Illinois State APRIL 2019 • NUMBER 4 NUMBER • 19 VOLUME

Disconnected The dark side of our addiction to cell phone usage? Strained relationships.

RedbirdsRising.IllinoisState.edu EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03

ALUMNI EDITOR Rachel Kobus ’09, M.S. ’11 LEAD DESIGNERS FirstWord Dave Jorgensen, M.S. ’03 Michael Mahle The end of the academic year is just weeks away. DESIGNERS Preparations are nearing completion for May commencement ceremonies celebrating Jeff Higgerson ’92 Sean Thornton ’00, M.S. ’17 the accomplishments of all in the Class of 2019, who will be welcomed to the ranks of Evan Walles ’06 Redbird alumni. Carol (Jalowiec) Watson ’08 Graduation remains an exceptional moment at Illinois State, as the commitment to WEB EDITOR Kevin Bersett, MBA ’17 acknowledge each student on stage by name continues. I am delighted when asked to PHOTOGRAPHER be included in photographs of students and their families, as it gives me an opportunity Lyndsie Schlink ’04 to learn more about the sacrifices, determination, and PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Tracy Widergren ’03, M.S. ’15 motivation that are required of every individual who WRITERS earns a degree. Kate Arthur Kevin Bersett, MBA ’17 Another thought that comes to my mind as I par- ticipate in each college’s commencement is that once Illinois State (USPS 019606) is published four times annually for donors and members of the Illinois State again, Illinois State has delivered on its promise to pro- University Alumni Association at Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main Street, Normal, Illinois 61790-3100. vide a quality education to the next generation. I see in Periodicals postage paid at Normal, Illinois, and at each graduate potential that has been sharpened during additional mailing offices. their Redbird experience. Magazine editorial offices are located at 1101 N. Main Street, Normal, Illinois 61790-3100; telephone It is a given that the University will have a gradu- (309) 438-2586; facsimile (309) 438-8057; email [email protected]; Website IllinoisState.edu/ ating class each year. The expectation means that it is Magazine. Postmaster: Send address changes to consequently rare for individuals to pause and contem- Illinois State, Illinois State University, Campus Box 8000, Normal, IL 61790-8000. plate the teamwork required for Illinois State to honor Material may be reprinted with prior approval, its legacy by continuing to gladly learn and teach. provided no commercial endorsement is implied and credit is given to the author, to Illinois State Keeping the University at its national level of excellence is a significant undertaking. University, and to Illinois State. Illinois State remains strong and stable through the efforts of every administrator, faculty Website: IllinoisState.edu Illinois State University, as an equal opportunity/ member, and staff employee. affirmative action employer, complies with all Our success is also contingent upon all who invest financially in Illinois State, applicable federal and state laws regarding affirmative action, nondiscrimination, and anti-harassment. including those whose gifts have resulted in $137 million raised toward the $150 million Illinois State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not Redbirds Rising campaign goal. discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, order of Private dollars are essential because Illinois State receives the lowest state ap- protection, gender identity and expression, ancestry, propriation per full-time equivalent student of all 12 public universities in Illinois. This age, marital status, disability, genetic information, unfavorable military discharge, or status as a is despite the fact ISU’s enrollment is the third largest in the state, with students from veteran in employment, educational programs and activities, or admissions. Inquiries or complaints across Illinois accounting for 97 percent of the University’s enrollment. may be addressed by contacting the director of the I share these numbers with the hope that as the season for graduations approaches, Office of Equal Opportunity and Access by email at [email protected], by calling (309) you will be reminded that your alma mater is an institution in which you can and should 438-3383, or by mailing to the office at Illinois State University, Campus Box 1280, Normal, IL 61790. be proud for its commitment to excellence—despite inevitable obstacles such as limited 19-8996. This document is available in alternative state funding. formats upon request by contacting Alumni Engagement at (309) 438-2586. Know that I am forever grateful to all who partner with the University to ensure our educational endeavors continue in stellar fashion. By supporting Illinois State, you ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS show confidence in not only the institution but the students whose Redbird experience Doug Reeves ’69 Danny Mielneczek ’11 President Susan Nelson-Brown ’78 is enriched through your dollars. Your investment is ultimately in our students, who are Walter Brandon Jr. ’82, Tim Pantaleone ’07 consequently able to persevere and cross the commencement stage ready to pursue their M.S. ’84 Scott Preston ’10 Kathryn Bohn ’74, M.S. ’80 Stacy Ramsey ’92, M.S. ’94 passion. Lisa Castleman ’96 Marsha Reeves ’80, ’03 Tyler Clark ’09 Kaci Rollings ’94 Fellicia Foster ’08 Steve Smith ’89, M.S. ’93 Elizabeth Garcia ’91 Alice Spann ’78 Ryan Gilbert ’03 Leah Walton ’88, M.S. ’92 Michele Guadalupe ’01 Ron Whitton ’80 Dave Horstein ’08 Larry H. Dietz, Ph. D. Julie Jones ’90, Jerry Kerber ’74 Board of Trustees President, Illinois State University Daniel Lopez, Ph.D. ’02 Alumni Liaison Joe McGuire ’77 Volume 19, Number 4, April 2019 8 FEATURES 8 Changed perspective Jamie Baldwin Fergus ’05 is a biologist whose research on the vision of crustaceans is on per- manent display at the Smithsonian. Family is her top priority, which is why she has put a hold on her groundbreaking research.

12 Nurturing nurses Mennonite College of Nursing has been a part of ISU since 1999, however, its start goes back to 1919. The legacy of excellence established in the decades since is celebrated during this centennial year.

16 Time to hang up? Most individuals are attached to their mo- bile phone, which is increasingly a source of contention in relationships. Associate Professor Aimee Miller-Ott studied how cell phones strain interactions. She offers advice on how to be more present with people in our daily lives.

20 Bolstering black students Andrew Purnell ’57 understands the challenges many young black people encounter as they work toward a degree. He and members of the Black Colleagues Association have raised nearly $300,000 in scholarships for black ISU students.

24 Path to Progressive Tricia (Thomas) Griffith ’86 went from a claims adjustor trainee at The Progressive Corporation 20 24 to running the firm that is now the nation’s third largest auto insurer. She is Fortune Magazine’s 12 first female Businessperson of the Year. DEPARTMENTS 2 University News 6 Redbird Athletics 26 Alumni Awards 28 #Redbird Proud 30 Class Notes

16 On the cover: An estimated 95 percent of Americans Let us hear from you! Your feedback is appreciated. Send comments or suggestions, own a mobile phone. It’s no wonder School of Commu- 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], nication faculty research shows that there is a growing or mail to Campus Box 3420, Normal, IL 61790. problem with relationships, as too much attention is given to interacting through devices. UniversityNews

Workplace excellence University remains a stellar place of employment

s a premiere undergraduate that have 10,000 or more students. The area of diversity. Efforts to increase institution, it’s not surprising only university from Illinois to be cited, enrollment of underrepresented student Athat Illinois State keeps students ISU is ranked with Baylor, Hofstra, and populations has been a goal in recent as the focal point in all endeavors. The the University of Notre Dame. years, with initiatives underway in vari- result is an exceptional student popula- Selection is based on the results of a ous areas including Admissions and tion that thrives on individualized atten- survey administered to a random sample Financial Aid. In addition, the Univer- tion from administrators, faculty and of faculty and staff. An institutional ques- sity has launched the INTO Illinois State staff who are equally pleased to be a part tionnaire that captures workplace prac- program as a means to attract more inter- of the University. tices and policies is also evaluated. national students. For the fourth consecutive year, ISU Results are tabulated into 12 catego- “To earn the ‘Great Colleges to Work has been recognized by The Chronicle of ries that evaluate satisfaction from col- For’ designation for four consecutive Higher Education in its “Great Colleges laborative governance to job satisfaction, years—with a record 11 categories this to Work For” report. The 2018 study confidence in senior leadership, work/ time—is a testament to the excellence recognizes universities and colleges that life balance, compensation, and job sat- of Illinois State,” President Larry Dietz have created exceptional work environ- isfaction. said. “Each year we have grown in the ments. Illinois State was recognized for number of categories garnering acco- Illinois State is one of 10 universities excellence in 11 of the categories, show- lades, which reflects our continued drive honored in the category of large schools ing a need for improvement in only the to excel in every aspect of education.”

2 Illinois State April 2019 Students open pantry to meet needs on campus Food insecurity—or not knowing from where the next meal is coming—is at the heart of the School Street Food Pantry opened last fall for ISU students. Located at the First United Methodist Church adjacent to Milner Library, the pantry is a joint effort of campus and community organizations. ISU’s Student Government Asso- ciation partnered with students in the majors of family and consumer sciences, social work, and history to study food insecurity. Nearly 66 percent of students responding to surveys said they knew someone at ISU struggling to obtain food. School of Social Work graduate stu- dent Jeanna Campbell pulled together the groups that worked to launch the pantry. An advisory board was formed with student and community represen- tatives. Members agreed the pantry was needed because there are none close to campus. As an official food pantry, pallets of Among the ISU students who helped the pantry launch are, clockwise from left, Trevor Rickerd, Noah Tang, food are delivered for distribution. Stu- and Hallie Hilsabeck. dents do the bulk of the work. They have pursue her master’s degree in corporate “In this day and age, there are tons created a community connection while communication. of data online,” Associate Professor of helping their ISU peers, who no longer “The University community is Geology Catherine O’Reilly said. “These worry about empty cupboards. incredibly proud of the achievements of large, sensor-based data sets are a whole Kylie and Sydney,” President Larry Dietz new way of doing scientific research.” Two students are chosen said, noting that the honor goes to stu- O’Reilly is leading the grant team as Fulbright scholars dents with excellent academic merit and that includes biology faculty members leadership potential. Rebekka Darner, Steve Juliano, and Bill The Fulbright U.S. Student Program Perry; and Willy Hunter from the Center award was given to Illinois State stu- for Mathematics, Science, and Technol- dents Kylie Ashton Maurer and Sydney Teaching in the sciences ogy. Faculty from Carleton College, Uni- Velez for the 2018-2019 academic year. improves through grant versity of Arizona, and Queens College- They were honored through the U.S. Undergraduate education in biology, City University of New York will help Department of State and the J. William geology, and environmental science will develop the modules. Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. be bolstered as a result of a $1.7 million Senior Spanish major Maurer grant from the National Science Founda- will travel to Colombia to teach Eng- tion. The funding, which runs through Approval advances for new lish in post-secondary education for 10 September 2023, will help faculty and business education degree months. While she is there, Maurer will students work with large data sets. Business teacher education preparation also implement her community proj- A series of 30 classroom modules at Illinois State will advance through a ect designed to develop an educational will be created through Project EDDIE, new academic program that has received farming program for low-income/under- which stands for Environmental Data- approval from the University’s Board of served communities. Driven Inquiry and Exploration. Addi- Trustees. The proposal for a master’s in Velez is a senior double major in tional goals are to improve students’ business education degree within the public relations and English studies. She skills in quantitative reasoning, under- Department of Marketing is now under will attend the Instituto de Empresa in standing of the nature of environmental Madrid for 11 months, where she will science, and scientific discourse.

April 2019 Illinois State 3 Where are they now? During his 34 years as a faculty member in the Department of Politics and Government, Gary Klass made an impact both on ISU’s campus and across the community. With a doctorate from State University of New York at Binghamton, Klass was prepared to teach a variety of courses, including public policy, race and ethnicity, and quantitative research methods. He contributed on campus as a member of the University’s Academic Senate, creating much controversy when he opposed the construction of the Redbird Arena. He was also a voice in his field as an author of journal articles and the book, Just Plain Data Analysis, which teaches practical statistical skills not often taught in statistics courses. In addition, Klass co-edited the Political Science Research and Teach- ing List. He also serves as the associate editor of Social Science Computer Review. Beyond his academic life, Klass played a significant role in the Univer- sity’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. He has been involved with the ISU stu- Politics and Government Professor Emeritus Gary Klass dent volunteers since the campus chapter formed in the mid-1990s, serving as a faculty advisor and project director. ISU students have partnered with Illinois Wesleyan University to construct 25 houses in 24 years. The chapters have been recognized as the Habitat Collegiate Chapter of the Year in 2010, and are recipients of the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Partnership Award. His dedication was recognized by the College of Arts and Sciences in 2005, when he received the Outstanding Service Award. Klass also received a Lifetime Achievement Habitat Hero Award last fall. The honor recognizes the many years that Klass has raised funds and worked at construction sites on weekends. He continues to do both and remains a project director in his retirement, which began in 2015. He resides in Normal with his wife, Patricia, who is retired faculty from ISU’s College of Education. Beyond his priority to create positive relationships in the community and meet housing needs through Habitat, Klass spends much of his time trying to beat fellow politics and government faculty retiree, Bob Bradley, at golf. Klass can be reached at [email protected].

consideration by the Illinois Board of Annual rankings show Federal funding used Higher Education. ISU’s strength, stability for microscope lab ISU is the only public university Illinois State remains among the top 100 A National Science Foundation grant in the state with an active undergradu- public institutions in the nation, accord- totaling more than $661,000 resulted ate degree program in business teacher ing to rankings released by U.S. News & in creation of the Confocal Microscopy preparation, which is offered through World Report last fall. The University is Core Facility being installed in the Uni- the College of Business. The master’s 91st in the report that evaluates overall versity’s Science Lab Building last fall. It sequence will further strengthen busi- excellence in higher education. will allow scientists to study the build- ness education for elementary and sec- ISU maintained high rankings in ing blocks of cells and the organization ondary school teachers. the area of faculty to student ratio, with of tissues with exceptional clarity and The degree will allow teachers from 33 percent of classes enrolling fewer detail. grade school through secondary educa- than 20 students. This is despite a 10 ISU faculty will use the facility to tion “a way to enhance their content percent increase in the freshman class, advance knowledge in genetics, cell biol- knowledge and advance their teaching which totals 3,689 this academic year. ogy and development, neuroscience, and skills,” said Tamra Davis, associate pro- The University also maintains a gradua- plant science. It will be a benefit from fessor of business education. tion rate far above the national average. the study of bioenergy crops to the aging The program will provide cre- “Illinois State University remains of cells. dentials individuals need for teaching strong and stable, and the numbers show “This will be a significant new business education courses at commu- that people are aware of the excellent resource for Central Illinois and beyond,” nity colleges and lower-division business education we continue to provide,” Presi- said Associate Professor of Genetics Kev- education courses offered by four-year dent Larry Dietz said. “These rankings in Edwards, who is the principal inves- institutions. are another reminder that Illinois State tigator. Other biology faculty involved is a leader in public education.”

4 Illinois State April 2019 include John Sedbrook, Wolfgang Stein, with the Illinois Natural History Soci- Thomas Hammond, and Alysia Mortimer. ety housed in the University’s Old Main The facility will “produce 3D recon- building. During that era, he led many structions of complex tissues like nervous exhibitions, returning each time with Mail system and muscle, and time-lapse vid- items used by Native Americans. To the Editor, eos of processes such as embryo develop- Some of Powell’s collection are with I just completed a first read of your Illinois State ment and wound repair,” Edwards said. the Smithsonian Institute in Washing- article “Immigrant Tale” (November 2018). I am It will be used to promote national and ton, D.C. quite interested in what motivated the “tale.” international research collaborations. Lisbeth Louderback, curator at the A couple of my newer Ph.D. students worked Utah museum is thrilled to have items on current problems with procedural flaws in from ISU’s collection. “The return of our immigration system. In one of the research Artifacts from Powell these remarkable artifacts connects us to pieces, the methodology used Sudan and East taken to Utah museum Powell’s legacy,” she said, “and the lives African immigration flaws instead of Mexican. The 150-year legacy of explorer John of the native people who made them.” Clearly our immigration system has some Wesley Powell preserved at Illinois State serious flaws in preparing potential immigrants has been shared with the Natural History to be successful in entering the United States Museum of Utah. Research team explores legally in various paths. This is clearly, I hope, A collection of artifacts from his animal magnetic field the objective of most of us. travels in the 1800s were taken west by Research into how animals detect the What flaw in our immigration system do you Distinguished Professor of Geology Dave earth’s magnetic field will advance with think your article addresses? Malone and Paul Meister, who coordi- a $638,000 National Science Foundation Politically I am a centrist. I am also a strong nates academic services for the Depart- grant. fan of President Donald Trump, who is open to ment of Geography, Geology, and the Assistant Professor of Molecular trying to fix some of the serious flaws in our Environment. Neuroethology Andrés Vidal-Gadea will immigration system on behalf of our United Items included a number of bas- involve undergraduate and graduate stu- States citizens. I have also worked overseas, kets, a child’s blanket, moccasins, and a dents in his study of the neurological sys- including Sudan and East Africa. wooden bow thought to be collected dur- tems of tiny worms known as C. elegans. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas. I love ing an 1868 exploration. “What is amaz- “We understand how animals smell, quality writing! touch, and hear, but we don’t really have much of an idea of how animals can David Rine ’63 detect magnetic fields,” Vidal-Gadea said. “We know that animals use mag- netic fields to migrate. They can use and To the Editor, orient to the magnetic field. Right now Unlike the two letters that were published in the no one is sure how.” August 2018 Illinois State magazine, I was dis- He studies the miniscule worm gusted with the lesbian marriage photo (“Red- because it only contains around 300 bird Romance,” April 2018). God’s design for neurons compared to millions in larger marriage is between one man and one woman. animal brains. “It also helps that they Anything else is an abomination to the Lord. migrate in soil, unlike birds that can This country is spiraling in the wrong direc- migrate around the globe,” Vidal-Gadea tion because people are living ungodly and going said. against the Bible. The Bible is an instruction John Wesley Powell, right, on his famous expedition manual for life. If America would stop taking to the Grand Canyon in the 1800s. (Photo by Grand His team will look for magnetic God out of everything, we could turn this coun- Canyon National Park Museum Collection) beads or pearls near magnetic neurons. The pearls align and move like a com- try back in the right direction! ing is that the original string is still on pass needle. The grant will help fund the Linda Jackson ’85 the bow,” Meister said. “Restorers have study of genes in the worm in the hope found sunflower seeds in the weaving of of identifying the ones that are impor- Editor’s note: Diversity and inclusion is one of the the baskets. These pieces are a find for tant for the creation and function of the University’s core values established so that the the museum.” pearls. campus community is a welcoming environment for all Replicas will be kept on campus, individuals. where Powell taught and was affiliated

April 2019 Illinois State 5 RedbirdAthletics

Upgrades planned Renovations set for Redbird Arena, Horton

ans and student-athletes will Improvements will also address the teams. The facility is also heavily used by no doubt appreciate seating need to make Redbird Arena more acces- campus recreation, kinesiology and rec- and flooring improvements sible to individuals with disabilities. reation classes, and a variety of student that will begin this spring at Renovation plans include widening and community activities and events. Ftwo key buildings on west campus—Red- the size of seats and rows, the placement The flooring and indoor track is set bird Arena and Horton Field House. The of handrails in the lower bowl, and the to be replaced in the field house starting projects will be financed through auxil- creation of additional handicap seating. this month. The work is expected to cost iary facilities system revenue bonds and Semi-private loge box seating areas and approximately $600,000. facility reserve funds. an additional suite will also be available Upon approval of these renovation The lower bowl seats and seating following the project’s completion. projects, Board of Trustees Chair Rocky platforms will be replaced at the arena, The project will begin immediately Donahue ’82 emphasized the ongoing which opened in 1989. It is home to following spring commencement in May, need for a new indoor practice facility men’s and women’s basketball, as well as and is scheduled to be done before vol- for athletics. volleyball. The current seats are retract- leyball begins in the fall. The estimated Athletics is actively fundraising for a able and have been in place since the cost is $6.2 million. multi-purpose indoor facility that would arena’s completion 30 years ago. Parts The second project will upgrade benefit all 400 student-athletes. If you needed to repair broken seats are no lon- Horton Field House, which was con- are interested in learning more about ger easily available. structed in 1961. Illinois State Athletics fundraising and Horton houses locker rooms, offic- opportunities to give, visit weisbecker- es, and practice space for many athletic sholarshipfund.com.

6 Illinois State April 2019 National award named for Redbird coach

The legacy of ISU softball coach Melinda in multiple leadership roles in the asso- Fischer ’72, M.S. ’75, has been recog- ciation. She has been inducted into the nized by the National Fastpitch Coaches NFCA Hall of Fame, as well as Illinois Association (NFCA). It has named its State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Distinguished Service Award for Fischer, Fame, and ISU’s College of Applied Sci- who was the first recipient of the honor ence and Technology Hall of Fame. in 2002. Fischer played softball at ISU in Fischer has completed 34 seasons 1969 and began coaching the Redbirds Ron Bell ’73 of coaching at the University, where she as a graduate assistant. She has led the has compiled more than 1,000 wins. She softball program since 1986, earning nine Mourning the loss of is one of only 22 Division I coaches with NCAA regional appearances and 10 regu- ISU football standout such a record, and the winningest coach lar season Missouri Valley Conference Ron Bell ’73 lost his fight against cancer in in ISU history in any sport. titles. She is the MVC All-Centennial December. Inducted into ISU Athletics Percy “This honor was completely unex- Head Softball Coach. Family Hall of Fame, he is remembered on pected,” said Fischer, who has served campus as the football player who carried the ball 543 times for 2,830 yards from 1970-1972. Bell set records for rushing yards, total offense, touchdowns and carries. Celebrate Redbird baseball’s He still holds records for yards by a sophomore with 965, total points in a game 1969 national championship with 42, the longest rush in ISU history of 92 team! A 50-year reunion is set yards for a touchdown, and rushing yards per game for a career at 134.8. He is tied for the for May 18. All RB4L baseball record of touchdowns in a game with six. Bell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was letterwinners invited. Contact living in Hawaii at the time of his death. (309) 438-5455 for information. Volleyball Redbirds in NCAA tourney Student-athletes honored at event ISU’s 2018 volleyball team earned an at-large bid to the program’s second NCAA Tournament in five seasons, and first under the direction The success of student-athletes during Kiley Walsh was honored as the of second-year head coach Leah Johnson. the 2017-2018 academic year was cel- Linda Herman Female Scholar-Athlete The selection marked the team’s 14th ebrated at The Reggies last semester. The of the Year. A Bone Scholar, she was overall NCAA appearance, and capped a annual event, sponsored by State Farm a member of the women’s golf team. 25-7 season. ISU captured a share of the Insurance Company, highlights individ- J.D. LaFayette from cross country and Missouri Valley Conference regular season ual, academic and competitive success. track and field teams was recognized as title. The NCAA tournament play began Anderson Devonish was chosen Milt the Doug Collins Male Scholar-Athlete against Cincinnati. The Redbirds engaged in Weisbecker Male Athlete of the Year. An of the Year. an offensive war against the Bearcats but lost indoor track and field competitor, he was Student-athletes posted a combined the match in straight sets. a 2018 NCAA national qualifier. Jaelyn 3.23 grade point average in fall 2017 “I want to say how proud I am of our Keene from volleyball was named the and 3.24 in the spring semester. They team,” Johnson said. “I give kudos to our senior class. Our senior leadership was phenomenal, Jill Hutchison Female Athlete of the provided more than 2,500 hours of and that set the tone for the future.” Year. She was a four-time All-MVC First community service. Team selection.

April 2019 Illinois State 7 8 Illinois State April 2019 it Marine scientist leaves ocean to focus on family allby Kate Arthur

On a walk one day, Jamie Baldwin Fergus’ graduate school advisor asked her if it all ended tomorrow, would she be happy?

Even though she was only in her 20s at the time, Fergus was content. She had earned her undergraduate degree in biological sciences at Illinois State in 2005, and was completing a doctorate in biology. She had been doing research dives in the north Atlantic, swimming around the bells of giant jellyfish.

April 2019 Illinois State 9 As she was trying to figure out been identified. She was captivated by Having four eyes, with two search- what her next step would be after earn- the four-eyed Paraphronima gracilis. ing for overhead targets, allows the ing her Ph.D. at Duke University, she Smaller than a dime and resem- Paraphronima to seek out hosts like wondered if she’d be jobless. Instead, bling its distant relative, the shrimp, jellyfish. The creature lives on or near she was offered a two-year Peter Buck the creature is translucent except for jellyfish, feeding on their leftovers. Fellowship at the Smithsonian National orange eyeballs that make up half of its A Smithsonian model maker cre- Museum of Natural History. body. Two bulbous eyes with a row of ated a 13-inch sculpture of Fergus’ work Her time was split between North 12 orange retinas look upward. There’s for an exhibit in the museum’s Sant Carolina and Illinois, where her hus- an eye on each side of its body too. Ocean Hall. What was supposed to be a band and state trooper, Josh, lived. She The Robert G. Bone Scholar talks two-year exhibit has become permanent. was a long way from where she grew in a rather non-scientific way about the up in Shumway, Illinois. Just a spot on “seriously weird” structure of the crea- the map, it is where she grew up pulling ture that has evolved to be able to see in her mother’s tulips apart and examining the twilight zone of the ocean. Beyond them under a microscope. the deep blue water, the ocean becomes The distance was not a problem, pitch black. The only source of light as she primarily worked from Illinois is bioluminescence, which is the light and trekked to the Smithsonian once a emitted from sea creatures, similar to month or so to pick up specimens. When flashes from a lightning bug. she was at the museum, she found it With no shore or ocean bottom hard to believe she was walking through in its habitat, there’s no place to hide. the historical galleries on the way to her Seeing without being seen is the key to office. There she continued work on survival. Fergus has done complicated what crustaceans can see, research she calculations on how light is absorbed by began at Duke. the creature to try and determine what

Fergus specifically looked at the it can see. She believes multiple retinas A Smithsonian Museum exhibit highlights Fergus’ eyes of hyperiid amphipods—small crus- send electrical signals to the brain, research on the Paraphronima. (Credit: Carolyn taceans that live as far as a half mile deep allowing it to see in nearly complete Thome, Smithsonian Institution Exhibits) in the ocean. More than 300 species have darkness.

10 Illinois State April 2019 When her fellowship ended, Fergus fellow with now retired biology profes- the ocean in a submersible and doing blue decided to leave the east coast metro- sors Robert Preston and George Kidder, water dives among jellyfish. But there is politan life and settle into rural Illinois who were awarded a National Science no sacrifice here. life in the community of Mason—a place Foundation grant to study killifish. “Here my kids can go outside. They a GPS cannot find. Preston remembers Fergus as a have a pasture. Someday, I’ll get a don- It’s there she and Josh are rais- bright and committed student who did key,” Fergus said. When she misses sci- ing their children, Olivia, 6, and Mack, exceptional research. “It’s very satisfying ence, she can go to a fridge stocked with 4, along with two dogs—including a when a student catches fire doing basic vials of nearly invisible crustaceans. “I one-eyed, three-legged Great Pyrenees. research like Jamie did,” he said. “She have a little space in my basement for re- Although her home is 700 miles from just loved it, and to see her get deeply in- search when time allows, and to continue her Smithsonian life, it’s near family so volved and make original contributions working on things if the mood strikes.” her children can have a close relation- to basic science is most rewarding.” In a few years, when her children ship with their grandparents. Her home displays her past and present. An antique book- “I’ve had wonderful experiences in science, and case holds a zoology book; two pairs of worn baby shoes; and now I’m having a big adventure in parenthood.” “Fred the Dead,” a 12-inch long isopod she describes as a giant roly poly. A red microscope she received Although Fergus remains a re- need her a little less, she’ll have time to when she was 3 also finds space there. search associate at the Smithsonian, get back to scientific research, she said. (Both are shown in photo on page 8.) she’s put her ground-breaking science “I’ve had wonderful experiences in Her daughter occasionally peers through on hold. She turned down biology fac- science, and now I’m having a big adven- the instrument that Fergus used to view ulty positions that would have required ture in parenthood. I never dreamed I’d slides decades ago. 60-hour work weeks. Instead, she took be doing what I’m doing now, but that’s The items remind Fergus of her a job in 2016 as a plant and pesticide OK. No regrets. I’m happy to be taking path. She might have become a veteri- specialist for the Illinois Department of care of my family. Work is no longer the narian, but her experiences at Illinois Agriculture, inspecting medical cannabis number one thing in my life.” State sent her in another direction. Biol- facilities. Everything that happens in the Nearly a decade after that conversa- ogy Professor Martha Cook offered her a cultivation centers, from seed to sale, has tion with her advisor, Fergus can still research position her freshman year. For to be monitored. say she’d make the same choices all over three summers, she worked as a research The work is a long way from exploring again. She remains completely content.

April 2019 Illinois State 11 1 9 - 2 0 1 1 9 9

MENNONITE MILESTONE Nursing college celebrates centennial

by Susan Marquardt Blystone

12 Illinois State April 2019 Kelso Sanitarium at 807 North Main Street in Bloomington was purchased for $75,000 in 1920.

ennonite College of Nursing (MCN) marks convincing congregations of farmers to financially ‌its centennial year having achieved a level support the idea, but enough funds were acquired to M‌ of excellence and energy that belies the purchase a home for $10,000 in Bloomington. Con- struggle behind its founding. From its start as a Sani- verted for hospital care, the first patients arrived in tarium Training School in Bloomington to its national May of 1919. status today at Illinois State, the educational endeavor Expansion into education came quickly with an has required extraordinary courage and commit- offer from physician George Kelso, who was ready to ment. sell his Bloomington sanitarium for $75,000. Troyer The beginnings trace back to Emanuel Troyer, a and four others struck a deal “without a dollar in the humble Central Illinois Mennonite pastor. While rais- treasury to pay for it,” according to Troyer’s personal ing funds to establish a school in 1919, he could never writings. As a result, the Mennonite Sanitarium Train- have envisioned the college as it stands today with ing School opened with 11 students in May of 1920. graduate programs, million-dollar research initiatives, “The situation was so acute,” Troyer stated, “that high-tech lab equip- for two whole nights I rolled and tossed, until finally ment, and students who it was just like a voice that said ‘The problem is more consistently pass the mine than yours.’” This brought a peace to Troyer, who profession’s standard- repeatedly stated “This is of God—it will succeed.” ized test far above state The decades since have proven Troyer’s prophecy and national averages. true, as the college has flourished beyond expectations Troyer’s goal 100 while remaining grounded in its Mennonite roots. Two years ago was to see decades after the school’s two-year diploma program the Mennonite Church started, Mennonite Hospital School of Nursing was extend its Christian established. outreach by establish- The school advanced with financial support from ing a hospital and train- Mennonite Hospital. Academic offerings steadily Emanuel Troyer ing nurses. It took work expanded and by the 1980s, a baccalaureate curricu-

April 2019 Illinois State 13 enrollments grew to consecutive taining the fundamental goal of prepar- records, and graduate programs ing the next generation of caring and were added. competent nurses. The effort to reach “We never planned to stop at both objectives was led by Nancy Rid- the baccalaureate level,” Hogan enour as the college’s first dean at ISU, said. “We went right into devel- followed by interim dean Sara Campbell oping a graduate program. Our ’86, M.S. ’93. Janet Krejci took the helm 10-year strategic plan included in 2009, with H. Catherine Miller serv- the framework for a doctoral ing as interim prior to the arrival of Judy program.” Neubrander in 2016. There were obstacles to As the current dean, Neubrander overcome in pursuing that goal, expresses gratitude to all of her pre- with finances the greatest hur- decessors for collectively creating an dle. Hogan was at the helm when exceptional college. “I am blessed by all the college’s viability under who went before me the past 100 years,” BroMenn Healthcare became a she said, acknowledging the excellence concern. Medicare funds used by that has continued throughout Menno- BroMenn to support the college’s nite’s history. $3 million annual budget were There is ample evidence of reason dwindling. The situation was so to boast of all accomplished, including critical that the college had to within the 20 years since MCN joined explore aligning with an existing ISU. The college has invested more than institution of higher education or $2 million to create a simulation lab that face closure. provides a virtual hospital unit. Students A housemother and 17 students shared an eight-bedroom home with one bathroom in 1939. A proposal from Illinois learn by working through nursing sce- State was deemed the best fit. narios that build critical thinking skills lum was approved. The paradigm shift The possibility of uniting was pursued and confidence. from a diploma to a degree program was by Hogan and ISU President David Federal external funding totaling significant, as Mennonite blazed a new Strand, with leadership teams from both millions has resulted in programs focus- trail in nursing education. institutions partnering. Hogan worked ing on specific aspects of nursing, from “We were establishing a college. to guarantee the Mennonite legacy training nurses for geriatric care to ad- The enormity of that undertaking! We would continue. Strand enlisted Illinois dressing needs of rural populations and were making history,” said Kathleen legislators—Sen. John Maitland Jr. and recruiting underrepresented groups to Hogan, who served as founding dean Rep. Bill Brady—to acquire when MCN was formed in December of $1.2 million in state funding 1982. She went on to become president needed for the University to in 1990. finance the college. It was under Hogan’s watch that The efforts were reward- the college received accreditation from ed with Mennonite College of the North Central Association in 1986, Nursing at Illinois State Uni- with the endorsement from the National versity welcomed to campus League for Nursing acquired in 1987. on July 1, 1999. It was the first The credential was retroactive to the private/public higher educa- first baccalaureate class in 1985, which tion merger in the state. ISU was the same year the last class of di- acquired a sixth college, and President Emerita Dean Judy Neubrander ploma students graduated. its first professional program. Kathleen Hogan Mennonite was consequently MCN gained financial stability the first independent, upper-division, and a world of opportunity with greater the profession. Community outreach has single-purpose, degree-granting nurs- teaching resources once settled into intensified, with students working be- ing institution in the entire country. Edwards Hall, which underwent a $1.5 yond hospitals and nursing homes. They The milestone elevated MCN to a new million renovation. are also active in local schools through level from which the college advanced There was also a responsibility to America’s Promise, which counts as further. Scholarships were initiated, intensify a research agenda, while main-

14 Illinois State April 2019 geriatric patients, who often have com- plicated care needs, and is eager to see the college focus on further developing a mental health track. Efforts to increase private giving are another priority for Neubrander. She is pleased to know the University con- tinues to have within its master plan the building of a facility for the college, but is realistic in knowing such a structure is in the distant future. Neubrander’s focus is consequently on more immediate issues of ensuring students are prepared to make a differ- ence at the bedside of their patients as a nurse with a fantastic skill set who is equally attentive to the holistic care of the individual. Teaching this critically important mix has been fundamental throughout the past century. “We have such a rich history that has made us who we are,” said Neu- brander, who is as committed as her College graduates consistently pass the licensure exam at percentages well above state and national averages. predecessors to making certain each There are 4,812 living alumni. graduate enters the field with compas- sion, competence, confidence, commit- clinical hours for the students as they an option MCN is implementing. Neu- ment and conscience. work to improve the health of children. brander is also exploring how to expand That has been—and remains—the MCN students train abroad as well the simulation lab options as a means Mennonite way of preparing nurses. through an ongoing transcultural nurs- for students to complete more ing program. It is one of many expanded required clinical hours. academic opportunities, as the college Regardless of how nurses has added doctoral degree programs, are prepared, the need to recruit accelerated learning options, and a path and retain faculty with a master’s for registered nurses to complete a bach- or doctorate is a second obstacle elor’s degree in nursing. as the college goes forward. “As U.S. News & World Report ranks a part of succession planning, Mennonite College of Nursing as hav- we anticipate future retirements ing one of the country’s best graduate within the next few years,” Neu- schools, and scores it among the best brander said, adding that it is a national online bachelor’s and graduate challenge to entice nurses into programs as well. pursuing the path of an educator Given its reputation, it is not sur- in the field. prising student demand is strong. The Neubrander is confident College is exploring strategic growth those who join the faculty in the where feasible, however, finding ad- future will take research a step ditional sites to place students is an further by securing more govern- obstacle. This is one reason the college’s ment grants. Work is needed in focus for growing enrollment is in the areas of how to care for patients area of graduate studies and the oppor- outside the hospital, which is Students gain a competitive advantage by working in the tunity for registered nurses to complete the direction of health care. She Nursing Simulation Laboratory. Valued at more than an undergraduate degree online. Dual would like to see more done to $2 million, the lab opened in 2011. enrollment with community colleges is prepare students to work with

April 2019 Illinois State 15 Hello?! HOW CELL PHONES COMPL ICATE CONVERSATION

BY KEVIN BERSETT Q&A WITH Aimee Miller-Ott

ccording to the Pew Research expanding our interests in what you do ing the phone under your desk while I’m Center, 95 percent of Americans on your phone, especially when you’re talking—as a professor, I find it incred- Aown a mobile phone. Many of us with other people,” Miller-Ott said. ibly rude. walk around with smartphones as if they The team’s research has been pub- And it’s not just the students. It were an appendage. From the moment lished in academic journals and books. happens at meetings all the time. Parents we wake up to the time we slink back Their work can be found in Commu- and professionals are just as guilty of it into bed, our phones are with us. nication Studies, Emerging Adulthood, as the younger generations are, so I don’t For the last decade, School of Com- Encyclopedia of Mobile Phone Behavior, hate phones. I think they’re useful in the munication Associate Professor Aimee Southern Communication Journal, and ability to keep in touch and to check up Miller-Ott has studied how our ever- Western Journal of Communication. on people and in case of emergencies. increasing use of mobile phones has af- In the following Q&A, Miller-Ott A lot of the research that I’ve done fected our interpersonal relationships— talks about the weird impasse we find looks at the function of staying connect- may they be between romantic partners, ourselves in when companions are on ed over a distance. I just finished a book friends, or parents and their children. their phone; and how texting can lead to chapter on mother-daughter technology She began researching the devices partly miscommunication, especially between usage. Both mothers and daughters say due to how she saw them interfering couples and friends. that if they didn’t have their phones, with her life. they wouldn’t be able to keep up their “You know how annoying it is when relationship, because they live far away you’re talking to people and they’re on Do you have strong opinions from each other. their phones. Or when you’re trying to about cell phones? So, of course, it’s wonderful, but share something and they aren’t recep- I think it’s the day-to-day interactions It’s interesting being in the academic tive, and you’re like, ‘Are you listening to that it’s most impactful on. Those oppor- environment now and seeing students me?’” Miller-Ott said. tunities that we have where we’re sitting with phones. I think, “That’s too bad. More interested in phone usage face-to-face with somebody and we’re I’m sorry that you have those because than social media platforms, she started choosing to be disconnected by using life’s different when you’re not attached looking at texting and phone calls with our phones. And I wish that we could to your phone all the time.” I certainly her collaborators, University of Hart- separate ourselves from our phones. don’t hate cell phones; a lot of the time ford Professors Lynne Kelly and Robert That’s one of the things that we’ve my students think I hate them because Duran. “As phones evolved, we started looked at a lot in our research. I have very specific policies in my class about not using them. This whole check-

April 2019 Illinois State 17 According to polite- However, across all studies that ness theory, certain events we’ve done, one of the most common or activities can happen responses to people engaging in cell called face-threatening acts, phone usage is to do or say nothing. The and those things make us possible reasoning for it is interesting. lose face. We then engage One, it doesn’t bother them. It’s become in certain behaviors to try so normal. “So I’m not gonna tell you to restore our face. When to get off your phone. I do it too, no big someone is engaging in a deal.” Another one is, “They’re so rude, face-threatening act, we and I can’t believe they’re doing it, but have certain behaviors that it’s not my place to tell them to get off we might do to get them to their phone. They should know to get off stop doing those behaviors. their phone.” Those things we say to them We have found there is this tension are influenced by how much with cell phone usage that we’ve come we care about their face. to experience. It’s normalized now in So, if you’re on your our society to use our phones, but we hate it at the same time. We wish we School of Communication Associate Professor Aimee Miller-Ott phone and I’m in a conversa- tion with you, I could say, didn’t have to use it at times, but people “Stay off your phone. We’re expect us to. It doesn’t bring us closer; it Can we disconnect? having a conversation. You’re being makes us feel disconnected when we’re in the same physical space. If we’re at No. That’s a very common theme in a lot rude.” I don’t really care how you feel. a distance, it’s great because I can text of my research. People will say it in in- I want you to get off your phone. Or I you and we can chat, but when we’re terviews: “I would love to turn my phone could engage in the positive politeness together, we don’t like it but we don’t say off, but if I do, I turn my phone back on strategy where I might say, “I’m enjoying anything. and I have my mom who’s like, ‘Are you our time together,” something to main- We think that culturally it’s become alive? You’re not responding right away. tain your positive face. “I would love if so acceptable that if I tell you to get off Are you dead?’ and I’ve got my boyfriend you could just put your phone down for your phone, I’m now causing you a face asking, ‘Why are you not responding, are a second so we could finish talking.” threat because I’m pretty much violating you mad at me?’ I’ve got my boss going, We’ve looked at that from a qualita- your negative face because I’m saying, ‘I needed to get in touch with you and I tive perspective, and more recently “’Don’t do what you want to do right couldn’t. Where were you?’” So it’s very through survey data, to figure out when now,” and that’s not my place to do that. hard, if not impossible, to completely someone is using their phone when disengage from other people. you’re with them, how do you feel: Is it threatening to your own face, and then The last study I want to talk what do you do about that? You did a study looking at We tend to find that most threaten- about is one focused on the when it was polite or impolite ing in general to face are activities like miscommunication in text for college students to use their playing games on your phone, mind- messages. You gathered actual cell phone when they were with lessly scrolling through your phone. If text from 295 people. Did you friends. What is the politeness it’s behaviors like your boss is trying to do a survey as well? contact you or if your mom is trying to theory through which you We did. It just got published. For the examined this issue? contact you, that tends to be a little less face threatening. first part of the survey, they had to give us exact texts they thought involved mis- Part of it has to do with face, that I have We also found in our most recent communication. They had to explain in a certain impression that I want to put work that cell phone usage in general is... their own words who started the conver- forth to other people. In this realm of more positive face threatening. It makes sation and why they think it’s miscom- politeness theory, I can have positive us feel bad about ourselves. Where munication. Then they had to talk about face, which is my desire to be liked you are matters. If we’re on a date, cell the type of relationship they had, how by other people, to be thought of in a phones tend to be less acceptable. If long they’ve known their partner, and positive way. Then there’s negative face, we’re hanging out, watching TV, a casual how close their relationship was. which is my desire to be autonomous, to context, we tend to be more accepting of We did a thematic analysis of the make my own decisions. those behaviors and cell phones tend to be less threatening to us. actual text interactions, which was so

18 Illinois State April 2019 LET’S “YOU COULD NOT TALK TO ANYONE ALL DAY LONG FACE-TO-FACE AND TALK STILL HAVE CONNECTIONS.” ABOUT cell phone usage

It may seem inevitable that communicat- fun. Some of the examples were hilari- a relational issue. But that’s interesting ing through cell phone calls or texted ous. A lot of them did stem from not because people are somehow blaming conversations leads to strained rela- understanding the word they used. A the technology for things that aren’t tionships. Associate Professor Aimee good example was someone writing technology-related. Miller-Ott has discovered through her “It’s over.” And the response was, “Are research ways to avoid mobile phone you breaking up with me?” “No, the conflict. movie is over.” How much does the fact that large companies are CREATE EXPECTATIONS. We have found creating addictive products that people who have similar rules and Is there anything else expectations about cell phones are more like Facebook have to do with satisfied. Be aware of how someone’s interesting about what you phones dominating our lives? phone use makes you feel. If it doesn’t found in that study? feel good and you don’t like it, try to I think the ease at which we are able to take the risk to say, “I really love you, The fact we text on the go, text quickly, use these devices and what’s on them and I really like spending time with you. we text little snippets of information, creates that need to use them so much. Could we maybe try to not have our we have typos, we’re not sitting face- When we first started studying this, phones out next time?” to-face with that person so the person we didn’t have all of these apps on our BE AWARE OF THE IMPRESSION YOU ARE can’t be like “What did you say?”—all phone to be able to be in contact with MAKING. Since doing this research, I’ve those things make it unique. Miscom- people all of the time. The function tried to be much more aware of what munication does happen face-to-face, of that creates this need to be on your I do. You can make statements that but it’s different because you’re not able phone. There is this fear of missing out. acknowledge that you are about to use to read nonverbals. You could not talk to anyone all your phone but that the person you’re And then there are the things day long face-to-face and still have con- talking to is important, for instance, by like, “My phone died,” or “It autocor- nections, know what people are doing, saying, “I have to take this quick, please rected my words.” Stuff like that when be able to eat, be able to get from place excuse me. I’m listening to what you the emoji didn’t come through on the to place, whatever it is, without ever say.” You may also want to apologize; iPhone because I have an Android— having to have an interaction. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to take this real things that wouldn’t happen face-to- When you grow up like that from quick.” Be very aware of the impression you are giving off, and how using face. Also realizing how much we rely an early age—when you get a phone your phone may really make people on text messaging and it’s so heavily at 6 years old—it’s not too surprising frustrated or feel unimportant. Do what full of miscommunication, it’s like, man, that people are buried in their phones. you can to repair those feelings for your we’re in trouble. People now can’t have a face-to-face relational partners. interaction. On campus people are How do we overcome that? walking together, and everyone’s on HOST DEVICE-FREE SOCIAL EVENTS AND their phones. FAMILY GATHERINGS. We hear some people talk about the importance of We didn’t explore that, but just being I think there’s a danger in that: You everyone putting phones away when at more aware of what can happen is im- don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t dinner, for instance. They turn it into a want to anymore because you can liter- portant. We found in our data that peo- ritual of everyone placing their phones ally do anything on your phone, which ple were using their texts to have really in the middle of the table so they can’t big conversations about their relation- is scary and harms our ability to have access them. This ensures that all are ships or blaming texting because of good interpersonal interactions. attentive to one another. their relationship issues. What you saw USE YOUR PHONE TO DO ACTIVITIES as miscommunication wasn’t because This article is condensed and reprinted from the TOGETHER. In my work, relational of texting; it’s because your relationship March 2019 edition of ISU’s Redbird Scholar. partners who watch videos together, was having problems and you were try- check social media together, or related ing to work it out through texts. That’s activities tend to be more satisfied with the phone. Find ways to make the phone a joint activity. 20 Illinois State April 2019 ALUM’S ACTION PLAN by Susan Marquardt Blystone

Andrew Purnell is known as the man who can solve all kinds of problems—from his major in mathematics to addressing local discrimination as an undergraduate, followed by establishing as an alumnus a group that has empowered Illinois State black students for 35 years.

An ability to find solutions combined That has been the goal since its in raising retention rates of black students. with his vision and determination has founding, according to Purnell, who is We wanted them to stay in school and made Purnell ’57 an exceptional educator “happily surprised by the success.” The graduate.” and mentor throughout his career. Add in association was formed “specifically to What’s ironic about Purnell partici- humor with humility, and it is no wonder promote the interests and welfare of black pating in such an effort is the fact he did individuals across generations appreciate students, faculty, staff, and alumni.” The not want to attend ISU, and he had no Purnell and the fruits of his labor. association fulfills its purpose by helping plans to finish a degree at the University Among the grateful are the myriad to recruit students, then encouraging them once he arrived in 1953. Redbirds who have benefitted financially as they adjust to collegiate life. Born in Chicago, Purnell was raised and academically through the Illinois State The result is friendships between by parents who worked hard at jobs University Black Colleagues Association mentors and students that last years that paid little. He attended college in (BCA) that Purnell and others initiated beyond graduation. In addition, the group the city. His sibling, Barbara, enrolled in 1983. The group was chartered in 1984 focuses on helping students finish a degree. at what was then Illinois State Normal with 40 members. Since then, more From the first $500 given in 1987 to the University. Her decision led to parental than $280,000 has been raised. There 13 financial awards provided during the pressure for Purnell. were nearly 300 active members who current academic year, BCA lifts up indi- “They said I should go with her. I did contributed $30,910 last year. All funds viduals through several scholarship funds. not want to go away. They worked on me are earmarked primarily for scholarship Among them is the Judge Russell a whole semester until they finally con- assistance to black students. DeBow Scholarship in memory of the vinced me,” he said. “I don’t know why I “The Black Colleagues Association 1935 graduate who participated in agreed to come to ISU. I came thinking has led the way as an ISU alumni affinity writing the BCA’s original bylaws and I would stay for a year, but within two group,” said Pat Vickerman, vice presi- constitution. “He was with us when we weeks I was sold on the University.” dent of University Advancement. “While started,” Purnell said, remembering a One reason for the hesitancy was celebrating their heritage, BCA members group of graduates he met with in Chicago that Purnell wanted to study engineer- remain dedicated to keeping the Illinois in 1983 for a reunion. Conversation arose ing, which the University did not offer. State experience affordable and acces- during the gathering about how alums He opted for industrial arts with a minor sible to African American students.” could be engaged. “We were interested in mathematics, deciding in his junior

April 2019 Illinois State 21 year on math as his major. His reluctance “The practice was not ended Purnell credits Charles Morris, also stemmed from the expense. Purnell overnight, but it did end,” Purnell said, former vice president of Administrative found a way to cover costs by working as noting the accomplishment was empow- Services, for his help in getting the asso- a mail carrier in the summer months and ering. “At a certain point in life, you feel ciation started. He appreciates the sup- taking campus jobs. like standing up and saying something. port that has come from ISU presidents, “I worked in Dunn Hall in food You figure out the problem, and how to including Victor Boschini Jr., Al Bowman, service,” he said. “I could either take pay solve it. If you are successful, it encour- and currently Larry Dietz. He is grateful or work for my meals, so I had my food ages you to do more.” for support from Gloria-Jeanne Davis, past expense covered and was able to pay That same drive for purpose and ISU director of Affirmative Action; Alumni for my whole first year.” change motivated Purnell throughout Engagement staff; and Vickerman, who applauds the BCA’s unwavering support of Redbirds across three decades. “At a certain point in life, “BCA scholarships provide welcomed financial assistance to Redbird students, you feel like standing up who gain confidence that they belong at ISU because the BCA has invested in their and saying something.” future,” Vickerman said. “The University is so grateful for BCA’s engagement, enthusiasm, and private gift support of He developed close relationships his life. Following graduation, he was our talented and deserving students.” through activities that included intramural drafted into the U.S. Army and assigned Purnell is equally thankful for wrestling, fast-pitch softball, and bowling. classified government work because of BCA members across the country, who He also focused on campus issues as a his mathematical ability. stay motivated in the mission to help member of the class advisory board, and “This work gave me an appreciation students. To date, the BCA has provided joined peers in forming the University’s for what I learned in the classroom at 192 scholarships. Graduates from across first NAACP chapter. One motivation to Illinois State,” Purnell said. Upon leaving the country have joined, including many start the group was to end discrimination the military, he began teaching math in a who received financial help while a beyond campus and Normal. junior high school and later at Eisen- student at the University. “We wanted to test the public ac- hower High School. “BCA is going strong and keeps commodations for African Americans in After several years of teaching, Pur- evolving as we look for different ways of Bloomington,” Purnell said, adding that nell began work on a master’s program doing things to get students involved and obvious problems needed to be chal- and graduated with a degree in supervi- provide the support they need to stick lenged. For example, African Americans sion and administration. He served as with their education,” said Purnell, who were only allowed to roller skate on an administrator in several positions at maintains a list of all BCA scholarship one specific day each month. The same Eisenhower High School, and later at recipients. The spreadsheet includes policy was in place at the Bloomington Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos each student’s graduation date. YWCA swimming pool. Heights. He chose retirement in 1994, He smiles while reflecting on the Dining was another issue Purnell allowing more time with family, includ- stories of students who persevered to tackled as the chapter vice president. ing his three adult children: Sharon ’87, complete their ISU education with the NAACP members tested the service Anthony, and Timothy. help of the BCA. “Just knowing they they received when dining as couples He continues to be committed to earned their degree, that alone is enough or groups that included white students Illinois State, which has recognized his gratification for me.” compared to when only black students contributions with induction into the were customers. Steve and Sandy Adams Legacy Hall of “When we went back, they would Fame and as a recipient of the Alumni To learn more about BCA not serve us,” Purnell said. After several Association Mercier Outstanding Service or to make a gift to support months, he and the chapter president Award. He was chosen as the alumnus met with the McLean County State’s Homecoming king in 2013, which cre- BCA scholarships, go to Attorney to present their findings and ated one more opportunity for Purnell to Alumni.IllinoisState.edu/bca. push for change. They gained assurances return to campus. He enjoys every visit, action would be taken to stop the unlaw- especially meeting with ISU administra- For information about joining ful discrimination. tors who have been supportive of the BCA since its start. the association, contact Lindsay Vahl at lmvahl@ilstu. edu or call (309) 438-7380. 22 Illinois State April 2019 SCHOLARSHIP LEADERSHIP INNOVATION

RedbirdsRising.IllinoisState.edu

RisingRising toto thethe CChallengehallenge When Mike Essington ’81 transferred to Illinois State in “We always knew we wanted to do something,” 1979, he was interested in a new major called computer Mike said of the gift that expands the couple’s financial science. Since personal computers weren’t around, stu- support of the college. They created the Mike and Karen dents created and stored data on paper punch cards. Essington Business Information Systems Scholarship Professor Emeritus Gerry McKean stressed to his three years ago. students the importance of two classes: COBOL, a pro- Giving comes naturally to the couple. gramming language; and systems design. “We were raised that way,” Karen said. “When you “Those are a big reason why I got hired by State were little, you had your envelope you’d take to Sunday Farm,” Mike said. It wasn’t long into his 34-year career school. That’s just always been a part of our lives.” with the insurance giant headquartered in Bloomington Karen proudly calls herself “an ISU alumni in-law,” that Essington started giving back to ISU, with the com- and enjoys meeting recipients of their scholarship. pany matching his gifts. Without several scholarships, she would have gradu- State Farm is where he met his wife of more than 30 ated with much more student loan debt. Mike worked years, Karen Essington. She was hired with a degree in his way through school as the night manager at a Dairy computer science from Augustana University in Sioux Queen. ISU’s affordable tuition helped him graduate Falls, South Dakota. without debt. The couple retired in 2015, and started thinking “You have to remember back to where you were, about the next chapter. Long-time Illinois State donors, and how you can help the next generation,” he said. “It they appreciated what the University was doing for always feels good to give back.” students and the community. With an affinity for the Your investment in Redbirds Rising elevates scholarship and academic College of Business, they committed to a seven-figure excellence, educates tomorrow’s leaders, and sparks continuous planned gift through Redbirds Rising: The Campaign creativity and innovation. Support the campaign by sending a gift for Illinois State. in the enclosed envelope, by calling (309) 438-8184, or by visiting RedbirdsRising.IllinoisState.edu.

April 2019 Illinois State 23 ricia (Thomas) Griffith’s accomplishments as chief Griffith’s career start was in retail, and included working executive officer of The Progressive Corporation are for a home building materials firm in Indianapolis. As a T so impressive that she is the first woman named management trainee, she learned to drive a fork lift and mix Fortune Magazine’s Businessperson of the Year. The 1986 paint, but wanted something more. A decision to answer a marketing graduate captured the honor in 2018, just two years classified ad resulted in her first job at Progressive, where after taking over the leadership role in the company that she she was initially a claims adjustor trainee. joined as a claims representative in 1988. “I was estimating car damage and meeting with injured Griffith, 54, is one of only 24 female Fortune 500 chief ex- people,” Griffith said, recalling crawling under wrecked au- ecutive officers. She has led Progressive to become the nation’s tomobiles in body shops while wearing a skirt. The company third largest auto insurer, orchestrating sales growth that has was so young and unknown in the 1980s that even her mother outpaced both Apple and Microsoft in recent years. thought Griffith’s job was with the soup company, Progresso. Progressive grew by $2.8 billion and 6,600 employees in “I fell in love with the people, the culture, and the fact Griffith’s first year as CEO in 2016. The following year, those that every day I learned something new,” said Griffith, who numbers were $3.8 billion and 6,000, respectively, and in 2018 furthered her education by completing the Advanced Manage- BUSINESS ALUMNA BREAKS BARRIERS

more than $5 billion. Expansion has been managed in such a ment Program through the Wharton School of Business. positive way that the company was included in Fortune’s Best Her longevity at Progressive resulted in her holding many Places to Work list last year. titles. She served as the company’s chief human resource Only Geico and State Farm now insure more auto drivers officer, launching Progressive’s first inclusion and diversity than Progressive, which is a testimony to the fact Griffith’s program. Griffith was later chosen to lead the claims division, vision for the company and leadership of its more than 38,000 followed by working as president of customer operations and employees is a winning combination. later chief operating officer of the company’s Personal Lines “My biggest role is to create a great culture of trust at area. Progressive,” Griffith said. She credits her ISU College of Busi- Each new role and its challenges prepared her to become ness education and campus opportunities to nurture leader- a unique CEO, who is committed to remaining approachable. ship skills for starting her on a professional path toward the She addresses each group of new hires, and randomly selects pinnacle of the insurance industry. a table of employees in the corporate’s cafeteria to join for Griffith leads Progressive with a commitment to five core lunch. values that enable the company to “grow profitably and in the Griffith works diligently to ensure all in the company right way.” They are to maintain integrity, follow the Golden know its purpose statement, strategy, and vision, which is to Rule, work from clear objectives, and stay committed to excel- “become consumers’ number one choice and destination for lence while making a reasonable profit. auto and other insurance.” Griffith shared these fundamentals during a visit to There is a confidence the goal will be achieved, in part campus last year. She delivered the keynote address during because Griffith is personally and professionally anchored Business Week. She candidly chronicled her journey from the by solid principles. These include knowing when to lead and University to the top job of the company known for having Flo when to get out of the way, making certain her actions match as its spokesperson. her words, and maintaining a life balance with priorities that “Illinois State is really where my leadership started” are “faith, family, and then Progressive.” Griffith said, pinpointing pivotal experiences as a Preview Griffith is equally committed to openly communicating Guide. “It was a life-changing summer. I realized then that if both good and bad news. She encourages healthy debate, takes you lead with your values, you can really influence people.” the blame while giving credit to others, and firmly believes The death of her father while still an undergraduate that “management comes from hierarchy, but leadership resulted in Griffith returning from her apartment to once again comes from anywhere” across the company. live in the residence halls. She became a resident assistant in The latter truth is one proven by her own life story. It Watterson Towers as one way to help cover college expenses. explains how the young woman who started in claims at a The work allowed Griffith to hone skills that bolstered her little-known business is breaking barriers as she leads that confidence going forward following graduation. same company, nurturing it to become a giant in the competi- tive industry of insurance.

24 Illinois State April 2019 April 2019 Illinois State 25 AlumniAwards The Illinois State University Alumni Association honored five award recipients at Founders Day celebrations in February. Nominations are now being sought for the 2020 Alumni Awards. Deadline to nominate is May 31. Make a nomination online at Alumni.IllinoisState.edu/Awards or call (309) 438-2586.

Distinguished Alumni Award Outstanding Young David DeMarini ’72, M.S. ’74, Ph.D. ’80 Alumni Award Genetic Toxicologist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Samuel Alex ’07 Chapel Hill, North Carolina Syndicated Radio Host Nashville, Tennessee fter receiving three ISU degrees in biological sciences, David DeMarini went on to a 34-year career as a research scientist Sam Alex, an award-winning radio and television personality, hosts Taste of Coun- with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in North try Nights. The nationally syndicated radio Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. He has made a major impact show is heard weeknights on more than Aon environmental and public health around 100 stations. He has interviewed countless the globe during his career. celebrities and newsmakers, from Will Fer- As an expert in the field of environmen- rell to Dolly Parton. In 2016, Alex was nominated for an tal mutagenesis and genetic toxicology, he Academy Country of Music’s National has been a leading scientist in determining On-Air Personality of the Year award. He what environmental agents cause cancer. appeared as himself in an episode of ABC- He is credited with generating much of TV’s Nashville. He is also a special corre- spondent for the syndicated entertainment the data identifying the types of mutations newsmagazine television show Celebrity caused by polluted air, various combustion Page seen on Reelz Channel and more than emissions, and chlorinated water. 150 TV affiliates, including ABC/New York, At the invitation of the World Health CBS/Los Angeles, and WCIU/Chicago. Organization, he served on panels that Raised in Hoffman Estates outside Chicago, Alex received an undergraduate declared cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust, degree in interdisciplinary studies at ISU. indoor and outdoor air pollution, and arse- He was an exchange student at Hokkai- nic to be human carcinogens. His findings do University in Asahikawa, Japan. His guide regulations in the U.S. and through- career began in 2003 with an internship out the world. at WLIT/Chicago. Following graduation, he was on-air personality at radio stations He coauthored several of the U.S. Surgeon General’s reports on smoking in Bloomington, Indiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; and health, which have been used to set smoking policy in the U.S. In 2015, and Washington, D.C. he was awarded the highest award the U.S. EPA gives for human health risk Alex is an ambassador for Get Caught assessment, The Joseph Seifter Award. The honor recognized his completion Reading, which is a nationwide campaign to remind people how much fun it is to of the first risk assessment of a U.S. tribal nation, and for developing a proto- read. Always a Redbird, he has organized col that can be used for other tribes throughout the U.S. many alumni events as ISU’s Nashville Area A member of the College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, DeMarini Alumni Network leader. Alex resides in has received the Alumni Achievement Award and Outstanding Young Alumni Nashville with his wife and son. Award. For more than 30 years, he has served as an adjunct professor in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

26 Illinois State April 2019 Samuel Alex Charlotte Talkington Charles Sorensen Karen (King) Jensen

E. Burton Mercier Alumni vary United Methodist Church, and the community and employers. UW-Stout con- Service Award Normal Literary Center. sequently became the first higher educa- tion institution to receive the prestigious Charlotte Talkington ’61 Senator John W. Maitland Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Professor Emerita, Illinois State University given by the president of the United States. Family and Consumer Sciences Jr. Commitment to Education Award Bloomington Alumni Achievement Award Charlotte Talkington combines a commit- Charles Sorensen, M.S. ’67 Karen (King) Jensen, MBA ’86 ment to the family and consumer sciences Chancellor Emeritus, President and CEO, Farnsworth Group, Inc. profession with a devotion to her commu- University of Wisconsin-Stout Bloomington nity through a lifetime of service. She sup- Awarded posthumously A professional engineer and College of ports the Department of Family and Con- A transformational leader, Charles Business graduate, Karen Jensen joined the sumer Sciences (FCS), where she earned Sorensen was chancellor of the Univer- Farnsworth Group in Bloomington in 2002. her undergraduate degree. sity of Wisconsin-Stout from 1988 to 2014, She began working as a principal of the She taught in the department 26 years, becoming the longest serving chief execu- infrastructure division of the architectural and provided financial support through the tive in the university’s history. He died in and engineering firm. Charlotte E. Talkington Scholarship in FCS, February at age 77 following a stroke. She rose to her current position in My Mentors Endowed Scholarship for FCS, A first-generation college student, 2006, and now leads the company that has FCS Recruitment and Retention Endowed Sorensen majored in history at ISU. His been ranked one of the top design firms in Scholarship, and The Charlotte Talkington early educational experiences, beginning the nation. Farnsworth Group employs 500 Professional Development Fund. at a community college, made him aware individuals and manages a client base that The Recruitment and Retention and of what accessible, publically supported includes Fortune 100 companies. My Mentors scholarships provide financial education can do for individuals. The engineering industry has come assistance and help attract talented stu- There were many transformations at through some troubling times, one of her dents. Mentor recipients befriend Talking- the Wisconsin university under Sorensen. nominator’s wrote. During Jensen’s tenure ton, spend time in her home, and join her The number of undergraduates doubled, as president and CEO, however, the com- for professional networking meetings. and enrollment increased 31 percent. More pany has been transformed into one of the Talkington is a College of Applied than 97 percent of students were employed top financial performing firms in the indus- Science and Technology Hall of Fame in their fields within one year of gradua- try—with revenues in excess of $78 million. inductee, the past recipient of the ISU tion. The Farnsworth Group was recently Alumni Achievement Award, and a mem- The Stout Technology and Business named a Great Place to Work by the Great ber of ISU’s Half Million Dollar Club. She Park opened, along with a Center for Place to Work Institute. Jensen is credited is active with the McLean County Master Applied Ethics. In 2007, the university was with playing a major role in the firm gain- Gardeners, Baby Fold Festival of Trees, and designated Wisconsin’s Polytechnic Uni- ing the honor, and the fact more than 95 the Family and Consumer Sciences Profes- versity. A science center was completed, percent of staff say they take great pride in sionals of McLean County. along with a football stadium and Mil- working at Farnsworth Group. She has served through Faith in lennium Hall, which has been renamed A member of ISU’s College of Business Action, McLean County Extension Service Sorensen Hall in his honor. Hall of Fame, Jensen is the recipient of the Foundation, YWCA Senior Advisory Coun- Foundation assets grew from $2.3 mil- college’s Beta Gamma Sigma Distinguished cil, Heartland Community College Senior lion to more than $47 million. He was Alumni Chapter Award. She serves on ISU’s Advisory group, SCORE, Counselors to diligent in his efforts to connect higher College of Business Advisory Board. Small Businesses, the senior group at Cal- education more closely to the business

April 2019 Illinois State 27 RedbirdProud

ISU’s Career Center offers support to alumni By Susan Whitsitt

edbirds can get help with Graduates can use the center’s The center is looking for career stories career plans and job searches Career Resource Guide and social media to share on social media or include in from the Illinois State Career platforms to stay updated on career university materials for a State Your Suc- Center. It assists students events, industry news, and tips. Alumni cess campaign. andR alumni with developing, evaluating, are able to sharpen their interviewing There are also opportunities for and implementing career, education, and skills using InterviewStream, an online graduates to share experiences with employment decisions. video tool that provides questions and current students in person and inspire Graduates can partner with a pro- answers listed by profession. them to achieve career success. For Red- fessional career advisor, who helps indi- “With ever-changing trends in the birds looking to hire graduates, the cen- viduals redevelop career plans and work global workforce, many Illinois State ter’s Employer Relations helps connect on self-assessment. alumni seek professional growth or re- employers with current students looking Individuals searching for employ- careering opportunities,” Career Cen- for job and internship opportunities. ment have access to the center’s Hire- ter Director Pamela Cooper said. “The Visit CareerCenter.IllinoisState.edu, A-Redbird program. It allows alumni to Career Center is proud to be able to assist call (309) 438-2200 or email Career- research companies, look for open posi- Redbirds in continuing to achieve career [email protected] to find these tions, and complete applications. The success beyond their journey at Illinois employment tools or share your success center also hosts career fairs on campus State.” story. each year that alumni are welcome to Alumni can give back to Illinois State attend. as well, by sharing their time and talent.

28 Illinois State April 2019 Alumni News

Plan for Homecoming and nominate royalty Illinois State will celebrate its many tra- ditions October 21-27 during Homecom- ing 2019: Come One. Come All. Events will include a parade through Uptown Normal, with the football team taking on Indiana State University in the after- noon. The tradition of choosing an alumni king and queen continues. The Alumni Association is seeking nominations for this year’s royalty, including a prince and princess. Applications are available at Homecoming.IllinoisState.edu/Royalty. To be eligible for alumni king and queen, graduates must have celebrated their 50th class reunion, have a strong ISU connection, and be able to attend Homecoming events throughout the weekend of October 26-27. Nominations are due by July 19. Children between the ages of 4 and 7 at the time of Homecoming with a par- ent who is an ISU graduate are eligible to be the prince and princess. These nomi- nations are due by August 9. To learn more about events as they are scheduled, visit Homecoming.Illi- noisState.edu or call Alumni Engage- ment at (309) 438-2586.

Alumni meeting set Alumni are invited to the Alumni Asso- ciation annual meeting at 9:30 a.m. on June 22 in the Alumni Center. Agenda items include the election of Alumni From the archives Association board of directors members Students have always enjoyed all that is available just a few blocks east of the Quad in Normal. and officers. The area that was known as downtown in 1958, top, was anchored by a post office, The Alamo II, Alumni who have made a gift and the Normal Theatre. All three remain, with the historic theatre now a movie and entertainment through the University Foundation in venue. There is otherwise very little graduates from decades ago would recognize in what is now called Uptown Normal. Favorite bars such as Rocky’s no longer exist, with a children’s museum the current or preceding year are eligible standing instead. Restaurants and shops remain, with additions that include student apartments, to vote at the meeting. Go to Alumni.Illi- a drugstore, parking decks, two hotels, and a new transportation center for travel by train or bus. noisState.edu/Association or call (309) 438-2586 for more information about the meeting and board selection process.

April 2019 Illinois State 29 ClassNotes

Tech Support Alumna creates fund to help women enter IT profession

arb (Kalscheur) O’Malley ’84 support primarily women considering extremely valuable because students can was one of few women in information technology (IT) careers. feel secure in that financial help they are applied computer science “I hope that I can create a little receiving,” Califf said. “Barb has been a when she began working for incentive for those considering the wonderful supporter of the school for BNorthern Trust in Chicago 34 years profession to pursue it,” said O’Malley, many years, and we’re thrilled that she ago. She has since led the lending who helped ISU gain a cybersecurity has been able to provide this opportunity applications team and development of sequence at the University while a for students.” client-facing tools, while engaging in member of the School of Information Although preference will be given the company’s Mentoring Matters and Technology Business and Industry to female applicants, male students may Women in Leadership forums. Advisory Council. be considered for the scholarship as Much has advanced in her field, “I want to make sure a college well. O’Malley’s ultimate goal is to foster yet there are still not many women in education is available to any person who talent by supporting students of promise, O’Malley’s profession. “Things have wants to take advantage of it,” O’Malley regardless of gender, striving to make IT changed significantly, but at the same said. “What if the next great leader in more inclusive for everyone. time they haven’t,” she said. IT doesn’t go to college because of the “With the department being fairly This reality motivated O’Malley cost?” new, there weren’t many scholarship to create the School of Information School of Information Technology opportunities,” O’Malley said. “I wanted Technology Distinguished Student Director Mary Elaine Califf is confident to give back in a way that helped the Scholarship with a $100,000 gift to the the fund will help attract students. computer science department flourish Redbirds Rising campaign. The fund will “Four-year scholarships are and maintain relevancy.”

30 Illinois State April 2019 with his wife, Nancy (Patterson) ’93, 1950s M.A. ’94, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Robert Aussprung ’53, M.S. ’67, Mort Castle ’68 is a writer and Pause for applause worked 29 years at Peotone School producer; executive producer of District as a teacher and coach; Shadow Show on Roku’s Terror Football Fame widowed and resides in Mesa, TV; resides with his wife, Jane, in Arizona. Crete. Redbird NFL fans have one of their own on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Trustees. Roger Ellis ’68 retired as a com- Marketing graduate Robert Zmudka ’89 was 1960s mercial credit officer for River elected last year after serving on the Hall of Valley Financial Bank; volunteers Fame’s Advisory Board. The Hall of Fame has Mary (Grothaus) Michael ’60, M.S. ’90, with AARP doing free tax returns; inducted 318 since its first class in 1963. It is taught art in DePue Unit Schools searching for roommates from 600 located in Canton, Ohio. Zmudka’s involve- for 47 years, including full-time for School Street; he and wife, Mar- ment is outside of his work for Rail North 29 years; resides with her husband, sha, have two sons and two grand- America, GATX Corporation. He is senior vice president and chief Clint, in Princeton. children; couple resides in Floyds commercial officer. Knobs, Indiana. Ronald Weingartner ’60 worked 27 years in toys and games with Mil- Don Phillips ’68 is retired after Running ahead ton Bradley and Hasbro; retired as teaching five years, working with Outstanding student-athlete Aisha Praught vice president for inventor rela- DCFS for 28 years, and Sears Leer ’12 still holds records from her time on tions; authored The Toy and Game Holding Company for 10 years; ISU’s cross country/track and field teams. Inventor’s Handbook; writes a toy resides with his wife, Maureen, She captured numerous Missouri Valley industry blog called Toy Dreamers; in Dix. Conference awards, and qualified for the resides in South Dartmouth, Mas- Albert Schon ’69 is an ordained min- sachusetts. NCAA Championships as a senior. She rep- ister; retired as director of admin- resented her native country of Jamaica in Roger Cushman ’61 is retired as istration at Eden Theological Sem- the 2016 Olympics. She finished 14th in the director of ISU’s news service; inary; resides with his husband, 3,000-meter steeplechase, and holds the Elaine (Hakey) ’58 wife is retired Roger, in St. Louis, Missouri. Jamaican national record for the event. Her accomplishments caught from teaching; couple resides in the eye of Under Armour. The sportswear manufacturer has signed Las Cruces, New Mexico. Praught Leer to its roster of star athletes featured in ad campaigns. Shari (Farren) Haynes ’62 is retired 1970s from a 41-year teaching career; Thomas Taulbee ’70, M.S. ’71, Ed.D. Best in Indiana resides with her husband, Jack in ’73, is a psychology professor College of Education alum Jeff Butts, M.S. Charlevoix, Michigan. at Richland College; resides in ’95, has built a career teaching and leading Elaine Hodel ’63 is a substitute Parker, Texas. students. His efforts and excellence have been teacher with Roanoke-Benson Dis- Wayne Durlfinger ’71 retired as noted with his selection as the 2019 Indiana trict 60; daughter and granddaugh- director of underwriting interna- Superintendent of the Year. Butts leads the ter are ISU graduates; resides with tional insurance with Prudential Metropolitan School district of Wayne Town- her husband, Roger, in Roanoke. International Insurance Company; ship on the west side of Indianapolis. During Richard Manahan ’65, M.S. ’71, Ed.D. resides with his wife, Jane, in his eight years in that role, the district’s gradu- ’75, has ended 17 years of service Bloomington. ation rate has climbed 34 percent, the state’s first public virtual high school opened, and a collaboration with area on the Johnson City Board of Edu- Ann (Scharff) Sweany, M.S. ’71, is colleges resulted in more than 27,000 dual college credits earned by cation; spent 37 years in teaching retired and volunteers as clinic district students prior to finishing high school. and administrative roles at East coordinator with Justice for Our Tennessee State University, where Neighbors-West Michigan-Kalam- Proud pathologist he is a professor; resides with his azoo Clinic, a United Methodist wife, Lois, in Johnson City, Ten- Church ministry serving immi- Laura Severs ’11 has been honored by the nessee. grants; resides with her husband, American Society for Clinical Pathology Larry Dodds ’66, M.S. ’71, is retired Ray, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (ASCP) as one of the Top 40 Under For- ty Leaders in Laboratory Medicine. Severs from 45 years of teaching; last 17 Ferol Hettick ’72 is senior vice presi- received the honor from the world’s largest years spent as superintendent in dent and director of compliance professional membership organization for two rural Illinois districts; wife, at Trustmark National Bank in pathologists and laboratory professionals. Judith (Pieper) ’67, is a retired Jackson, Mississippi; resides with Severs graduated with a degree in medical elementary teacher; couple resides his wife, Carol, in Brandon, Mis- laboratory science. She is section head of in Colfax. sissippi. transfusion services and point of care testing coordinator at Advocate Fred Lutgens ’67, M.S. ’70, is retired Leatha Reynolds Pierce ’72 taught BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. She also serves as a safety coach, from Illinois Central College as fourth grade for 33 years in Illinois and has won awards for her collaborative efforts in providing gold an earth sciences professor; co- Oswego District 308; enjoys six standard care. authored five earth sciences text- grandchildren and photography; books totaling 63 editions; resides fosters/adopts Boston Terriers;

April 2019 Illinois State 31 How we met Joyce Cunningham recalls one very cold night on campus in 1969. A storm had dumped nearly eight inches of snow. She left Milner Library and headed for coffee at The Cage before trudging a mile home. Seated there was a friend, Mary, and a guy Joyce had met weeks before when tracking down the only copy of a book she needed for a paper. The young man, Jim Brinkmeyer, had checked it out. Jim agreed to drive Mary home, but only if Joyce came along. When he reached her place, Jim asked her out. Joyce agreed to a date the follow- ing weekend. Her roommates were excited to hear about him, especially when they learned his name was Jim. They reminded Joyce that a Ouija board predicted she would marry a man named Jim from Rock Island. During the date, Joyce confirmed that was his home town. The two were a couple throughout the spring semester in 1970, which is when Jim received a draft notice. That summer he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Scott Air Force Base outside of O’Fallon. Joyce graduated in 1971 with an education degree in family and consumer sciences. She began working with the Cooperative Extension Service in Carthage, which was close enough to the base that the two could see each other on a regular basis. The couple married in Normal in May of 1971. Jim completed his biological sciences degree at ISU in 1975, and later earned a master’s that prepared him for a career as an industrial hygienist. Joyce completed a graduate degree in educational administration and was a community college administrator. The two lived in many states, and raised two children. Now retired, Jim and Joyce enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. They reside in Tennessee, where there are still plenty of cold and snowy winter nights that are a reminder of how their love story began. “He has been taking me home during snowstorms for the last 48 years,” said Joyce, who chuckles with gratitude as she recalls their first car ride decades ago.

resides with her husband, Jerry, in Cheryl de Werff ’74 completed a his wife, Helen, in Las Vegas, Vicky (Stancliffe) Hanson ’75 is a Colorado Springs, Colorado. doctorate in education at La Verne Nevada. kitchen and bath designer at Chase University; worked in education Lumber; resides with her husband, Nancy (Bottles) Bauman ’73 com- Gary Tiffany ’74 is retired after 42 years; retired as superintendent Jay, in Portage, Wisconsin. pleted a master’s in education at working 43 years in the insurance of Howell Mountain Elementary San Francisco State University; industry; resides with his wife, William Harn ’75 is dean of gradu- School District; resides in Napa, is the associate director of the Debra, in Cherry Valley. ate studies at Lamar University; California. Distinguished Careers Institute resides in Beaumont, Texas. Marylee Battaglia ’75 completed a at Stanford University; resides in Mary (Smith) Fisher-Miller, M.S. ’74, is master’s in education at Emporia Alfreda Keith Keller ’75 is retired Sunnyvale, California. director of the Chatsworth Town- State University; is retired from after 30 years as a Cook County ship Library; resides with her hus- Vickie (Erhardt) Bowers ’73 retired Kansas City Public Schools after 15 juvenile probation officer; is a con- band, Terry, in Normal. as a special education teacher in years as a teacher and administra- cealed carry instructor and Guns Lovington Community Unit School John Hansford ’74 is a managing tor; received the 2016 Award of Save Life regional coordinator; District 303; resides with her hus- partner of JW Hansford LLC; Excellence from the Kansas Divi- works security for Bloom Town- band, David, in Lovington. resides with his wife, Cindy, in sion for Early Childhood; resides ship School District 206; resides in Geneva. in Basehor, Kansas. Park Forest. Vance Rugaard, M.S. ’73, was a teach- er and administrator for three Morris McClelland ’74 is retired after Christine (Wolnik) Dewey ’75, M.S. Ellen (Rosenberg) Rodwick ’75 retired decades at Pekin Public Schools; teaching agriculture for 37 years; ’77, retired as chair of the counsel- after teaching kindergarten 27 retired from state of Tennessee as resides with his wife of 45 years, ing department of Triton College; years; helped create early child- executive director of the Office Cindee, in Rushville. resides with her husband, Charles, hood ethics curriculum; finalist in of Teacher Licensing; works with in Glendale Heights. the Thanks to Teachers program; Peter Rankaitis ’74, M.S. ’98, founded second-career teachers at Middle teaches in the Osher Program Project Oz and was the only execu- Lori (Voegeli) Goetsch ’75, M.S. ’77, Tennessee State University; resides at Carnegie Mellon University tive director prior to retiring in is dean of libraries at Kansas State with his wife, Pamela, in Nashville, and volunteers; resides with her 2018; resides in Lexington. University; resides in Manhattan, Tennessee. husband, William, in Pittsburgh, Kansas. Madonna (Tucker) Smith ’74 is Pennsylvania. Susan (Semankovich) Skelley ’73 retired as a high school English Catherine (McNeil) Haab ’75 is coached tennis 43 years at East Edward Bury ’76 is public informa- teacher and school librarian; assistant executive director of the Aurora High School and taught tion coordinator at the Urban resides with her husband, Gregory, Bloomington Board of Election physical education; coached bas- Transportation Center in the Col- in Effingham. Commissioners; she and her hus- ketball and was assistant athletic lege of Urban Planning and Public band, David, have two daughters director; Aurora’s tennis courts Anthony Thomas ’74 is a retired Affairs at the University of Illinois- who are ISU graduates; couple named in her honor; resides with healthcare executive; resides with Chicago; resides with his wife, resides in Hudson. her husband, James, in Naperville. Susan, in Chicago.

32 Illinois State April 2019 Jan (DeAno) Capodagli ’76 teaches resides with her husband, Mark, in David Patterson ’79 retired from Dianne (Deaver) Hustad ’82 is self- sixth grade; chair of the English Grayslake. Sanofi-Aventis as a regional sales employed financial consultant; department in the Lewisville dis- director; resides with his wife, resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kevin Pucklewicz ’78 is a postal trict; resides with her husband, Kimberly, in Scottsdale, Arizona. service letter carrier; resides in Bob Koch ’82, M.S. ’97, is a manager Ron, in The Colony, Texas. Helotes, Texas. Bill Roach ’79 teaches at Warren at the Illinois Commerce Commis- William Kirkman ’76 retired from Township High School; resides sion; resides in Atlanta. William Allison ’79 is a national Caterpillar Inc. as a process con- with his wife, Char, in McHenry. managing principal with Deloitte Brenda Lloyd-Jones, M.S. ’82, is trol engineer in global purchasing; consulting; resides with his wife, human relations associate profes- resides with his wife, Kathy, in Mary, in Scottsdale, Arizona. sor and associate chair at Universi- Mukwonago, Wisconsin. 1980s ty of Oklahoma; received the 2018 Susan (Harcharik) Coffinbargar ’79 is Rick Lombardi ’76 is retired from Paragon Award from Leadership retired after teaching first grade Jane Lurquin ’80, Ed.D. ’14, is presi- Maine West High School after Tulsa; resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. for seven years and working for dent and owner of Partners for 35 years as a guidance counselor; the State of Illinois for nearly 32 Life Planning Inc.; resides in Val (McIntyre) Ross ’82 is a branch coached tennis and wrestling; years; resides in Springfield. Hometown. manager with U.S. Small Business resides with his wife, Sandra, in James “Jay” Cardwell ’81 is COO of Administration; resides with her Bartlett. Christie (Hobbs) Davis ’79 retired husband, Jack, in Springfield. from teaching music at Riverview The CFO Squad LLC; worked 30 Steven Longman ’76 is a cost engi- Gardens School District; teaches years on entertainment projects; Geri (Higgins) Stites ’82 retired after neer with Jacobs Engineering in private piano and clarinet lessons; promoted Barbra Streisand’s World working 32 years as an elementary the Shell Refinery; resides in Pleas- piano accompanist; resides with Tour; resides in New York City and general/choral music teacher; she ant Hill, California. her husband, Drew, in Chester- Peconic, New York. and her husband, Bryan, have two Roger Swanlund ’76 is an underwrit- field, Missouri. Craig Culp ’81 is an assistant deputy grown children; couple resides in er with Mt. Carroll Mutual; resides Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Dave Edyburn ’79, M.S. ’82, is associ- collector with Macon County; with his wife, Debra, in Freeport. ate dean of research at the Univer- resides in Maroa. David Yelaska ’82 is a middle school Andre McKenzie ’77, M.S. ’79, is vice sity of Central Florida; professor Steven Kagan ’81, MBA ’83, is a vice teacher with CCSD93; has taught provost for academic support in the Department of Exceptional president at IBM; resides in Burr science for 22 years; resides in services and faculty development Education at the University of Ridge. Naperville. at St. John’s University; resides in Wisconsin-Milwaukee for 24 Marsha (Brown) Klein ’81 teaches Michael Davidson ’83 retired as New York, New York. years; resides with his wife, Pam first grade in the Henry-Senach- executive director of finance of (Williams) ’81, in Oviedo, Florida. Carol Dipazo ’78 retired as a premi- wine Community Unit District 5; the Central Indiana region for Ivy um auditor with Travelers Insur- Janet (Klempin) McGann ’79 teaches received the Excellence in Edu- Tech Community College; worked ance; resides in East Alton. reading at a Broward County Mid- cation Award from the LaSalle, nearly 20 years in accounting at dle School; lived in nine states and Lake Land College; resides in Dan- Pamela (Nicoll) Hamilton ’78 is a Marshall and Putnam Counties enjoys international travel; mom to ville, Indiana. teacher’s aide at St. Gilbert School; Regional Office of Education; two sons; resides in Davie, Florida. resides with her husband, Stephen, Kelly Leggett ’83 is a real estate bro- in Henry. ker with Keller Williams Realty; Michael Phares ’81 is the senior resides in Chicago. global director of membership for William Mairson ’83 is the associate Club Quarters Hotels; resides in director of environment, safety and Naperville. health for Los Alamos National Denise (Moring) Plock ’81 retired as a Laboratory; resides with his wife, special education teacher in Free- Catherine, in Los Alamos, New port School District 145; resides Mexico. with her husband, Ronald, in Ger- Jami Simon, M.S. ’83, is an actress; man Valley. appeared in The Blacklist; co- Ronald Zemke ’81 is a church musi- starred in recurring role of Pinky cian retired from teaching music; on High Maintenance; main role resides with his wife, Dawn, in in music video for Bet Ain’t Worth Gilberts. the Hand by Leon Bridges; played Sideways Jane in pilot of Riding the Albert Beard ’82 is retired from D with Dr. Seeds; resides in New teaching industrial technology to York, New York. Far from Normal middle school students; resides with his wife, Dena, in Franklin, Mike Suhanek ’83 is a sales director Three College of Business graduates were grateful for the opportunity Indiana. with ITW ProBrands; he and his to make new memories as old classmates while hiking fjords in Norway. wife, Rebecca, are parents of a son; Michelle Burris ’82 is a compliance The trek last fall added to adventures the friends have enjoyed since reside near Atlanta, Georgia. leaving campus. They are, from left, accounting alums Donna (Fret) ’79 inspector with the State of Colo- and Phil Zarcone ’78, and business administration graduate Patti (Sarles) rado Health Department; resides Hart ’78. in Grand Junction, Colorado.

April 2019 Illinois State 33 Redbird legacy Valerie (Quevillon) Duewer ’84 arrived at Illinois State wondering if she would enjoy attending with her older brother, Pat ’83. Decades later, she is grateful they were on campus together. She is also thrilled to have her entire immediate family as alums. Valerie’s legacy grew with her marriage to Kevin Duewer ’84. They met as residents of Hamilton-Whitten. He studied agriculture, while Valerie majored in finance. The two settled in Waverly, where Kevin’s family farmed. The couple still live on the Duewer homestead and run their business, Waverly Cabinet Company. Valerie and Kevin welcomed three children: Katy, Joe, and Claire. They all visited ISU while growing up, with frequent stops at Avanti’s and the Quad during road trips. Katy’s decision to attend ISU was made during a campus The Duewer family includes, from left, Kevin, Valerie, Katy, Joe, and Claire. visit. Molly Arnold ’83, M.S. ’86, then the director of Admis- sions, spoke to the prospective students. Seeing Molly, who was a friend of the family, made Katy feel at home as she studied interior design. She lives in Chicago and is employed in residential design with Michael Abrams, Limited. Joe decided as a youngster that he would be a Redbird. He spent time at ISU sport camps, and was eager to enroll. A marketing major, he joined a business fraternity and completed internships before graduating. He works for Otis Elevators and lives in Louisville, Kentucky. It appeared Claire would break the Redbird lineage. She attended Augustana College, in part to play volleyball. Claire changed directions and transferred to ISU with the same majors in math and secondary education. A Golden Apple Scholar, she plans to teach in Illinois and coach volleyball following graduation this spring. Valerie is excited for Claire’s commencement, as it will be the third time she has stood when alums are recognized during the ceremony. “I get emotional,” she said. “Illinois State University was home to me, and it still is. I never imagined that my kids would go there, but it means the world to me” to have that special Redbird bond. “The Duewers are five for five!”

Timothy Anglum ’84 is a managing Linda (Ebersole) Williams ’84, MBA Molly (Loch) Baker ’86 is an itiner- Maryann (Zanni) Lucarz ’87 is the partner of Anglum Group Consult- ’94, is the director of sponsored ant early child special education administrative assistant with Park ing; resides in Minnetonka, Min- programs at the University of Illi- teacher; resides with her husband, Ridge Park District; resides with nesota. nois; resides in Normal. Bill, in Chesterfield, Missouri. her husband, Bob, in Bensenville. Sharon Eslick ’84 is a special educa- David Hall ’85 is president of Global Sandy (Perry) Hallmann ’86 is the Monica Mapel ’87 completed a tion and mainstream inclusion Receivables Solutions Inc.; resides music director at St. Paul Evan- master’s from the Naval Postgradu- teacher with Mount Dora High with his wife, Tassie, in Pickering- gelical Church in Bloomingdale; ate School Center for Homeland School; taught in the same district ton, Ohio. teaches percussion lessons; helps Defense and Security; works in 31 years; resides in Mount Dora, Gina (Hooper) McDannold ’85 is a run family business, Hallmann homeland security investigations; Florida. certified optician with Gaily Eye Sanitary Service; family includes resides in New Braunfels, Texas. two daughters and eight grandchil- Tamara (Marks) Furda ’84 is retired Clinic; resides with her husband, Garth Nicholas ’87 owns Nicholas dren; resides with her husband, after 27 years as a United Airlines Randy, in Bloomington. Consulting; COO of New Wave Net Terry, in Hanover Park. flight attendant; enjoys traveling Jennifer (House) Merzdorf ’85 is Corporation; resides in Heyworth. the world with her husband, Scott; Michael Raucci ’86 is lieutenant in communications director for the Denise Spangler ’87, M.S. ’89, is resides in Naperville. the Village of Hoffman Estates Davidson School of Chemical dean of the College of Education Police Department; commander of Sharon (Muehlhauser) Jones ’84 is Engineering at Purdue University; and professor at the University of the investigations division; resides a certified nutrition and fitness resides with her husband, Russell, Georgia; resides in Athens, Geor- with his wife, Laura, in Huntley. coach with Sharon Jones Wellness; in West Lafayette, Indiana. gia. resides in St. Peters, Missouri. Scott Snyder ’86 is the chief operat- Alice (Thompson) Tennis ’85 is vice Deb (Riker) Datweiler ’88 is a social ing officer of David Nielson and Melissa (King) Livingston ’84, M.S. president of senior services for worker at Presence Saint Mary’s Associates LLC; resides with his ’91, is a counselor at Leland High Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Hospital; resides with her hus- wife, Daria, in Highlands Ranch, School; resides with her husband, Family Services Agency in Boca band, Todd, in Herscher. Colorado. James, in Somonauk. Raton, Florida, where she resides. Michele Evans ’88 is the grants and Tim White ’86 is the head of adult Tom Parton ’84, M.S. ’86, is a speech Betsy (Van Heel) Adamowski ’86 is communication director for Illi- services for the Worth Public and language pathologist with Unit director of the Wheaton Public nois Prairie Community Founda- Library District; resides in Palos 5 school district; resides with his Library; resides with her husband, tion; resides in Bloomington. Heights. wife, Susan, in Normal. Gary, in Geneva, Iowa.

34 Illinois State April 2019 Diane Graebner ’88 earned a mas- tion; he and his wife, Ramona (Sitki) Indiana State University; resides Kyle Hendren ’94 is a global market- ter’s in hospitality management at ’89, have one son; he is attending with her husband, Todd, in Terra ing and product manager with University of Central Florida; is ISU; couple resides in Springfield. Haute, Indiana. Draka Elevator; resides in Wendell, completing a doctorate; works in North Carolina. Michael Scanlon ’89 is a regional Scott Curtis ’92 is vice president of sales with Universal Studio resorts; service manager with Siemens; home lending with Capital Farm Heather (Arnold) Herndon ’94 is a resides in Clermont, Florida. resides with his wife, Michele, in Credit; resides with his wife, Rosi, drafter and designer with Johnson Elise Noble ’88 is an ADA accommo- South Elgin. and their two children in San Engineering; resides in Mason dation consultant with Sedgwick; Antonio, Texas. City. resides in Park Forest. Michael Doremus ’92 is a sales and Laura (Toncray) Kerrins ’94, M.S. Diane (Randolph) Pilgrim ’88 is a 1990s marketing manager with Super- ’99, teaches sixth grade in Pontiac finance manager with New Bal- Joe Kollins ’90 is a major with the Max Tools; resides in Bruce Town- District 429; resides with her hus- ance Athletics Inc.; resides with Illinois State Police; resides in ship, Michigan. band, Jim, in Cullom. her husband, Ed, in Ballwin, Mis- O’Fallon. Sandra Knack ’92 teaches first grade Paul Molitor ’94 is a train engineer souri. Michael Kelly ’91 is president of Kel- in Lowpoint Washburn District 21; with Metra; resides with his wife, Todd Stalter ’88, M.M. ’90, is the ly Insurance Services; resides with resides in Washburn. Laura, in Elburn. director of bands at Eureka High his wife, Laura, in Evergreen Park. Paul Walton ’92 is the director of David Peterson ’94, M.S. ’98, is assis- School; composes for Alfred Pub- Robert Miller ’91 is a senior IT appli- business development at Micro- tant vice provost for enrollment lishing Company; resides with his cations consultant with We Ener- Age; resides with his wife, Lisa, in management at the University of wife, Angie ’90, M.M. ’06, in Eureka. gies; resides with his wife, Regina, Phoenix, Arizona. Cincinnati; resides with his wife, Anamarie Jani ’89 completed a mas- Shawn, and daughter in Cincin- in Lemont. Jeff Benzing, MBA ’93, is a senior ter’s in curriculum and instruc- nati, Ohio. Ryan Rempfer ’91 is a disability community investment special- tion from Concordia University; claims analyst with the State of ist for BAE systems; member of Melissa (Gibbs) Weber ’94 is a prin- has earned several certificates Illinois; resides with his wife, Sue, Indiana Institute of Technology cipal process manager with Capital and endorsements; teaches fifth in Springfield. Board of Trustees; his wife, Patty One; resides in Wasco. grade in Cicero School District 99; (Warren) ’84, is a substitute teacher resides in Willowbrook. Eric Serrahn ’91 is an analytics Michael Blomberg ’95 is an officer for the Diocese of Fort Wayne- executive with IBM Worldwide with the police department in Mike Kileen ’89, ’00, is a data sci- South Bend; couple resides in Fort Business Development; resides Elgin, where he resides. entist of the Boeing Company; Wayne, Indiana. with his wife, Deborah, in Ponte resides with his wife, Diane, in Julee (Haab) Holland ’95 is an Vedra, Florida. Leigh (Schmidt) Hayes ’93, M.S.W. ’09, Troy, Missouri. employee relations manager with is a social worker with the McLean Christine (Ellenberger) Strong ’91, M.S. State Farm Insurance Company; Mike Metzger ’89 is a district man- County Health Department; ’07, is a study abroad director at resides in Normal. ager with Ace Hardware Corpora resides with her husband, Rick, in Downs. Jenn (Tiritilli) Kupres ’95 is head of global talent acquisition with Adam Mittleman ’93, M.S. ’00, is Getinge Group; resides in Buffalo manager of quality improvement Grove. analytics for WellCare Health Plans Inc.; resides with his wife, William Newton, M.S. ’95, is an Celestine, in Acworth, Georgia. assistant clinical professor in the Department of Physical Medicine Paul Novak ’83 is an associate judge and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court Medical School; medical director in the State of Illinois; he and his of the Spine, Joint and Pain Center wife are parents of two children; in the Murfreesboro Medical Clin- resides in Lake County. ic; resides with his wife, Merissa, Roberto Trujillo ’93 is the director in Christiana, Tennessee. of benefits for the Teamsters Joint Kristine (Wagner) Wahlgren ’95 is a Council No. 83 of Virginia Health recreation center supervisor with and Welfare and Pension Funds in the parks and recreation depart- Richmond, Virginia; resides in Vir- ment in the Village of Romeoville; ginia Beach, Virginia. Friendship of note resides with her husband, Kai, in Beth (Pytlewicz) Cairns ’94 is a Bolingbrook. Music brought five women together at ISU in the 1970s. It was as part physical therapist with Nicolette of the Treble Choir that Caryl Hefley ’79 met the other four, who were Nicole (Purdy) Christianson ’96 teach- Visser Physical Therapy; resides music therapy majors. They celebrate milestone birthday reunions, es fourth grade with Lexington in Roselle. including a visit last year in North Carolina. They are, front row from left, Unit District 7; resides with her Alexis (Gray) Rasley ’79 of Oak Park; Cindi Warner ’79 of Columbus, Kevin Gross ’94 is a supervis- husband, Corey, in Lexington. ing attorney in the staff counsel Ohio; and Stacy (Miller) Pratt ’79 of Crystal Lake. Back row from left Scott Gajda ’97 is a financial analyst; department of Geico Insurance are Denise (Gulick) Rieser ’80 of River Vale, New Jersey; and Hefley of has been recognized as a top finan- Company; resides with his wife, Cincinnati, Ohio. cial advisor in the country by Michelle, in Arlington Heights.

April 2019 Illinois State 35 Dannielle (Gayle) Greene ’00 is a Jennifer (Louie) Trainum, M.M. ’01, manager with FedEx; resides with is Suzuki violin teacher at the her husband, Antonio, in Doug­ University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa; lasville, Georgia. won a Music Teachers National Association Teacher Enrichment Aja Holmes ’00, M.S. ’02, completed Grant to attend the American a doctorate from Iowa State Uni­ Suzuki Institute; resides with versity; is senior associate direc­ her husband, John, in Northport, tor of residential life at CSU in Alabama. Sacramento, California, where she resides. Eric Barton ’03 is a credit analyst and works in quality control at Michelle Lindenmeier ’00 is a proba­ First National Bank of Ottawa; tion officer in McLean County resides in Streator. Court Services; resides in Bloom­ ington. Vandana (Rajput) Fotopoulos ’03 is a corporate recruitment relationship Redbirds represent Dana Trunnell ’00, M.A. ’02, is an manager with Allegis Global Solu­ Lisa Castleman ’96 is proud to be principal of Olympia West Elementary assistant professor of communi­ tions; resides with her husband, cation at Prairie State College; School in Minier. One unique aspect of her job at the pre-K through Constantine, near Naperville. eighth grade school is the opportunity to work with a number of Redbird resides in Chicago. Becky Goldstein ’03 completed graduates. Each wore ISU garb during an institute day and posed while Melanie (Sheets) Weller ’00 is office master’s degrees in social work spelling out ISU. As a member of the University’s Alumni Association manager for Ray Kelly State Farm and Jewish studies; is a transplant board of directors, Castleman loved the idea! in Plainfield; resides with her hus­ social worker at New York-Pres­ band, Jason, in Joliet. byterian Hospital; resides in New Zachary Callen ’01, M.S. ’03, is an York, New York. Northwestern Mutual; resides in Cathy Denbesten ’99, MBA ’10, is the assistant professor of Allegheny Irvine, California. owner and broker of Denbesten Karla Kossler ’03 is an ob/gyn physi­ College; authored Railroads and Real Estate; resides in Blooming­ cian; resides with her husband, Jason Kuhl ’97 is executive director American Political Development: ton. Mark, in Bloomington. of the Arlington Heights Memo­ Infrastructure, Federalism, and rial Library; resides in Arlington Joseph Fluder III ’99 is COO of SWCA State Building; resides in Meadville, Carnella Williams ’03 is an assistant Heights. Environmental Consultants; Pennsylvania. principal at an elementary school elected rotating director of the in Ferguson, Missouri; resides in Jerry Myers ’97 is a professor of Michelle (Casey) Feltes ’01 is a coun­ SWCA board of directors; resides St. Louis, Missouri. music at St. Louis Community Col­ selor in Chicago Public Schools; in Homer Glen. lege; resides with his wife, Laura, resides with her husband, Kyle, in Sasha Douyon ’04 is an inspector in Fenton, Missouri. Suzanne (Frank) Schwartz ’99 is a Evergreen Park. with the United States Postal Ser­ special education teacher in Win­ vice; resides with his wife, LaQui­ Jacob Gourley ’98 has taught history Christy (Craig) Germanis ’01 is the netka School District 36; parent sha, in University Park. and worked as a social studies divi­ marketing and public relations of two sons; resides with her hus­ sion leader for 18 years; is princi­ director with the McLean County Matthew Goldberg ’04 is a consumer band, Tom, in Morton Grove. pal of Thornton Fractional South YWCA; resides with her husband, banking reporter at Bankrate in High School in Lansing, where he Christy (Shults) Wavering ’99 is Alexander, in Bloomington. New York; is a leader for ISU’s resides. senior tax manager with Sikich New York City Area Alumni Net­ Matthew Goodwin ’01, M.S. ’03, LLP; resides in Springfield. work; resides in North Haledon, Bradley Jesse ’98 is senior marketing is dean of campus life at Saint New Jersey. manager over autotransfusion with Joseph’s College; resides with his Fresenius Kabi USA; resides with wife, Maria, in Standish, Maine. Christine (Bagnell) Husted ’04 is his wife, Silvia, in Bartlett. 2000s a senior manager with Allstate Thom Reed ’01 is the first African Insurance Company; resides in Jenny (Foster) Klouse ’98 has worked Heather (Henning) DeHart ’00, M.S. American deputy chief genealogi­ Lake Zurich. with InterVarsity Christian Fel­ ’02, is public relations specialist for cal officer at FamilySearch Inter­ lowship for 17 years; is an area MGM Resorts International’s Beau national; resides in South Jordan, Zachart Janusg ’04 is a CPA in the director; resides with her husband, Rivage Resort & Casino; resides Utah. state of Florida and tax manager Erik, in Santa Rosa, California. with her husband, Roger, and two with Wrobel Accounting; resides Brad Smetanko ’01 is a network plan­ children in Ocean Springs, Mis­ with his wife, Amy, and their two Renee (Lenz) Osbrink ’98 is an ning manager with Frontier Com­ sissippi. sons in Brandon, Florida. accounting specialist with Hawk munications; resides with his wife, Chevrolet; parent to two children; Joel Fritzler, M.S. ’00, is the grant Cortney, in Heyworth. Shannon (Ross) Michael ’04 is a resides with her husband, Chris, in coordinator at Northern Arizona talent acquisition manager with Frances Tracy-Dunn, M.S. ’01, is Manteno. University’s College of Health McDonald’s Corporation; resides interim dean of students at Eastern and Human Services; member of with her husband, John, in Homer Jennifer Christianson ’99 is an ele­ Maine Community College; resides the City of Flagstaff’s Beautifica­ Glen. mentary teacher at Washington tion and Public Arts Commission; with her husband, Ryan, in Her­ Deah Partak ’04 School for the Deaf; resides in member of Arizona Humanities mon, Maine. is a self-employed Portland, Oregon. board of directors; resides with his clinical social worker; resides with wife, Julie, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

36 Illinois State April 2019 her husband, James, in Portland, CUSD 323; resides with her hus­ Brian Greenewald ’07 is an officer Jeannine (St. John) Oldzej ’08 is a Oregon. band, Ryan, in Dunlap. with Riverside Police Department; clinical testing coordinator with resides with his wife, Allyson, in Kaiser Permanente; resides with Micah Riordan ’04, M.S. ’06, is STEM Jason Hohulin ’06 is a shareholder at Lombard. her husband, Gregory, in Brea, director at McHenry Middle Gorenz and Associates Ltd. in Peo­ California. School; resides with his wife in ria; resides with his wife, BreeAnn Elisabeth (Lindsey) Gross ’07 is a Palatine. (Bonnet) ’04 and their four children business development specialist Kevin Trusty ’08 is a digital market­ in Germantown Hills. with NEC Display Solutions of ing specialist with Shaw Media; Amy Savage ’04 is a hearing itiner­ America; resides with her hus­ baseball historian and member ant teacher with Southwest Coop­ Ben Johnson ’06 is marketing man­ band, Brian, in Bloomingdale. of Society for American Baseball erative; resides in Palos Hills. ager for Masterful Lover; resides Research; resides in Joliet. in Davenport, Iowa. Christina Horton ’07 is an inspector Tim Woelke ’04 is a territory man­ general with the Department of Christopher Boyer ’09 is a customer ager at Unilock; he and his wife, Kevin Kocot ’06 is an assistant pro­ Veteran Affairs; resides in Aurora. service representative with Heart Tiffany, were married in November fessor at the University of Ala­ Technologies Inc.; resides with his and reside in Round Lake. bama; curator of invertebrates in Pete Lamonica ’07 is a software wife, Jamie, in Farmington. the Alabama Museum of Natural engineer for Amazon.com.; com­ Jill (Fertig) Baugh ’05 is a probation History; has researched around pleted a marathon; met his wife, Megan (Covington) Cocagne ’09 officer in McLean County Adult the world; resides in Tuscaloosa, Katie (Johnson) ’04, M.S. ’07, at ISU; teaches first grade in Meridian Court Services; resides with her Alabama. resides in Seattle, Washington. CUSD 15; resides with her hus­ husband, Charles, in Normal. band, Chase, in Taylorville. Beth (Swango) Phillips ’06 is a gen­ Rose (Crockett) Matthews ’07 is Kristina Krueger ’05 completed a eral manager of Steak ‘n Shake; copyright specialist with the Jessica Cochran ’09 is an analyst master’s in education at Loyal Uni­ resides with her husband, Sean, in Library of Congress U.S. Copyright with State Farm Insurance Com­ versity-Chicago; teaches kinder­ Normal. Office; resides with her husband, pany; resides with her husband, garten in Arlington Heights School Gary, in Savage, Maryland. Randy, in Heyworth. District 24; resides in Niles. Susan Woollen, M.S. ’06, Ph.D. ’15, is the director of undergraduate Erick Somodi ’07 is the chorus and Carthy Dixon Jr. ’09 is a math Jeffrey Lehman ’05, M.S. ’08, is a phy­ studies and enrollment manage­ band director at the junior and instructor at Frazier Preparatory sician at Southern Illinois Health­ ment for ISU’s Criminal Justice senior high schools in St. Elmo; Academy; resides with his wife, care Medical Group; resides with Sciences Department; resides with resides with his wife, Laura, in Margaret, in Chicago. his wife, Kelly, in Carbondale. her husband, Tim, in Normal. Effingham. Allison Fishbein ’09 is director of Christa (McElyea) Parr ’05 completed Janna Baker ’07 is a GIS coordinator Kristina Torbik ’07 is a marketing jobseeker happiness with Work­ a master’s in strategic market­ for Tazewell County in Illinois; specialist with United Airlines; Monger; resides in State College, ing at Roberts Wesleyan College, resides in Peoria. resides in Wheaton. Pennsylvania. where she is an adjunct; marketing specialist with St. John’s Senior Matthew Damschroder, M.A. ’07, Ph.D. Laura Braun ’08 is a communications Kathleen O’Brien ’09, M.S. ’14, teaches Living; she and her husband, Tom, ’15, is vice president for student associate in the California Col­ science at Centennial High School have four children and reside in life and dean of students at Juniata lege of the Arts; freelance music in Champaign, where she resides. East Rochester, New York. College; resides in Huntingdon, journalist; resides in San Francisco, Brett Priestman ’09 is a quality Pennsylvania. California. Megan (Rice) Vonesh ’05, M.S. ’10, assurance specialist with Sterigen­ teaches first grade in Dunlap Danielle (Lilienthal) Flaugher ’08 is a ics; resides in Oak Lawn. registered nurse with UnityPoint Sarah Rae ’09 teaches middle school Health-Methodist; resides with her at Peoria Academy; completing husband, Jeff, in Mackinaw. graduate program in Miami Uni­ Adam Freehill ’08 is a product sup­ versity’s Global Field program; port representative for combines participated in a global field course and front-end equipment at John in Costa Rica in 2018; resides in Deere Harvester Works; resides in Peoria. Morrison. Adam Satorius ’09 is the dean’s Judd Kiddie ’08 is a purchasing man­ assistant at the high school in ager of EMCO Chemical Distribu­ Minooka, where he resides. tors; resides in Lake Villa. Jayme Kirchner ’08. M.A. ’10, is an agent with Liberty Travel; resides 2010s in Astoria, New York. Justin Armes ’10 is a video editor Rachel (Higgins) Klein ’08 completed with Caterpillar; resides with his Strong sisterhood a master’s at Concordia University; wife, Rosemary, in East Peoria. College memories were renewed when two sorority sisters visited teaches special education in the Elisabeth Benfield ’10 worked in the campus together last year. Sue (Carter) Kerata ’90 of Raleigh, North Dunlap School District; she and Chicago Public Schools as a Span­ Carolina, left, and Anne (Ferrish) Doyle ’91 of Arlington Heights, espe- her husband, Anthony ’03, are par­ ish and bilingual teacher; complet­ cially enjoyed touring the house of their sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha at 411 ents of two children and reside in ing a master’s degree in interna­ North School Street. Dunlap. tional development at the

April 2019 Illinois State 37 University of Pittsburgh; hopes to cardiologist; resides with his wife, serve in the Peace Corps; resides in Jody, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sarah (Michel) Irwin ’11 is an invest- Lauren Bridges, M.A. ’10, is a doctoral ment technician with State Farm student in historical anthropology Insurance Company; resides with and teaching assistant at the Col- her husband, Drake, in Bloom- lege of William and Mary; resides ington. in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jennifer Liechti ’11 is director of the Amy Determan ’10 is a community U.S. office for Global Academic engagement coordinator with the Ventures; resides in Chicago. Habitat for Humanity in St. Louis, Dawn Ma ’11 is an office manager Missouri, where she resides. and accountant with Lawrence Gladly teaching Antishay Gardner ’10 is completing a Travis and Company; resides with College and Career Day was an opportunity for staff at Sam Rotolo master’s in social work at ISU; case her husband, Lyndon, in Normal. Middle School in Batavia to show their Redbird connection. Graduates manager at the University of Illi- Christopher Mallen, M.S. ’11, is a working at the school include, front row from left, Jessica (Dimond) nois College of Medicine at Peoria marketing manager with Outfront Capati ’10, Cassy (Stager) Castro ’10, Vicki (Berkley) Jones ’83, Laura Medical; resides in Carlock. Media; resides in Dania Beach, (Graham) Foote ’93, Carrie (Legenski) Moore ’98, Jennifer (Hespen) Melissa (Ritter) Leyendecker ’10 is a Florida. Hix ’92, Heather (Young) Breon ’98, Carol (Gillespie) Drendel ’82, Lori reading team teacher with Bur- Adam McCrary ’11 is an assistant (Howland) Malawski ’92, and Brittney (Ksepka) Zimmerman ’07. Back bank School District 111; resides director at ISU’s Environmental row from left are Tony Baier ’05, Jason Toth ’17, and John Canfiled ’81. with her husband, Ryan, in Oak Health and Safety Office; resides Lawn. with his wife, Angela, in Normal. Stephanie (Donjon) Orme ’10, com- Leah Sanders ’11, M.S. ’16, is coordina- Benton East; resides in Kenosha, Sarah Wood ’12 is a junior designer pleted a doctorate in mass commu- tor of group fitness and instruction Wisconsin. with Interior Design Associates nications from Belisario College of Inc.; resides in Smyrna, Tennessee. at Washington State University; Jordan Hedge ’12 Communications at Pennsylvania teaches kinder- resides in Pullman, Washington. Molly (King) Gleason ’13 is a labor State University; lectures at Suf- garten with Pekin Schools District and delivery nurse at UnityPoint folk University; resides with her Amanda (Lentz) Schiel ’11 is a regis- 108; resides in Normal. Health Methodist in Peoria; com- husband, Tylor, in Brighton, Mas- tered nurse at East Morgan County Shanta Hoard, M.S. ’12, works with pleted master’s in nursing at Meth- sachusetts. Hospital; resides with her hus- George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers; odist College; teaches OB clinicals band, Jeff, in Brush, Colorado. resides in Moncks Corner, South John Conrad ’11 is a support opera- at the college; resides with her Carolina. tions manager with iManage LLC; Caylyn Burek ’12 teaches fifth grade husband and son in Morton. resides with his wife, Emily, in math at Knoxville Middle School; Stephen Kwiatek ’12, M.S. ’17, is a Jorie Johnson ’13 is an associate Chicago. resides in Galesburg. special education teacher with foreclosure attorney with MLRP; Bloomington District 87; resides in Colin Daly ’11 is an environmental Alexandra Campbell ’12 teaches sev- resides in Evanston. engineer with Natural Resource enth grade at Sunset Ridge School; Bloomington. Kristin Pearson ’13 is communi- Technology Inc.; resides in Chi- resides with her husband, Kenneth Merethe Maberg, M.F.A. 12, is a light- cations manager and chapter cago. Sanderman, in Palatine. ing designer in Norway, where she consultant for Pi Sigma Epsilon; resides. Sang Yong Han, MBA ’11, completed a Renee Changnon ’12 writes for the received second place award for doctorate in finance at Washington North American Retail Hardware Casey Peek ’12 is a marketing and publications improvement from State University; is an assistant Association’s magazine; worked patron services associate with The the Fraternal Communications professor of finance at the Univer- with Jimmy John’s corporate Joffrey Ballet; resides in Chicago. Association for her work on Dotted sity of Pennsylvania; resides with headquarters; resides in India- Simi Russell ’12 is a student at John Lines, Pi Sigma Epsilon’s national his wife, Inae, in East Stroudsburg, napolis, Indiana. Marshall Law School; resides in magazine; resides in Milwaukee, Pennsylvania. Diana (Logisz) Cummings ’12 is a reg- South Holland. Wisconsin. Stephen Hon ’11 earned a medi- istered nurse in neurosurgery with Kristyn (Raetz) Richert ’13 Audrey Surber ’12 is a marketing is a regis- cal degree and is completing an Northwestern Memorial Hospital; consultant with Unum; resides in tered nurse working in the ICU at internal medicine residency at St. resides with her husband, Patrick, Chicago. Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital; Vincent’s Hospital in Indiana; will in Chicago. resides with her husband, Craig, in Kylee Verseman ’12 pursue a fellowship in cardiology Allison Hall ’12 teaches English at is a registered Frederick, Maryland. and practice as an interventional nurse at Lake Cook Orthopedics; New Tech High School at Zion- Jessica Sibigtroth ’13 resides in Oakwood Hills. is literacy coach at Dundee-Crown High School; Mary (Melia) White ’12 is a group completing a second master’s registrar specialist with Devry degree; resides in Itasca. Education; resides with her hus- band, Richard, in Orland Park.

38 Illinois State April 2019 Ashley Hartwig ’14, M.S. ’18, is a math Our troops Freida M. (Bost) Craig ’44; 9/18 Nola B. (Crotchett) Campbell ’58; instructor at Scott Community Doris G. (Garmatter) Hamman 8/18 College; resides in Bettendorf, Lyn Little ’76 worked 32 years of ser- ’45; 11/16 William H. Cutler, M.S. ’58; 9/18 Iowa. vice as an Army civilian employee; Kathryn J. (Nebel) Stoops ’45; 2/17 Billy J. Saunders ’59; 6/18 specialized in ammunition and Nicole Poggensee ’14 is a senior Veleta M. (Hendrix) Delaney ’47; Thomas C. Walthouse ’59; 7/18 explosive safety; works under a digital marketing manager with 8/18 Blue Magnet Interactive; resides U.S. Army Joint Munitions Com- Naoma M. (Glasscock) Wilhelmi in Chicago. mand contract; resides with his 60s wife, Fenessa, in Jordan, Utah. ’47; 2/18 Jessica Campbell ’15 completed a Cadet W. Cottingham ’60; 9/18 Drew Doolin ’82 retired as a Marine Margaret A. (Trevor) Dean ’60; master’s in speech pathology from 50s Truman State University; works Corps Colonel after a 30-year mili- 5/18 tary career; senior consultant for a as a speech pathologist in a skilled Richard D. Alexander ’50; 8/18 Guy W. Fritz ’60, M.S. ’67; 7/18 not-for-profit public sector firm in nursing facility and private prac- Helen M. (Campell) Erickson ’50; Robert M. Walmsley ’61, M.S. ’65; Washington, D.C.; resides in Dum- tice; resides in Chicago. 9/06 7/18 fries, Virginia. Percy Echols ’15 is an emerging plas- Howard G. Frink ’50; 9/18 Judith A. (Smith) Hartley ’62; 7/18 Brianna Koenig ’15 is a member of ma glass technician at Pittsburgh Josephine T. Mancuso ’50; 9/18 Rosalind (Hammondds) Vance the U.S. Navy; resides in Pensacola, Glass Center; first recipient of the Bruce S. Peterson ’50; 8/18 ’62; 8/18 center’s Ron Desmett Memorial Florida. David H. King ’51, M.S. ’52; 7/18 Marylee (Challand) Frank ’63; 7/18 Award for Imagination in Glass; independent contractor; resides in Eunice (Clayberg) Foster ’52; 7/18 Patricia R. (Childers) Kazmier ’64, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In memory Michael T. Setina ’52, M.S. ’68; 7/18 M.S. ’69; 7/18 Tom H. Scott ’64; 7/18 Sabrina McGregor ’15 is a master data Mary Ann (Morse) Fox ’53; 9/18 inventory analyst with Mike’s Hard Faculty/Staff Kenneth E. Barton ’54, M.S. ’57; Robert J. McCoy, M.S. ’65; 9/18 Lemonade; resides in Chicago. Sylvie Bouriaux, Finance; 10/18 12/17 John D. Scouller III ’65, M.S. ’66; 6/15 Juliana Skoglund ’15 is a mental Carrol B. Cox Jr., English; 8/18 Carl E. R. Black ’54; 4/18 health counselor at Advocate George M. Drew, Elementary Edu- Beverly E. (Gould) Dunahee ’55; Clifford J. Kinate ’66; 7/18 Christ Medical Center; resides in cation; 8/18 9/18 Rebecca J. (Williams) Paule ’66; Tinley Park. Harold L. Gregor, Distinguished Robert D. Martis ’56; 7/18 9/18 Colin Wons ’15 is an associate in lev- Professor, Art; 10/18 Lois V. (Cotterell) Huffman ’57, Geraldine A. (Clancy) Haack ’67; eraged finance at Crestline Inves- Warren R. Harden, Economics; M.S. ’70; 6/18 8/18 tors; resides in Naperville. Vice President, Business and Phyllicia Davis ’16 is the marketing Finance; 9/18 and events manager for The Arc, Walter B. Mead, Political Science; Lane County; resides in Eugene, 8/18 Oregon. Judith C. (Baker) Moulic ’83; Administrative Information Sys- Emily Johnston, Ph.D. ’16, is the assis- tems; 9/18 tant director of the dimensions of culture program at the University Norma J. Oberholtzer ’79, M.S. Three easy ways to submit your information of California in San Diego, where ’88; Curriculum and Instruction; she resides. 8/18 1) Go online to Alumni.IllinoisState.edu/ClassNotes and click Miriam G. Olsen, Health Services; Mallory Lovings ’17 is a production on “class notes.” Information submitted using this method 8/18 coordinator for VFX at Tech- will also be posted online. nicolor in Hollywood; resides in Sherman Oaks, California. 30s 2) Email your news to [email protected]. Rebecca McQuade ’17 teaches fifth Anna Mae (Boning) Denny ’39; 3) Mail your news to Class Notes, Illinois State University, grade in District 300; resides in 10/10 Alumni Engagement, Campus Box 3100, Normal, IL 61790- Saint Charles. 3100. Please include your graduation year, major, maiden DeAnn Bennett ’18 is a substitute 40s school nurse with Unit 5; resides name when applicable, and daytime phone number for Marian E. (Davies) Campbell ’41; with her husband, Timothy, in verification purposes. News releases and information from 8/18 Bloomington. published news clippings may also be used. Engagements and Helen J. (Schneider) Quimby ’41, Kiran Tiwari, Ph.D. ’18, is a biologi- ’65; 9/18 pregnancies will not be published. cal scientist residing in Towson, Mary L. (Nafziger) Diesel ’43; 7/18 Maryland. For additional information, contact Alumni Engagement at Margaret E. Herman ’43; 7/18 (309) 438-2586 or (800) 366-4478, or by email at alumni@ Velma J. (Pierat) O’Neal ’43, ’60; IllinoisState.edu. 7/18

April 2019 Illinois State 39 RiseRisetoto thethe CChallengehallenge ISU’s $150 million campaign will lift the University for decades to come. Such significant private support will impact the entire campus, from high-tech labs essential for applied learning to activities that strengthen students’ leadership skills.

Your help is needed to make sure Redbirds continue to soar. Join the more than 47,000 ISU donors and make a gift using the enclosed envelope, by calling (309) 438-8184, or by visiting RedbirdsRising.IllinoisState.edu

/ISUGiving

Henry M. Milander, Ed.D. ’67; 7/18 Jean (Wickless) Niederhaus ’72; Kathleen A. (Negro) Shilgalis ’79, Doris J. (Replogle) Wenzel, M.S. Mary Kay (Sweeney) Rogge ’67; 9/18 M.S. ’87; 9/18 ’88; 8/18 9/18 George D. Radcliffe ’72, M.S. ’79; J. Robert Ulbrich ’67; 8/18 9/18 80s 90s Laurel L. (Stine) Anderson ’73; Lawrence S. Adolph, M.S. ’68; 7/18 John A. Doyle ’80; 7/18 Timothy R. Downard ’90; 8/18 9/18 Joyce I. (Neunaber) Bishop, M.S. Donald A. Laken, M.S. ’81; 8/18 Keith P. White ’90; 7/18 ’69; 8/18 Jay C. Dralle ’73; 9/18 M. Duane Miller ’81; 8/18 Janis R. (Howell) Herzog, M.S. Darhl G. Brown ’69, M.S. ’72; 9/18 Janace (Hatchett) Maclin ’73; 8/18 Jean (Bock) Netzley, MBA ’81; 5/18 ’91; 8/18 Robert W. Cummins Jr., M.S. ’69; Forrest C. Schuneman ’73; 12/17 Donna J. Taylor, M.S. ’81; 1/18 Marcia L. (Dales) Mays ’92; 9/18 7/18 Robert A. Watt ’73; 8/18 Rebecca J. (Morgensen) Ansher D’Wayne A. Copper ’94; 3/15 Bernadette D. (Lindstrom) Schro­ Robert J. Winchester, M.A. ’73; ’82; 7/18 Jan C. Yoder ’94; 7/18 eter ’69; 6/18 7/18 Bradley G. Kruse ’82; 9/18 Cynthia M. (Haring) Beal ’97; 8/18 Robert A. Sikorski ’69; 9/18 Terrence “Deg” D. Farrelly, ’74; James M. Olivero, M.S. ’82; 7/18 Erica A. (Altman) Heilmann ’97; Barbara A. (Fessenmeyer) Tan, 6/18 9/18 M.S. ’69; 7/18 Marwood J. Kidd ’74; 9/18 Jay A. Johnson ’83; 8/18 L. Alaine Kubal ’97; 6/18 Susan J. (Marlett) Brown ’75; 9/18 Patricia J. (Hazen) Wirtz ’83; 9/12 Joan P. (Laren) Milward ’97; 9/18 70s Mary Lou (Miller) Day ’75, M.S. Martha E. (Birk) Marcheschi ’84; ’77; 10/12 11/17 Carl O. Caneva ’98; 6/18 Michael D. Bates ’70; 6/18 William T. Seamon ’75; 8/18 Jack E. Matheney, Ed.D. ’84; 8/18 Barry J. Beagles ’70; 9/18 Stephen A. Tomlin ’75; 10/18 Patricia Green ’85; 11/12 00s Judith K. (Basine) Buchholz ’70; Yvonne. T. Suhor ’85; 9/18 10/17 Charles A. Cooley II ’76; 7/18 Eric J. Cornelius, MBA ’00; 8/18 Janet (Welch) (Brownfield) Tuttle, Donald L. Eiker, M.S. ’70; 8/18 Barbara J. Roben ’76; 6/18 Marjorie S. Gentry ’01; 7/18 M.S. ’85; 8/18 Lee Chao, M.S. ’71; 6/18 Edward A. Stomiany ’76; 2/18 Paul D. Strohman ’06; 9/18 Daniel P. Dwyer ’86; 10/18 Roger W. Kumle ’71; 8/18 Cynthia M. (McCarter) Summers Lindsey R. Glover ’08; 8/18 ’76; 9/18 Richard L. Batterton ’87; 8/18 John J. Rokos ’71, M.S. ’73; 8/18 Keven T. Meyer ’08; 7/18 Anthony J. Basile ’77; 8/18 Hazel F. (Boyd) DeFore, M.S. ’88; Nancy L. Zang ’71; 7/18 7/18 Aileen R. (Ford) Wheaton ’77; 8/18 Editor’s note: Vicki (Hill) Brooks Glenn R. Britt ’72; 7/18 Linda J. (Hoerr) McMullen, M.S. Brad Forch ’78, M.S. ’80; 9/18 ’76 was reported as deceased in the Charles A. Forbes ’72; 8/17 ’88; 7/18 Blondean (Holmes) Grice ’78; 8/18 November 2018 issue of Illinois Susan C. (Mangold) Milligan ’72; Laura C. (Peterson) Roman, M.S. State. She is thankfully alive and Robert E. Halladay ’79; 7/18 8/18 ’88; 8/18 well. The magazine staff sincerely Greg Patton ’79; 8/18 regrets the error.

40 Illinois State April 2019 Thanks to you! Ruth (Baughman) Oesch ’61 credits her rewarding nurs- the Bloomington-Normal area, and helped develop the ing career to the preparation she received as a student community’s first intensive care unit. of Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN). She holds Prior to her retirement, Oesch worked as a health equal appreciation for the donor who provided the care instructor and liaison to higher education institu- scholarship funds she needed to pursue her passion. tions for years. Her efforts on behalf of Mennonite Col- “I was the oldest of four children,” Oesch said. lege of Nursing have included serving as president of “Without my scholarship, I don’t know whether I the alumni association, as well as being a strong advo- would have been able to complete my degree work. It cate while a member of the Mennonite Hospital School helped my parents and me a great deal.” of Nursing Board of Trustees. The impact financial aid had on shaping her life With MCN’s 100th anniversary celebration this inspired Oesch to create the Ruth A. Oesch Endowed year, there seemed to Oesch no better time to endow Scholarship with a commitment of $50,000. Recipients her scholarship. She is pleased to support the future of will be registered nurses working to advance with a nursing overall by investing in the next generation of bachelor’s degree, or nursing undergraduates pursuing Mennonite College of Nursing graduates. a master’s in the field. Will you make a difference by supporting your passion? Make a “Nursing will continue to play a prominent role in contribution to Redbirds Rising: The Campaign for Illinois State by going health care throughout the world,” Oesch said. “I want online to RedbirdsRising.IllinoisState.edu, or calling (309) 438-8184. to do something to ensure that as I and my family get For information about supporting Illinois State through estate planning, visit GiveTo.IllinoisState.edu, or call (309) 438-8184. older, there are well-educated nurses to help us with everything we encounter as health care consumers.” Oesch has been dedicated to providing qual- ity care others have need throughout her career. She established the first post-operative recovery room in Advancement Operations Campus Box 8000 Normal, IL 61790-8000

The show goes on Since its establishment by Clifford “Pop” Horton in 1929, Gamma Phi Circus has showcased the talents of students from across majors. Now the oldest collegiate circus in North America, Gamma Phi has trained students in acrobatic and circus acts that range from fire-eating performances to trapeze and dance routines. Circus alumni reconnected to celebrate Gamma Phi’s 90 years on campus earlier this month prior to an annual spring performance in Redbird Arena.