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Illinois State Magazine University Marketing and Communications
2-1-2011 Illinois State Magazine, February 2011 Issue University Marketing and Communications
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This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the University Marketing and Communications at ISU ReD: Research and eData. It has been accepted for inclusion in Illinois State Magazine by an authorized administrator of ISU ReD: Research and eData. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Illinois STATESTATE Y 2011 R A U EBR F Number 3 • Number
• A Remarkable Turnaround
Volume 11 Many doubted the Chicago Blackhawks could rebuild and win the Stanley Cup. ISU alumnus Jay Blunk was more than a believer. He became a change agent for the team. Publisher Stephanie Epp, Ed.D. ’07
Editor-in-chief Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03 alumni Editor FirstWord Annette States Levitt ’96, M.S. ’02 Class notes Editor With March Madness about to begin, Nancy Neisler the spotlight is on collegiate basketball. Our own Redbirds are gearing up for the Copy Editors Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Missouri, where I hope you will join me in Steven Barcus ’06, M.S. ’09 cheering on our teams. lead Designers I am always impressed by our student-athletes. They work diligently as individuals Dave Jorgensen, M.S. ’03 Michael Mahle to achieve their personal academic goals, then come together and exert even more effort Designers as competitors determined to bolster pride Jeff Higgerson ’92 Carol Jalowiec ’08 in the University while battling for points Jon Robinson on the scoreboard. WEB EDITOR Brian Huonker ’92 Our athletic events are perhaps
PHOTOGRAPHER the most obvious example of excellence Lyndsie Schlink ’04 through teamwork at ISU, yet there are PRODUCTION coordinator Mary (Mulhall) Cowdery ’80 stellar “players” assembled across campus.
writers Let me take a moment to shine a proverbial Kate Arthur spotlight on the team behind the scenes. Michael Boyd JoAnna Stephens Mink Within the Admissions and Financial Cassie Monroe Aid offices, for example, there are staff who Editorial interns Cassie Monroe spend days, nights, and weeks traveling Lisa Shelton throughout Illinois—tirelessly telling the Illinois State (USPS 019606) is published quarterly Illinois State story as they recruit and 61790-3100. Periodicals postage paid at Normal, Illinois, and at additional mailing offices. retain high school graduates with proven Magazine editorial offices are located at 1101 North potential. Main Street, Normal, Illinois 61790-3100; telephone (309) 438-2586; facsimile (309) 438-8057; e-mail Faculty work year round to advance [email protected]; Web site www.IllinoisState. the University’s mission by challenging edu/alumni. Postmaster: Send address changes to Illinois State, Illinois State University, Campus Box these students to exceed their expectations as they pursue their passion. As a teacher 8000, Normal, IL 61790-8000. myself I appreciate how much effort it requires to keep current in your discipline, then Voluntary subscriptions of $25 per year to help defray the mounting expenses associated with publishing to patiently and practically bring that knowledge to the classroom. Illinois State are greatly appreciated. Checks payable to the Illinois State Foundation can be sent to Alumni Add to the mix the research, committee work, and public service commitments, and Relations, Campus Box 3100, Normal, IL 61790-3100. I am confident in saying that although we don’t have the largest faculty in the state, we Call Alumni Relations at (309) 438-2586 with any questions. have the hardest working and most productive. Material may be reprinted with prior approval, There are myriad others on staff who support students with a wide spectrum of provided no commercial endorsement is implied and credit is given to the author, to Illinois State programs and services. They keep students healthy and safe. They keep our campus University, and to Illinois State. cozy and make certain our buildings are not just clean but wired for technology. Because Web site: IllinoisState.edu An equal opportunity/affirmative action university of our dedicated employees’ efforts students are able to register for classes, enjoy encouraging diversity 11-0004 exceptional meals, find encouragement, travel abroad, gain leadership skills, and get This document is available in alternative formats upon request by contacting Alumni Relations involved in community service. at (309) 438-2586. Every time I talk with students, alumni, or friends of Illinois State I hear heart- warming stories of how members of the ISU family make a difference in the lives of others. I hope that you will take a moment today and express your appreciation. I know it is not often enough that I pause and voice my own heartfelt gratitude for everything our Let us hear from you! Your feedback is appreciated. exceptional team members do to make Illinois’ first public university its finest university. Send comments or suggestions, Class Notes, Letters to the Editor, How We Met and Legacy stories, as well as Where Are They Now and Reggie Reads submissions to Susan Blystone at [email protected], or mail to 1101 N. Main Street, Normal, IL 61790.
Al Bowman President, Illinois State University Illinois STATE Volume 11, Number 3, February 2011
FEATURES 8 One powerful pen The adage that a picture is worth a thou- sand words has been proven by alumnus Eric Rohmann ’80, M.S. ’85. The illustrations in his children’s picture books captivate young and old readers alike. Rohmann’s extraordinary talent has earned him the highest national honor in children’s literature.
12 Reheating the ice Jay Blunk ’86 left his Chicago Cubs vice presi- dent position to work at rebuilding a hockey team Windy City fans had nearly forgotten. That goal was accomplished as the Blackhawks captured the Stanley Cup with a 2010 season considered “the most remarkable turnaround in 8 the history of sports in the U.S.”
16 A literal stand-out Christian Stoinev was born to perform. He 16 acquired international fame before joining ISU’s Gamma Phi Circus. Now a sophomore, Stoinev wows audiences with his ability to complete complicated contortions with one hand, while balancing his pet dog.
20 Sparkling venue and menu The transformation within Campus Dining Ser- vices will surprise even recent graduates. Expan- sive options and improved dishes are served in a restaurant atmosphere. Upgrades have resulted 12 in a more environmentally friendly operation that now more than ever is a plus in recruiting students.
DEPARTMENTS 2 University News 6 Redbird Athletics 26 Alumni Awards 28 Alumni Connections 20 30 Class Notes
Illinois State on your iPad? On the cover: Blunk will never forget the thrill of Take Illinois State with you anywhere you go. Just go to celebrating the Blackhawks’ first Stanley Cup IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine on your mobile device. championship since 1961. UniversityNews
Bell replica enriches Founders Day tradition Faculty trio creates unique campus treasure
ach February individuals The Varners, who joined the Katrin Varner, joined the College of from across the campus University in 1975, gave a financial Business faculty in 2000. community participate in gift for the solid bronze bell. Car- Reid ’87, M.S. ’91, M.F.A. ’96, a Founders Day bell cer- son teaches in finance insurance and is an instructor and bronze-casting emony.E The bell rings for each year law. Now retired, Iris was a man- specialist. “As an Illinois State alum- since the University was established agement and quantitative methods nus, I knew it would be a very special in 1857. faculty member. She was director casting,” he said, noting the bell was The ceremony is especially of the International Business Insti- cast in the University’s foundry. The meaningful for Carson and Iris Var- tute. Together they developed the strong ISU ties please the Varners. ner from the College of Business, interdisciplinary international busi- “We are so proud to be part of and College of Fine Arts instructor ness major that helped make ISU a university whose mission is to give Randy Reid. They united to create a the center of international business the premiere undergraduate educa- replica of the Old Main Bell that sits education in Illinois. Their daughter, tional experience in Illinois,” Carson on the Quad. said.
Building a replica Go online to IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine for coverage and photos from this year’s Founders Day celebration, as well as a video of the work involved to create the Old Main Bell replica. 2 Illinois State February 2011 State Farm recognized with building name The long-standing partnership between State Farm Insurance Companies and Illinois State University has been recog- nized with the naming of the College of Business Building as the State Farm Hall of Business. Illinois State has received support from State Farm Companies Foundation over the years, with more than half of their funding going to programs within the College of Business. In 1999 a grant of $9 million provided seed money that helped to leverage additional funds for construction of the College of Business building, which opened in 2005. “State Farm’s financial support made it possible for us to construct a state-of-the-art building for our College of Business, which is ranked as one of the top 100 undergraduate business schools in the nation,” President Al Bowman said. “The company’s ongoing support of academic programs and research has Nick Tardi, a graduate student in the School of Biological Sciences, uses the new scanning electron microscope. played an important role in helping the College of Business establish its excel- digital image results without a lengthy Illinois State our students have demon- lent reputation.” preparation process of specimens. The strated that it is an investment that yields State Farm CEO Ed Rust said the scanning process allows scientists to high returns.” company is “honored to be recognized understand such things as surface topog- Illinois State awards merit-based for its ongoing commitment to the Col- raphy and chemical composition of a scholarships through the Presidential lege of Business. We’re proud of our specimen. and University Scholars programs, and long-standing relationship with the Uni- It is being used at ISU in many provides assistance to hundreds of stu- versity, and of the fact that more than ways, including for elemental analy- dents through scholarships funded by 4,000 Illinois State alumni work at State sis; the study of structures in plant and gifts to the Illinois State Foundation. Farm today.” animal specimens; and quality control More than 20 percent of students testing for delicate, custom-made scien- receive need-based assistance through tific probes made by a chemistry faculty the state’s Monetary Awards Program Science work enriched with member. (MAP). The University will use more scanning microscope grant than $7 million of its own resources to ISU biologists, physicists, chemists, and supplement MAP grants for students. geologists have a powerful scanning elec- University increases More than $1 million in federal grant tron microscope at their disposal thanks financial help for students funding provides financial assistance for to a $285,000 National Science Foun- Committed to doing even more to attract low-income and first-generation college dation grant. The microscope, located and retain academically talented stu- students. in the Science Laboratory Building, is dents, President Al Bowman has ear- Donor dollars continue to help stu- capable of magnifying objects up to 1 marked an additional $500,000 annually dents reach their potential by empower- million times. for merit-based scholarships, beginning ing them to complete a degree. Make a Associate Professor Martha Cook in this year. scholarship contribution today by going biology was a lead author on the grant “This is an important step that I online to IllinoisState.edu/giving. proposal for funding the new FEI Quanta know will make us even more competi- 450 microscope, which provides detailed tive than we are today,” Bowman said. “At
February 2011 Illinois State 3 Where are they now? I retired in August of 1990 after nearly 25 years as a supervisor of student teaching in music and a professor in the School of Music teaching music therapy, handbells ringing, instrumental tech- niques, conducting, and music for the exceptional child. My wife, Doris (Mehrkens) ’71, and I moved permanently to Florida. We settled in our new home in Lady Lake, Florida. I became the director of music ministry at a church in nearby Leesburg, and soon organized a handbell choir. My interest in handbells was well known at ISU. I founded the Handbell and Choirchime Ensemble and directed the ISU groups for more than 20 years. Doris is also a retired music teacher. She is a member of our church handbell/choirchime ensembles. I play trumpet in the church orchestra, tuba in the brass ensembles, and French horn in the cantata group. I miss the Illinois State community and teaching, for I always enjoyed university life and the intellectually stimulating activities. Soon after arriving in Florida, I was asked to teach short courses at the University of Central Florida and at the College of St. Leo’s. While there I taught instrumental techniques and music for the exceptional child courses. Then the state of Florida asked me to lead a band director’s “refresher course,” which was required of experienced Florida band directors. I am a frequent guest conductor for festivals and lead many clinics and workshops. We recently relocated to Orlando to be near our son, Richard, and his family. We enjoy our new lifestyle in Florida, where it is warm—most of the time!
Contact the Rosenes by e-mail at [email protected] or by writing to 822 Pinar Drive, Orlando, FL 32825. To find out how you can support the School of Music, go online to IllinoisState.edu/giving or call School of Music Professor Emeritus Paul Rosene (309) 438-8041. Return of the bells Learn more about Paul Rosene and the return of the ISU handbell choir online at www.IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine.
Alumni invited as ISU hosts For more information e-mail kmey- in the history of the department and national speech tournament [email protected] or go online to www. the program. The approval enhances the Forensics.IllinoisState.edu. Individuals profile of the University’s Legal Studies ISU Forensics Union alumni are invited interested in supporting the team finan- Program at the regional and national to serve as an individual events or Lin- cially can do so online by going to www. level, and makes the graduates more coln-Douglas debate judge during the Advancement.ilstu.edu/sc/forensics. competitive in an increasingly tough job National Forensics Association national market. tournament. The competition will be The Legal Studies Program began in held on the University’s campus April Paralegal Studies Program 1975 and is currently offered as a minor, 15-18. More than 100 college and univer- gains national endorsement a certificate with a bachelor’s degree, a sity teams are expected to participate. The American Bar Association (ABA) certificate without a bachelor’s degree, There are 40 students on the speech has granted approval to the Universi- and an interdisciplinary studies major. team, which won the tournament in 1995, ty’s Legal Studies Program. The ABA About 50 students participate in the pro- 1999, and 2000. ISU placed third in the endorsement is a benchmark for many gram annually. national competition in 2010, continuing employers who hire paralegals. a tradition of excellence that began when The approval enhances the profile the Forensics Union was formed in 1857. of the University’s Legal Studies program Art professor works as School of Communication Assistant at the regional and national level, and repeat Fulbright Professor and Forensics Director Kevin makes the graduates more competitive in Distinguished Professor of Art Emerita Meyer is planning a reunion event on an increasingly tough job market. Frances Anderson is working as a Ful- April 16 for alumni as part of the tour- The Department of Politics and Gov- bright Senior Specialist in Pakistan. She nament week. Alumni are also invited ernment initiated the approval process in is using her expertise in art therapy to to judge the tournament and attend August of 2008. Department Chair Ali help young children who have been dis- reunion events that will be held through- Riaz called the approval a “milestone” out the weekend.
4 Illinois State February 2011 placed and traumatized by the massive More information about the ISU- flooding in that country. IWU Habitat for Humanity chapter is Anderson is presenting art therapy online at http://lilt.ilstu.edu/habitat. workshops in Islamabad, Pakistan, for Donations to support the chapter’s work Mail U.S. Agency for International Develop- can be made online at www.Advance- ment (USAID) workers and other non- ment.ilstu.edu/support. To the Editor, governmental organization staff who Just a short note to let you know how have been overwhelmed by the huge much I enjoy getting my Illinois State number of flood victims. Local volun- Graduate continues global alumni magazine when it comes. Being teers and university graduate psychology actuarial award tradition approximately 1,700 miles away from students are also attending the work- Emily Byrnes ’10 received a 2010 John Normal, this helps me feel connected shops. Culver Wooddy Scholarship from the though I have been gone for almost This is an unprecedented fifth Ful- Actuarial Foundation last fall during her 18 years. It is good to see the campus bright for Anderson, who is the former flourishing and thriving, and continuing director of the University’s graduate art to make a positive impact on so many therapy program and a founding member people. of the American Art Therapy Associa- Rob Festenstein ‘92 tion. She was the first art therapist in the To the Editor, U.S. to receive a Fulbright Scholar Award, I am a retired English professor who and spent months teaching art therapy in unfortunately failed to keep his class ros- Argentina, Taiwan, and Thailand. ters after retirement and relies on mem- ory to identify former students—a risky matter in an old man. Risk aside, though, Campus Habitat for I believe Kate Norcross was a student in Humanity chapter ranks one of my dozens of lecture sections of as best across the nation British Literature and Its Contexts. I recall The ISU-IWU Habitat for Humanity Emily Byrnes ’10 especially her initiative, diligence, and chapter was chosen as the 2010 Habitat enthusiasm. I commend Neil and Joan for Humanity Campus Chapter of the final semester at Illinois State. The schol- Styczynski for their generosity (Founda- Year from among more than 500 campus arships are awarded to only a handful of tion Annual Report, November 2010). chapters in the country. graduating actuarial students around the Russell Rutter The Illinois State University and globe. Illinois Wesleyan University chapter “It’s such an honor to receive this “What a great story!” formed in 1994. In partnership with Hab- prestigious scholarship. I wouldn’t have itat for Humanity of McLean County, the received it were it not for the actuarial Facebook comment chapter has built at least one home every program here at ISU,” Byrnes said. (Shurr Legacy Family, November 2010) year since 1995. Byrnes is the fifth ISU student in the James Huddleston ’60, M.S. ‘67 Students are completing their 17th past six years to receive the award. That’s “ISU open house was amazing. It defi- house. They are involved with every a record that has only been matched nitely helped me in deciding I want to aspect of the building project except by one other university in the world. go there. Redbirds class of 2015, here I tasks that require skilled labor, such as Past ISU students to earn the award come!” the electrical and plumbing systems. were Carol Sorenson ’05, T.J. Turner ’06, Gary Klass, associate professor of David Prevo ’08, and Thomas Lauren ’09. Facebook comment Politics and Government and project Each has moved on to a successful career Brittany Paduch director for the chapter, hopes students at agencies across the state. can begin to build two houses annually. A graduate of the Katie School The key to that is fundraising. The colle- Leadership Program, Byrnes completed giate chapter raises money in the Bloom- an internship at State Farm Insurance ington-Normal community to pay for Companies and is continuing her career construction, which averages $60,000 to there as an actuarial analyst trainee. $70,000 per home.
February 2011 Illinois State 5 RedbirdAthletics
Join fans and Spread the Red Basketball teams headed to MVC tournaments
or the first two weekends The Redbirds will stay at the The Redbirds will stay at the of March, Missouri Val- Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Sheraton Lakeside Chalet in West- ley Conference fans will Louis. To reserve a room at the team port, Missouri. Make your reserva- invade St. Louis with the hotel, call (800) 325-7353 and refer- tion by calling (888) 627-7066 and hopeF of watching their team punch ence the Illinois State Fan Block for reference the Illinois State Fan Block the ticket to “The Big Dance.” the MVC men’s tournament. Make for the MVC Women’s Tournament. Join fellow Illinois State alumni reservations online at www.millen- To make reservations online, visit and fans in cheering on the Redbirds niumhotels.com/millenniumstlouis www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/ for each of the State Farm Missouri and use the promo code 1103MVC- illinoisstatefan. Go to www.mvcst- Valley Conference tournaments. The FAN. Tournament information is charles.com for more information. men’s competition is March 3-6 at available at www.archmadness.com. Tickets for either tournament are the Scottrade Center. Head coach March 10-13 first-year head available online at GoRedbirds.com, Tim Jankovich and the men’s basket- coach Stephanie Glance will have the or by calling the Illinois State Athlet- ball team will attempt to play in their women’s basketball team ready for ics Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000. third Valley Tournament champion- the women’s edition of Arch Mad- ship game in four seasons. ness at Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri.
6 Illinois State February 2011 MVC tournament pregame events planned Athletics Internet site redesign complete Illinois State Athletics and Alumni Rela- ment. This event will also be free to Four months of planning, design, and imple- tions will host a pair of send-off parties the public with hors d’oeuvres provided, mentation culminated with the relaunch of the for both the Redbird men’s and wom- along with a cash bar. Internet site GoRedbirds.com during the fall of en’s basketball teams prior to their first Alumni Relations and the Athletics 2010. The site is the No. 1 source for all things games in the 2011 State Farm Missouri Department will also host “welcome- regarding Illinois State Athletics, and now Valley Conference Tournament. backs” and “send-offs” for each subse- boasts a sleeker, more compact look. Fans will The men’s event will be held in the quent game the Redbirds participate in find expanded offerings in video streaming and lobby at the Millennium Hotel in St. Lou- at both tournaments. These additional audio podcasts. The site still offers the typical is prior to the Redbirds’ first tournament events will include the availability of a almanac-type information, such as rosters, game. The pregame send-off is free to the cash bar. schedules, and player bios. public and includes complimentary hors For more information about these Illinois State Athletics also launched RedbirdExperience.com to assist the coaches in d’oeuvres and a cash bar. events, go online to GoRedbirds.com or their recruiting efforts. The “Redbird Experi- A similar event will be hosted at the contact the Redbird Development Office ence” offers a chance to experience what Il- Sheraton Lakeside Chalet in Westport, at (309) 438-3803. linois State Athletics is all about. If you haven’t Missouri, prior to the women’s tourna- already, make a point to visit GoRedbirds.com and RedbirdExperience.com.
Redbird baseball team receives championship rings After claiming its first regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championship and its first Missouri Valley Conference tournament title since 1994, head coach Mark Kingston present- ed the Illinois State baseball team and support staff with championship rings to remember the historic run. The Redbirds earned the automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Tournament and were selected as the No. 3 seed at the Louisville Regional. With ISU’s 8-3 win over Saint Louis on day two Great gifts for Redbird fans of the regional, the Redbirds earned their first Show your Redbird pride with framed prints from Illinois State Athletics. NCAA Tournament victory since 1976. Visit the Photo Store at GoRedbirds.com and order yours today. The rings were designed and produced by Josten’s.
February 2011 Illinois State 7 Picture Perfect Blend of story and art makes alum powerful voice in children’s literature
by JoAnna Stephens Mink
In elementary school Eric Rohmann ’80, M.S. ’85, drew dinosaurs, monsters, and knights, as well as fanciful machines. His imagination was influenced by authors he read as a boy: Wanda Gag, Edgar Rice Bur- roughs, Maurice Sendak, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Now youngsters are reading Rohmann’s books, finding inspiration in the stories and illustrations that have placed him among the elite of children’s literature authors. One of his books, My Friend Rabbit, received the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 2003. The honor recognizes the most distin- guished children’s picture book published in the U.S. in a given year. His first book, Time Flies, was rejected 15 times before being pub- lished by Roaring Brook Press. It subsequently was named a Caldecott Honor book. “It proved I could make a book that kids would want to read,” Rohmann said of the wordless picture book that tells the tale of a bird trapped in a dinosaur exhibit at a natural history museum. The bird enters a dinosaur’s
8 Illinois State February 2011 mouth and eventually escapes as the story un- lege of Fine Arts Professor Ray George, who is Above, illustration by Eric Rohmann for his 2002 book folds through images so stellar that Time Flies now deceased. My Friend Rabbit became a New York Times Notable Book of the Richard Finch, another of Rohmann’s Year and was named Best Children’s Book by ISU art professors, recalled that “Eric was an The New York Times Book Review. excellent student and I enjoyed having him His success came as no surprise to faculty in my classes. He’s kind, intelligent, talented, at Illinois State’s School of Art, where Rohm- generous with his time, and he always makes ann enrolled as an undergraduate in the late me laugh.” 1970s. The skills he developed while growing Rohmann especially remembers his up in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove printmaking class, which got him interested impressed Professor of Art Emeritus Harold Boyd, who became Rohmann’s mentor. Boyd recalls meeting Rohmann during his “I make books for kids because they are junior year in a printmaking class. Rohmann’s the best audience: children are curious, talent and creativity were apparent imme- diately, as well as his “root in the traditional enthusiastic, impulsive, generous and skills.” Rohmann’s interest in writing and illustrating intersected with Boyd’s, and their pleased by simple joys. They laugh easily connection as teacher/student continued as Rohmann completed a master’s degree in at the ridiculous and are willing to believe studio art. Rohmann made wonderful paintings, the absurd. said Boyd, who taught studio art for about 35 years. A few years ago they collaborated in a in lithography and bookmaking. He went on mentor/student exhibition at the University to complete a second master’s in printmaking/ of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. Boyd exhibited as fine bookmaking at Arizona State University. Rohmann’s mentor, and Rohmann exhibited Steinburg’s painting class engendered his with a student he himself had mentored. love for making paintings. But Boyd was most Other faculty also inspired Rohmann, in- influential, encouraging Rohmann’s interest in cluding Professor of Biology Emerita Lauren telling stories with pictures. Brown; Professor of Art James Butler; Profes- “Pictures are a language in themselves,” sor of Art Emeritus Louis Steinburg; and Col- said Rohmann, who was attracted to illus-
February 2011 Illinois State 9 “The art faculty and students formed a community. We may have disagreed on a lot, but in the end we supported Illustration from Rohmann’s trating books for young children because 1994 book Time Flies “things can happen in picture books you don’t one another with our expect.” Stories and pictures have to communicate. enthusiasm for the work Rohmann has mastered the craft in his books that target youngsters age 8 and younger. He being made by all of us.” wrote and illustrated The Cinder-Eyed Cats, Pumpkinhead, Clara and Asha, and A Kitten “I make books for kids because they are Tale. He writes and draws the pictures as the the best audience: children are curious, en- storyline develops. The narrative comes to thusiastic, impulsive, generous and pleased by life with the addition of universal cues in his simple joys. They laugh easily at the ridicu- illustrations, such as frowning eyebrows. lous and are willing to believe the absurd,” The results are enthralling. One critic de- Rohmann said. “Children are not ironic, scribes The Cinder-Eyed Cats as “a sumptuous disillusioned or indifferent, but hopeful, open- feast for the eye and a virtuoso feat of picture minded and openhearted, with a voracious storytelling.” Clara and Asha, which has been hunger for pictures.” translated as Clara y Asha, is heralded as “a He still makes fanciful drawings—perhaps captivating book about the special world successors of the dinosaurs and monsters he of a child’s imagination—where a giant himself drew as a child—in workshops and fish might come to visit, and the things presentations he enjoys bringing to elementa- you do and the things you feel with ry schools. With a quickly added line or circle an imaginary friend are in- of a felt-tip marker, the white board teems tensely real.” with sharks, pigs, and other fanciful animals, Rohmann also il- enthralling children and entertaining adults. lustrates texts written by Rohmann has always loved to draw. He others, including King Crow and was a huge fan of Universal monster movies The Prairie Train. In his most recent book, and comic books as a youth. By the time he Last Song, Rohmann’s watercolor paintings was in high school, his drawings were of com- enrich an old Scottish poem. His work is in plex space battles and animals. the permanent collections of several institu- He began to recreate what he observed tions across the U.S. and in Europe. But it’s the as a high school volunteer in the Brookfield world of children’s literature that remains his Zoo’s children’s section. Cleaning enclosures passion. and feeding the animals inspired remarkably
10 Illinois State February 2011 Rohmann has fond mem- ories of his days in Walker Hall. He proudly proclaims that not only did his floor—2 North—win the flag football and softball championships, but they also had the highest GPA. He enjoyed working as a receptionist in Dunn- Barton. accomplished drawings. His role as graduate ad- These early works reveal the genesis visor for New Friends of Old Time Music and the Entertainment Committee is another fond of Rohmann’s fascination with animals. He Rohmann’s Illinois State ties memory because he interacted with all kinds originally minored in biology and anthropol- remain strong. He connected ogy at Illinois State, studies that reinforced his of performers, such as Steve Goodman and with his former art professor, Phil Collins. “MTV was just kicking in, and we Richard Finch, above, after perception of the connection between science speaking at an event at Normal got bands you wouldn’t normally have seen and art. Public Library in the fall. His “The reason I draw is because I want to here,” Rohmann recollected. illustrations give animals The years since those collegiate days personality, as seen in the know what’s going on in the world,” he said, cover of his 1997 book The have proven to Rohmann that you can make explaining that a picture is like a still from a Cinder-Eyed Cats, below. movie. It’s part of a narrative structure, and he a living pursuing your views each picture similar to a film director passion. Now living in considering a scene. Oak Park with children’s Perhaps that explains why the print author Candace Fleming, rooms in the Center for Visual Arts became Rohmann enjoys travel- one of Rohmann’s favorite places as a student ing. He has been on the on campus. “I spent a huge amount of my life faculty of schools in Mas- in them,” he recalled. sachusetts and Minnesota, “The art faculty and students formed a and taught with Fleming community. We may have disagreed on a lot, in Korea and Singapore. but in the end we supported one another with He’s often outdoors with our enthusiasm for the work being made by binoculars, observing all of us,” Rohmann said. “The core group of and being inspired by the people I went to grad school with are still world around him. somehow involved in the arts.” And he always makes The 2004 recipient of Illinois State’s his way back to his artist’s Alumni Association Achievement Award, studio, which he acknowl- Rohmann’s ties to Illinois State remain strong. edges is his sanctuary and playground. “I like “Life is like a circle, I keep finding my way what I do even if it’s not easy and even when back here,” he said of his frequent visits to I fail,” Rohmann said. “I am serious about my campus to share his work experiences with work, but I never let that seriousness interfere students. with creativity and the joy of making art.”
February 2011 Illinois State 11 By Michael Boyd
Alumnus had key role in Blackhawks’ turnaround
o a sports fan, Illinois State alumnus Jay Blunk ’86 had it all. For more than 22 years he promoted the Chicago Cubs as the team’s vice president of marketing and broadcasting. He and former Cubs’ president John McDonough helped skyrocket the Cubs’ brand to T a nearly international level. And then McDonough announced he was switching teams. Blunk was not far behind, making the leap in 2008 from Wrigley Field to the United Center. Blunk joined the Black- hawks as senior vice president of business operations, seizing the opportunity to bring bold new marketing strategies to a team that Chicagoans had nearly forgotten. Blunk helped the Blackhawks achieve what forbes.com called “arguably the most re- markable turnaround in the history of sports in the United States.” The success was appar- ent throughout the 2009-2010 campaign. Fans once again cheered as the Blackhawks cap- tured the Central Division title for the first time since 1993. The team reached the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1992, and brought the coveted Stanley Cup back to Chicago after a 49-year drought. Reaching that unforgettable moment required effort that went far beyond players working on the ice. “We had to restaff and retool the entire organization. We had to change the culture of the organization, and we had to re-establish the Blackhawks as a mainstream entity in Chicago,” Blunk said. “The Blackhawks had become completely irrelevant in regard to advertisers, season ticket holders, and the professional sports landscape. We missed a couple generations of kids and the Blackhawks brand was really unknown.” The decline occurred during the 41-year tenure of former chairman Bill Wirtz. Upon his passing in 2007, his son Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz took control and began a new era of Blackhawks hockey.
12 Illinois State Winter 2010–2011 By Michael Boyd
Winter 2010–2011 Illinois State 13 Blunk played an integral role in the team’s rebirth. Drawing from his mass communication education at Illinois State and his near quarter century with the Cubs, Blunk had an expertise in sports advertising that the Blackhawks needed. He brought myriad ideas with him to the Mad- house on Madison—as the United Center is known to Chicago hockey fans. One of the most important strategies involved listening to fans, who asked for all games to be tele- vised. The Blackhawks organization delivered that and more, working out sports. The players buy into a contract with Comcast SportsNet, that,” Blunk said. “I give them WGN-TV and Chicago’s WGN Radio so much credit. We ask them to 720 to broadcast all games on televi- do a lot of things in the commu- sion and radio. nity—endorsements, signings, Fans also asked for more on-ice appearances, commercials— talent on the roster. That became a and these are all things they Chicagoans took to the street to welcome home the Blackhawks, reality as the team acquired some of inset above, after they captured the Stanley Cup at the end of the enjoy doing.” the youngest and brightest stars in 2010 season. Jay Blunk ’86 shared the victory with the campus in One idea in particular that a Homecoming visit to ISU, at which time he presented President the league, such as center Jonathan Blunk helped bring from the Al Bowman with a team jersey, above. The players, right, had Toews, right winger Patrick Kane, plenty to celebrate, as the Blackhawks had not captured the cup Cubs was a team convention and defenseman Duncan Keith. They for 49 years. at the end of each season, an also brought in veteran free agents, idea originally hatched by team including right winger Marian Hossa heart of sports fans in advertising president McDonough from their and defenseman Brian Campbell. your product.” days together at the Cubs. The event “When you see what we did to It took some big events to gain unites fans for games and activities lock up our core group of young guys, momentum as well. A turning point that include meeting the players that was in response to what our fans occurred when Blunk and Mc- and talking with the coaches. Blunk wanted. We went out and got the Donough, along with the National also introduced cross-promotional top-notch free agents, the finest play- Hockey League, brought the 2009 partnerships with the Cubs and the ers in the world to show we are com- Winter Classic to Wrigley Field. White Sox to tap into millions of mitted to winning a championship,” On New Year’s Day, Blunk and potential fans already cheering for a said Blunk, who got busy implement- McDonough sat in the skybox with Chicago team. ing innovative promotions never Mayor Richard Daley and watched as “We needed a way to still con- before seen in an NHL franchise. a capacity crowd attended a Chicago nect with the fans during the offsea- Blunk marketed the players’ first. son. We didn’t just want to go away personalities through the use of the “We wanted something that for six months,” Blunk said. “When Blackhawks Heritage Series, Black- would draw mainstream sports fans you’re at a Cubs or Sox game, we hawks TV, and the “One Goal” cam- and mainstream Chicagoans into the have advertisements on the mes- paign. Fans were able to personally Blackhawks tent,” Blunk said. “The sage boards. We have guys do the connect with players and the team. Cubs were terrific in the planning of seventh-inning stretch or throw out “We knew we were going to have it and were very cooperative in our the first pitch. There are more than to try some things that had never quest to get this game there because six million baseball fans in this town been done before in professional Wrigley Field is a very special place. alone, so you are going right to the
14 Illinois State February 2011 “People were hanging from bridges and light poles. It was absolutely stunning and almost indescribable to hear the cheers and the roar from the crowd. It was dream-like, nothing short of incredible.” Soon after Blunk was promoted to executive vice president. He cred- its his success in large part to Illinois State and his longtime association with McDonough. An internship ar- ranged through the University with the Cubs in 1986 got him started on his career path, as the Cubs offered him a marketing position immedi- ately after graduating. Today Blunk maintains strong ties to campus. He not only serves as an advisory board It’s a Norman Rockwell painting in Michael Leighton and dashed across member for the School of Communi- the winter or summer.” the ice, throwing his stick and gloves cation, but welcomes ISU interns and Although the ’Hawks fell to in the air as mass confusion swept enjoys working with fellow alums on the Detroit Red Wings 6-4, Blunk through the Wachovia Center. his staff. believes the game was monumental “I turned to John and said, ‘I “I’m very impressed with the in the Blackhawks’ surge to stardom. think it’s in.’ But we weren’t sure communication department. It’s It put the team in front of millions of because the goal light never came on very progressive. They are connect- people who might have never seen a and the referee never signaled. NBC ing students with people in real-life Blackhawks game before. had a replay so we turned around in situations, not only for networking With mounting fan support, our box and when we saw the replay purposes but also for advice. I’m so the team’s success grew. In the it was clear it went in. That’s when fortunate because I’m a great ex- 2008-2009 season, the Blackhawks we all jumped up and down like little ample of someone who got help and clinched fourth place in the Western school kids. It is something I will advice from a lot of people. So I feel Conference and made it to the con- never forget,” Blunk said. an obligation to return that.” ference finals for the first time since Celebrating the Blackhawks’ first He brought the cup back to his 1995. Although they lost to the Red Stanley Cup championship since 1961 alma mater as part of the University’s Wings, the hype carried over to last was no easy task. The Blackhawks Homecoming celebration in October. year’s stellar season, which ended organization privately planned the Blunk welcomed the opportunity with a Stanley Cup championship victory parade with Mayor Daley’s to talk to alums who are also Black- over the Philadelphia Flyers. staff. More than two million fans hawks fans. He assured them that al- “The intensity built little by little lined Chicago streets to get a live look though the organization’s “One Goal” with each game as we went through at professional sport’s most recogniz- has been accomplished, the journey the playoffs. By the end it was almost able trophy. is far from over. unbearable,” Blunk recalled. “It was one of the great days in “We still feel like we have a long On the road in game six he the history of Chicago sports. I don’t way to go and we need to sustain this watched from his skybox as the Fly- think I’ll ever see something that momentum,” Blunk said. ers tied the game with only four min- remarkable in the city of Chicago It’s a task he is ready and eager utes remaining in regulation and sent for the rest of my life,” Blunk said. to tackle. it to overtime. Game seven seemed imminent until Kane slipped a wrist Jay and the Blackhawks Visit IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine/JayBlunk for a special video shot past Philadelphia goaltender featuring Jay Blunk and the Blackhawks.
February 2011 Illinois State 15
hether balancing his role as amazing. It was just the best feeling ever.” a star performer in the Gam- One of Stoinev’s most popular tricks is ma Phi circus with school- his ability to balance his whole body on one WWwork or his Chihuahua on his finger placed in a wine bottle. After discover- back during a show, Christian ing Stoinev’s unusual balancing talent through Stoinev manages to shine. international competitions and festivals, A sophomore broadcast journalism major, Stoinev’s parents moved the family when he Stoinev did not have the typical upbringing of was 7. His father began performing with the most college students. He is a fifth-generation Big Apple Circus, and four years later Stoinev circus performer on his mother’s side. His joined him in the show. family’s 122-year-old circus legacy continues He attended grade school and high school with his grandfather and two uncles running in the trailer of a semi truck with about 10 other the biggest show in Mexico. Stoinev began performers. Stoinev’s college search began performing when he was 5. Now he has a star during the twelfth grade. The Big Apple Circus’ role in Illinois State’s circus. teacher gave him an interesting assignment. Prior to joining Gamma Phi, Stoinev Since he intended to major in broadcast jour- travelled the world competing in festivals. nalism, he was to write an article to White Tops He appeared in television commercials, on Magazine, a popular circus publication. America’s Got Talent, and opened for Brit- Stoinev wrote about pur- ney Spears on her “Circus” tour. His story suing a circus career in has been chronicled in the PBS documentary college. When the Circus, which aired last fall. editor of White And yet his most memorable performance Tops saw it, took place as a freshman at Illinois State Uni- he told Stoinev versity during Gamma Phi’s April Home Show. about Il- “The feeling when I performed at ISU was linois State’s a big deal. It was my first full standing ovation, Gamma Phi Circus. “Going into col- lege I didn’t really expect that there would be a circus program, neither was I counting on it. My main goal was to get a broadcast journalism degree. After writing the article is when I found out that ISU had Gamma Phi,” Stoinev said. and it The editor of White Tops knew Al Light, was in Redbird Arena, which who at that time was Gamma Phi’s director, is pretty big with 12,000 and helped Stoinev get in touch with him. “And people. It was huge and it now I am here,” Stoinev said gesturing around wasn’t about a competition. I was the Quad. “That is how my journey began.” working with my peers. I wasn’t For those familiar with the circus business, worrying about how I was going Stoinev is very well known for his amazing to rank up against the others. feats as a hand balancer and for performing This was just about having a with his dog Scooby, who came into Stoinev’s good time, and living it up,” life when he was 10 years old. Like most kids Stoinev said. “That perfor- that age, he really wanted a pet. His father sug- mance on Saturday night, it was February 2011 Illinois State 17 gested maybe the pet could be used in his Christian Stoinev mesmerized the audience during his first Gamma Phi Home Show appearance at Redbird Arena in April of 2010. He act. Stoinev agreed, instantly seeing his performed with Scooby, left and center, and did his signature move of opportunity slipping away if he did not. balancing on a wine bottle with one finger, right. Stoinev did not initially try to teach Scooby any tricks, but the dog knew what most of my peers here, I respect a lot just be- it meant to be in a circus family. While cause I know sometimes circus has an image Stoinev was lying on the floor playing with of being like a carnival or something like that, Scooby, Stoinev rolled over and Scooby and it’s not like that. It’s really not. It’s family crawled across his chest, similar to a you know,” Stoinev said. lumberjack running on a log in water. Family is what Stoinev misses most about From there Stoinev and Scooby home in Kissimmee, Florida. His mother, father, began training together and learning and brother Christopher, now 11, moved there more tricks. Now Scooby is part of after Stoinev stopped performing with the Big the balancing act as well, perched on Apple Circus and was headed to college. Stoinev’s back or feet in several acts. There are only two colleges in the nation “I get more nervous when I’m with circus programs: Gamma Phi and The with the dog because it’s not just me. Flying High Circus at Florida State Univer- If I fall by myself, only I fall. But with sity. Accepted at both universities, Florida Scooby, it’s somebody else’s life. He’s State seemed like the obvious choice since it
“The feeling when i performed at isu was a big deal. It was my first full standing ovation.”
like my family member,” Stoinev said. is closer to his family—until Stoinev visited Despite his established act and Illinois State’s campus. acclaim, Stoinev looks up to his He came to ISU for the two days of Pre- fellow performers in Gamma Phi, view and met Light. While showing Stoinev which is the oldest collegiate cir- around the campus, Light took him out for cus in the United States. It began ice cream with some students in Gamma Phi’s in 1926 when Clifford “Pop” Hor- summer camp. ton, a gymnastics instructor for “It was two hours of bonding,” Stoinev the University, gathered a group said. “Everyone knew my name and who I was, of men to perform during basket- and was very open to meet me, which was not ball and football games. In 1929 what I expected. I was recruited here.” Gamma Phi was founded as a One of Stoinev’s biggest fears about going fraternity, not a circus. The first away to college was not fitting in, since he has Home Show took place in 1931, a unique upbringing and international back- and the tradition has continued ground. He didn’t want people to assume he since then with generations of was arrogant because he is a well-known per- talented students. former. Those worries subsided as he settled “Anybody who is involved in into Colby Hall’s third floor. circus who didn’t start off in a “C-three, as we call it,” Stoinev said. circus family, which includes C-three also happens to be the title of a Lil’ Wayne CD that he and his friend Cornell CircusCircus alumnusalumnus Freeney enjoy. A sophomore elementary edu- hashas dreamdream jobjob asas cation major, Freeney does the German Wheel in Gamma Phi and endures intense workouts GammaGamma PhiPhi directordirector with Stoinev. The entire circus practices three nights a week from 7-9:30 p.m. Every session “Most people never thought I could make a career out of circus performing, and it’s just amazing that I get paid to do this. It’s phe- begins with group conditioning, and once a nomenal,” Director of Gamma Phi Circus Marcus Alouan said. week the whole circus has a meeting. Although this is Alouan’s first year as director, he is no In order to maintain his hand balancing stranger to Illinois State or its on-campus circus. He performed ability, Stoinev makes that his focus for 60 to while an undergraduate prior to receiving his bachelor’s degree in 90 minutes at every practice. When he isn’t middle-level math education in 2001. training with Gamma Phi, he works out at the “I came in to Gamma Phi with no experience. I was a soccer player, but it was a natural fit for me,” he said. Recreation Center or the Atkin-Colby gym After training Alouan began performing on the tight wire, with Freeney. which has always been his favorite but not his only act. He discov- Although Stoinev is an amazing hand bal- ered something he loved even more than balancing on a thin wire ancer he also trains for different acts, which several feet above the ground. he doesn’t always master on the first try. Last “I started to get out in front and work off the crowd, and that year he started on the Russian Swing—an act just became the thing I loved the most about the circus—to see the that has the performer catapult off the swing, awe in the audience’s faces,” Alouan said of his experience as emcee. During his time at Gamma Phi Alouan also learned juggling, do a flip, and land on his feet. A spotter stood unicycling, the German Wheel, acrosport, adagio, flying trapeze, close by to catch him. fire breathing, and fire eating. He mastered the flying trapeze at a On his first try Stoinev flew off the swing circus camp. Once Gamma Phi obtained flying trapeze equipment, into the flip and smacked his head into the Alouan was able to help teach others how to perform on it. spotter’s chin. It hurt and he was nervous, “I knew I wanted to coach, and I wanted to stay involved in but Stoinev wasted no time heading back to circus,” he said. After graduating Alouan travelled to the University of Colo- the swing. The second time he flew into a flip rado and the University of Nebraska to pursue his other passion— and smacked the same part of his head on his volunteering for campus ministries. After two years he came back spotter’s chin for a second time. to Illinois to teach in the Peoria Public School District. “I think I blacked out a little bit that Alouan had already decided to return to Illinois State to begin time,” Stoinev said. Eventually he got it right working on his master’s degree when the founder and director of the through effort that shows Stoinev’s dedication Junior Gamma Phi Circus, Tom Romance, retired. The new director did not have circus experience, so Alouan became the Junior Gamma to what he does. “At this point it’s not like I’m Phi assistant director in 2007. Shortly after Al Light, former director doing this, performing, for someone else. I do of Gamma Phi, departed and recommended Alouan take the job. this because I love to,” he said. Alouan has many goals for Gamma Phi. One is for it to be- As for Stoinev’s plans after graduating, come such a well-known campus entity that the University uses the his dream is to perform for a whole season in program to recruit potential students, which worked in Christian his family’s circus in Mexico, with his college Stoinev’s case. Other priorities include involving alumni. “One of my goals as an alumnus of circus is to really reach degree as a backup, “so I don’t have to be 55 out to our circus alumni. There has kind of been a period of with a sore body and still trying to do a hand- time where we have lost contact, or people have pulled stand,” he said. themselves out of the loop for a while,” Alouan said. “I’m While at ISU, school work and getting really hoping to bridge some gaps, get our alumni back good grades is his main objective. “We all know involved, and let them know that they are a very impor- what our priorities are here, and that’s school,” tant part of our family.” he said. “We all know that if we’re not going to Gamma Phi is working on developing an alumni section of their website so that former circus be in school, we’re not going to be in circus.” members can reconnect and see what their friends have been doing since their crowd pleasing days. Gifts of support can be See the show! made at IllinoisState.edu/giving. Stoinev and Scooby will be part of the annual Gamma Phi show at Redbird “We’re really hoping to reach out to Arena April 15–16, with special seating our alumni as much as possible,” Alouan reserved for circus alumni. Go online to said. “They have been so important.” GammaPhiCircus.IllinoisState.edu for more information. A video of Stoinev’s act is online at IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine.
February 2011 Illinois State 19 By Kate Arthur Dining Innovative campus cuisine experience enriches student life aybeHAUL they’ve never lunch hour, you could pick up a sack waffles for dinner if they want to. Mtasted quinoa or lunch, but only if you called a day Junior Meg Murphy lives off lifted a forkful of salad ahead and showed your class sched- campus, which usually means maca- nicoise with freshly grilled ule. By the late 1980s and early 1990s roni and cheese for dinner. But at tuna. Maybe they prefer salad bars arrived, along with taco the Marketplace at Linkins Center, squirting ketchup over a bars, chicken nuggets, and soft serve she recently filled her plate with burger to squeezing lemon ice cream. rosemary roast beef, a potato med- over salmon on spring But those weren’t the good ole ley, and fresh berries with whipped greens. days—these are. Days when students cream, describing it as “better than But at least Illinois settle near a stone fireplace with a mom’s.” State students now have cup of coffee while slicing into warm Bringing better cooking to a choice, one nonexistent Belgian waffles or waiting for their campus, along with restaurant-like years ago when campus custom-made Panini chosen from settings that encourage students to dining meant steam tables a menu that rarely repeats in 28 socialize, is all part of today’s dining and sneeze guards protect- days. There are hundreds of choices experience, said Arlene Hosea ’82, ing stiff mashed potatoes that range from wood-fired pizza to M.S. ’84. As assistant to the vice scraped from metal pans. prime rib and lobster bisque. With president for Student Affairs and You could only eat anytime dining now the norm, stu- director of Campus Dining Services, breakfast at breakfast. If dents easily fit meals around their Hosea knows students expect a you had a class over the schedule and can eat those Belgian variety of cuisine at college. That’s
20 Illinois State February 2011 why when choosing a school, food with just a tinge ranks third behind academics and of yellow. location. “That’s how “They grew up eating out and meticulous you variety,” ordering what they wanted,” she have to be when Feasley said. said. “They are savvy consumers.” you’re serving “We’ll always have That puts the pressure on Ex- 14,000 meals a day,” cheeseburgers. We’ll al- ecutive Chef Tim Gump, who refers Gump explained. “We want to ways have pizza and we’ll to ISU’s 7,600 meal plan holders achieve the finest dining service on always have fried chicken strips, but as “guests.” He believes in scratch a college campus in the industry, we don’t want students to feel like cooking, which means chicken nug- and we’re on our way.” that’s all they have to choose from.” gets are rolled in batter after they Working alongside him is Comfort foods haven’t changed arrive. Registered Dietitian Dianne Feasley, much over the years. Macaroni Presentation is important to who helps create recipes, calculates and cheese is so popular it appears Gump. Chicken breasts and tuna nutritional information, and works on the menu twice each month. steaks are grilled because he wants with students who have special There are 10,000 pizzas and 31,000 to see grill marks. There’s a standard dietary needs. If a student wants chocolate chip cookies devoured in for stacking deli tomato slices. Muf- a computerized diet analysis, she a month. But staff also encourage fins must have a rolling crown, not a provides that too. students to sample black bean que- peak. The 7,200 pounds of bananas “Campus dining always has sadillas, tortilla crusted tilapia, and used monthly should be light green, been and always will be about Key West vegetables. “We want to achieve the finest dining service on a college campus in the industry, and we’re on our way.” From flat screen TVs to a stone fireplace, students appreciate the ambiance created as a result of a $10 million renovation in Watterson Towers.
Teaching students how to cook students and tweaked. Once on the over. A greeter directs students to 10 sometimes becomes part of the menu, they’re followed exactly “so dining venues, from a pantry with job as well. Fire trucks have rolled we have quality and consistency 16 cereals to the grill; pasta bar; deli; more than once when a smoking throughout campus, and can assure salad station; a display cooking area; Panini press triggered an alarm. students that the nutritional infor- and a growing favorite, Fresh Bites, One student quickly discovered you mation is consistent,” Gump said. which has healthy choices. shouldn’t use the press to warm a “The culinary staff really does a Students dine in several “neigh- chocolate chip cookie. phenomenal job.” borhoods,” from the quiet area by Recipes are taste-tested by The busiest dining center, Wat- the stone fireplace to in front of terson Dining Commons, recently plasma TVs. There is also plenty of underwent a $10 million renovation. school spirit apparent, from waffle Students can click on a traffic cam to irons with Reggie Redbird imprints see how busy it is before they head to photos of the Quad foliage.
Meet the man behind the menu
After overseeing the preparation of as many as 14,000 meals daily, you’d think the last thing ISU Executive Chef Tim Gump would want to tackle when he gets home is dinner. You’d be wrong. “I do every bit of the cooking,” he said of the meals he makes for his wife and 7-year-old daughter. His menu is likely to be what Gump calls “good simple food,” from roasted chicken to a tender steak or plump burger. “My wife and daughter do the hard part, cleaning the kitchen.” So does he ever do something really simple, like macaroni and cheese? “Never,” he said. “The only time my wife and daughter have macaroni and cheese is when I’m not home. There is something in this little brain of mine that just thinks macaroni and cheese is so, so wrong,” he said, with a laugh. Gump ended up at Illinois State because he left early from a cock- tail party he was cohosting while at a Toronto national food conference.
22 Illinois State February 2011
Mixing in someTLC The staff at Campus Dining have done More of the more than focus on improving the cooking is being done in traditional meal experience. Extra effort has been made to give students that front of the students. “All of home-away-from-home feeling by offer- us take such an interest in our ing some special services, including the guests, and we’re very open to Campus Dining will become following. showing them exactly what they’re even healthier when the Culinary getting,” Gump said. Innovation Center in the John Free meals for parents As the population of students Green Food Service facility is com- Parents of meal plan holders can join with food allergies and dietary plete. Planning is underway for their student for a free meal anytime preferences grows, the menu adapts. a full-service bakery and central they’re on campus by making a reser- There are gluten-free dishes, along production facility with a cook- vation seven days in advance through with vegetarian and vegan choices. chill system and research and the Parents RSVP program. Go to www. Senior Sarah Smetana was pouring development center that will pro- Dining.ilstu.edu for more information or soy milk over her Lucky Charms one duce foods with fewer additives to make a reservation. morning. and fresher ingredients. Items like Recovery Meal Kits “I’m lactose-intolerant,” she homemade soups and sauces will explained. be chilled and packaged, much like for ill students Feasley used to buy individual in a manufacturing plant. Students who aren’t feeling well can cartons of soy milk at a local health “We want the highest quality have meals delivered to their residence food store, but now has 5-gallon product. When you make it from hall room once a day for three days. bags for the milk dispensers because scratch you’re able to take a look Items available include water and juices, oatmeal, soup, crackers, pudding, fresh of the demand. Dispensers also offer at the additives, the sodium, the fruit, and sandwiches. rice and almond milk. fats,” Gump said. Sweet treats Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, a lift during finals week, or a special event, He shuttled back to the hotel and sat across from Susan Jones, senior associate di- loved ones can send their student a rector of Campus Dining Services. When she asked what he did, he told her he was surprise treat. Cakes, cookies, brownies, the corporate chef for U.S. Foodservice. She told him the University was looking for Rice Krispie treats, and a fruit basket can an executive chef. be ordered for delivery to the residence That was about four years ago. Now he works with Registered Dietitian Dianne hall, or for pick-up if the recipient lives in Feasley to plan 28-day menus that’ll please the sweet-loving palates of students— off-campus housing. Go to whether serving up tuna with Jamaican corn relish or a pan of Snickers brownies. www.Dining.ilstu.edu/treats His signature dish is chilled cavatappi marinara salad and roasted sausage with for more information. grilled red peppers and onions. If his parents could have influenced his career, Gump wouldn’t have stepped foot in a kitchen. His father hoped he’d be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. But the boy who started sweeping restaurant parking lots in Ohio at age 5 couldn’t stay away from stainless steel counters. At 13 he began an apprenticeship at a Marriott ho- tel in Cleveland, and eventually became the youngest certified chef in America. His food service career has included restaurants, hotels, and cruise lines. Today Gump is dealing with a different guest, one that might want a spicier buffalo chicken, which is why it’s not uncommon to find him taste- testing popcorn chicken at 8 a.m. It’s the challenge of perfecting recipes guaranteed to please the palate that makes the job rewarding for Gump, who is “very proud to be a chef.” February 2011 Illinois State 23 Campus Dining also wants to continue to be known for being “green.” The department has won awards for sustainability efforts, including a revised meal plan that encourages dining in, reducing the use of bottled beverages and takeout containers. The centers also went to trayless dining to save water and energy. Food waste heads to the Uni- versity Farm for composting. “We are very conscientious of the role we can play in being a green campus and are committed to sus- tainability,” Hosea said. Doing fewer dishes doesn’t just save the University money but is at- tractive to students like Tony Peron- ti, a junior who still eats on campus Friends gathered for a good time over dinner at Linkins recently. Dining Services has restructured the entire after moving into an apartment. residence hall meal experience to make it easier for students to eat across campus at times that fit their schedule. “I got a meal plan because I like There’s more to devour being able to eat something right Wondering how many ingredients Chef Tim Gump purchases in a month? A shopping away when I’m hungry,” he said. “I list is online, as well as some of his favorite recipes. You’ll also learn how Dining save money on groceries and I don’t Services is purposefully linked to the classroom. Check out additional photos too at IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine. have to do the dishes.”
Alumni memories Ron Weingartner ’60 and they’d be sitting in warm water. They’d pick them out and throw them “My food story is getting the dining on a bun and then pour a ladle of hall ready for the sophomore girls melted cheese over them. That was when I worked at Fell Hall. I think I your cheeseburger. “ got $1 and all the mashed potatoes I could eat.” Janessa Williams ’89 Susan Morrison ’69 “The food was scary. We never knew what it was so we called it mystery “Warm glazed doughnuts is what I re- meat. We had a salad bar and that was member. I had early morning classes often the safest bet. You could only so I was up when the rest of the world go through the line one time. Once was sleeping, and I was always de- a semester we’d have a steak and livering them to somebody else. You shrimp night and you’d spend a lot of had to be dressed in dresses or skirts. time trying to figure out how to get a The only time you could wear jeans second helping.” was on Saturday and Sunday.” Bradley Hofferkamp ’00 Gary Tiffany ’74 “I would wake up on Saturday and “I remember the hamburgers, float- Sunday mornings and go down to the ers we’d call them. We’d go down to cafeteria to have my waffles. I gained the cafeteria in Watterson and they’d a lot of weight because of those have these stainless steel pans with waffle irons, but life was good!” hamburger patties already cooked 24 Illinois State February 2011 Illinois St alumni magazineate
FALL 2010
NUMBER 2•
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VOLUME 11
Nursing alumna Janessa (Stimpert) Jenkins ’06 excels A new beginning in caring for fragile little lives. There are approximately 180,000 alumni scattered across the coun- try and around the world, which makes the goal of keeping graduates informed and involved with the University difficult. Illinois State meets the challenge in part by sending all alumni a quarterly publication at no charge. For years graduates have appreciated receiving regular updates on 19-26 SPECIALDonorsdifference! ISSUEmake a the changing campus and collegiate experience, reading of stellar indi- pgs. viduals and programs, learning of ways to reconnect with ISU friends and faculty, and realizing opportunities to actively participate in initiatives. Over time the alumni publication changed from a bare-bones tab- loid to a full-color magazine, which has engaged graduates for the past decade. This issue marks the start of yet another era for Illinois State, as the magazine has been revamped to showcase in a more vibrant way the pursuits and passions that define your alma mater. Show your Redbird pride by sharing the publication, which is avail- able online at IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine. Go there today to view additional content, as well as complete a readership survey. We value your feedback as we create a magazine that empowers you to remember and reconnect.
February 2011 Illinois State 25 AlumniAwards
The Illinois State University Alumni Association will honor five award recipients during Founders Day celebrations on the 17th of this month, as well as during a dinner program. For video of this year’s awards program, visit www.Alumni.ilstu.edu/awards.
Distinguished Alumni Award Outstanding Young Laurie Metcalf ’76 Alumni Award Actress, International Creative Management Dori Byard ’96 Valley Village, California Global Sourcing Manager, The William Wrigley Jr. Company aurie Metcalf ’76 grew up in Edwardsville. Her mother was a Evanston librarian and her father Southern Illinois University’s comptrol- Dori Byard ’96 majored in agricultural busi- ler. An ISU theatre major, she honed her talent on the University’s ness and economics. She was an active stages before becoming recognized as one of Hollywood’s most member of Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor enduringL actors. Society, Alpha Zeta agriculture honors soci- At ISU Metcalf met fellow students ety, and Alpha Lambda Delta. Byard gained experience with trading, John Malkovich ’76, Jeff Perry ’78, and sales, and management oversight at several Terry Kinney ’76. Together with Gary companies, including Grain Merchandiser, Sinise they founded Steppenwolf The- Bulk Oil Division, Archer Daniels Midland, ater in 1976, initially staging productions and Kraft Foods. Her efficiency in strategic sourcing of in a Highland Park church basement. company products led to promotions, as Today Steppenwolf is one of Chicago’s Byard saved companies millions of dol- most recognized theaters, consistently lars and consistently met sales goals. Her garnering national acclaim. experiences prepared her for her current Metcalf has starred in more than 30 role as the global sourcing manager for the William Wrigley Jr. Company in Chicago. productions at Steppenwolf, including She manages the supply chain for Wrig- Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, ley’s products, driving cost savings while My Thing of Love, The Glass Menagerie, maintaining brand quality. She also seeks Little Egypt, and Purple Heart. Her role out the flavors, colors, coolants, and men- thol for the popular chewing gum and can- in Balm in Gilead—in which she delivered a 30-minute monologue—earned dies manufactured in 14 countries. her the 1984 Obie award for best actress and the 1985 Theatre World award. Byard has an assertive role in corporate She is most famous for playing Jackie Harris on the ABC sitcom Rose- America, yet remains connected to Illi- anne. She captured an Emmy for best supporting actress in 1992, 1993, and nois State. She speaks to students and has 1994 for that role. Metcalf’s television success continued during the three recruited alums. Making her family proud ranks as her greatest achievement. She is a years she appeared on the ABC sitcom Norm. diligent and committed woman loyal to her Fans have also seen her on Saturday Night Live, Grey’s Anatomy, Frasier, family, her profession, and herself. and 3rd Rock from the Sun. Metcalf’s film roles include Blink, Chicago Cab, Desperately Seeking Susan, JFK, Runaway Bride, Secret Life of Houses, Scream II, The Long Island Incident, Toy Story, and Uncle Buck. She has appeared on Nominations are needed Send us the names of graduates Broadway in Brighton Beach Memoir, My Thing of Love, and November, for you think are worthy of an which she received a Tony nomination. alumni award. Nomination forms are available online at A recipient of Illinois State’s Alumni Achievement Award in 1993, Metcalf www.Alumni.IllinoisState.edu/awards. resides in California with her husband, Matt Roth, and their three children.
26 Illinois State February 2011 Dori Byard Rose Stadel Alan Chapman Walter Warfield
Alumni Achievement E. Burton Mercier Alumni Senator John W. Award Service Award Maitland Jr., Commitment Rose M. Stadel ’01 Alan Chapman M.S. ’75, Ed.D. ’84 to Education Award Vice President of Operations, Heritage Enterprises Retired McLean County Unit District No. 5 teacher/ Walter H. Warfield, Ph.D. ’78 Normal administrator and superintendent Scholar in Residence, Normal Rose Stadel ’01 is a Licensed Practical University of Illinois at Springfield Clearwater, Florida Nurse and Licensed Nursing Home Admin- Normal Community High School (NCHS) istrator. She majored in health education alum Alan Chapman graduated from the Walter Warfield, Ph.D ’78, completed two and devoted 40-plus years to health care. University of Illinois and served honorably degrees before earning a doctorate at Illi- Stadel partnered with Mennonite Col- in the U.S. Army before earning educational nois State. He dedicated 42 years to work- lege of Nursing (MCN) to develop the Joe administration graduate degrees at ISU. ing with students as a teacher, coach, and Warner Teaching Nursing Home Project, He served 31 years in Unit 5 as a teach- principal at the middle school and high for Alzheimer’s residents at Heritage Man- er, coach, dean of students, assistant princi- school level. or-Normal. Named in honor of her late pal, and ultimately NCHS principal. After He was a research assistant for ISU’s husband, the project is an MCN and Heri- a year as interim, he was appointed Unit 5 Center for the Study of Educational Finance tage Enterprises collaboration. She also superintendent in 2004. before becoming superintendent of schools developed the Children of Aging Parents He is past president of the Illinois in Decatur, Mattoon, and Fairfield. Warf- support group. State Deans Association, and served on the ield was the Illinois Association of School Stadel oversees resident care at Heri- Illinois High School Association Board of Administrators’ executive director before tage Manor nursing homes of Blooming- Directors. becoming a scholar in residence at the Uni- ton, Normal, El Paso, and Gibson City; and He remains a member of the Illinois versity of Illinois-Springfield. Adelaide Retirement Apartments and Ever- State Deans Association, Illinois Principals Warfield served on various Illinois State green senior living communities. Association, National Association of Sec- Board of Education committees. At ISU he A Certified Health Education Special- ondary School Principals, and Illinois and was president of the Administrator’s Club, ist, Stadel has taught First Aid, CPR, and American Associations of School Admin- on the Educational Foundation and Admin- nonviolent crisis intervention classes. She istrators. istration Graduate Advisory Committee, on serves on the advisory boards of MCN, Chapman and his wife, Kathie (Camp- the Alumni Board, and a charter member of Heartland Community College, and the bell) ’69, M.S. ’97, give generously to ISU. the College of Education Hall of Fame. Maitland/Warner Long Term Care Schol- He served on the Department of Educa- Warfield served as national president arship Board. tional Administration and Foundations of the Horace Mann League and remains Stadel received the Illinois Society for (EAF) Alumni Advisory Council and the on the board, and as national president of Public Health Educators Donald B. Stone college’s Capital Campaign Fundraising the Association of State Executives. He is Outstanding Service Award, the YWCA Advisory Committee. Chapman was award- executive director emeritus of the Illinois Women of Distinction Award, and was ed the ISU Foundation Fellowship by EAF, Association of School Administrators. named Cornbelt Health Educators’ Asso- and inducted into the College of Educa- He and his wife, Catherine, give gener- ciation’s Health Educator of the Year. ISU’s tion Hall of Fame. He is a member of ISU ously to Illinois State and remain strong Health Sciences Department presented her Community Partners and The Weisbecker advocates. Two of their three children are the Outstanding Achievement in Scholar- Scholarship Fund. ISU graduates. ship and Distinguished Alumni Award.
February 2011 Illinois State 27 AlumniConnections
A familiar and friendly place Half Century Club event sparks memories of college life long ago
ook Hall is still standing, what students experienced from the the annual Half Century Club event the Big Red Marching 1930s to the 1950s. in the Alumni Center. They will be Machine plays on, the The chance to reflect on how inducted into the Half Century Club Quad is still beautiful, things used to be is just one of the at a dinner and join the Half Century andC the academic programs offered reasons older alums appreciate Club for a full day of activities on the at Illinois State remain stellar. Illinois State’s Half Century Club, 10th. These all give alumni of yesteryear which honors all alumni whose Members of the classes of 1956, the assurance that their alma mater classes graduated 50 or more years 1951, 1946, 1941, and 1936 who will remains a familiar and friendly place. ago. There are no dues to belong. be celebrating their 55th, 60th, 65th, And yet the change graduates An annual program gives alumni an 70th, and 75th reunions from Illi- from 50 years ago or more have wit- opportunity to catch up with class- nois State Normal University will be nessed at Illinois State University is mates, make new acquaintances, and honored at the Friday luncheon and astonishing. From the way students learn what’s new at Illinois State. receive a special recognition gift. communicate to the rock concerts This year’s program is sched- For additional information that have replaced those memora- uled for June 9 and 10. Members of contact Alumni Relations at (309) ble Big Four dances, the collegiate the Class of 1961 will celebrate their 438-2586 or (800) 366-4478, or experience is radically different from 50th class reunion on the 9th during e-mail Stephanie Duquenne at [email protected]. 28 Illinois State February 2011 Black Colleagues Association continues Annual alumni scholarship support for students survey slated for spring Members of the graduating classes of Members of Illinois State University’s honors the memory of the 1981 graduate. 2010 and 2006 will be receiving a letter Black Colleagues Association (ISUBCA) He died in the line of duty as an employ- from Illinois State University President continue their efforts to support students ee of the Dallas fire department. Al Bowman as an invitation to partici- pate in the Annual Alumni Survey. Per- financially. Funds from scholarships Freshman Briani Bell of Quincy sonalized instructions will be included in were awarded last fall during Home- received the President’s Book Scholar- the April mailing. coming, including the Judge Russell R. ship, funded by the Office of the Presi- Information provided through the DeBow Scholarship and Vincent Lionel dent. Sophomore Tiara Mackins of online survey will be used to improve Davis Scholarship. Decatur; freshmen Hana Ayele of Bloom- the educational experience at Illinois Senior Lorryn Neely of Flossmoor, ington, Darius Hennington of Chicago, State. Participants will be eligible to win junior Gordon Booker of Gurnee, junior and Lester D. Hudson II of Peoria all a VIP Homecoming package, including two nights at the Marriott Hotel and Raven Nance of Chicago Heights and received the Vice President for Student Conference Center in Uptown Normal, freshman Jazmin Summerrise of Alsip Affairs Book Scholarship. It has been two tickets to the Redbird football game, received $1,000 from the DeBow fund. awarded since 2008. tailgating opportunities, entrance for Neely, Booker, and Nance are past recip- The recipients of each scholarship two to the Homecoming Gala, and free ients. They maintained a grade point are selected by the ISUBCA. Enter- admission to a variety of other Home- average of 3.0 or higher to receive the ing and continuing African American coming events. scholarship on a renewable basis. For- undergraduate and graduate students For additional information contact University Assessment Services by merly known as the Black Colleagues are eligible. Applications are available calling (309) 438-2135 or by e-mail at Scholarship, the fund was renamed to online at www.Alumni.ilstu.edu/isubca [email protected]. honor DeBow, who graduated in 1935. He or by e-mailing khowell@IllinoisState. was instrumental in the founding of the edu. The application deadline is May 1. organization and is a charter member. Contributions to the DeBow and Davis Junior Nicole Black of Chicago was scholarships can be made online at www. awarded $1,000 from the Davis scholar- Advancement.ilstu.edu. ship. Established by his family, the fund
Alumni hosts sought for Redbird Welcome Parties Alumni are being sought in strategic Illinois locations to host a Redbird Wel- come Party in their home or local venue for incoming freshmen and their families this summer. The parties offer an oppor- tunity for alumni to impact current and future students at Illinois State. Parties vary in size. Alumni may cohost the gathering with other alumni to share the cost of expenses and plan- ning responsibilities. Interested alumni are encouraged to call Alumni Relations at (309) 438-2586 or e-mail alumni@ IllinoisState.edu.
Stay connected to campus It’s easy to connect with campus by receiving a monthly e-newsletter. To get these updates send an e-mail to [email protected] or complete the e-mail preferences form online at Advancement.IllinoisState.edu/e_pref.
February 2011 Illinois State 29 ClassNotes
A passion for people overseas International study leads to graduate student’s life mission
mily Pozo traveled to conditions. Schools and hospitals Drugs and alcohol, domestic vio- the Galapagos Islands were unequipped, in part because lence, and teen pregnancy are all to study. She stayed to the vast majority of conservation prevalent issues. Drinking water has become a change agent. efforts are aimed at preservation to be boiled for 20 minutes to make it EPozo planned a healthcare career of the islands. She changed that by safe, and newspaper is used in homes while a nursing student in Wiscon- founding the Galapagos ICE Organi- for insulation. First aid in a hospital sin. She completed graduate work in zation (Immerse-Connect-Evolve), might mean pouring alcohol from Spanish at Illinois State, where she which focuses on citizens. a juice bottle. Youth have too much taught the language and recruited “Galapagos ICE aims to improve time on their hands. for international education. the quality of healthcare and educa- “The biggest problem is kids don’t She relocated to Galapagos to tion in the Galapagos Islands,” Pozo learn about where they live. It’s not a teach and married a native, Mau- said during a campus discussion with part of the curriculum,” she said. “The ricio. Pozo found the land Charles ISU students last fall. “Our conserva- Galapagos Islands were put at risk the Darwin studied while forming his tion is dealing with the people. We day humans set foot on the islands. theory of evolution was in ruins, are the only nonprofit organization Now that we have that footprint there, with 36,000 people living in subpar in the Galapagos Islands that does.” we have to figure out what to do.”
30 Illinois State February 2011 1940s 1960s Frances Peifer Alverson ’40 has Charles O. Ellenbaum ’65 retired Pause for applause retired as a first grade teacher and as a professor of anthropology tax accountant. Both jobs were in and religious studies from the Shining on stage Port Charlotte, where she resides. College of DuPage after 35 years She is widowed. of service. He taught part-time Central Illinois audiences saw rising star Leslie at Wheaton College and is an Ann Sheppard ’07 perform in many faculty and ordained Anglican Priest. He is student productions, as well as the Illinois Shake- 1950s now assistant pastor at Resur- speare Festival, while she completed her under- rection Anglican Church in West graduate degree in acting. Now she is impressing June E. (Bradley) Faehnrich ’52 is the Chicago, and a spiritual direc- Chicago theatre patrons. Sheppard has been on founder and director of Concerned tor for discipleship at St. Mark’s Windy City stages since graduation. She appeared Citizens for Animal Welfare. She Church in Geneva. He resides in Harriet Jacobs at the Steppenwolf Theatre, and also had a leading role also owns the Flag Specialty Shop there with his wife, Gail. They in the musical The Hundred Dresses with Chicago’s Children’s Theatre. in Conneaut, Ohio, where she celebrated their 43rd wedding Her work has earned her mention as one of 10 actors to watch on Chica- resides. She is widowed. anniversary in 2010. go-area stages, as chosen by the Chicago Tribune in the summer of 2010. JimAnn (Smith) Oliver ’54 retired in Terry Shoup ’67, M.S. ’71, retired 2010 as a national supervisor of from San Bernardino City USD Chicago win benefits blind research for Westat, Inc., which is in 2010 after a total of 43 years William Burfeind ’95 has many titles, including a contractor of the U.S. Department in education. He also taught in business development manager with Turner Con- of Education. Smith worked 21 Illinois. Shoup owns a sailboat and years supervising the gathering of struction in Chicago. A recruiter on campus for his anticipates cruising the Pacific data for The Nation’s Report Card, employer, which is one of the largest construction Ocean during his retirement. He Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, companies in the world, Burfeind’s a member of resides in Redlands, California. The International Math and Science two advisory boards in ISU’s College of Applied Sci- Study, and other reports. She now Bruce Darnall ’68 writes with his ence and Technology. He serves on the Chicago Loop Alliance Board of travels; manages a rentals business; son and current graduate student, Directors, which nominated him for the One Man Chicago charity com- and enjoys time with her five chil- Mark Darnall. The two have petition. He was chosen in 2010 as the young man who embodies the dren, 10 grandchildren, and four authored articles about Chicago best of Chicago from community involvement, intelligence, personality, great-grandchildren. Her daughter, White Sox relief pitcher Scott and fitness. He donated his $10,000 win to Prevent Blindness America. Lanette Oliver, is one of the Path- Linebrink, Cleveland Indians first finder 7 astronauts-in-training, the baseman Matt LaPorta, San Diego Fighting for women first team of Teachers in Space. She Padre Adrian Gonzalez, and Green While on military duty in Afghanistan, Michelle resides in Temple, Texas. Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers. The articles appeared in Athletes in Johnson ’05 saved the life of a 13-year-old preg- John Swalec ’56, M.S. ’58, Ph.D. ’75, Action, which is an online pub- nant girl by helping the teen deliver her stillborn wrestled at Illinois State, plac- lication of Campus Crusade for baby. The experience inspired Johnson to start ing in numerous conference Christ. Bruce resides in Lake Mills, Afghanistan Midwifery Project. The Chicago- tournaments. He coached at Wisconsin. based nonprofit organization provides midwife the high school and junior col- training and medical kits, as well as health educa- Eric E. Magnuson ’68 retired from the lege level, mentoring state and tion classes to ensure women in Afghanistan have medical care and Lee County School District where national champions at each level. safe childbirth. Beyond the supplies and training, the organization is he was a kindergarten teacher. He He coached the college contin- empowering women in the war-torn country that has a high maternal previously worked for the Illinois gent in the 1964 Olympic Trials. mortality rate. Johnson’s mission has put her in the national spotlight, State Board of Education division Retired as president of Waubonsee with Glamour magazine chronicling her story in the August 2010 issue. Community College, he has led of early childhood. He resides in Fort Myers, Florida. national rules committees for the Making the grade sport and worked as a high school Samuel M. Gore, Ed.D. ’69, was a official. He is a member of Illinois member of the art faculty at Mis- Daniel Traeger ’70 majored in political science at State’s Athletic Hall of Fame and sissippi College for 59 years. He Illinois State, but found his calling to be educa- is an ISU Distinguished Alumni is also a painter and sculptor. A tion. Initially a teacher and basketball coach at Award recipient. In 2010 he was retrospective exhibit of his work the high school level, he is now principal of West honored by the Illinois Chapter was exhibited at Gore Galleries at Broward High School in Pembroke, Florida. Traeger of the National Wrestling Hall of the college in 2010. He resides in is passionate in mentoring students and staff, exemplifying the school’s Fame for lifetime achievement. He Clinton, Mississippi. slogan of “Educating today’s students for tomorrow’s world.” Traeger’s resides in Cuba. commitment to students has him involved not only in their classroom efforts, but their extracurricular activities as well. His excellence and Reggie Reads efforts are noted and appreciated, as the Florida PTA named him Out- Check out a column dedicated to book reviews of work by standing Principal of the Year in 2009. alums. Go online to IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine and click on Reggie Reads.
February 2011 Illinois State 31 How we met Masara Beukinga ’03 and Eric Browning ’03 didn’t expect to find a spouse at Illinois State, but when they met through mutual friends in 2001 there was a lasting impression. Eric pursued Masara. While spending time abroad, he sent let- ters from her dream vacation spot in Paris, France. He even bought her a souvenir. “After he rode his bike to my dorm in the rain with a framed piece of art from Paris, I knew he had won me over,” Masara said. They became an inseparable pair, enjoying lunches on the Quad, the zoo, basketball games, and tailgating. They supported each other. “Eric walked me hand-in-hand to many of my classes,” she said. “He thought I was obsessed with grades, which I was, but he would still quiz me with my homemade note cards and edit all of my papers for me.” Both were committed to excellence. Outside the classroom Masara tutored children through the Normal Public Library. Eric joined Delta Tau Delta fraternity and worked with The Daily Vidette. “I was once very close to a deadline for a story on the food selection at ISU,” Eric said. “I needed a source badly. Masara came through and gave her input. That moment seemed to be a precursor for the rest of our lives together. She’s always been in my corner.” They married on July 22, 2004, in Riviera Maya, Mexico. They live and work in San Bernardino, California. Eric teaches middle school English, while Masara teaches first and second grades. They have two sons—Dylan, 3, and Gavin, born in June of 2010. The boys are already becoming familiar with ISU, which remains a cherished memory for Masara and Eric. “Illinois State allowed both of us to develop socially, academically, intellectually, and personally,” the couple concurred. “We simply took advantage of the numerous opportunities the University and community offered. From those opportunities, we found that we shared many of the same core principles and beliefs. And we had a great time in the process!”
Editor’s note: February is Redbird Romance Month at Illinois State’s telefund. Students will be calling alumni couples to gain their support.
Charles Pagels ’69, M.S. ’70, retired Association. He will play a major of the top 100 school executives in Chartered Retirement Planning as the assistant superintendent role as the organization works to North America by Executive Edu- Counselor. Mounier is a member for personnel at Glenbard High be America’s leading advocate for cator magazine in 1985, Farnham of Merrill Lynch’s Circle of Excel- School District 87 in Glen Ellyn. oral health. He resides in Harvard. served as head of the Interna- lence Club. He authored The He and his wife reside in Hertford, tional School of Kuala Lumpur in 50 Questions You Need to Ask to Thomas B. Shaffer ’71, M.M.E. ’78, North Carolina. Malaysia. He and his wife, Vanessa, Achieve the Financial Advisor Rela- taught instrumental music in reside in San Juan. tionship You Deserve. He resides in Illinois prior to moving to North Caledonia. Carolina. He has been a real estate Thomas L. Howard ’72 is president 1970s property manager for 28 years. He of the Financial Planning Asso- Mark B. DalPozzo ’75, M.M.E. ’83, Raymond Bruzan, M.S. ’70, retired as is a founding member of the Dur- ciation of Illinois, which is a retired in 2010 as the director of a chemistry professor at Benedic- ham Community Concert Band, 1,000-member organization of bands for Hillsboro CUSD 3. He tine University at Springfield. He Triangle Wind Ensemble, Pure certified financial planners. He taught instrumental music for 35 completed 42 years of teaching at Brass Quintet, and has conducted resides in Streamwood. years, with the last 23 at Hills- the Durham Community Concert boro. He resides there with his the high school and collegiate lev- Betsy Meyers Maaks ’74, M.A. ’76, Band for 18 years. He and his wife, wife, Mary. els. He and his wife, Pamela, reside is a senior technical writer and Faye, have been married 40 years. in Rochester. contractor for CARA Group in Oak Janet Jacobi Madden ’75 has retired They reside in Durham, North Joseph F. Hagenbruch ’71 is a dentist Brook. She resides in Naperville. from her position as a high school Carolina. teacher. She has competed for working in a private practice. He is James R. Mounier ’74 is the first vice Barry Farnham, Ed.D. ’72, retired in more than 50 years in water a fellow in the American College of president of investments and a 2010 after 48 years as a teacher sports. In 2010 she placed third Dentists, the International College wealth management advisor with and administrator in public, inter- in the nation in women’s three- of Dentists, and the Academy of The Mounier & Larson Group, national, and independent schools. event water ski jumping and third General Dentistry. He is past presi- which is a Merrill Lynch financial His last position was as head of overall for her combined slalom, dent of the Illinois State Dental advisory team. He is a certified school at Saint John’s School in jump, and trick scores. She and Society and in 2010 was installed financial planner, certified invest- San Juan, Puerto Rico. Named one her husband, Ray, reside in Homer as a trustee of the American Dental ment management analyst, and
32 Illinois State February 2011 Glen. They are the parents of Bank Counsel Advisory Board. He Andy, who is currently an Illinois resides in St. Louis, Missouri. State student competing with the Keith O. Hilton ’77 is president and University’s Water Ski & Wake- senior partner of INVR Standards/ board team. HHEW, which is an African- Stephen K. Van Den Eeden ’75 has American media, education, and been named adjunct professor leadership consortium in Stockton, of urology at the University of California. The organization has an California in San Francisco. He is ejournal, the Journal of Unabridged also a lecturer in epidemiology at Genius. He also publishes a news Stanford University and a research publication, Central Valley Drum scientist III in the division of News. Hilton is the creator of research at Kaiser Permanente TALO Leadership Theory. He and Northern California. He resides in his wife, Sandra, reside in Stockton. Kensington, California. Sally K. Pyne ’78, M.S. ’87, Ph.D. ’99, Edward M. Bury ’76 has been is an academic advisor and com- appointed director of marketing munity liaison with the Center Alumni recruiters seek talented seniors and communications at the Build- for Adult Learning at Lincoln There’s a unique bond between Illinois State alumni that creates a ing Owners and Managers Associ- College’s Normal site. She was pre- powerful professional network. Nobody knows the benefit of these con- ation of Chicago. He manages all sented the Athena Award by the nections better than graduates who come back to campus as recruiters aspects of internal and external Women’s Division of the McLean for their employers. A large group returned for a job fair in October at communication, including grow- County Chamber of Commerce Redbird Arena, eager to help seniors find their place in the workforce. ing partnerships with Chicago- in 2010. The award recognizes based companies and nonprofits. women for their devotion to the He previously served as the advancement of women in lead- senior director of public rela- ership opportunities and in the Boss. The program sends familial- Judith Bogdanski Epcke ’85 completed tions at the Certified Commercial workplace. She resides in Normal. clowns to train staff at senior a program at Johns Hopkins Uni- Investment Member Institute. He residences to carry on therapeutic versity to earn her administration Daniel C. Walls, M.S. ’79, retired resides in Chicago. humor between the clown’s vis- and supervision certification. She in 2010 as the director of admis- its. She and her husband, Mark, is a district technology facilitator Catherine Heenan ’76 received the sions at Emory University. He reside in McGregor, Ontario. They with Northbrook District 28 in Illinois Outstanding Citizen Award has accepted a new position at became grandparents in 2010. Northbrook. She coauthored Comic at the College of Lake County 2010 Pace Academy as senior associate Life for Educators, which is a book commencement ceremony. She is director of college counseling. He Marueen McCarthy ’83 earned a for teachers. Epcke presented at a news anchor/reporter at KRON- resides in Chamblee, Georgia. master’s degree in human services the International Society for Tech- TV in San Francisco. In addition administration from Spertus Col- nology in Education’s ISTE 2010 to many regional Emmys, she has lege in Chicago. She is executive conference. She is also cochair of won a national Emmy and a Pea- director of Norwood Life Care 1980s Illinois Computing Educator state body Award. She resides in San Foundation. She has extensive Matthew Hand ’82 is a senior vice educational technology conference Jose, California. background in nonprofit fund- in 2011. She and her husband, Wil- president of Bank of America in raising, having led development William J. Howat ’76 is a senior cat- liam Jr., reside in Des Plaines. Chicago. His work is in the com- activities at the Illinois Humanities egory manager of fermentation mercial lending sales area. He Council, Epilepsy Foundation of Denise Hager ’85, M.S. ’88, is a cor- and animal feeds with Sensient previously worked for 24 years Greater Chicago, and the Alzheim- porate writer and producer with Technologies in Indianapolis, Indi- with GE Capital. He and his wife, er’s Association Greater Illinois WEEK-TV in East Peoria. She is ana. He and his wife, Julie, reside Christy, reside in Schaumburg. Chapter. She and her husband, also an instructor in the Depart- in Carmel, Indiana. They have three children, includ- Sidney, reside in Chicago. ment of Communication at Illinois John L. Sullivan ’76 completed his ing a daughter currently attending Central College. She has one son. Lucinda M. Baier ’84, M.S. ’87, is chief juris doctorate at Washington Illinois State. They reside in Morton. financial officer of Central Park- University School of Law. He has Sandra A. Miller Radvanyi, M.M. ’82, ing in Nashville, Tennessee. She Jennifer S. Harrison ’85 is a pharma- been listed in The Best Lawyers is the artistic director and clown- resides in Lake Forest. cist with the U.S. Department of in America for banking law since doctor/familial-clown “Dr. Merry Veterans Affairs Hines VA Hospital 2003. He is also recognized as a Kenneth Harris Jr. ’84 completed a Kay!” with Fools for Health, which in Hines, where she resides. Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyer. is the premier clown-doctor pro- doctorate in leadership studies at Sullivan is a partner at Armstrong gram in the counties of Windsor Marian University. He is chief exec- Timothy Loest ’85 is a nationally Teasdale LLP, where he is leader and Essex in Ontario. It is a regis- utive office of LRC Publications, known composer and arranger of of the firm’s financial institutions tered charity for which Radvanyi Inc., in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He concert band music. He is the band practice group. He has extensive cowrote a major government grant resides there with his wife, Carla. director at Itasca School District 10 and a composer/arranger for experience in all areas of financial, from the Ontario Trillium Founda- Bridgett LaMar Carter ’85 is a health the FJH Music Company, Inc. He consumer credit, banking, real tion. Using a second grant from the educator senior with the Cook has published 47 works, including estate, and uniform commercial foundation, Fools for Health has County Department of Public Warm-Ups and Beyond: A Compre- code law. He is chairman of the a new initiative called Laughter- Health. He resides in Richton Park. Missouri Bankers Association
February 2011 Illinois State 33 Redbird legacy Staying in the collegiate environment may seem like a dream come true for some upcoming graduates. For Carol Cortilet-Albrecht, ’91, M.S. ’93, it is reality. Cortilet-Albrecht, Ed.D., completed her doctorate in educational psychol- ogy from National-Louis University. As the associate vice chancellor for enroll- ment management at Purdue University-Calumet in Hammond, Indiana, she spends every work day at a university. And where did her passion for higher edu- cation start? At Illinois State University. The decision to enroll as a freshman was never a hard choice for Carol be- cause her two older sisters had showed her the ropes. Her oldest sister, Karen (Cortilet) Harjung ’80, graduated with a degree in psychology. Her second oldest sister, Judy (Cortilet) Wierman ’87, was a senior during Carol’s freshman year. “Judy helped me learn how to get things done on campus, and now that’s what I do for students,” Carol said. Three sisters have a bond made stronger through their ISU As a freshman she was “an average student,” mostly spending time getting memories. The Cortilet sisters are, from left, Judy Wierman, Karen to know people and not involved in university activities until she was older. Her Harjung, and Carol Cortilet-Albrecht. first ISU job was in the Psychology Department as an aide. She also worked in Student Health Services as a file clerk. She was a graduate assistant for the Office of the University Registrar, and taught freshmen composition for the English Department. The combination of knowing ISU’s faculty and staff and learning how higher education operates helped steer Carol’s career interest toward higher education. “When you are a student, you don’t really understand how complicated higher education can be,” she said. “I was lucky to have had those experiences at Illinois State.” Each of the sisters enjoy rewarding careers. Karen works at Elisabeth Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Forest, and resides in Frankfort. Judy is the director of HR for the Global Energy Services Division at Nalco Company in Naperville. She has two children and lives in Plainfield. Even though the three Cortilet sisters have moved on from Illinois State, their legacy has continued with Kelly Harjung, Karen’s oldest daughter of four children. Kelly is a junior social work major expected to graduate in 2012. The University’s influence remains strong within the family, as the sisters continue to appreciate their collegiate experience. “ISU inspired me to choose a career in higher education,” Carol said, “and to contribute in a positive way to the success of students through that.”
hensive Rehearsal Book for Devel- program at Rockwood School Dis- tion’s finances, communication, at the University of North Texas. oping Bands, which sold more than trict in Chesterfield, Missouri. He and membership. He and his wife, He coedited the 2010 Texas Youth 80,000 copies. He coauthored with and his partner, Rich, reside in St. Carol, reside in Dunlap. Fitness Study Supplement to the ISU percussion professor David Louis, Missouri. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Timothy Lee ’88 is the assistant vice Collier the book Measures of Suc- Sport. The two-year fitness study Chris Dillman’86 is an executive president at JP Morgan Chase in cess: A Comprehensive Musician- found higher physical fitness is recruiter for JP Morgan Chase Chicago. He resides in Park Forest. ship Band Method. He was guest related to higher state academic in Chicago. He and his wife are conductor at the 2010 Laurens- test scores and higher attendance, the parents of two children. They Dublin Honor Band Festival in fewer negative school incidents, reside in North Aurora. Dublin, Georgia. He and his wife, 1990s and overall school quality. He Cynthia, reside in Wheaton. Martin A. Koehler ’86 is managing Scott Jones ’90 completed a doc- resides in Denton, Texas. director of Koehler Koehler, Inc., torate at Purdue University. He Mike Prior ’85 played 13 seasons in Tammy V. (Thurman) Morgan ’91 is an which is a full-service employee is chair of the Department of the NFL, including six as a defen- assistant professor at Lewis Uni- benefits and financial consultancy Humanities and an associate pro- sive back with the Indianapolis versity. She resides in Chicago. in the Chicago area. He resides in fessor of new media communica- Colts. He went to the Super Bowl Wheaton. tion at Indiana University in Koko- Sharon E. Peterson-Kokkas ’91 has after helping the Green Bay Pack- mo. He and his wife, Mary (Goerg) worked as an embassy nurse with ers win two NFC titles. He works Brian J. Wagner ’87, M.B.A. ’92, is a ’90, have two children. They reside the U.S. Embassy in Athens for the with youth as the Colts youth foot- customer relations coordinator in Westfield, Indiana. past 14 years. She and her husband, ball commissioner. He resides in with the U.S. Postal Service in Alexandros, are the parents of four Carmel, Indiana. Peoria. He has been elected to a Lew Girmscheid ’91 is principal of children. They reside in Greece. two-year term as National Sec- Batavia School District 101. He and Michael A. Barla ’86, M.S. ’87, is com- retary-Treasurer of the National his wife, Amy, reside in Batavia. Dawn Trube Gould ’92 is a promo- pleting a doctorate in educational Association of Postal Supervisors. tional consultant with Cedric leadership at Maryville University Scott Martin, M.S. ’91, is a professor He is responsible for managing Spring & Associates in St. Charles. in St. Louis. He is the director of of sport and exercise psychology and administering the organiza- She resides in Oswego. the early childhood education
34 Illinois State February 2011 Lorraine S. Muhammad ’92 works at Jamie Maravich ’94 completed a and adults. She produced and acted at Chapel Hill. He is a part-time State Farm Insurance Companies. master’s degree in telecommuni- in Using, a feature length indepen- law student at George Washington She authored the book 588 Days! cations management from Keller dent drama about betrayal, addic- University and is also a patent Balancing Act of Faith, Family, and Graduate School of Management. tion, and a father’s struggle to save examiner with the U.S. Patent & Finding Time for ME. The book She is regional president of Har- his daughter from self-destruction. Trademark Office in Alexandria, chronicles her 588-day weight ris, responsible for the bank’s The production was filmed in Chi- Virginia. He resides in Annandale, loss journey, during which time efforts in the far northwest sub- cago during the summer of 2010. Virginia. she lost more than 60 pounds. She urbs of Chicago and overseeing 10 She resides in Bloomington. Lazaro Lopez ’98 completed a doc- resides in Bloomington. branches. Maravich is a member Suzanna Henshon, M.S. ’95, teaches torate in curriculum and instruc- of the Leadership Council of Nicole Benson Vinsone ’93 is an creative writing, advanced fiction, tion at Aurora University. He is the McHenry County Economic RHIA at Lake Regional Hospital in and composition at Florida Gulf the principal of Wheeling High Development Corporation. She Osage Beach, Missouri. She resides Coast University. She authored the School. Lopez received the 2010 resides in Lake Zurich. in Camdenton, Missouri. book Mystery Science: The Case of Dr. Elizabeth Ennis Innovative the Missing Bicycle. She resides in Educator Award for implementa- Wilbraham, Massachusetts. tion of the school’s STEM for ALL initiative. He resides in Hoffman Kevin Nolan ’95 is president and Estates. CEO of Ecogistics, which is a third-party logistics company Angela Batka Banks ’99 teaches sev- that offers a multitude of highly enth grade at Jack London Middle customized, environmentally School in Wheeling. She and her conscious logistics solutions to husband, John, are the parents of marketplace. He resides in Rock twins. Madelyn Elena and Nathan Island. Henry were born in December of 2009. They reside in Bartlett. Alicia Ray ’95 is a marketing special- ist with Jones Lang LaSalle. She Matt Ritter ’99 is a principal in Pin- resides in Chicago. nacle Real Estate Advisors, which is a commercial real estate firm in Brent Roberts ’95 started his own Denver, Colorado. He and his wife, company, BDR Public Relations, in Tracy (Zabel) Ritter ’98, reside in 2010. He and his wife, Sara (Silver- Englewood, Colorado. ton) ’95, are the parents of two chil- Fell Hall friendship endures dren. They reside in Mundelein. Anne M. Conway Whitmore ’99, ’07 is a teacher with Sylvan Learn- Friendships formed as Illinois State undergraduate students living in Fell Kristopher Smith ’95 owns and oper- ing Center in Peoria. She and her Hall have remained strong for one group of women. The ladies returned ates Midwest Life Brokerage in husband, Josh, are the parents of a to the University last fall for a visit that rekindled fond campus memo- Naperville. The life insurance bro- son. They reside in Dunlap. ries. The alums include, front row, from left, Lorraine “Lorry” (McElroy) kerage agency has more than 50 McIntyre ’70, M.S. ’04, of Normal; and Jan Brown ’69, of Lansing. Sec- partner insurers and 300 partner Terrence M. Yuen ’99 was named ond row, from left, are Diane (Sutherd) Zawislak ’69 of Rochelle, Carol independent agents. Naperville CEO of the Superior Court of (Gembarski) Mortier ’69 of Schaumburg; Betty (Elder) Mackay ’69 of Magazine awarded the firm its California in the county of San Del Rey Oaks, California; and Karla (Byram) Jones ’69 of Pekin. 2010 Best Insurance Agency des- Francisco in 2010. He is respon- ignation. His wife, Margaret (Reilly) sible for overseeing the state court ’95, is owner of Inner Strength for the county. He and his wife are Doula Services. They are the par- the parents of two children. They Kevin M. Gross ’94 is a senior litiga- Jeffrey Risch ’94 completed his ents of two children and reside in reside in San Francisco, California. tor and trial attorney with GEICO juris doctorate at the University Naperville. Insurance Company’s staff counsel of Tulsa. He is chair of the Labor office in Chicago. He and his wife, Jason Kuhl ’97 is library operations & Employment Practice Group at Michelle, were married in August director with Arlington Heights 2000s SmithAmundsen, LLC, which is a of 2010. They reside in Chicago. Memorial Library in Arlington Melissa Anderson ’00 earned a medi- law firm headquartered in Chica- Heights. He resides there with his cal degree at Southern Illinois Uni- Carol L. (Lindamood) Harlow ’94 is go. He was named to the “Top 40 wife, Laura. versity and completed residency deputy executive campaign direc- Under 40 To Watch” list of lawyers Amy (Trembacz) Smathers ’97 training at Indiana University, tor for the National Museum of the in the state of Illinois in 2010. The teach- where she is completing a fellow- United States Army capital cam- prestigious list is published annu- es forensics at Johnston Commu- ship in nephrology. She served for paign. She and her husband, Rich- ally by the Law Bulletin Publishing nity College in Smithfield, North a year as the medicine chief resi- ard, are the parents of a son. Chase Company. He and his wife reside Carolina. She and her husband, dent at IU Hospital. She resides in was born in August of 2010. They in St. Charles. Kevin, reside in Fuquay-Varina, Indianapolis, Indiana. reside in Washington, D.C. North Carolina. Kymberly Harris, M.A. ’95, earned Jennifer L. (Barnett) Harrah ’00 is a Kelly Klobucher ’94 is executive James H. Alstrum-Acevedo ’98 com- an M.F.A. at Actor’s Studio in New registered nurse and clinical edu- director of Hegeler Carus Founda- pleted a doctorate in chemistry at York. She began TheatresCool, cator at Union Hospital, Inc., in tion in LaSalle, where she resides. which teaches acting to children the University of North Carolina
February 2011 Illinois State 35 Terre Haute, Indiana, where she John Schumacher ’02 completed a resides. master’s in teaching and leader- ship from St. Xavier University Jolene (Dust) Hoke ’00 is a compan- and a second master’s degree in ion animal technical sales special- library and information science ist with ADM Alliance Nutrition, with School Library Informa- Inc. She supports the company’s tion Specialist Certification from U.S. and Canadian sales team with Dominican University. She is a a focus on ingredients and blends school librarian with Butler School for pet food manufacturers. Her District in Oak Brook. husband, Jeremy ’02, is a logistics coordinator with ADM. They are Kyle Bowen ’03 is a police officer the parents of a daughter. Lucy with the St. Louis Metro Police Marie was born in March of 2010. Department. He resides in St. They reside in Bethany. Louis, Missouri. John Hooker ’00, M.A. ’02, completed Amber M. Gore ’03 has completed a a doctorate at Purdue University doctorate in physical therapy. She and is an assistant professor of Marine alumnus serves with Redbird pride is working at The Therapy Tree communication at Illinois State. in Lake Villa, where she provides U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Scott Sasser ’08, standing at left, is a College of His wife, Amy T. Munson ’98, M.A. physical therapy for children who Business graduate who was part of The Daily Vidette’s advertising sales ’01, is a tenure-track instructor at are newborns through age 21. She staff. He carried his Illinois State University flag with him when deploying Heartland Community College. resides in Antioch. to Afghanistan last year. He served as leader of a Tactical Psychological They are the parents of three chil- Operations Team, and posed with his Marine team members in Uruzgan Samantha Hoffman ’03 is a trust dren and reside in Normal. Province. Sasser’s tour ended in the fall. He is now at his home duty sta- assistant with Heartland Bank and Carole Masse ’00 is a senior tion in Okinawa, Japan. Trust Company in Bloomington, graphic designer at WellPoint in where she resides. Chicago. She and her husband, Jamie Jeffries ’03 is a sales manager Adam, are the parents of a son. Amanda (Moore) Tucker ’01 is the law-related courses and serves with Marriott International and Leonard “Leo” Masse Nemec was mother of a son. Brayden Allen as head coach of the University’s resides in Kissimmee, Florida. born in July of 2010. They reside was born in August of 2010. They award-winning Mock Trial Team. Jessica (Thompson) Rau ’03 is a man- in Oak Lawn. reside in Champaign. His wife, Melanie R. (Bertilson) ’02 is ager of U.S. communications with Nicholas Wennerstrom ’00 has been a seventh grade math and English Karla (Sturtevant) Turney ’01 is an McDonalds in Oak Brook. She and promoted to regional program teacher at Deer Creek-Mackinaw inpatient clinical pharmacist with her husband, Ryan, were married manager at TAPFIN Process Solu- Junior High School. She is also an the Veterans Affairs Medical Cen- in August of 2010. They reside in tions, which is a Manpower Com- equestrian clinician. They reside in ter in Iowa City, Iowa. She and her Naperville. Bloomington and are the parents pany in Waukegan. He oversees husband, Lee, are the parents of of a daughter. Stacey Costabile ’04 completed a Abbott Laboratories’ contingent two sons. Paxton Eli was born in master’s degree in library science worker managed service program July of 2010. They reside in North Erin Law ’02 is a neonatal intensive from Indiana University. She is for the central region. He previ- Liberty, Iowa. care nurse at Central DuPage Hos- a children’s services librarian at ously served on the board of edu- pital. She earned certification by Gina (Gilliland) Cox ’02 is an elemen- Naperville Public Library. She is cation for Warren Township High the National Certification Corpora- tary general music teacher at also a freelance graphic designer. School District 121 and the Village tion. She resides in Downers Grove. of Gurnee Planning Commission. Eugene Field Elementary School in She resides in Orland Hills. Rock Island. She and her husband, Elizabeth Marvin ’02 is a develop- He and his wife, Natalie, reside in James Davidsmeyer ’04 is studying Dallas, were married in June of ment outreach and communica- Libertyville. fiction writing in a low-residency 2010. They reside in Milan. tion officer for the US Agency Cheryl Wisniewski ’00 master’s degree program at is the deputy for International Development Nicole Kulak Flood ’02 is a human Antioch University Los Angeles. director of development with (USAID) in Afghanistan. Her hus- resources specialist at the U.S. He is a VISTA volunteer at Riddle Mujeres Latinas en Accion in Chi- band, Nicholas Vivio ’02, is a deputy Department of Veterans Affairs High School in Oregon, where he cago. He resides in Oak Park. director in the Office of Policy Hines VA Hospital in Hines. She is developing a scholarship and Gretchen (Rainey) Anderson ’01 is a and Program Development with and her husband, Joseph, are the college readiness program. He family nurse practitioner at Mayo USAID in Kabul, Afghanistan. parents of four children. Abigail resides in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. After completing their two-year Clinic and Northeast Regional Grace was born in April of 2010. tour in Afghanistan, they will be Heather (Prasse) Debelak ’04 is Medical Center in Rochester, Min- They reside in Chicago. nesota, where she resides with her posted to the USAID office in a senior project manager with husband, Ezekiel. Scott Kording ’02 is the manag- Budapest, Hungary. TNS in Lake Zurich. She and her ing attorney with Kording & husband, Kevin, were married in Tracy (DeBlaey) Kelley ’01 and her Steven M. Miller ’02 is a project Hall, LLP, which is a law firm in October of 2010. They reside in husband, Ryan, are the parents of manager of strategic initiatives Bloomington. He also serves as an Westmont. with Navistar. He and his wife, a daughter. Addison was born in instructional assistant professor in Andrea (Muscari) ’03, reside in Sarah E. (Baker) Lukach ’04 is a com- May of 2009. They reside in St. Illinois State’s Department of Poli- Bartlett. mercial lending service officer in Louis, Missouri. tics and Government. He teaches the agribusiness department of 1st
36 Illinois State February 2011 Farm Credit Services in Normal. Kimberly (Hradek) Burla ’05 has been Amherst, New York. She resides in She supervises the daily activities She and her husband, George, are promoted to district manager of Cheektowaga, New York. of youth and provides input to the parents of a son. John Tyson Abercrombie and Fitch in the the development of individual- John Rohan ’06 is a property field was born in June of 2010. South Chicago area. She advanced ized service plans. She resides in catastrophe representative with from general store manager for the Naperville. Megan McCann ’04 is a senior asso- Travelers Insurance Company. He Abercrombie stores in Orland Park, ciate in the media relations depart- and his wife, Rebecca Ogrady-Rohan Brad Heurung ’08 is a legal assistant Woodfield, and the Chicago Water ment at Northwestern Memorial ’06, reside in Volo. in Burr Ridge. He and his wife, Lisa Tower Place location before taking Hospital. She resides in Chicago. (Groves) ’08, were married in July her current position. Her husband, Kyle Bush ’07 joined the staff of the Nick Timme ’04 completed a mas- of 2010. They reside in Boling- Jay ’05, works in systems support Chicago Symphony Orchestra in ter’s degree in physics at Indiana brook. at Motorola in Schaumburg. They 2010 as a program assistant in the University. He is completing a doc- reside in Lockport. Institute for Learning, Access, and Kimberly L. (Pertle) Kelonsky ’08 is a Training. He uses his music educa- sales associate with JMB Insur- tion experience in Central Illinois ance. She and her husband, Steven, public schools to help develop reside in Chicago. and deliver several of the insti- Lisa A. (Jacobson) Lyons ’08 teaches tute’s learning programs. They are third grade at Coyote Ridge designed to increase the presence Elementary School in the Glendale of music in Chicago area schools, Elementary School District, Ari- as well as develop nonmusic teach- zona. She and her husband, Curtis, ers’ abilities to integrate music into were married in March of 2010. their classroom. He and his wife, They reside in Peoria, Arizona. Katie (Floeter) ’07, reside in Cary. John Wierzbicki ’08 is an assistant Quintin Hecht ’07 is a captain in the facilities coordinator with Buf- United States Air Force. He and his falo Grove Fitness Center. He wife, Guadalupe Rosales ’09, reside performed so well at the 2010 USA in Cibolo, Texas. Beach Volleyball High Perfor- Becky Hughes Windberg ’07 is a hall mance tryouts that USA Beach Vol- director and director of student leyball invited him to participate in Illinois State representatives visit Shanghai involvement at Carthage College in the first ever USA Beach Volleyball Kenosha, Wisconsin. She resides High Performance Championships President Al Bowman, third from right, led an Illinois State delegation there with her husband, Chris. in California last summer. There last fall to Shanghai University in Shanghai, China. The group met They were married in July of 2010. were only 32 players in the age 26 with Shanghai University representatives to discuss the potential for and under division chosen to com- Kyle Anderson ’08 is a management enhanced faculty and student exchange programs. Illinois State has a pete. He resides in Lindenhurst. trainee for Enterprise Rent-A- relationship with Shanghai University through the College of Business. Car in Loves Park. He resides in Lauren Fitts ’09 is an archaeologist The 2010 trip continued discussions on expanding that partnership in Rockford. with the Illinois State Archaeo- the college, as well as other Illinois State programs. logical Survey in Jacksonville. She Bridget Barry ’08 teaches first grade. resides in Springfield. She has published a children’s book titled Sweet Dreams. The Cassandra Hulett ’09 is an English torate in physics at IU. He and his JaMar D. Jefferson ’05 is an under- book is an adventure bedtime story teacher at Fieldcrest High School wife, Elizabeth (Johnson) ’03 were writer with Liberty Mutual Insur- for kids ages 3 to 8. She resides in in Minonk. She resides in Normal. married in August of 2010. She ance in Warrenville. His wife, Oak Lawn. Bill Johnson ’09 completed a degree at the Univer- Candra (Morgan) ’06 is a safety is a financial advi- Erin Diamond ’08 sity of Illinois Law School. They specialist with Occupational Safety is an assistant sor with Waddell & Reed in Oak reside in Indiana. and Health Administration. They program coordinator with Clay- Brook. He resides in Lemont. ton Residential. She oversees the reside in Aurora and are the par- Loren Leeberg ’09 is the director of Karen Wennerberg ’04 is a trans- psycho-social programming at ents of a daughter. campus selection with Northwest- plant and hepatology staff nurse at the private residential facility for ern Mutual. He does all recruiting Northwestern Memorial Hospital Paulette J. Hammer Stalter ’05 is a adults with schizophrenia. She for the company’s internship pro- in Chicago, where she resides. junior high reading specialist with also runs the employment program Metamora Grade School. She and gram, which he runs. He resides in Jeff Blackburn ’05 is a photojournal- and assists residents in getting the her husband, James, reside in Wheaton. ist with KPNX-TV in Phoenix, city services they are entitled to Metamora. Catherine Myler ’09 Arizona. He resides in Tempe, use due to their disabled status. completed a Arizona. Michelle Hoos ’06 is a staff accoun- Diamond trains at the Improv year of service with AmeriCorps tant with Swift Prepaid Solutions, Olympic in Wrigleyville with the National Civilian Community Shaun M. Brady ’05 is a branch man- Inc., in Buffalo Grove. She resides hope of performing in the future. Corps in 2010. She worked on ser- ager for a rental car company. He in Arlington Heights. She resides in Lakeview. vice projects in West Virginia, Vir- has been promoted seven times ginia, Louisiana, and New Jersey. Deidre N. Graham ’08 is a juvenile since starting with the company in Jamie Hughes ’06 is an assistant She did a variety of work, includ- justice specialist with the Illinois 2005. He resides in Austin, Texas. professor at Daemen College in ing trail maintenance, state park Department of Juvenile Justice.
February 2011 Illinois State 37 conservation, and home construc- Joe Kraus, Milner Library; 7/10 tion. She ended her service year Lois Jean (Richhart) Landis, with a community greening and Accounting; 7/10 tree planting project in Baltimore, Maryland. Harriet A. (Jackson) Lay, Physical Plant; 8/10 Samantha L. Brown ’10 is the HRIS coordinator at Growmark in Edith Lenora (Phillips) Leicht, Bloomington, where she resides. Health Sciences; 6/10 Jeffrey Graham ’10 is a program Mary F. Lewis, Management and assistant for student recruitment at Quantitative Methods; 7/10 Heartland Community College in Kathryn M. Marr, College of Educa- Normal, where he resides. tion; 8/10 Jennifer LaFever Savage ’10 and her Thomas B. Martin, Finance and husband, Jonathan, were married Law; 10/10 in June of 2010. They reside in Columbia, Maryland. Mark R. Moran, Social Work; 7/10 Stanley D. Phillips, Motorcycle Reggie makes Homecoming trip to Miller Park Zoo Safety; 7/10 Our troops There is always something for every age at Homecoming. Last fall’s Margaret C. Waimon, Research Ser- celebration included a partnership with Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington. Col. Michael Warren Haerr ’85 with vices ; 10/10 Alumni, students, and community members enjoyed a discounted entry the Illinois Army National Guard is Virginia E. (Evans) Wirick, Physical fee. Beyond examining the exhibits, children were especially excited to a leader of the Bilateral Embedded Plant; 7/10 interact with Reggie Redbird. Staff Team, known as BEST A7. The team will deploy this spring Martin A. Young, Speech Pathology for a six-month assignment in and Audiology; 10/10 the Ghazni province of Afghani- Cleo (Melvin) Newman ’38, ’63; Dorothy L. (Freed) Sypult ’42; 7/10 stan after completing training in 10/11 20s Elsie Mae (Crosby) Trigg ’42; 8/10 Poland. Made up of senior person- Margaret A. (Dressler) Savidge ’38, nel from across Illinois, BEST A7 Sarah M. (Unsicker) Schultz ’24; Reva E. (Emery) Culp ’43; 10/10 M.S. ’60; 5/10 handles higher level missions. 7/10 Marian G. (DePew) Gallagher ’43; Helen C. (Weicker) Sutherland ’38; Haerr resides in Eureka. His 7/10 daughter, Emily, is a current ISU 7/10 30s Doris I. (McDermith) Morton ’43; student. Evelyn E. (Durham) Wright ’38; 9/10 Velma V. Salisbury ’30; 9/10 5/09 F. Dean Selmeyer ’43; 7/10 Louis P. Smolak ’32; 9/10 Albert N. Hieronymus ’39; 9/07 In memory Jean E. (Frey) Maurer ’44; 9/10 Leona (Oltmann) Gilchrist ’33, ’66; Lamberta (Taylor) Kuster ’39; 7/10 9/10 Marjorie L. Gordish ’45; 8/10 Faculty/Staff Evelyn L. Warren ’39; 10/09 Marguerite (Whitney) Hazzard Eva Van Winkle Oetting ’45; 6/10 Donna Banner ’71, M.S. ’74, Regis- ’33; 8/10 trar; 8/10 40s Phyllis G. Smith ’45; 9/10 Marna Forbes Hedden ’34; 7/10 Beatrice M. (Evans) Bell, Physical Elaine (Bryant) Bader ’40; 9/10 Lavila S. “Vi” Bains ’47; 8/10 Evelyn O. Bloomquist ’35; 10/10 Plant; 6/10 James R. DePew ’41; 9/10 Warren L. LaBounty, ’47; 8/10 Nina Chesebro ’35, ’42; 11/10 Charles Bolen, College of Fine Arts; Mary E. (Lawrence) Fulton ’41; Charlotte A. Bennett ’48; 7/10 7/10 Katherine M. (Armstrong) McClain 6/10 ’35; 7/10 Rosemary (Wise) Evers ’48; 10/10 David W. Borst, Biological Sciences; Anna M. (Schupbach) Gudeman 9/10 Esther K. (Volle) Spaulding ’36; Elaine (Lundberg) Hancher ’48; ’41; 7/10 8/10 8/10 Roger J. Champagne, History; 8/10 Lois M. Marx ’41; 6/10 Agnus (Monsen) Caruso ’37; 7/10 Eduene E. (King) Keidel ’48; 7/10 Esther M. (Graves) Dawson, Food Myrna Harms ’42; 3/10 Services; 6/10 Beulah E. (Fosnaugh) Kammeyer Russell Wessels ’48; 6/08 ’37; M.S. ’62 William G. Hooper ’42, M.S. ’49; Albert H. Eckert, Mathematics and Georgia J. Wolfe ’48; 10/10 8/10 University High School; 10/10 Gladys L. (Cox) McCallister ’37; Robert L. Maurice, ’49 8/10 6/10 Marian Jensen Storm Leach ’42, David Kephart, Information Tech- ’66, M.S. ’72; 7/10 Ara L. (Ward) Pearson ’49; 6/10 nology; 8/10 Gilbert D. Veach Sr. ’37; 9/10 Leonard W. Mueller ’42, M.S. ’49; Jack Persky ’49, M.S. ’51; 4/09 Lois J. (Chaddon) Komnick, Milner Pauline L. Williams ’37; 8/10 7/10 Roselyn M. (Zulke) Teske ’49; 9/10 Library; 10/10 Charles F. McCannon ’38; 8/10
38 Illinois State February 2011 Robert “Tub” Thomas ’49; 7/10 Patricia Foerster Smith ’64; 7/10 Susan J. Jablonsky M.S. ’74; 8/10 James J. Dutton ’85; 8/10 Robert T. Trumpy Sr. ’49, M.S. ’51; Genevieve (Delong) Antonacci ’65; Katherine Keogel, M.S. ’74; 10/10 Ann (Pitstick) Gavenda ’86; 6/10 10/10 6/10 Ronald L. Palmer ’74; 10/10 Rebecca J. Tucker ’87; 9/10 Thomas D. Guinnee ’65; 7/10 Donald F. Phillips Jr. ’74; 7/10 Jerry D. (Cummings) Dellinger, 50s John A. Hamann ’65, M.S. ’66; 8/10 M.F.A. ’88; 8/10 Mark A. Stivers ’74; 8/10 Nellie Jean (Leggett) Cusey ’50; Delia L. (Alden) Rellis ’65; 7/10 7/10 Linda A. Tudor ’74; 10/10 Barbara A. (Olson) Bohannon ’66; 90s Audrey M. (Miller) Grubel ’51; 9/10 Craig S. Damisch ’75; 10/10 7/10 Gary M. Kelly ’90; 9/10 Homer R. Herink ’50, M.S. ’56; 3/10 Karen S. Nelson ’75; 9/10 Roselyn K. Jensen ’66; 6/10 Darci L. (Lindsay) Patton ’90; 9/10 James H. Kettleborough ’50; 9/10 Richard W. Joyce ’76; 7/10 Janet (McSweeney) McDaniel, M.S. Gladys M. Mohr ’91; 8/10 Audrey M. Miller Grubel ’51; 9/10 ’66; 7/10 James L. Leach, Ph.D. ’76; 8/10 Phillip S. Smith ’92; 6/10 George A. Pownall ’52, M.S. ’57; Richard M. Peters ’66, ’70, Ed.D. William A. Moore Jr. ’76; 9/10 Kevin L. Harrington ’94; 10/10 6/10 ’81; 10/10 Paul M. McWilliams ’77; 8/10 Darin P. Berg ’97; 8/10 William G. Duvall Sr., M.S. ’53; 8/10 Robert L. St. John ’66; 9/10 John Skubal ’77; 10/10 Carol A. Stypolkowski ’98; 8/10 Howard B. Justus ’53; 9/10 Samuel J. Van Scoyoc ’66; 7/10 Thomas J. Urban ’77, M.S. ’89; 10/10 Steven R. Golladay ’99; 8/10 Louis E. Fiorini ’54; 10/10 Robert J. Borvansky ’67; 7/10 Ellis Randle Jr., M.S. ’78; 10/10 Karen Erickson Shepherd ’99; 10/10 Savilla B. Palmer ’54; 9/10 George L. Mills ’67; 10/10 Cynthia Siefert ’78; 11/09 Jean E. Ahlberg ’56, 8/10 Judy “Duder” (Vaught) Isted ’68; Debra (Runyan) Sullivan ’78; 8/10 8/10 00s James E. Noah ’56, M.S. ’57; 10/10 Larry L. Jones ’68; 9/10 Linda A. Lytle, M.A. ’00; 6/10 Robert Holnback Waller ’56; 7/10 80s Janice K. Leibel-Cikel ’69; 1/09 John C. Butler ’01; 6/10 Carol J. (Brubaker) Kaliher ’57; 7/10 Dan L. Monge, ’82; 7/10 George S. Richmond, Ed.D. ’69; 7/10 Amanda Heins ’07; 9/10 Ronald W. Onken ’57, M.S. ’65; 9/10 Thomas M. Bradley, Ed.D. ’83; 10/10 David H. Smith ’69, M.S. ’73; 8/10 Jordan Schroeder ’07; 7/10 Ronald R. Riek ’57; 7/10 Vicki B. Wheeler, D.A. ’83; 10/10 Marilyn Lestilie Wilson Trefzger Justin Jensen ’10; 7/10 Lenore F. Taliaferro ’57; 8/10 Gregory J. Cooper ’84; 7/10 ’69; 8/10 John N. Wilson ’57; 9/10 John M. Campbell ’58; 9/10 70s Judith E. Geiger ’58; 7/10 Martha J. (Shenbarger) Joy ’70; David L. Guiliani ’58; 10/10 9/10 Pauline E. (Hardman) Hall ’58; 7/10 Steven E. Tunell ’70, M.S. ’71; 7/10 Illinois John F. Scholfield ’58; 9/10 Patricia Frye-Geitzen ’71; 2/10 STATE Mary M. (Kellenberger) Blackburn Meredith Fahler Knopf ’71; 9/10 Three easy ways to submit your information ‘59 Diane M. (McCue) Komiskey ’71; 7/10 1) Go online to www.Alumni.ilstu.edu/news and click on “class notes.” Information submitted using this method will also be 60s Susan Ralston Preston ’71, M.S. ’76; 7/10 posted online. James L. Cassani ’60; 8/10 Lester L. Whisler, M.S. ’71; 11/09 Ronald D. Hinton, M.S. ’60; 7/10 2) E-mail your news to [email protected] Harold D. Woody ’71; 10/10 Marilyn G. Robinson ’60; 7/10 3) Mail your news to Class Notes, Illinois State University, Janice E. (Burnett) Larson ’72; Evelyn L. (Mill) Baaskerville ’61; Alumni Relations, Campus Box 3100, Normal, IL 61790-3100. 8/10 8/10 Please include your graduation year, major, maiden name Diana J. (Maurer) Peckham ’72; Nancy K. (Langbehn) Hayden ’62; when applicable, and daytime phone number for verification 9/10 6/10 purposes. News releases and information from published news Joel C. Martens ’73; 9/10 Norman W. Shoopman ’62, M.S. clippings may also be used. Engagements and pregnancies will ’71; 9/10 Terry Steinhor ’73; 10/09 not be published. Margaret (Malone) Barr ’63; 9/10 David W. Capodice ’74; 7/10 For additional information, contact Alumni Relations at (309) 438- Charles J. Ostermeier ’64; 9/10 Karen E. (Newberry) Cooper ’74; 2586 or (800) 366-4478, or by e-mail at [email protected]. 10/10
February 2011 Illinois State 39 A gift with great expectations
Donors empower the next generation. Those who give through a charitable gift annuity look for- ward to more than just the success of students and programs they support. They also anticipate a steady stream of payments from the University during their retirement years. Through a simple contract you can donate cash or negotiable securities. In return the Illinois State Foundation agrees to pay you an annual fixed amount for the rest of your life.
• Your gift will be partially income tax deductible as allowed • The gift annuity can be for one or two people, so a loved by current tax law. one can also receive payments for life. • Your charitable gift annuity payments are partially income • If you donate appreciated stock, you can usually eliminate tax–free throughout your estimated life expectancy. capital gains tax on a portion of the gift and spread the rest of the gain over your life expectancy. • Your payments are not affected by economic turns.
Go online to www.Advancement.IllinoisState.edu/calculate, e-mail [email protected], or call (309) 438-8901 to learn about charitable gift annuities. Find out how you can give a gift that helps secure your future—and that of Illinois State.
AlumniUpdate Update your information online at www.Alumni.IllinoisState.edu/myinfo
Name (including maiden) Graduation year(s)
Major(s) Degree(s)
Mailing address
City State Zip ( ) ( ) Home phone Cell phone E-mail address
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Marital status Spouse’s/partner’s name (including maiden if Illinois State graduate)
In addition to above, please list any career changes, awards, honors, marriages, births, or memorial information that you would like reported in Illinois State. Please report only events that have occurred. Announcements will appear as soon as possible.
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Return to: Illinois State University, Alumni Relations Campus Box 3100, Normal, IL 61790-3100 Facsimile: (309) 438-2858 • E-mail: [email protected]
40 Illinois State February 2011 Thanks to you
Jackie Carmichael entered his second season on the men’s basketball team having already posted impressive numbers as a freshman. The physical education major set the University’s freshman standard for blocked shots and posted eight double-digit scoring games. He was named to the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference All- Freshman Team. There’s one more ISU statistic that means just as much to Carmichael. He was named the 2010 recipient of the Bob and Audrey Weber Endowed Scholarship. The Webers enjoyed Redbird athletic events. Bob established the fund in honor of his late wife as a way to support a student-athlete. Carmichael takes both roles seriously, and appreciates the opportunity to attend on a full scholarship. “I don’t see academics and playing on the team as separate. It’s just another homework assignment when I step on the court,” he said. Knowing a Redbird fan has made a financial commitment that opens doors of opportunity is something Carmichael will always appreciate. “It is an honor, a privilege, and a really big help,” he said. “I just want to say thank you for making an investment in me.”
You can make a difference by providing financial support to deserving students such as Jackie. Make a contribution online at IllinoisState.edu/giving, call (309) 438-8041, or send an e-mail [email protected]. Donor and Information Services Campus Box 8000 Normal, IL 61790-8000
Reaching new heights Prospective students want a campus community that meets all their needs—which go beyond academic rigor. Illinois State provides an inviting environment with constant improvements. The latest is the new Student Fitness Center and McCormick Hall facility, which opened in January. A climbing wall is just one of the options in the building that is home to the School of Kinesiology and Recreation. Take a virtual tour of the building by going online to IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine.