Oscar wins a Tony
Appears InSean Hayes, LHD ’13, earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in Good Night, Oscar. Hayes plays the titular role in the comedy-drama, which ran from April to August on Broadway. The show first premiered in 2022 at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. Hayes is a veteran actor of stage and screen who earned wide acclaim for his role of Jack McFarland on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, for which he earned Primetime Emmy and Screen Actors Guild awards. He currently co-hosts two podcasts: Just Jack & Will, alongside former Will & Grace co-star Eric McCormack; and Smartless, with Jason Bateman and Will Arnett.
Outstanding educator
Kathleen Lopez-Rodriguez ’94 won a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership. The principal of Charter Oak Primary School in Peoria, Rodriguez was one of 130 principals from across the state nominated for the award. Her high standards and efforts to raise student achievement were cited in her nomination, along with establishing partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois and the Peoria Humane Society. The award came with a $10,000 prize, half for programs at her school and half for her own professional development. Rodriguez will use the latter to pursue a doctorate at Illinois State.
On the air
Dr. Kenneth E. Harris Jr. ’84 won a Wisconsin Broadcasters Association’s award for Best Radio Show Large Market, in the news and talk category, for Truth in the Afternoon with Dr. Ken Harris. The show airs weekdays from 4-6 p.m. on 101.7-FM The Truth, an audio platform that embraces Milwaukee’s Black community. Harris gained valuable experience during his time at Illinois State University, working for student radio station WZND, as well as local stations WGLT and WJBC. He previously freelanced in radio and TV for Warner Brothers, 60 Minutes, and Black Entertainment Television. Harris is a former police officer, retiring as a police lieutenant in 2017.
First in firefighting
Ronnie Marmitt ’97 was sworn in as the first female assistant fire chief in East Peoria Fire Department (EPFD) history in May. A former standout member of Illinois State’s softball team, Marmitt initially planned to pursue a career in dentistry before being lured back to the softball team as an assistant coach. She eventually decided to try another career path and first volunteered for the West Peoria Fire Department. She joined the EPFD in 2005 as the department’s second female firefighter. She was promoted to lieutenant in 2015. In her new role, Marmitt helps oversee a force of nearly 50 firefighters.
