Join us in applauding these accomplished Illinois State University alumni.
Appears InActing on success
Before LaRoyce Hawkins starred on the NBC police drama Chicago P.D., he studied acting at Illinois State. The native of the Chicago suburb Harvey became a word artist, musician, and stand-up comic appearing on Comedy Central’s South Side. He is also an actor who plays the role of police officer Kevin Atwater on the hit series. Hawkins sees the show as helping viewers reimagine police work. When not on stage or set, Hawkins works as a community activist. His charity work for the Salvation Army earned him an Emmy. He also led Hood Development, a creative campaign to heal underserved communities.
Serving those who serve
Christina (Teetsov) Etchberger ’11 is the founder and CEO of It’s a Military Life (IML) Corporation. The network advances resiliency and community involvement while building relationships. Etchberger is an Army spouse and mother of two little boys currently living in South Korea. IML began as a lifestyle blog to bring the military community together and has evolved into a nonprofit organization. Etchberger provides educational and resourceful programs for the military community as a whole. Professional volunteers consist of military spouses, veterans, service members, and fellow patriots who do outreach work that engages all ages from children to grandparents.
Beyond the bench
Political science alumnus Michael McCuskey ’70 retired from a judicial career in 2020. He was elected a circuit judge in 1988, served in the 3rd District Appellate Court, and later became a U.S. District Court judge upon nomination by President Bill Clinton. He is now legislative inspector general in Illinois. The position extends his commitment to serve. He was on ISU’s Board of Trustees and is a past chair. A member of ISU’s College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, McCuskey served on the University’s Alumni Association Board and Attorneys Advisory Council. He has numerous accolades, including an honorary degree from ISU.
Looking for love
Chassidy Mickale ’09 participated in the hit series Love is Blind, which aired in February. The program pairs eligible singles who get to know each other without meeting in person to determine if love is truly blind. Mickale of Chicago did not leave with an engagement, but she has no regrets. The fashion design and merchandising graduate considers the reality show experience an opportunity to become a better communicator and more vulnerable in a relationship. She continues to operate the beauty concierge service she owns, Your Image Matters LLC, and advises others to “take a leap and bet on yourself.”
