VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 3• FEBRUARY 2011 Turnaround ARemarkable STATE IllinoisSTATE the team. becameachangeagentfor He thanabeliever. more Blunk was alumnus Jay ISU Cup. the Stanley andwin couldrebuild Blackhawks doubtedtheChicago Many PUBLISHER Stephanie Epp, Ed.D. ’07 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03 ALUMNI EDITOR FirstWord Annette States Levitt ’96, M.S. ’02 CLASS NOTES EDITOR With March Madness about to begin, Nancy Neisler the spotlight is on collegiate basketball. Our own Redbirds are gearing up for the COPY EDITORS Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Missouri, where I hope you will join me in Steven Barcus ’06, M.S. ’09 cheering on our teams. LEAD DESIGNERS I am always impressed by our student-athletes. They work diligently as individuals Dave Jorgensen, M.S. ’03 Michael Mahle to achieve their personal academic goals, then come together and exert even more effort DESIGNERS as competitors determined to bolster pride Jeff Higgerson ’92 Carol Jalowiec ’08 in the University while battling for points Jon Robinson on the scoreboard. WEB EDITOR Brian Huonker ’92 Our athletic events are perhaps PHOTOGRAPHER the most obvious example of excellence Lyndsie Schlink ’04 through teamwork at ISU, yet there are PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Mary (Mulhall) Cowdery ’80 stellar “players” assembled across campus. WRITERS Let me take a moment to shine a proverbial Kate Arthur spotlight on the team behind the scenes. Michael Boyd JoAnna Stephens Mink Within the Admissions and Financial Cassie Monroe Aid offices, for example, there are staff who EDITORIAL INTERNS Cassie Monroe spend days, nights, and weeks traveling Lisa Shelton throughout Illinois—tirelessly telling the Illinois State (USPS 019606) is published quarterly Illinois State story as they recruit and 61790-3100. Periodicals postage paid at Normal, Illinois, and at additional mailing offices. retain high school graduates with proven Magazine editorial offices are located at 1101 North potential. Main Street, Normal, Illinois 61790-3100; telephone (309) 438-2586; facsimile (309) 438-8057; e-mail Faculty work year round to advance [email protected]; Web site www.IllinoisState. the University’s mission by challenging edu/alumni. Postmaster: Send address changes to Illinois State, Illinois State University, Campus Box these students to exceed their expectations as they pursue their passion. As a teacher 8000, Normal, IL 61790-8000. myself I appreciate how much effort it requires to keep current in your discipline, then Voluntary subscriptions of $25 per year to help defray the mounting expenses associated with publishing to patiently and practically bring that knowledge to the classroom. Illinois State are greatly appreciated. Checks payable to the Illinois State Foundation can be sent to Alumni Add to the mix the research, committee work, and public service commitments, and Relations, Campus Box 3100, Normal, IL 61790-3100. I am confident in saying that although we don’t have the largest faculty in the state, we Call Alumni Relations at (309) 438-2586 with any questions. have the hardest working and most productive. Material may be reprinted with prior approval, There are myriad others on staff who support students with a wide spectrum of provided no commercial endorsement is implied and credit is given to the author, to Illinois State programs and services. They keep students healthy and safe. They keep our campus University, and to Illinois State. cozy and make certain our buildings are not just clean but wired for technology. Because Web site: IllinoisState.edu An equal opportunity/affirmative action university of our dedicated employees’ efforts students are able to register for classes, enjoy encouraging diversity 11-0004 exceptional meals, find encouragement, travel abroad, gain leadership skills, and get This document is available in alternative formats upon request by contacting Alumni Relations involved in community service. at (309) 438-2586. Every time I talk with students, alumni, or friends of Illinois State I hear heart- warming stories of how members of the ISU family make a difference in the lives of others. I hope that you will take a moment today and express your appreciation. I know it is not often enough that I pause and voice my own heartfelt gratitude for everything our Let us hear from you! Your feedback is appreciated. exceptional team members do to make Illinois’ first public university its finest university. Send comments or suggestions, Class Notes, Letters to the Editor, How We Met and Legacy stories, as well as Where Are They Now and Reggie Reads submissions to Susan Blystone at [email protected], or mail to 1101 N. Main Street, Normal, IL 61790. Al Bowman President, Illinois State University Illinois STATE Volume 11, Number 3, February 2011 FEATURES 8 One powerful pen The adage that a picture is worth a thou- sand words has been proven by alumnus Eric Rohmann ’80, M.S. ’85. The illustrations in his children’s picture books captivate young and old readers alike. Rohmann’s extraordinary talent has earned him the highest national honor in children’s literature. 12 Reheating the ice Jay Blunk ’86 left his Chicago Cubs vice presi- dent position to work at rebuilding a hockey team Windy City fans had nearly forgotten. That goal was accomplished as the Blackhawks captured the Stanley Cup with a 2010 season considered “the most remarkable turnaround in 8 the history of sports in the U.S.” 16 A literal stand-out Christian Stoinev was born to perform. He 16 acquired international fame before joining ISU’s Gamma Phi Circus. Now a sophomore, Stoinev wows audiences with his ability to complete complicated contortions with one hand, while balancing his pet dog. 20 Sparkling venue and menu The transformation within Campus Dining Ser- vices will surprise even recent graduates. Expan- sive options and improved dishes are served in a restaurant atmosphere. Upgrades have resulted 12 in a more environmentally friendly operation that now more than ever is a plus in recruiting students. DEPARTMENTS 2 University News 6 Redbird Athletics 26 Alumni Awards 28 Alumni Connections 20 30 Class Notes Illinois State on your iPad? On the cover: Blunk will never forget the thrill of Take Illinois State with you anywhere you go. Just go to celebrating the Blackhawks’ first Stanley Cup IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine on your mobile device. championship since 1961. UniversityNews Bell replica enriches Founders Day tradition Faculty trio creates unique campus treasure ach February individuals The Varners, who joined the Katrin Varner, joined the College of from across the campus University in 1975, gave a financial Business faculty in 2000. community participate in gift for the solid bronze bell. Car- Reid ’87, M.S. ’91, M.F.A. ’96, a Founders Day bell cer- son teaches in finance insurance and is an instructor and bronze-casting emony.E The bell rings for each year law. Now retired, Iris was a man- specialist. “As an Illinois State alum- since the University was established agement and quantitative methods nus, I knew it would be a very special in 1857. faculty member. She was director casting,” he said, noting the bell was The ceremony is especially of the International Business Insti- cast in the University’s foundry. The meaningful for Carson and Iris Var- tute. Together they developed the strong ISU ties please the Varners. ner from the College of Business, interdisciplinary international busi- “We are so proud to be part of and College of Fine Arts instructor ness major that helped make ISU a university whose mission is to give Randy Reid. They united to create a the center of international business the premiere undergraduate educa- replica of the Old Main Bell that sits education in Illinois. Their daughter, tional experience in Illinois,” Carson on the Quad. said. Building a replica Go online to IllinoisState.edu/alumni-magazine for coverage and photos from this year’s Founders Day celebration, as well as a video of the work involved to create the Old Main Bell replica. 2 Illinois State February 2011 State Farm recognized with building name The long-standing partnership between State Farm Insurance Companies and Illinois State University has been recog- nized with the naming of the College of Business Building as the State Farm Hall of Business. Illinois State has received support from State Farm Companies Foundation over the years, with more than half of their funding going to programs within the College of Business. In 1999 a grant of $9 million provided seed money that helped to leverage additional funds for construction of the College of Business building, which opened in 2005. “State Farm’s financial support made it possible for us to construct a state-of-the-art building for our College of Business, which is ranked as one of the top 100 undergraduate business schools in the nation,” President Al Bowman said. “The company’s ongoing support of academic programs and research has Nick Tardi, a graduate student in the School of Biological Sciences, uses the new scanning electron microscope. played an important role in helping the College of Business establish its excel- digital image results without a lengthy Illinois State our students have demon- lent reputation.” preparation process of specimens. The strated that it is an investment that yields State Farm CEO Ed Rust said the scanning process allows scientists to high returns.” company is “honored to be recognized understand such things as surface topog- Illinois State awards merit-based for its ongoing commitment to the Col- raphy and chemical composition of a scholarships through the Presidential lege of Business. We’re proud of our specimen. and University Scholars programs, and long-standing relationship with the Uni- It is being used at ISU in many provides assistance to hundreds of stu- versity, and of the fact that more than ways, including for elemental analy- dents through scholarships funded by 4,000 Illinois State alumni work at State sis; the study of structures in plant and gifts to the Illinois State Foundation.