Illinois State University News

Coronavirus Update

Information about testing locations, vaccinations during break, and monitoring of the Omicron variant.

Brett Werner-Powell and Emily McMahon at the Research Symposium

2022 University Research Symposium registration open

All students who are enrolled at Illinois State University in the spring and engaged in scholarly activity under the direction of a faculty mentor are eligible to register.

10 things every new Illinois State grad should know

Illinois State’s Alumni Association wants to leave you with some quick tips on how to fully take advantage of your new status as a Redbird alum.

Winter 2021 Commencement

Illinois State University will award approximately 956 baccalaureate degrees and 240 graduate degrees at the Winter 2021 Commencement, December 9-11.

Vases, ornaments, glasses - examples of artwork sold at the Holiday Glass Sale

Wonsook Kim School of Art annual holiday art sales

The Wonsook Kim School of Art annual holiday art sales features the Ceramics Sale December 3, the Holiday Glass Sale December 4, and the 37th annual Printmakers Exhibition and Sale that runs through January 21, 2022.

#ObsidianVoices celebrates artistic excellence in the African diaspora, December 3 and 10

Drawing attendance from four continents, #ObsidianVoices provides a space to gather online in celebration of Black literature and arts.

Music for the Holidays concerts, December 4 and 5

Illinois State University’s annual Music for the Holidays is celebrating its 30th anniversary year with concerts on Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5 in the University’s Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.

In the News

Christy Borders speaks to Chicago Tribune on declining assessments in school districts

Ali Riaz quoted in DW report on Bangladeshi politics

Illinois State joins statewide effort to retain and recruit teachers of color

Athletics

Redbirds Fall To No. 6 Purdue In NCAA Tournament First Round

Redbird Student-Athletes Surpass National Average Graduation Rates

Redbirds Take Down Bears in MVC Opener

Visit GoRedbirds.com

Publications

Then and Now: Vidette

Illinois State’s student newspaper has been housed in multiple locations since its start in 1888.

A student poses in a commercial kitchen with packaged food

ISU Food Recovery Network receives national recognition

Redbirds in ISU’s Food Recovery Network were recognized by the national organization as “Top Food Recover-er” for 2020, logging more food recoveries than 99 percent of the FRN chapters in the country.

ISU’s new Innovation Hub looks to spark entrepreneurship, economic growth in McLean County

Momentum is building again for Illinois State’s Innovation Hub.

All Illinois State Publications

Close up photo of Rudy Morr playing a snare drum alongside other members of the drumline.

Day in the life of a Big Red Marching Machine drum captain

No two days in Rudy Morr’s life as an Illinois State student look exactly alike. From new class activities to spur-of-the-moment lunch plans, each day is different. One thing that stays constant? Two hours of marching band practice every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Morr, a junior finance and insurance major and math minor from Chillicothe, is the drum captain for the University’s Big Red Marching Machine (BRMM).

Rudy Morr sits at his desk in his math classroom alongside other students facing the whiteboard.

Day in the life of a Big Red Marching Machine drum captain

Rudy Morr in his first class of the day: Elementary Linear Algebra.

Rudy Morr sits on his couch, typing on his laptop, which is held open on his lap.

Day in the life of a Big Red Marching Machine drum captain

Morr usually takes the time in between classes to work on miscellaneous assignments and tasks.

Rudy Morr dressing a hot dog in his kitchen.

Day in the life of a Big Red Marching Machine drum captain

A hot dog or quick sandwich is a staple of Morr’s lunch.

Rudy Morr talking excitedly with another student in a classroom in the State Farm Hall of Business.

Day in the life of a Big Red Marching Machine drum captain

Morr's second class of the day, Introduction to Risk Management and Insurance, meets in the State Farm Hall of Business.

Morr stands drumming between four students, two on each side.

Day in the life of a Big Red Marching Machine drum captain

Morr played the bass drum for one year in high school but has stuck with the snare since.

Rudy Morr smiles as he drums with other band members. He stands beside other students playing the snare and across from a line of students playing the cymbals.

Day in the life of a Big Red Marching Machine drum captain

Morr joined the Big Red Marching Machine his sophomore year.

Rudy Morr and four other students sit at computers in a computer lab. Morr is talking to Professor Vladimir Kotomin, who stands at the sfront of the room leaning back on a desk.

Day in the life of a Big Red Marching Machine drum captain

Morr and his FDIC Academic Challenge teammates typically meet in the basement of the State Farm Hall of Business. FDIC Academic Challenge is a team competition for undergraduate students that provides them the chance to answer real-world policy questions regarding the banking industry.