Jim Pellum ’02 and Christine Gekas ’02 were both freshmen in the fall of 1999. Each had settled into Tri-Towers at the start of the semester, yet they didn’t meet there. It was mutual friends who introduced the two during Springfest events on the Quad. The long walk back from central campus to the residence halls was the start of their fast friendship.
Each kept busy with social and service events tied to their Greek life, as Jim was in Sigma Tau Gamma and Christine pledged Delta Delta Delta. He was part of the Vidette team, while she became active pursuing School of Education opportunities.
Jim chose general finance as a major, while Christine pursued an elementary education degree. And yet their classes brought them together, as they enjoyed study dates at Milner Library. By their junior year, they were a solid couple. Jim proposed following his law school graduation, with the wedding set for July 21, 2006.
Today the two reside in Mt. Prospect. Jim is an attorney with the Illinois Gaming Board, while Christine teaches fourth grade students in Morton Grove. They are the parents of one son, Charlie, and include a yellow lab named Chief in their family.
“We love passing through Bloomington-Normal to walk on the Quad and enjoy cheese balls at the Pub II,” Christine said. “We also discuss the plan for when Charlie could be an ISU freshman in 2029!”
