Gary and Judy Fish exemplify why Illinois State can claim to be a place where faculty and staff care about students. Their kindness to Bill McMichael empowered him to finish his business administration degree in 1980. Personal interaction with students is what made an Illinois State career so meaningful for the couple.
Gary is a CPA who joined the accounting faculty in 1966. “I chose Illinois State because it was a great place of opportunity,” he said, recalling how he helped build the curriculum and hire additional faculty. He even secured the department’s first gift while teaching undergraduate and graduate classes.
Judy taught at the junior high level before joining the University’s Academic Advisement Center in 1974. Both created a strong bond with their students up to the time of retirement, which was in 1996 for Judy and 1997 for Gary.
They continue to participate in campus activities, with Gary still involved in professional affiliations. The volunteer work allows for much travel. They also treasure time with family, which includes sons Terry, Rob, and Mike, as well as five grandchildren. Volunteer and church outreach is also an important part of their lives, as Gary and Judy continue to make it their mission to care for others.
Gary and Judy Fish, 1908 Oakwood Avenue, Bloomington, IL 61704
garyfish@ilstu.edu or judyfish@comcast.net
Editor’s note: Are there former mentors you would like to connect with again? Illinois State
staff will find them and share their updates in a future issue, including contact information.
Send the names to Susan Blystone at sjblyst@IllinoisState.edu, call (309) 438-2667, or mail
to 1101 N. Main Street, Normal, IL 61790.
