In each issue Redbird Impact highlights an Illinois State faculty or staff member who exemplifies the University’s core value of civic engagement. The fall 2022 Campus Hero is Dave Bentlin ’88, ’92, administrative assistant to President Terri Goss Kinzy.
Bentlin, 59, arrived on campus in 1980 from his hometown of Wenona, just up the road about an hour north on Interstate 39. He wasn’t sure of his major when he began college, so after a couple of years as a full-time student he went to work full time for the University. His first job on campus was in Old Union working as a receptionist in Media Services, which later morphed into Classroom Technologies. Since that time he’s worked on two minority grant projects in Special Education followed by extended stints in University Advancement and Student Affairs and has been in his current position since 2014.
In addition to Illinois State, another constant for Bentlin has been his community involvement. His longtime volunteer work includes: founding member and board member of the Prairie Pride Coalition, Bloomington/Normal’s LGBTQ+ community organization; member of the Carle BroMenn LGBTQ Healthcare Advisory Council; member of the Community Advisory Group for Equality Illinois; and treasurer for the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Eventually Bentlin did earn two degrees at Illinois State, one in history education and the second in mass communications journalism. In 2017, he was honored at the Founders Day celebration with the Strand Diversity Award.
For someone who arrived on campus unsure of his direction, this four-decade long relationship between Bentlin and his alma mater/employer is working out well so far. He continues to serve Illinois State, its students, and the greater community.
The following Q&A with Bentlin was conducted in June. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Could you describe your role as administrative assistant to President Kinzy?
I assist President Kinzy in managing her schedule, plan her travel to conferences, meetings, and other work-related events, and assist with the work that comes from her desk. I also serve as the support liaison to the Board of Trustees and assist with the preparation of materials and the details associated with the quarterly meetings and retreats.
It is fulfilling work and a great opportunity to learn so much more about the inner workings of the University. It’s interesting to observe specific projects like the planning for the College of Engineering come to fruition.
To her credit, President Kinzy has brought energy to the projects she inherited from Dr. (Larry) Dietz’s administration and has introduced several new ideas for the University to grow. In some ways this period might be comparable to the late 1960s and early 1970s when the University morphed from primarily a teaching college to a four-year, comprehensive university.
Since students are part of the team in your office, why is working with them important to you?
The President’s Office values having a student staff. For one, it’s a reminder that students are the lifeblood of the University. While their time here is relatively short we try, as a university, to provide experiences for them in and outside the classroom that are important to their development. Their job experience in our office enhances their resumes and provides them a good on-the-job experience. From a personal perspective, and as someone who is getting closer to retirement, working with these young people gives me more hope for the future of our society.
You’ve been here a long time, what’s been your favorite part of working at Illinois State?
I have been here for over 36 years, but I did have a career mid-life crisis and spent nine months in the late 1990s as an employee at State Farm. It turned out to be a nine-month experiment, and in the short time away it reinforced what I love about working at ISU. There is a type of excitement and opportunity here that I missed, and I was lucky enough to return in 1999 as administrative assistant to the vice president for University Advancement.
While it is true the work we do is not always fun, it’s ultimately rewarding, and I especially appreciate all the good people who collectively make this University thrive. I’ve worked with some of the best people over the years including mentors who gave me opportunities I never would have had.
Two very important people who served as mentors are Dr. Susan Kern, who was the VP for University Advancement when I was hired in her office in 1999. It was an uncertain time in my life, and her trust in me and the opportunities she provided me helped me in so many ways.
Another person who nurtured and encouraged me is President Emeritus Dr. Larry Dietz. I began working with him when he was hired as VP for Student Affairs in 2011, and we worked together up until his retirement last year. As with Dr. Kern, he offered me opportunities for growth that have truly enhanced my experience at Illinois State.
Is there an accomplishment or an honor that you’re most proud of from your time here?
I received the David A. Strand Diversity Achievement Award in 2017. It meant a lot to me because diversity and social justice are a big part of my personal life as well as my work here at ISU. I appreciate working for an employer that embraces and encourages its employees to become involved in initiatives that help make the University a better environment for all people. I also appreciate working in a place where I can be myself.
You’ve been the president of the Prairie Pride Coalition, Inc. for a decade, can you talk about your commitment to social justice in the Bloomington-Normal community?
We started the organization in the mid-1990s because there were no laws that protected the LGBTQI+ community. You could be fired, discriminated against, denied service from restaurants, etc. That was of concern to me and other community members who wanted to live in a community that would be inclusive, fair, and welcoming. ISU had a policy that offered job protections, but that only applied to campus. We didn’t succeed at first, but we persisted, increased community awareness, and dispelled myths in the community. In 2001 and 2002 Normal and Bloomington adopted amendments to local human rights ordinances that expanded nondiscrimination policies to the LGBTQ+ community.
Over the years we have worked on marriage equality, gender identity, and hate crimes legislation issues. We continue that work, but recently we have also worked hard to establish a sense of community among the LGBTQ+ people who live in the Bloomington-Normal area. We have started a book group, a youth group, a group for LGBTQ people who also intersect with people with disabilities, all part of our effort to better serve sectors of our community that have been historically underserved or ignored. Our mission is to make this community a place where people feel they can be their authentic selves, where they can feel at home. I didn’t intend to stay here when I arrived back in 1980 because gay life here was mostly underground, but over time I met a lot of people who had the same hopes. We want a community where people don’t have to leave and go to the big city.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
There’s an ISU fund that’s been around for the last 15 years or so called the LGBTQ Student Support Fund. A group of us created the fund because we heard reports of students who were being disowned by their parents and families because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Students were being forced to drop out of school because their families withdrew financial support for their education. We established the fund so that LGBTQ+ students can stay in school and accomplish what they came here to do: Get a quality education.
There was a time in the mid-2010s where we didn’t get as many requests for assistance, and some of us thought maybe things were getting better. But the last five or six years have seen a steady stream of students needing help, especially during the pandemic when we sent students home to environments that were not safe and welcoming. The need continues, and I’m grateful—both as an employee and an alum—to be associated with a university that strives to do better for all of its students.
