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Volume 13 • Number 2 • Fall 2012
Coach Muller’s formula works beyond the basketball court
The secret to Dan Muller’s success—as a student, player and coach—is no secret at all. He just followed the rules more diligently and unconditionally than most.
Insanity is the norm for Conan artistic director alum
Christopher Goumas, a 1990 alum, is the chief artistic design executive on the “Conan” crew of high-powered set builders, costume creators, and lighting specialists.
Alumna preaches and teaches elder care reform
Lawyers are trained to spot the issues. Elder law attorney Susan (Loob) Geffen ’85 used the skill to hone in on the fact America is heading into a crisis that is “not even on our radar.”
Annual Report: Dr. Fred Gletten Memorial Scholarship
The personal stories of gratitude shared by these students are increasingly the norm at Illinois State University, as more alumni and friends of Illinois State make an investment in University programs and people.
Partnership converts food waste into compost
A million pounds of food waste was diverted from landfills during the first year of a composting partnership between Illinois State University and Midwest Fiber, a full-service recycling firm in Central Illinois. Food waste from the residence halls has been diverted to the ISU farm for the past two decades, with the resulting compost used
Where are they now? Betty Keough
Betty Keough, M.S. ’52, arrived on campus in the 1950s to complete a master’s in physical education. She served as a graduate assistant, which began an Illinois State connection that remains strong. Keough taught elementary and junior high students, as well as at the Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School, before joining ISU’s faculty in
Mail to the Editor: November 2012
Mail to the Illinois State magazine editor for November 2012: THE REAL BLAME To the Editor: I am writing in response to a letter published in the August 2012 edition that scolds you for your “left-wing propaganda” (“Voice of dissidents,” May 2012) in blaming “greedy people for the crash of the economy. It makes no
Alums partner to improve golf programs
When renovations to ISU’s golf course were completed in 2001 by D.A. Weibring’s design firm, the PGA and Champions Tour star expressed his hope that the course would eventually add a top-notch practice facility.
Women’s team chosen for preseason tourney
The women’s basketball team started the season participating in the 2012 Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). The annual, invitation only tournament includes some of the nation’s top women’s Division I basketball teams. Invitations are based on the team’s expected success in the upcoming season, relevant past performance, conference standings, fan base, and geographical location.
Redbird earns second NCAA championship in javelin
Industrial engineering major Tim Glover finished his junior year, capturing his second consecutive national javelin title at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships. Glover set a new Illinois State and MVC record with his winning throw of 268 feet. The distance places him No. 9 all-time in NCAA history. He won the title
Hall of Fame 2012 inductees honored at Homecoming
Illinois State Athletics welcomed five former student-athletes into the ISU Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame during Homecoming, while also honoring a volunteer with the Stretch Miller Award.
Mary Jo Brown and Friends of the Arts scholarships: Katie Zdanowski
Few undergraduates can claim a world premiere, but music major Katie Zdanowski ’12 has the achievement on her resume. She arranged a work for a tuba/euphonium ensemble, originally written for other instruments. Her arrangement premiered with the ISU Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble at the University’s Evening of Brass concert in 2010, and was performed at the Illinois
Mennonite College of Nursing scholarships: Kylie Rieser
In high school, Kylie Rieser was fascinated with anything medical. She was so intent on getting into Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) that she earned a certified nursing assistant certificate and got some experience before applying.
Wanda and Dale Weaver Endowed Scholarship: Kathryn Van Valey
It did not take long for Kathryn (Trau) Van Valey to realize that deaf education was her calling. During her senior year of high school she began exploring special education programs at Illinois State.
EIF Enhancement Fund: Dominick Russo
Dominick Russo was drawn to a financial career when, as a high school student, he opened an investment account online and began following stocks. At Illinois State, the 2005 alum participated in the Educational Investment Fund.
Illinois State magazine launches campus blog STATEside
We have so many stories to tell here at Illinois State University—about our people, our history, and what’s happening on campus every single day. You read about events and individuals in this magazine and in other Illinois State publications, but our stories multiply with each incoming freshman and outgoing graduate. To help tell all these
Alumni Relations welcomes new director
Doris Groves ’81 has accepted a leadership role in Alumni Relations, becoming the executive director of alumni engagement in August. She oversees the University’s continuing efforts to build relationships advancing the mission of Illinois State. A business administration graduate, Groves has a lengthy career in higher education and many years of service at Illinois State.
Alum becomes ‘hero teacher’ in shooting
Derrick Schonauer ’12 is being called a hero for subduing a student who fired a gun during school earlier this fall, but he didn’t spend much time basking in the limelight.
Alum’s workplace safety website honored
Dave Weber, M.S. ’75, spent more than 40 years ensuring the safety of others. From managing environment health and safety departments for five international corporations to teaching at a college and working as an OSHA safety inspector, Weber is dedicated to safety issues. He shares his knowledge through a website he created, Safety Awakenings. The
Dancer becomes Food Network finalist
Memories for Kara Sigle ’03 include serving as co-captain of the Illinois Sate Redline Express dance team, entertaining as a San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleader, and competing on national television. Sigle was a finalist in season eight of The Next Food Network Star reality series that aired earlier this year on Food Network. A
Broadcasting grad finds career in sports
Lee Gordon ’97 put his broadcasting degree to use for 15 years as a sports and news anchor for CBS. He was also a FOX network NFL sideline reporter. Now a vice president at 180 Communications, Gordon handles the company’s PR, media training, web and video. He writes for various magazines and hosts SportsCenter updates
Communication alum honored for Nazi Resistance film
When communication alum Joel Waldinger ’86 toured former Gestapo headquarters in Berlin, he learned of a Wisconsin woman who was executed for her role in the underground Nazi resistance. An Emmy award-winning producer for Wisconsin Public Television, Waldinger brought her story to life with the documentary Wisconsin’s Nazi Resistance: The Mildred Fish-Harnack Story. The film
How we met: Tom Smith and Marlys Hinz
Tom Smith ’80 and Marlys Hinz ’80 met the spring of their freshman year in 1977. Tom’s roommate dated Marlys’ roommate, so the two were occasionally in the same social scene. The first real sparks began to fly during Rites of Spring in 1977. The day was filled with music, walking around, and getting to
Redbird legacy: Becoming home for 5 Reeser children
Sheryl (Lessen) Reeser ’61 came to Illinois State for the excellent education program. After graduating, she taught students with developmental disabilities at a school in Rockford. She went on to teach fourth grade before taking a professional break as she and her husband, Don, started a family that eventually included five children. When it came time
Thanks to you: Studying criminal justice
Vance Godbold ’11 is grateful for the opportunity to maximize his undergraduate years in the Criminal Justice Department, where he remains as a graduate student. “The Criminal Justice Department has been instrumental in my life. With the help of courses, professors, and the Dean of Students, I was groomed into an individual who presents himself
