magazine logo
Volume 15 • Number 2 • Fall 2014
Alums are driving force in preserving Route 66
Preserving the iconic piece of Americana requires a labor of love. The passion and projects of Terri Ryburn and Fred Walk have formed a significant and lasting intersection between Route 66 and the University.
Homeless teen is educator because of donors’ dollars
Dakota Pawlicki would later graduate from Illinois State debt-free thanks to scholarships. Today he’s an educator. “ISU felt so much like home to me because it was like the community that got me there,” he says.
Year after tornado, Washington student thankful for scholarship
For Kristin Kouri, the two hours after a tornado struck her hometown felt like three weeks. That’s because the Illinois State University junior couldn’t reach her family immediately after the twister leveled their neighborhood in Washington one year ago.
Alum’s investment will shape College of Business
Gary Gemberling spent his career creating. He launched his own companies and used his expertise to help other businesses build their own success. Now Gemberling is turning back to his alma mater for his next creation.
Inside look at ISU’s Heating Plant
Built in 1916 and nestled against Schroeder Hall, the Heating Plant has experienced dramatic change. Today the plant heats more than 2,527,000-square-feet of classrooms, residence halls, office space, and other academic buildings.
Stats behind the stories
The record-breaking private support of $19.5 million included cash, pledges, estate gifts and gifts-in-kind for the fiscal year ending June 30. These funds will be used to support new and continuing scholarships, endowed faculty positions, academic programs and special funds that provide emergency student support.
Alum oversees safety, security at Chicago’s Willis Tower
Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) in Downtown Chicago is a city within a city. These 26,000 individuals rely on Keith Kambic ’86 to keep them safe and secure.
New project to improve campus wireless Internet
Work is expected to get underway this summer on a major upgrade to Illinois State’s wireless Internet coverage.
Where are they now: Randy Winter
The Department of Agriculture was at peak enrollment when Randy Winter joined the faculty in 1981. Among his most significant accomplishments was transitioning the University Farm to Lexington.
Mail to the Editor: November 2014
Mail to the Illinois State magazine editor for November 2014.
Golf great D.A. Weibring honored with induction
Former Illinois State golfer and PGA Tour professional D.A. Weibring ’75 was inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Redbird Athletics welcomes 3 new head coaches
Some new faces will be at the helm of Redbird Athletics programs this fall, with the hiring of head coaches Jeff Bovee (cross country/track and field), Bo Durkac (baseball) and Maja Kovacek (women’s tennis).
2014 ISU Athletics Hall of Fame class announced
Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame class added four new members.
Alum takes Facebook business story international
Illinois State grad Joe Benarroch partners with PR managers around the world to share stories with the press of how Facebook helps advertisers connect with all of the people who matter.
Loyal Redbirds serve as Homecoming royalty
This year’s Homecoming was meaningful for Harriet (Gove) and Phares O’Daffer, who were alumni king and queen. The Bloomington couple met at ISU.
Reggie Redbird stars in Illinois State’s first children’s book
A new children’s book starring mascot Reggie Redbird will take Illinois State University’s youngest fans on a colorful journey to find out Where are all the Redbirds?
Photos: Associate dean paints what’s beneath the stereotype
Associate Dean of Students Rick Lewis plans to complete 20 portraits of 20 young African-American men for an exhibition next year, an ambitious return to painting for the School of Art alumnus.
Alum’s nonprofit creates app to stop school shootings
A retired Illinois State police colonel, Michael Snyders ’82 has dealt with a wide spectrum of criminal activity. His passion for protecting others continues as president of the Hero911 Network.
Social work grad connects youths to healthy food
The percentage of overweight or obese children has tripled in the U.S. during the past 30 years. Emily Koller, M.S. ’13, is passionate about reversing this trend.
Alum’s striking glass designs land in Hollywood and beyond
Robert DuGrenier, M.F.A. ’80, is one of the most collected artists in the world. His glass pieces adorn the homes of celebrities, including Whoopi Goldberg and Dustin Hoffman.
How we met: Katherine Priore and Dan Hogan
When Katherine Priore ’07 and Dan Hogan ’08 met through mutual friends—Brenda Houy ’07 and Kevin Shoemaker—they had no idea their friendship would become a lifelong love affair.
Redbird legacy: Freshman’s family are all Redbirds
Katherine Williams arrived this fall as a freshman elementary education major already feeling at home. With generations of Redbirds on both sides of her family, she easily transitioned to campus.
Thanks to you: Alum’s Ewing gift honors mom
A love of family, history and Illinois State resulted in a unique opportunity for Theora (Wiseman) Stark ’62. The elementary education grad has a love for Ewing Manor, a passion she shared with her mother.
