Category: Alumni

Illinois State University is marking its 150th year by honoring its history and looking toward its future.  The year-long sesquicentennial celebration gets underway on Thursday, Feb.15.  Events throughout the coming year will include public presentations by internationally recognized scholars and artists, new University music and a celebration of Illinois State’s history in books and videos.

Although she received her master of fine arts degree from Illinois State University nearly 27 years ago and last visited campus when the Center for the Performing Arts was a mere hole in the ground, Kathryn Ervin’s memories of her student years are vivid. Ervin is a professor of theatre arts and assistant department chair

It should come as no surprise that one of Illinois State University’s alumni from the Politics and Government department has garnered national media attention for a political issue.  What might come as a surprise is the issue. Joseph Kinney ’74 was interviewed by NBC and testified before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee about his

Marilee Rapp’s involvement with Illinois State University spans close to 50 years.  She started as a student in 1958 and is currently a member of Senior Professionals, a group of retired professionals who serve as resources for the University, and on the 150th Anniversary Celebration Alumni Committee. Rapp, like so many other alumni, has great

Three life experiences pointed Keith Jepsen ’67, M.S. ’68, to a 40-year distinguished career in national and international financial aid, culminating with his own company, the Global Student Loan Corporation. Jepsen was a sophomore at Illinois State (Normal) University when his father died.  The resulting financial hardship caused Jepsen to work three jobs while attending

Illinois State University Trustee and State Farm Bank President Stan Ommen received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in the White House Executive Building.  The award, which recognizes individuals providing 4,000 hours of volunteer service over a lifetime, was created at the President’s direction by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Open a newspaper, listen to the radio or watch television, and you will hear how community involvement and volunteerism are vital for cities and towns to thrive. Laura Kowalczyk ’91, M.S. ’96, embodies the ideal civic-minded and engaged citizen of Bloomington-Normal.

Many career and personal decisions are made in response to childhood situations.  That was certainly the case with Wilma Haerr, whose early life influenced her to become a stay-at-home mom and then to earn a social work degree at the age of 44.

Alumni Relations (AR) welcomed two new staff members to their office, Angie Coughlin and Sheila Hawk, in August. Coughlin will work on event planning and coordination for special programs and events.  She is the AR liaison for the Alumni Association Awards, Homecoming, Half Century Club and reunions. Hawk is a program coordinator for the annual

The Illinois State football team will be a part of the Gateway Football Conference television package twice during the 2006 season. The two TV games for the Redbirds will be against the two teams picked ahead of them in the preseason poll, Northern Iowa and Youngstown State.  The Redbirds’ Family Day game against Youngstown State