A desire to turn a love of music into a career led two sisters to Illinois State in the 1970s. They enrolled confident they would get a great education at a reasonable price. What they didn’t know is how many family members would follow in their footsteps.
Sisters Mary Ann (Campbell) Sorensen ’78 and Carol (Campbell) Amm ’80 were the first in their family to discover Illinois State. Both graduated with degrees in music education, and both chose as spouses an ISU alum.
Mary Ann married Dennis Sorensen ’76, who majored in agriculture. They reside in Chebanse. Mary Ann works as a band and vocal instructor at Nash Middle School in Clifton. Dennis is the dean of instruction at Kankakee Community College.
Carol married fellow alum Roger Amm ’80, who was a choral and vocal major. She teaches music to grades 4 through 6 at Plano District 88, while Roger teaches vocal music at Ottawa High School. They reside in Ottawa.
With such a solid Illinois State connection established, it’s not surprising the couples encouraged their children to consider the University. Four attended, creating a second generation of Redbirds.
Mary Ann and Dennis Sorensen had two children, Sarah Sorensen ’07 and Brett Sorensen. A biology teacher education major, Sarah is now teaching biology and chemistry in Morton. Brett is enrolled as a senior completing a degree in history education.
Carol and Roger have three children. While the youngest finishes high school, the older two have an Illinois State connection. Christine (Amm) Armstrong ’06 completed an elementary education degree and teaches seventh grade language arts in Plano. Tyler Amm is attending Illinois State as a senior, completing a degree in social work.
Scott Campbell, brother to Mary Ann and Carol, also has an Illinois State connection through his spouse. He married Joyce (Lay) Campbell ’79. She has a degree in family and consumer sciences, and works at BroMenn Healthcare System in Normal. She and Scott reside in Bloomington.
As each successive generation graduated and shared their Illinois State memories, extended family members were encouraged to pursue a degree at the University as well. The Campbell family connection subsequently grew stronger through nieces and nephews.
Following in the footsteps of their aunts, Jennifer (Campbell) Read ’94, and her sister, Melissa (Campbell) Remolina ’91, attended the University as well. Jennifer completed a family and consumer science degree, and is now the design manager for Resource One in Springfield. Her husband, Andy, is employed by the University as the assistant director of marketing at Recreation Services. They reside in Springfield.
Melissa’s degree was in social work. Her husband, Rodrigo Remolina ’92, M.S. ’04, completed degrees in sociology and social work. She is clinical supervisor for the Southern Illinois School of Social Work Integrated Assessment Program in Springfield.
Rod is a social service program planner for the advocacy office of the Department of Children and Family Services in Springfield, where they reside.
Whether related by blood or marriage, the Campbell clan is proud to have such a large Redbird family!
