It was another big year at Illinois State. The University welcomed its largest freshman class in 36 years, once again raised more than $34 million in private funding, and continued work on several major construction projects, including breaking ground on the Mennonite College of Nursing Simulation Center and opening the Indoor Practice Facility.
The University commemorated major milestones such as 100 years of student government and the Redbird and the 50th anniversary of the Bone Student Center, and the Redbird community celebrated the longstanding traditions of Homecoming and commencement, where more than 5,500 Redbirds crossed the stage.
#RedbirdScholar students won national awards and shone at the Image of Research and Three Minute Thesis competitions and the University Research Symposium. Their faculty mentors were awarded high-profile grants for their black hole and climate change research, for driving change in STEM education, and as part of an innovative initiative to encourage cross-disciplinary research at Illinois State.
Well, you get the point. There were too many highlights to highlight this year. Nonetheless, here are 23 more of our favorite stories from 2023 (in chronological order):
Redbird Buzz discusses new College of Engineering with founding dean Dr. Thomas Keyser
In this episode of Redbird Buzz, Dr. Thomas Keyser, founding dean of Illinois State University’s College of Engineering, shares his vision for the new college, set to launch with its first class of students in fall 2025.
Trailblazing professor influenced and empowered hundreds on campus and in the community
Dr. Mildred Pratt fought racism, segregation, sexism, and generational poverty—among countless other obstacles—to achieve a better life and help others do the same. Education, she found, was key.
Hands on the pulse: Professional drummer Andrew “Blaze” Thomas reverberates history
For more than two decades, professional blues drummer Andrew “Blaze” Thomas has given music a pulse through his precise percussion and rhythm. Now, as an Illinois State University history graduate student, Thomas is shifting his focus to amplifying history.
Five questions with Rose Marshack, professor, indie rock bassist, and author of Play Like a Man: My Life in Poster Children
Rose Marshack, director and professor of Creative Technologies at Illinois State University, is a founding member and bassist for Poster Children, an indie rock band formed in 1987. Marshack chronicles her experience “rocking while female” in a new book, Play Like a Man: My Life in Poster Children.
Crossroads Project: Bringing diverse voices center stage
At Illinois State University, the Crossroads Project has advocated for diverse voices to be center stage for more than 20 years through the School of Theatre and Dance. The project has connected students to the work of national and international artists such as Ntozake Shange, August Wilson, Regina Taylor, Nilo Cruz, and Naomi Iizuka.
Drilling into Earth history: Geology major experiences core sampling science on Mediterranean voyage
Illinois State University sophomore geology major Ruby Garey was one of 15 undergraduate students from across the country selected to live, learn, and work aboard the oceangoing research vessel Joides Resolution (JR), on a 10-day voyage in February from Heraklion, Greece, to Tarragona, Spain.
OSF HealthCare, Illinois State launch initiative to transform health care
A newly formalized partnership between Illinois State University and OSF HealthCare will foster research, innovation, and economic development across Illinois.
April Fools’ Day 2023: Illinois State to shed Redbird moniker, become Fighting Pedagogues
A bold vision for Illinois State University’s future includes a not-so-subtle nod to its past. Illinois State is retiring its 100-year-old official nickname of “Redbirds” and will henceforth be known as the “Fighting Pedagogues,” the University announced.
Spotlight on design: Costumes help Gamma Phi Circus shine
Beads sparkle, feathers sway, and fabrics glitter on Illinois State University’s Gamma Phi Circus performers as they swing through the air—the bright stage lights illuminating their costumes.
Graduating Redbirds: Getting a B inspired Enrique Aguirre’s A+ college career
A first-generation college student, Enrique Aguirre got serious about his academics as a Redbird. Receiving a B on his first test in Finite Mathematics marked the beginning of the transformation.
Curtain call: Jane Lynch ’82 returns to Illinois State to direct Lost in Yonkers
Jane Lynch ’82, an Emmy Award-winner with more than 200 credits over the past 30 years, was in her element as a first-time theatrical director at the University where she learned how to act.
Robinson leads Redbirds to MVC title, scores WNBA draft selection
Paige Robinson became the first Illinois State women’s basketball player to be selected in the WNBA Draft when she was picked in the third round, 31st overall, by the Dallas Wings. A graduate transfer from Division II Drury University, Robinson made a profound impact in her lone season as a Redbird. he became the fourth Redbird in program history to earn the Jackie Stiles MVC Player of the Year award after helping Illinois State (24-9, 17-3 MVC) win its first regular-season conference championship since 2009-10.
Mennonite College of Nursing, Memorial Health partner for Springfield nursing education facility
Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) and Memorial Health have partnered to establish a new Springfield location for nursing education.
What’s it like to be Reggie Redbird?: Reggie’s former “helpers” take us under their wing
Being Illinois State University’s No. 1 fan is a lot of work. Luckily, Reggie Redbird has some help. Scores of students have had the opportunity to bring Reggie Redbird to life. So, we asked some of Reggie’s friends: What’s it like?
Nurturing the next generation: Redbirds get early start in research with grant support
Amélie Mwilambwe spent a lot of time with bees this past summer. The Illinois State student’s home away from home was a red-lit laboratory in the Felmley Hall of Science Annex where she raised hundreds of bumblebees on different diets as part of Dr. Ben Sadd’s research team. In an adjacent lab, she examined, dissected, and froze the specimens to study how the microbes in the bees’ guts change and how this affected their health.
Autumnal Festival to celebrate ‘native roots’
Visitors to the 18th annual Autumnal Festival at Illinois State University’s Horticulture Center experienced what it was like, before 1800, to stand amid a three-acre medley of native compass plants (rising 10 feet high), cup plants, purple menarda, goldenrod, and ironweed. The festival’s theme “Native Roots—Honoring Our Connection to Indigenous Plants” called on attendees to learn about the history of Illinois and the Indigenous people who cared for the land.
Dr. Jana Albrecht discusses Illinois State’s largest incoming class in 36 years on Redbird Buzz
Dr. Jana Albrecht, M.S. ’06, Ph.D. ’20, Illinois State University’s associate vice president for enrollment management, joins Redbird Buzz to talk about the fall 2023 incoming class—the University’s largest in 36 years. The class includes 4,147 freshmen, a 4% increase in new freshmen. Total enrollment also increased 1.5% to 20,989.
Weatherman: Graduate student builds wireless network to improve extreme weather forecasting
TV meteorologists catch a lot of grief for faulty forecasts. Instead of grousing on his couch, Matthew Tunberg ’20, M.S. ’22, created a tool to help these prognosticators make more accurate predictions of weather patterns.
An electrifying adventure: Illinois State students and alumni help drive Rivian’s growth in Normal
It was love at first sight for Joshua Nelson ’23, a self-proclaimed “car nerd,” when he first saw Rivian’s sleek, yet rugged, electric pickup truck.
Five things to know about the Illinois State vs. Illinois Wesleyan basketball series
The basketball programs at Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University faced off in an exhibition doubleheader October 29 for the first time in a generation. Learn about the long history of intercity competition.
The music never stopped: A half-century of concerts at Illinois State University
From the “Prince of Darkness” to the “Queen of Soul,” dozens of music’s brightest stars have shined at Illinois State University over the past half-century.
Big Red in the Big Apple: Remembering the Big Red Marching Machine at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Twenty-five years ago, around 46 million television viewers were treated to a melodic feast served up by Illinois State University’s Big Red Marching Machine during the 72nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Graduating Redbirds: Given a second chance, Paige Malloy delivered
Two years after being academically dismissed from Illinois State University, graduating Redbird Paige Malloy earned a bachelor’s degree.
