For alumni and friends of University High School, College of Education, Illinois State University Vol. 18 No. 1 Spring 2013 Alumni Newsletter Book documents Al Eckert’s World War II memoirs Al Eckert didn’t talk about his experi- school,” said Dan Leifel, who collabo- ences as a soldier in World War II rated with Eckert on a book about his and the Battle of the Bulge when he war experiences called Albert Eckert returned home in 1946. PFC. He had enlisted against his parents’ It was Dessa’s daughter, Grace Dessa, wishes, so they didn’t ask him. He fig- who ultimately inspired Eckert to write ured no one else cared. the 100 pages of handwritten notes Once home, life picked up where it that led to the book. had left off. Eckert used the GI Bill to Grace was attending high school in Al Eckert, age 85 Eckert’s book cover attend Eastern Illinois University. He Boston and was assigned a World War met Nancy Clapp, and the two were Nancy and Al II history project. She asked her grand- Eckert on their married in 1947. He graduated with wedding day, father for help. December 12, a math degree and landed a teaching “Dad had all kinds of scrapbooks 1947. job in Strawn. He pursued his master’s and took them apart so she could use degree at the University of Illinois and it,” Su said. “It inspired him to write after graduation was offered a teaching his memoirs.” job at Irving School in Bloomington. Eckert’s son, Jim ’66, told Dan In 1955, he started teaching math at Leifel’s wife, Paula ’67, about the notes. University High School, a position he Jim and Paula had dated in high school continued until his retirement in 1983. and remained friends. Jim knew Dan Through the years, Eckert started was a war history buff and had written sharing some war stories with his several books. daughter, Susan “Su” Eckert Dessa ’75. Al Eckert and family, 1964. “I had a special connection with “Real combat veterans seldom talk dad in regards to World War II and his about combat; it was too horrible. He After the printing, the Leifels had stories,” Dessa said. “As an adolescent, was willing,” said Leifel, a retired Twin a party and presented Eckert with the I could stay up late watching World City attorney who also served in the book. They also gave him a Purple War II movies with dad. He did like to Army. Heart he had earned in the Army but talk—if someone cared to listen.” The book was finished in May Occasionally, Eckert also shared sto- 2009. It has photographs taken during never pursued. ries with his University High classes. Eckert’s service and includes stories of “He was touched by that,” Su said. On December 16, 1964, 20 years when he was a guard at a German pris- “He was speechless.” after he had fought in the Battle of on camp and his transfer to a unit that Eckert died in October 2010 before Bulge, he walked into his classroom served under General George Patton, he and Leifel planned to discuss the and told his students, “I’m going to tell and how his unit survived combat. Battle of the Bulge and the book at a you what I did 20 years ago.” About 250 copies were printed. meeting of the Senior Professionals’ “One student said it was the most Leifel donated one copy to the Morning with the Professors, but Leifel compelling hour he’d ever spent in University High School library. carried through with the meeting. University High School Legacy family Alumni Association Phone: (309) 438-8346 Allie Roop is set to graduate from U-High Website: UHigh.ilstu.edu in 2016, making her the fourth generation Email: [email protected] to be a Pioneer. Her dad, Cory, graduated Facebook: We Are One: U-High Pioneers (Facebook.com/groups/UHighAlumni) in 1992 and currently serves on the U-High Alumni Association. Her grandmother, Ann Board members Hallam Roop, graduated in 1965, and her President great-grandfather, Dick Hallam, was in the Shelley Livingston ’81 Class of 1938. Four distant relatives President-elect also attended U-High, with cousin Bob David Martin ’83 Orendorff ’29 beginning the family tradi- Past president tion. Allie and her family of Pioneers hope Marcy Benjamin Richardson ’94 that her two younger sisters and baby broth- Secretary er will also call U-High their alma mater. Diane Davis Black ’79 Alumni Relations coordinators Barbara Lichty Blunk ’53 Cory Roop ’92 Cory Roop ‘92, Allie Roop ‘16, Maddie Eric Schlipf ’96 Roop, Jordyn Roop, Awards Committee chairs and Parker Roop Elizabeth Fenger Kurt ’99 Janessa Williams ’84 Homecoming chair Dianne Deavers Siverly ’81 In search of Clarions Dana Greskowiac Alvarez ’98 Historian We are looking for copies of the 1968, Dixie Smith Lewis ’64 1970, and 1982 Clarion yearbooks. These issues have disappeared from our set in the Newsletter editor Kathy Coyle Murdoch ’81 U-High library, and we want to preserve our school history and locate replacements. Website coordinator Opportunities for alumni to serve Any yearbooks may be donated Bob Fitzgerald ’92 Clarion If you are interested in serving your and will be accepted at the U-High library. Awards Committee members alma mater, please contact any Yearbooks have been graciously retrieved from Dana Greskowiac Alvarez ’98 board member or email us at David Auth ’85 garage sales, donation piles, and even garbage [email protected]. Kris Albert Burke ’79 cans. So if you come across an extra Clarion, Becky Roderick Ehredt ’73 • President-elect please pass it on to the U-High Alumni Elizabeth Fenger Kurt ’99, chair • Award chair Association. There are many anxious alumni Barbara Bebout Lichty ’50 • Awards Committee members wanting to have a yearbook from their era. Steve Mower ’62 • Homecoming Committee members To purchase yearbooks, contact the Alumni Ed Raydon ’60 • Newsletter editor Association at [email protected] Jill Cooper Richardson ’01 Kristin Walker ’08 • At-large board members or contact Barbara Lichty Blunk ’53, alumni Frank Weiting ’57 relations coordinator, at (309) 452-2414 or Janessa Williams ’84, chair [email protected]. Alumni Board advisor Marc Feaster ’75 Facebook Yvonne Maxey Hougham ’46 At Large board members connection Mark Messman ’83 Please join our Facebook group, We Are Tom Ocheltree ’89 The One: U-High Pioneers, to get the latest Ryan Scritchlow ’01 news on your alma mater at Facebook.com/ Board consultants Pioneer groups/UHighAlumni. This is an open Superintendent, Laboratory Schools Alumni Newsletter group and all may join it and post messages. Jeff Hill Additionally, if you want to know about Volume 18 Number 2, Fall 2013 Principal, University High School daily happenings at U-High, you may want Andrea Markert Published semiannually to “like” the Facebook page Facebook.com/ Illinois State University UniversityHighSchool.NormalIL. In March, University High School the U-High staff, faculty, and administration Campus Box 7100 began posting announcements to students on Normal, IL 61790-7100 Facebook. 2 Superintendent’s greeting Fall at University High School is always a special time. Incoming freshmen are get- ting their first taste of a completely different learning environment where freedom and responsibility are available in abundance. New faculty are becoming familiar with time- honored traditions and the University High School culture. Our new faculty begin to learn how to blend best practice, teacher education, and innovation together to create dynamic teaching and learning. This fall is particularly special as we wel- come our new principal, Andrea Markert. Andrea Markert Steve Evans Mrs. Markert is very familiar with U-High, as she served as teacher and assistant principal prior to accepting the principal position. She brings a wealth of relationships and knowledge of University High School along with her energy, ideas, and enthusiasm! We are very fortunate to have Steve Evans move permanently into the assistant principal’s role. Like Mrs. Markert, Mr. Evans brings several years of experience at University High School as a science teacher and coach and last year served as the interim assistant principal. Mr. Evans has developed great rapport with our students and has done an outstanding job helping make improvements in the facility. Due to their past experiences and familiarity with the school, Mrs. Markert and Mr. Evans value the vital role that U-High alumni play in the life of our school. I know you will find them valuable resources as you reconnect with U-High—as visitors, volunteers, donors, and most importantly, friends. Please take the time to say hello to our two new administrators as you come to campus for a visit. Thank you again for your ongoing support and involvement. I look forward to seeing you at our Homecoming festivities on September 20! Jeff Hill, superintendent, Laboratory Schools In the halls of U-High The class of 2013 was offered over $8,000,000 in scholarships to con- receive advanced teacher preparation through Summer Institutes tinue their education at colleges and universities around the country. that provide early practice and exposure, as well as financial assis- The boys and girls cross country teams won at the Intercity, tance for college. Conference, Regional, and Sectional meets. The boys team placed The U-High boys swim and dive team won Sectionals and qual- 8th in state with one All-State medalist, Brendan Hoskins. The ified for the IHSA state swim meet. Senior diver Brandis Heffner girls team came in 2nd at state with three All-State medialists, captured first place in the preliminary and final rounds of the state Sydney Billingsley, Shannan Supan, and Alexandra Walch.