Alumni Magazine ING 2009 R SP Number 4 • Number • Volume 9
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Illinois State alumni magazine ING 2009 R SP • NUMBER 4 NUMBER • VOLUME 9 Alumnus Lou Cella ’85 is an extraordinary sculptor who brings legends to life. Illinois State alumni magazine Volume 9, Number 4, Spring 2009 EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP Pete Guither; Amy Humphreys; Brian Huonker ’92; Joy Hutchcraft; Lynn Kennell; Katy Killian ’92; Todd Kober ’97, M.S. ’99; Claire Lieberman; Marilee (Zielinski) Rapp ’63; Jim Thompson ’80, M.S. ’89; Toni Tucker; Lori Woeste, M.S. ’97, Ed.D. ’04 PUBLISHER, Stephanie Epp, Ed.D. ’07 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03 ALUMNI EDITOR, Annette States Levitt ’96, M.S. ’02 CLASS NOTES EDITOR, Leisa Barbour, M.S. ’06 COPY EDITORS, Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03; Steven Barcus ’06 LEAD DESIGNER, Dave Jorgensen, M.S. ’03 DESIGNERS, Michael Mahle, Jeff Higgerson ’92, Jon Robinson PHOTOGRAPHER, Lyndsie Schlink ’04 The First PRODUCTION COORDINATOR, Mary (Mulhall) Cowdery ’80 WRITERS, Kate Arthur, Elaine Graybill, Tom Nugent, Beth Whisman Word Illinois State (USPS 019606) is published quarterly for members of the Illinois State University Alumni Association at Bone Student Center 146, May is always a time of celebration on campus, 100 North University Street, Normal, Illinois 61790-3100. Periodicals as another class reaches the goal of graduation. Illinois State’s annual postage paid at Normal, Illinois, and at additional mailing offices. spring commencement ceremony is marked by tradition that goes beyond Magazine editorial offices are located at 1101 North Main Street, Normal, academic pomp and circumstance. It is a time when generations gather to Illinois 61790-3100; telephone (309) 438-2586; facsimile (309) 438-8057; e-mail [email protected]; Web site www.IllinoisState.edu/alumni. proudly applaud a major accomplishment in the life of a loved one. Postmaster: Send address changes to Illinois State, Illinois State University, Amidst this joy is always a bit of angst and uncertainty, as our students Campus Box 8000, Normal, IL 61790-8000. transition from the campus to the workplace. Anxious moments are inevi- Voluntary subscriptions of $25 per year to help defray the mounting expenses associated with publishing Illinois State are greatly appreciated. table at the start of any career. This year’s graduating class, however, has Checks payable to the Illinois State Foundation can be sent to Alumni the additional stress of pursuing professional dreams at a time when the Relations, Campus Box 3100, Normal, IL 61790-3100. Call Alumni Relations at (309) 438-2586 with any questions. nation’s economy is faltering. Material may be reprinted with prior approval, provided no commercial And yet I know from conversations with members of the Class of 2009 endorsement is implied and credit is given to the author, to Illinois State that our newest alums are going forward with a spirit of optimism and University, and to Illinois State. determination despite discouraging headlines. They are ready to face the Web site: www.IllinoisState.edu An equal opportunity/affirmative action university encouraging diversity challenges of a recession, eager to become part of the solution by working 09-0015 and leading in their respective fields. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS We have a student body that sets a high standard for academic perfor- Dan Kelley ’70, President mance, as demonstrated in the statistic that only one in four applicants is Greg Ayers ’90 Jeff Charnogorsky ’85 now accepted to the University. Those chosen complete rigorous degrees, Bob Freitag ’84 as our programs in education, business, science, fine arts, nursing, and Jerry Kerber ’74 Emily Miller Kimmey ’99, M.S. ’01 applied sciences have earned national distinction and international praise. Tom Lamont ’69 Such excellence separates the University from our state and regional Lynda Lane ’66 Larry Little ’69 counterparts. It means Illinois State faculty and staff go beyond the neces- Mary Ann Louderback ’74, M.S. ’80, Ph.D. ’84 sary fundamental curriculum to instill in students confidence and courage Ashley Mayor ’08 Lois (Rademacher) Mills ’62, M.S. ’69 needed to not just survive but thrive, no matter how uncertain the future. Kathy Coyle Murdoch ’86 Alumni are another reason I am assured our newest graduates will suc- Bob Navarro ’91, M.S. ’93, Ph.D. ’02 Marilee (Zielinski) Rapp ’63 ceed. I applaud and appreciate the myriad graduates who, once established Kaci Rollings ’94 in their professions, are willing to stand as mentors. They provide invalu- Don Shafer ’76 Terrence Sykes ’93 able internships, networking avenues, and employment opportunities to Gary Tiffany ’74 our students and young alums. Martin Vanags ’84 Janessa Williams ’89 The University helps graduates and prospective employers find each Mike Willis ’82 other through the Career Center (www.careercenter.ilstu.edu) and online Jerry Wright ’62 Linda Yap ’74 outreach, such as an Illinois State page on LinkedIn (www.alumni.ilstu. Betty Kinser ’73, M.S. ’75, Board of Trustees Alumni Liaison edu/linkedin). Take advantage of these resources to find or fill a position. ALUMNI RELATIONS Confidence in your alma mater is never more apparent than when you Stephanie Epp, Ed.D. ’07, Executive Director Gina Bianchi, M.S. ’99, Senior Assistant Director hire an Illinois State graduate. Alumni who are willing and able to extend Kim Chickering, Assistant Director such a helping hand teach our newest graduates one of their most impor- Kelly Howell, Associate Director Annette States Levitt ’96, M.S. ’02, Senior Assistant Director tant collegiate lessons: the Redbird bond reaches far beyond campus, and Jamie (Kelly) Sennett ’99, Senior Assistant Director continues long after commencement. Al Bowman President, Illinois State University Modern day Michelangelo Sculpting is a thrill for Lou Cella ’85, who brings metal to life. Many of his pieces immortalize sports legends. His images capture an individual’s likeness and personality. Alums will see his talent first- hand, as Cella is creating a campus statue of basketball coach Will Robinson and standout player Doug Collins ’73. Cover: Harry Caray, Ernie Harwell, and Ernie Banks are just some of the detailed sculp- tures Cella has completed. 16 Contents 2 UNIVERSITY NEWS 8 PREPARED TO PERSEVERE While completing his business degree, Jerry Wirth ’88 didn’t envision the challenges he’d face as an entrepreneur in the Baltic States. ISU empowered him to withstand corruption and 8 build an international business that now thrives. Still connect- ed to the University, Wirth’s campus encounter with Michael Richard ’75 resulted in a project to help Latvian children. 12 PIONEERS PRIOR TO TITLE IX Decades before legislation mandated athletic opportunities for women in public schools, Illinois State’s Laurie Mabry and Phebe Scott worked to open doors for female athletes. Together they impacted programs on campus and nationally. Their tenacity brought change, and put the University in the national spotlight at a time when women fought just to compete. 21 A SENSE OF SECURITY 12 Inspired by his past professors, Andrew Velasquez III ’93, M.S. ’94, went from a hospital security guard job to being named the top public safety official in Illinois. As the director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Velasquez responds to disasters and terrorism threats, and is responsible for nuclear safety within the state. 24 ALUMNI SERVICES 21 26 ALUMNI CALENDAR 28 ALUMNI AWARDS 30 cLASS NOTES University News The University’s renewable energy center advances research in a growing field. Illinois State is helping to meet the education and research needs of the nation’s renewable energy industry through the Center for Renewable Energy. Established with a U.S. Department of Energy grant, the center supports the University’s renewable energy major, provides the public with objective” research- based information on renewable energy, and facilitates applied research through collaborations with other universities. “Meeting our current and future energy needs in a clean and sustain- ‘‘ able way is one of the biggest challenges we face today,” President Al Bowman said. “Illinois State’s Center for Renewable Energy brings together faculty expertise, industry partners, and cutting-edge technology to sup- port education and research that will help us meet that challenge.” Economics Associate Professor Dave Loomis is the center’s director. Agricultural Economics Professor Randy Winter and Dave Kennell, an instructional assistant professor of technology, are associate directors. Corporate partners provide financial support. Founding members include Horizon Wind Energy LLC, State Farm Insurance Companies, and Suzlon Wind Energy Corporation. Representatives from each serve on the Students enrolled in the renewable energy center’s governing board. program monitor data collected through The center plays a multi-faceted role in supporting the University’s photovoltaic panels placed on the roof of renewable energy major, which includes courses in technology, agricul- Turner Hall. ture, and economics. The center coordinates an advisory board of industry experts, facilitates an internship program, brings energy industry experts to campus, funds scholarships, and provides ongoing financial support for the major. The center maintains a Turner Hall laboratory funded by a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Commu- nity Foundation. The lab includes technology used for hands-on education and research purposes. Photo- voltaic panels are on the Turner Hall roof, and a photovoltaic/wind