This year’s Homecoming marked the end of the Alumni Association’s 150th celebration, which made the opportunity to serve as king and queen even more meaningful for Andrew Purnell and Lois (Zimmerman) Young.
Purnell ’57 completed a degree in mathematics and enjoyed a lengthy career as a teacher and administrator before retiring. He served in the military and is a founding member of ISU’s Black Colleagues Association. Purnell is a past member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and a recipient of the E. Burton Mercier Alumni Service Award. He resides in Matteson.
Young ’60 graduated from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. She retired as a teaching assistant with Normal Unit 5 school district. She is an active member of the University’s Half Century Club and has taken the lead in keeping home economics graduates from across decades connected. She and her husband, Gary, reside in Bloomington.
Purnell and Young participated in Homecoming events in October. Go to IllinoisStateHomecoming.com to find photos and video clips from the week of activities.
