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![Spring 2022 issue cover showing part of Title IX with sports items in the backgroun](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/STATE_textless-cover-1440x720.jpg)
Volume 23 • Number 1 • Spring 2022
![ISU women coaches from the 1960s](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/03/TitleIX-featuredimage-566x377.jpg)
Rewriting the narrative: Redbirds blazed trail for women before Title IX
Born nearly 30 years before Title IX—legislation passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities—Dr. Jill Hutchison is among a revolutionary cohort of trailblazing women from Illinois State who dedicated themselves to rewriting the national narrative of women’s athletics.
![Dr. J Michael Durnil](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/03/isunews-durnil-566x377.jpg)
Learning and leading: Student Affairs prepared Dr. J. Michael Durnil to become a national advocate
Dr. J. Michael Durnil ’83, M.S. ’84, was surprised by the response to The E.W. Scripps Company announcing he would serve as the executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee last spring. He was soon interviewed by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on National Public Radio.
![Elisabeth Good sitting at a table with photos and a studio light](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Elisabeth_Good1-566x377.jpg)
Rewriting the script: Alumna Elisabeth Good puts people with disabilities in spotlight
William Shakespeare wrote that the world is a stage, and all humans are actors on it. Elisabeth Good ’15 became convinced at an early age that some have only been invited as spectators, specifically individuals with a disability.
![Dr. Shawn Hitchcock in his lab.](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Hitchcock_ISU-mag-Spring-2022-1-566x377.jpg)
Chemistry Professor Dr. Shawn Hitchcock shines in national spotlight
Illinois State University Chemistry Professor Dr. Shawn Hitchcock receives national recognition.
![President Terri Goss Kinzy](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2021/08/Kinzy-edit-372x251.jpg)
First Word: Spring 2022
By the time this issue of State arrives, the campus community will be busy preparing for spring commencement ceremonies.
![Christine Angela Aganon plays the piano.](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Christine-Angela-Aganon-372x251.png)
College’s unique status gained with gift
A visionary goal set decades ago within the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and the School of Music has been achieved with ISU now designated an All-Steinway School. Criteria was met with the purchase of three Steinway concert grand pianos and 11 Steinway uprights.
![Reggie Redbird talking on the phone](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/01/reggie-phone-372x251.png)
Redbirds complete the mission of this year’s Birds Give Back
For the fourth straight year, Illinois State completed the mission of Birds Give Back, a day where Redbirds come together to celebrate the University. Thanks to our donors, $958,944 was raised from 2,919 gifts, making this year’s edition the University’s second-best giving day ever following last year’s record-setting show of support.
![President Kinzy](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2021/08/Web_freatured_image_KinzySummer2021-1-372x251.jpg)
President Terri Goss Kinzy named to National Academies committee
Illinois State University President Terri Goss Kinzy will chair a national committee examining the long-term impact of the pandemic on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers for women.
![An image of the sculpture in front of Stevenson Hall.](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2017/02/Stevenson_flame-e1701276438260-372x251.jpg)
Dr. Heather Dillaway named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Illinois State University Provost Aondover Tarhule announced the appointment of Dr. Heather Dillaway as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective July 16.
![redbird plaza statue of Reggie head in the Fall](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2021/09/Plaza-fall-372x251.jpg)
Illinois State ranked among best public, national universities
Illinois State University is once again ranked among the top public universities in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges rankings.
![flags lined the Quad](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2021/11/LAS_1296-372x251.jpg)
Art installation on ISU Quad celebrates, commemorates immigrants
A thousand 4-by-6-inch flags lined Illinois State University’s Quad for 24 hours, beginning November 1, for a striking art installation honoring National Immigrants Day.
![Schroeder Hall](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2020/05/19_SchroederQuad_Winter.jpg)
Dr. Brent Teasdale named University Professor
The Office of the Provost announced Dr. Brent Teasdale has been named University Professor for Illinois State University.
![Main area rendering](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2021/11/Main-gaming-rendering-372x251.png)
Redbird Esports to move into renovated Bowling & Billiards Center space next fall
Redbird Esports is set to move into a new home next fall.
![child smiling](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2021/07/prince-372x251.jpg)
Nominate alums for Homecoming royalty
Plans are underway for Homecoming 2022: Celebrating Red happening October 10-16.
![four individuals at voting machines](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2021/09/Voting-news-372x251.jpg)
Illinois State University receives national award for civic engagement
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) has recognized Illinois State University with the organization’s 2021 Excellence and Innovation Award for Civic Learning and Community Engagement.
![building](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2020/05/alumnicenter-372x251.jpg)
Alumni meeting set for June 11
Alumni are invited to the Alumni Association annual meeting to elect board members and vote to amend the Association’s constitution.
![Distinguished Professor Emerita Dr. Lucia Cordell Getsi head shot on Illinois State University gray logo background](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/dr.-getsi-372x251.jpg)
Where are they now? Dr. Lucia Cordell Getsi
This edition of “Where are they now?” features Distinguished Professor Emerita Dr. Lucia Cordell Getsi.
![Redbird pitcher Trey Krause posing like he is about to throw a ball](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Trey-Krause-372x251.jpg)
Redbird pitcher Trey Krause focused on the mound while fighting cancer
Facing the World Series of his own life challenges, Illinois State pitcher Trey Krause needed to dream. With some of his most basic life functions suddenly taken from him, he envisioned one day gripping the ball again and letting go of a sweeping curveball coming out of his left hand.
![Rendering of the new indoor practice facility with soccer players on the field](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/isu_football_facility_in2_FINAL_02_2021-09-03_logo-revised-372x251.jpg)
Donors’ pledge advances indoor practice facility
An indoor practice facility for all Redbird teams was approved by the Board of Trustees in December. A month later, a $3 million gift commitment that allows construction of the $11.5 million project to go forward was received.
![women's basketball coaches and players high-five on the bench](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/03/Team-Dennis-Banks-372x251.jpg)
Redbirds advance to NCAA Tournament
The women’s basketball team extended its season and played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 14 years by capturing the Missouri Valley Conference championship in March. The NCAA appearance was the sixth overall for the women’s basketball program, with the most recent occurring in 2008.
![Josh Tolentino](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Josh-Tolentino-372x251.jpg)
Where are they now? Josh Tolentino ’17
Josh Tolentino ’17 finished his first NFL season covering the Philadelphia Eagles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
![Illinois State women's basketball head coach Kristen Gillespie holding a basketball at midcourt in Redbird Arena](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Kristen-Gillespie-372x251.jpg)
Redbird Trivia: Spring 2022
Try to guess the right answer for the Spring 2022 edition of Redbird Trivia.
![Black and white photo of Horton Field House](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Horton-Field-house-Before-372x251.jpg)
Then and Now: Horton Field House
Horton Field House was the first major campus building dedicated to practice and events for student-athletes.
![Cecilia Suárez head shot](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Cecilia-Suarez-372x251.png)
Pause for applause: Spring 2022
Please join us in applauding these accomplished Illinois State University alumni.
![Three students sit behind a table set up outside with two sewing machines. Two other students stand on the other side of the table, facing those sitting down.](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/fix-it-friday-cover-372x251.jpg)
A Day in the Life: Illinois State students engage to care for the environment
Sustainability is a commitment exemplified at ISU through initiatives students undertake with staff to make campus increasingly eco-friendly. The University is elevated as students gain leadership skills through civic engagement.
![glass award statues on red cloth](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/01/awards-372x251.jpg)
Nine receive 2022 Alumni Awards
The Alumni Association recognizes nine individuals and their outstanding achievements and contributions.
![Man and woman standing and smiling while surrounded by trees](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/01/gale-dimensions-372x251.png)
Alum’s generosity blooms into campus legacy
When Redbird Gale (Marr) Myers ’77 returned from a trip to Japan to find that her husband had purchased 10 Japanese maple trees, she had no idea that number would increase to 4,000.
![Greg Caffey ’99, left, Rodney Caffey ’92, middle, and Dr. Brandon Caffey ’96, ’00, M.S. ’02, Ed.D. ’19](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/Caffey-Family-372x251.jpg)
Redbird Legacy: The Caffey brothers establish memorial scholarship
There was never a doubt in the Caffey brothers’ minds. After high school, they would go to college.
![close up of flowers with Milner Library and walkway with words Illinois State University on overpass bridge](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/03/walkway-spring-372x251.jpg)
Class notes: Spring 2022
Keep up with what fellow alumni are doing by reading our class notes for the spring 2022 alumni magazine issue.
![Bell on the Quad with flowers in the forefront](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2021/05/21_7415-372x251.jpg)
In memory: Spring 2022
In memory of Illinois State University alumni, faculty, and staff who have passed away.
![Charley and Preethy Edamala in a Redbird Esports branded gaming room](https://news.illinoisstate.edu/files/2022/04/22_4072-372x251.jpg)
Thanks to you: Charley and Preethy Edamala support underserved students through Redbird Esports scholarship
Charley Edamala, associate vice president and chief information officer of Illinois State’s Office of Technology Solutions, did not set out to champion Redbird Esports.