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Volume 11 • Number 1 • Summer 2010
Season of strength: Sheahon Zenger’s game plan bolstered the ’Birds
The Intercollegiate Athletics program, sometimes described as the “front porch” enticing the public into the University’s rich academic and cultural home, has been revitalized at Illinois State during Sheahon Zenger’s five years as Athletics director. Illinois State was a frequent Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) All-Sports champion entering the new millennium. By the time Zenger arrived
Building blocks
Rejuvenated Uptown Normal enriches campus life by Mary Ann Ford When Brian Simpson was a graduate student at Illinois State in the early 1980s, he had a daily routine that revolved around Downtown Normal, starting with breakfast at the Welcome Inn on North Street. “Jane and Stella were the best waitresses,” he said. “They knew
Deeply rooted
Ag Department growing strong 100 years later When Myron Erdman studied agriculture in the 1940s, he learned how to caponize chickens, castrating young birds with the swift move of a sharp scalpel. “I wanted to take courses I thought would help me out. I doubt they teach that anymore,” he said, chuckling as he sat
Alumni invited to join department’s celebration
Preparations for the Agriculture Department’s 100th anniversary in 2011 have already begun. The year will be marked by special events, as well as an effort to raise $400,000 through the “100 x 100 Centennial Celebration.” The goal is to obtain $100,000 in support for each of four areas alumni and faculty have identified as critical
Degree of difficulty
Nontraditional student ready to cross commencement stage Charity Mendoza is the daughter of a high school and junior high school dropout. She and four siblings were raised by their mother. Her life spent in poverty, Mendoza never received a high school diploma, and is now a single mother of six. Come December, she will describe
College of Fine Arts celebrates decades of excellence
Every college at Illinois State is built on a legacy of excellence, but none has a more natural ability to showcase student work than the College of Fine Arts. The Schools of Art, Music, and Theatre (including the program area of dance), and the Arts Technology Program consistently create opportunities for artists in training to
An alumni perspective: Anita L. Gibb ’69
A few years ago while attending an Alumni Shakespeare event on a beautiful summer evening at the Ewing Manor grounds, I crossed paths with Lynda Lane. I remembered Lynda as a fellow Illinois State coed on campus in the 1960s. Recalling that Lynda was a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, I casually
Where Are They Now? Warren Harden
Warren Harden helped change the campus landscape Warren Harden joined the University faculty in 1954, and served from 1966 to 1969 as the first Department of Economics chair. With an expertise in economic theory, money and banking, and international economics, Harden worked to develop the department’s curriculum. He served as president of the University’s chapter
Class Notes: Anson Yeganegi ’09
Alumnus prevents drowning of struggling stranger Anson Yeganegi ’09 described it as something out of a cheesy movie. The scene: a cold night last October. The time: a little past midnight. After getting off his job at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Yeganegi decided to take a different route home, one that would take him past Lake Elliot
Redbird legacy: LaVerne (Berry) and Woody Iles family Craig ’09
Accompanied by sons Grant ’01 and Blake ’06, LaVerne (Berry) ’70 and Woody Iles ’71 watched their youngest son Craig ’09 graduate from Illinois State University last December. It was official: the Iles were a family of all Illinois State alumni. Grant realized how special this was during the ceremony when all alumni were asked
Campus choir marks 40 years of making ‘joyful noise’
Illinois State offers a multitude of Registered Student Organizations. One option for those seeking a religious outlet is the Interdenominational Youth Choir (IYC), which celebrates anthems, spirituals, contemporary, and gospel music every week during rehearsals and performances. Founded in 1970, the IYC grew from a weekly Sunday morning spiritual gathering of Illinois State students to
