Category: Alumni

John Grisham’s book, “Playing for Pizza,” is based on a real-life American football team in Italy, the Parma Panthers.  When Grisham was researching the book, he went to Parma, watched a game and met with Coach Andrew Papoccia, a ’05 kinesiology and recreation graduate of Illinois State University.  Grisham found him “extremely valuable” for his

The Alumni Association and Athletics Department are hosting the Alumni Slam Dunk prior to the men’s basketball game on January 5.  The event will include a special appearance by Reggie Redbird, kids activities and more.  Alumni are invited to attend this family friendly pre-game reception, which will include a spirit pack (two free tickets to

Illinois State University President Al Bowman was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois College of Applied Health Sciences at Urbana-Champaign in October for exceptional distinction in his career. Bowman was one of four inaugural awardees who were presented with the award at the College’s 50th Anniversary Awards Gala. Bowman, Illinois

Ramona Brown ’97 found her Mennonite instructor Catherine Kaesberg intimidating yet brilliant, energetic, intense and enthusiastic—in short, the sort of teacher who demands the best of her students and gets it. Brown, who is an intensive care nurse at Carle Hospital in Urbana, said Kaesberg’s students absorbed academic material due to her energy and intensity. 

Come join in on the co-world premiere of Relatively Close, a play by Illinois State University alum James Sherman, on Saturday, Nov. 10. The comedy focuses on three sisters and how they deal with their childhood summer home.  Play goers will get to meet the cast, have dinner, attend the performance and talk with the

Walking across the campus today, it’s hard to envision the undeveloped vista encountered by Illinois State University’s founders. Even more sobering is the scope of their task as they created the first state university in Illinois, shaping not just a curriculum but physical structures where it would be taught. When the University opened its doors

The Illinois State University Board of Trustees approved the naming of a Felmley Hall laboratory to the Keith and Nita Kattner Neuroscience Research Laboratory in recognition of their donation and support of undergraduate and graduate education in neuroscience. Dr. Keith Kattner, an Illinois State alum who received his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, is a

The number of participants in this year’s Homecoming Campus Decorating Contest more than doubled from last year, with 28 offices and departments joining in.  As a result, the Alumni Association committee judging the entries took more than six hours before arriving at the top three winners. This year’s contest winners were the Office of University

Two colleges and Redbird Athletics added to their Halls of Fame during Homecoming week.  Athletics inducted Frank Purdy, Jackie Ryan-Beck, Galen Scott and Jan Johnson.  The College of Business inducted Michael Emmert, Bill England, Kiyofumi Katsuki, Tony Sorcic and Kim Warmbier.  The College of Education inducted Howard Brown, James Davis, James Doglio, Alice Evans, Marilyn

Many Illinois State University employees, former employees and retirees journeyed to Milwaukee, Wis., to celebrate alumna and former colleague Linda Timm’s inauguration as Mount Mary College’s 10th president. Timm served as the director of the Student Judicial Office at Illinois State University before leaving to become vice president of Student Affairs at Saint Mary’s College