VOLUME 14 • NUMBER 4• MAY 2014 Jungle classroom Jungle leads to Costa Ricanadventure leads toCosta forlearning quest Biology students’ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03 ALUMNI EDITOR Zach Parcell ’08 COPY EDITOR Kevin Bersett LEAD DESIGNERS FirstWord Dave Jorgensen, M.S. ’03 Michael Mahle Four years to finish a degree seemed like an eternity DESIGNERS to me when I arrived at Illinois State as a freshman. The thought of navigating through Jeff Higgerson ’92 all the classes, papers, and projects on the journey between the first and final semester Carol Jalowiec ’08 Jon Robinson M.S. ’12 was overwhelming. WEB EDITOR So were the goodbyes at move-in. I vividly remember watching as my parents pulled Ryan Denham away from the curb that hot August evening in 1980. The car had been emptied of all my PHOTOGRAPHER Lyndsie Schlink ’04 belongings. They were heading home with nothing but memories to fill what had been PRODUCTION COORDINATOR my spot in the backseat. Tracy Widergren ’03 Colby 1079 was my new home, a WRITERS Steven Barcus ’06, M.S. ’09 fact that seemed surreal as I walked to Kevin Bersett Ryan Denham the elevator and hit the button for what Tom Nugent my floormates affectionately called ‘the EDITORIAL INTERN penthouse.’ Kelsey Lutz That first evening was filled with Illinois State (USPS 019606) is published quarterly for members of the Illinois State University Alumni introductions, nervous laughter, pizza Association at Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main Street, from Garcia’s, and a sense of camarade- Normal, Illinois 61790-3100. Periodicals postage paid at Normal, Illinois, and at additional mailing offices. rie that forced me to stop focusing on Magazine editorial offices are located at 1101 N. the distance from my Quincy home. It Main Street, Normal, Illinois 61790-3100; telephone (309) 438-2586; facsimile (309) 438-8057; email was a crucial start to gaining a colle- [email protected]; Website IllinoisState.edu/ giate confidence and enthusiasm that carried me through the first year. Magazine. Postmaster: Send address changes to Illinois State, Illinois State University, Campus Box I was soon convinced I had the best place to live on campus and eagerly returned 8000, Normal, IL 61790-8000. the next year, this time claiming Colby 1081. I came back yet again the summer before my Material may be reprinted with prior approval, provided no commercial endorsement is implied senior year, serving as a Preview Guide for the freshman orientation program that was and credit is given to the author, to Illinois State University, and to Illinois State. housed in that hall. Website: IllinoisState.edu It’s been decades since I carried a key to South Campus. Since then I returned to the An equal opportunity/affirmative action university classroom for a second degree and have had the privilege of making my career at Illinois encouraging diversity 14-0008. This document is available in alternative formats upon request by State for nearly 20 years. The ISU memories have grown exponentially, and yet Colby contacting Alumni Relations at (309) 438-2586. Hall remains among the fondest of all. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS News that Atkin-Colby and Hamilton-Whitten demolition work will begin this Jerry Kerber ’74, Kathy Coyle Murdoch ’86 President Bob Navarro ’91, M.S. ’93, fall is consequently hard to hear. The closing in 2012 was difficult enough, but seeing a Greg Ayers ’90 Ph.D. ’02 wrecking ball swing will be an even more emotional moment. I now have a much more Lisa Castleman ’96 Tim Pantaleone ’07 Jeff Charnogorsky ’85 Scott Preston ’10 compassionate understanding of the feelings alums shared with me when their residence Bob Freitag ’84 Doug Reeves ’69 hall or classroom building was cleared as part of a campus master plan. Jennifer Groezinger ’02 Kaci Rollings ’94 The decision for the South Campus halls, which opened in the early 1960s, was Michele Pfeilschifter Steve Smith ’89, M.S. ’93 Guadalupe ’01 Alice Spann ’78 reached when changes in Illinois fire codes made it too expensive to bring the buildings Dave Horstein ’08 Gary Tiffany ’74 to compliance. The footprint will remain as green space until plans are finalized for any Julie Jones ’90 Martin Vanags ’84 Dan Kelley ’70 Mike Willis ’82 future construction. Emily Miller Kimmey ’99, Jerry Wright ’62, M.S. ’66 Regardless of what structure eventually stands on that corner of campus, my mind M.S. ’01 Linda Yap ’74, ’81 Daniel Lopez, Ph.D. ’02 will envision banter over breakfast in Feeney, lights burning late before finals, and friend- Betty Kinser ’73, M.S. ’75, Lois (Rademacher) Mills Board of Trustees ships that did not fade with time. I will remember the days and ways I first experienced ’62, M.S. ’69 Alumni Liaison my Redbird life, and I will remain grateful. Let us hear from you! Your feedback is appreciated. Send comments or suggestions, Class Notes, Letters to the Editor, How We Met and Legacy stories, as well as Where Are They Now and Reggie Reads submissions to Susan Blystone at [email protected], or mail to Campus Box 3420, Normal, IL 61790. Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03 Editor, Illinois State Volume 14, Number 4, May 2014 FEATURES 8 One wild classroom Biology students annually exchange the tradi- tional laboratory routine for the experience of hands-on research in Costa Rica’s rain forest. Biology professors Joseph Armstrong and Steven Juliano led a team through 10 days of explora- tion and exotic study that sparked a passion and confidence in the next generation of scientists. 14 Probing through plays John Flynn, M.S. ’74, was a successful TV producer in Los Angeles. He left that career to pursue his passion—live theater. Flynn’s deci- sion to establish an L.A. venue with a focus on producing new plays that challenge audiences philosophically was a risk. Seven years later, 14 Rogue Machine Theatre is sweeping awards. 18 Change agents ISU’s Peace Corps program is one example of how the University’s reach extends far beyond the U.S. border, as participants help communi- ties improve and flourish. Returned volunteers partner with students about to leave for service through the campus program that is praised as one of the best in the nation. 23 No simple solution Bullying continues to cause heartache and capture headlines across the country. As a leader 23 18 in training teachers, the University is actively engaged in taking a stand for change through research and action by faculty and students. They have learned there is no easy answer to a problem that reaches far beyond childhood. DEPARTMENTS 2 University News 6 Redbird Athletics 26 Alumni Awards 8 28 Alumni Connections What’s trending on 30 Class notes A Former Redbird stars on NBC’s new TV show Chicago P.D. Illinois State in the snow, images captured then and now On the cover: Nothing on campus can compare to the hands-on science research students tackle in Central Alum, professor team up to launch a 3-D printing business America. Photo by biology student Katilyn Gerstner. Read those stories and more at IllinoisState.edu/STATEside UniversityNews Larry Dietz named president Resignation creates leadership change llinois State’s Vice President for “I will continue to rely on my col- attending the Iraq Education Initiative Student Affairs, Larry Dietz, leagues in this new role to do the work on behalf of Southern. became the University’s 19th outlined in Educating Illinois, our stra- Brent Paterson, senior associate vice president in March. He replaced tegic plan,” he said. “I don’t think the president for Student Affairs, will lead ITimothy Flanagan, who resigned after University will miss a beat.” the division through June 30, 2016. For- serving seven months. Hired in 2011 to lead Student merly at Texas A&M University, he holds Dietz holds a doctorate in higher Affairs, Dietz came to Illinois State from a doctorate in higher education admin- education administration and is tenured Southern Illinois University in Carbon- istration. in the College of Education. He was dale. He was vice chancellor for Student Dietz named Mennonite College a finalist in ISU’s national search con- Affairs on that campus for a decade and of Nursing Dean Janet Krejci as inter- ducted in 2013 following President Al oversaw the campus outreach in several im provost effective July 1. She holds Bowman’s retirement. countries. He has held administrative a Ph.D. in nursing and has worked as a “I got into this business more than positions at the University of Missouri- clinical nurse specialist and leadership 40 years ago, and this business is a spe- Kansas City and Iowa State University consultant in acute and long term care. cial business. We are in the business of as well. Provost Sheri Everts accepted the posi- changing lives,” Dietz said. He expressed His international experience tion of chancellor at Appalachian State gratitude to the Board of Trustees and includes representing the American University in North Carolina, creating thanked the campus community for its Universities Iraq Consortium, as well as the vacancy. support and encouragement. 2 Illinois State May 2014 Millions in grant money targeted at principals The Center for the Study of Education Policy has been awarded $4.64 million from the U.S. Department of Education. The five-year School Leadership Pro- gram grant allows ISU to build on work designing new state policies for prepar- ing highly effective principals. “There are no great schools with- out great principals and teachers,” U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. “These grants aim to support the devel- opment of these leaders, ultimately improving the effectiveness of educa- tors and the academic achievement of students.” Universities and high-need school districts have come together in formal partnerships aimed at improving the way principals are prepared and developed in Illinois.