2024 was another pivotal year at Illinois State, one marked by change, growth, and an eye to the future. In the spring, the University named Dr. Aondover Tarhule as the new president and Dr. Ani Yazedjian as the new provost. In the summer, University Advancement recorded the third largest fundraising year in school history following a stellar #BirdsGiveBack campaign. In the fall, Illinois State welcomed its largest and most diverse incoming class and launched the RISE (Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence) Initiative to place the University on a strong footing in a challenging higher ed environment. And this winter, we celebrated our latest class of graduating Redbirds.
In 2024, the University also approved the latest iteration of its strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, and the new College of Engineering took a couple of big steps forward with the purchase of its future home and by hosting an innovative immersive media event targeted to the next generation of engineers. Mennonite College of Nursing’s new Simulation Center opened, as did the renovated Vidette Building, which brought the student-run news outlet and WGLT under one roof.
Individual Redbirds also had big years: Jon Farney ’93 rose to CEO of State Farm Insurance, Jennifer Rudnicke ’90 won an Emmy as a casting director for The Bear, and Dr. Natalie Shaheen received a $1.5 million National Science Foundation CAREER grant to make science education more accessible for blind and low-vision students. Redbird student-athletes continued to excel on and off the court, earning second in the Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports Championship standings while setting a departmental GPA record.
Illinois State faculty, staff, students, and alumni made a #RedbirdImpact this year, exceeding goals during June’s civic engagement campaign, supporting State Farm’s and U.S. Hunger’s Million Meal event, serving life-saving roles in their communities, helping lead an initiative to improve air quality in Bloomington-Normal, and encouraging student voting. Unfortunately, Pawfficer Sage, University Police’s beloved community engagement dog, retired and then passed away this fall, but not before impacting the lives of more than 71,000 students, faculty, and community members.
There was a lot going on in 2024, to say the least. Here are 24 of our favorite Illinois State social media posts, stories, and videos from 2024 (in chronological order):
Inspector Trail: Math student creates AI-powered program for U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
Although nobody dies of dysentery in Joseph Wittrock’s Oregon Trail-inspired computer game Inspector Trail, the stakes remain high.
Redbird scholars share what inspires them for International Day of Women and Girls in Science
To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, Illinois State University asked women scholars to share what or who has inspired them to get where they are today and how they feel about teaching the next generation of researchers. Redbird scholars Dr. Rachel Bowden, Dr. Elahe Javadi, Dr. Dawn McBride, Dr. Chang Su-Russell, Dr. Mahua Biswas, and Dr. Ashlihan D. Spaulding talk about the path that led to where they are today.
Honors Exploration era: Students analyze the storytelling of Taylor Swift
As students sporting friendship bracelets and Taylor Swift merchandise filter into a Stevenson Hall classroom the album folklore plays softly in the background. This isn’t a Taylor Swift fan club meeting—at least not officially. It’s an Honors Exploration course about Taylor Swift’s lyricism. Are you ready for it?*
Building up by digging deep: Faculty partner to break international ground at Italian archaeological dig
An archaeological site in Central Italy dating back more than 2,500 years is a special place for two Illinois State University researchers. For the past three years, Associate Professor of History Kathryn Jasper and Professor of Art History Lea Cline have been leading the Northwest Bolsena Archaeological Project at Valle Gianni.
Students make #RedbirdImpact over Alternative Spring Break collecting 23 tons of trash
The power of teamwork was on full display during Illinois State’s Alternative Spring Break trip to Memphis, Tennessee, where students worked with Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) to collect 46,032 pounds of trash in four days.
Behind-the-scenes of In Pieces
School of Theatre and Dance M.F.A. candidate Al Oltmann talks about the spring production In Pieces. Students and cast members Aneesah-Jemei Phillips, Mia-belle Shannon, and Andrew Short talk about their experience working on the production and as students in the program.
Total solar eclipse draws crowd to the Quad
Man of many hats: Illinois State University president newest title for Dr. Aondover Tarhule
When Dr. Aondover Tarhule arrives for a campus event or an important meeting, he turns from the driver’s seat of his SUV to access a makeshift mobile closet stocked with his trademark accessory. In neat stacks spread across the backseat are hats of all varieties and colors. He chooses the one that best fits the occasion.
Spring commencement 2024 recap: Your best photos, posts
Illinois State University granted 2,900 baccalaureate degrees and 639 graduate degrees over the weekend for spring commencement, Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at CEFCU Arena. Redbirds shared their spring commencement experiences on social media all weekend long. Check out this year’s roundup of some of the posts and photos to see why Illinois State is #RedbirdProud of our newest graduating Redbirds.
Redbird Esports Overwatch team earns three national titles and counting
Fresh off three inaugural Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) titles, the Redbird Esports program continues to rack up championship trophies this spring.
Alum’s entrepreneurial spirit brings the B-N community together
Vivian Kong Doctora ’96 thrives on starting new ventures and connecting with people wherever she goes.
Being of service: A teacher and Army veteran inspires his students to honor those who died for their country
Brad Marcy ’09, M.S. ’17, may have been born to be a teacher, but first he had to be a soldier. The notion that he could teach came to him while serving in Iraq.
Not-so-hidden idol: Survivor contestant to appear onstage at Illinois Shakespeare Festival
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival (ISF) has formed an alliance with visiting artist Tevin Davis ahead of its 47th season at Ewing Cultural Center.
Victory lap: Solar Car Raycing Team celebrating its 20th anniversary at summer races
Dr. Daniel Holland vividly recalls when the idea of solar car racing at Illinois State University entered his consciousness. It came when former student Vickram Jhaveri asked the professor and chair of the Department of Physics if students could form a team. Holland inquired how much a solar car cost, and the ambitious student quoted a six-figure price tag.
Golden contributions: Former Redbirds made Olympic history
More than a dozen Redbirds have represented Illinois State University at the Olympic games dating back to 1936, from Doug Collins to Charlotte Lewis. Historian Tom Emery profiles two athletes and a coach who made history at the Olympics: Tidye Ann Pickett, Dr. Nell Jackson, and Cathy Boswell ’83.
Cheering on Redbird football
Crab Lab takes ISU to forefront of climate research with international study
Dr. Wolfgang Stein’s laboratory, known as the Crab Lab, has been researching how extremely hot temperatures affect crabs’ nervous systems. These 10-legged crustaceans could be a bellwether of how the planet’s warming temperatures impact other animals.
New RSO Latinas in STEM provides students ‘the community that they’ve been looking for
Latinas in STEM is a new registered student organization (RSO) at Illinois State University that provides educational and social opportunities for Latina women majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM)-related programs, while also helping them connect through Latinx culture.
How pizza shaped the Redbird experience
Dozens of pizza joints have served up so much more than dinner for generations of students in Normal. Their pizzas, whether round or rectangular, have shaped the Redbird experience.
Illinois State and DESTIHL Brewery partner for officially licensed beers
Just in time for the Homecoming celebration on campus, Illinois State University is partnering with DESTIHL Brewery to launch two new officially licensed beers, Redbird Ale and Battle Bird Lager.
Walking the red carpet: Special education major featured in Girls State attends Emmys
It’s not every day that a student gets an excused absence to attend the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. But that’s exactly what happened to Illinois State University sophomore special education major Maddie Rowan this semester.
First graduate of Master of Public Health Program reflects on academic journey and global health initiatives
Mahalia Jackson ’23, M.P.H. ’24, made history this summer by becoming the first graduate of Illinois State University’s new Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program.
Capturing history: New York Times photographer Todd Heisler ’94 has his lens on the election
Throughout a U.S. presidential race with more twists and turns than a Formula One road course, New York Times photographer Todd Heisler ’94 often reminds his colleagues to “keep (their) batteries charged.”
Healing vibes: World-renowned vibraphonist seeks a new audience as a music therapist
An elderly man in the dementia unit sat quietly, his head lowered. Then Thaddeus Tukes started playing the iconic love ballad “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing,” and the room changed. The man lifted his head, started singing the lyrics, and told a story about his wife.
And we will leave you with one bonus piece of content in tribute to the Redbird football team advancing to the FCS playoffs this fall:
