basement held a gymnasium for exercise, or “physical culture,” classes. Exercise classes were finally offered to women students in 1897. Male students also petitioned the faculty to institute a military training program. The faculty responded in 1890 with a program of instruction and drill in which nearly all the men participated. The student body’s interest in fitness and athletics culminated in the school’s plan to foster four sports: baseball, football, gymnasium, and track, which the administration promised would be “self-supporting.”
A power plant for the school was also constructed (1896).

The institution also chose its school colors and school yell in 1897. The school colors, gold and purple, have remained the same since they were chosen in 1897.The ‘Song of Iowa’ was chosen as the first school song of the Iowa State Normal School. “Several hundred copies have been ordered and it is probable that ere long the Chapel echoes will respond to its melody.”