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Cover of spring 2013 cover of then President Al Bowman
Gladly he served: After a decade as president, retirement is a bittersweet decision for Al Bowman.

Volume 13 • Number 4 • Spring 2013

Al Bowman waves

Bowman retires with a legacy of exceptional leadership

As Al Bowman prepares to depart from the Illinois State presidency, he too has a significant footnote that will forever serve as an indicator of his decade at the University’s helm: There is universal lament for his departure.

original Avanti's Normal location

Avanti’s shares long history with Illinois State alumni

As Illinois State’s Alumni Association marks 150 years, few memories resonate quite like Avanti’s. The Italian restaurant’s 42-year history is deeply intertwined with Illinois State University.

Craig Robinson at piano

Office star Craig Robinson got Hollywood start at ISU

Welcome to the wild comic world of television and Silver Screen actor Craig Phillip Robinson—the ISU music major who discovered his natural gift for comedy.

Students under wind turbine

Illinois State helps fuel the wind energy revolution

At the center of the state’s vibrant wind energy industry is Illinois State, whose students, researchers and alumni are shaping wind developments and related public policy issues around the country.

Senior Kyle Waznis, right, and his father, Jim Pruett, at December Commencement.

Illinois State steps up to bring dying father to graduation

Graduation day came early for senior Kyle Waznis, who completed his degree this spring but participated in December’s commencement ceremony to ensure his father could witness the milestone.

textile fabrics

Where are they now? Naomi Towner

Professor Emerita of Art Naomi Towner has faced many difficulties since her days teaching the fiber arts, but she has come out smiling.

image of no smoking sign

Mail to the Editor: May 2013

Mail to the Illinois State magazine editor for May 2013: SMOKING RULES To the Editor, Back to the future? When I attended Illinois State, smoking was not allowed anywhere on campus, a holdover from Jesse Fell’s rules. But this did not stop dedicated smokers from going across the street to the old Pilgrim during class breaks. Everyone

Aisha Praught

Nike signs contract to support former Redbird runner

Former Illinois State distance runner Aisha Praught has signed a professional contract with Nike while pursuing a post-collegiate career running for the Oregon Track Club Elite in Eugene, Oregon.

Top Athletics fundraiser Jumbo Currin loses cancer fight

The Athletics program lost its most devoted volunteer and fundraiser earlier this year.

Hancock Stadium

Website tracks Hancock Stadium renovation project

You can follow along online as construction continues on the Hancock Stadium renovation project.

Duffy Bass Field

Illinois State to host 2013 MVC Baseball Championship

For the first time in program history, Illinois State will host the 2013 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Championship, May 21-25, at Duffy Bass Field.

2012 Alumni Award Winners

Alumni Association award winners to be honored at Founders Day

Six Illinois State University alums will receive awards for outstanding accomplishments at the Alumni Association Awards Recognition Dinner Thursday, February 21.

Outside the Union 1973

Bone Student Center, Braden celebrate 40 fabulous years

It has been four decades since the Bone Student Center/Braden Auditorium (BSC/BA) doors opened. The milestone will be marked on campus this year with activities for former student employees.

Sean Hayes speaks at podium

Founders Day launched Alumni Association’s 150th celebration

The annual Founders Day activities had special meaning for alumni this year, as the February event marked the start of a yearlong celebration of the Alumni Association’s 150th anniversary. Two alums recognized at the convocation as honorary degree recipients were actor Sean Hayes, above, and educator J. Michael Adams ’69, as well as other award winners.

Digitized yearbooks illustration

Alumni Association’s history online, displayed

As part of the Alumni Association’s sesquicentennial celebration, University Archivist April Anderson has created opportunities to learn more about the association’s rich history.

Alumni Center exterior

Alumni Association annual meeting set for June 29

Alumni are invited to attend the Alumni Association annual meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 29, in the Alumni Center.

Wesley Walker on a turbine

MBA alum plays key role in Normal turbine project

The Siemens Corporation energy engineer was part of the team making vast sustainability improvements to the campus of Heartland Community College, including the addition of a wind turbine.

T.J. Zizzo in the car

College degree gives drag-racing alum a boost

Not many Illinois State alumni become professional drag racers. And not a lot of drag racers are college grads. T.J. Zizzo, a 1997 alum, is a rare breed.

Kathleen Corcoran Tuntland

Success with Seattle Sutton

The popular Seattle Sutton Healthy Eating program was launched with the help of nutrition and dietetics graduate Kathleen Corcoran Tuntland.

Business alum works in scouting for NBA’s Pacers

An internship with the Indiana Pacers resulted in a career for small business management alum Vance Catlin, a 2002 grad.

Alum Steve Smith

Alum Steve Smith among top US association executives

Steve R. Smith captured the national spotlight when chosen in 2012 as one of only six individuals in the country to be named a top U.S. association CEO.

Yvette Fish and Rich Evans

How we met: Yvette Fish and Rich Evans

Yvette Fish was a junior transfer student driving down North Street with a friend who pulled over and called to Rich Evans. Rich got in the car with Yvette and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jack Cowgill and Deborah (Kiekow) Johnson

Redbird legacy: Blended family with deep Redbird roots

Decades later, after each had lost their partner to cancer, they married to create a blended family with deep Redbird roots.

Student leaders pose

Join with student leaders and STATE Your Passion

Andy Manno and Aaron Von Qualen know what it means to pursue their dreams as Illinois State students. Will you join with the students of Illinois State and take action to STATE Your Passion today?