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Volume 23 • Number 2 • Summer 2022
Engineering the future: Plans for new college fit ISU’s mission
History is being repeated at Illinois State University as creation of a College of Engineering advances following approval in the spring by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and ISU’s Board of Trustees (BOT).
Helping humanity goal of alum Dr. Robert Shorty’s corporate work
Illinois State University alum Dr. Robert Shorty is doing the right thing as Nike’s director of global diversity, equity, and inclusion team.
Closing the gap: ISU-led tutoring program aims to help students impacted by COVID learning disruptions
Illinois State leads the Illinois Tutoring Initiative, with an initial goal to provide math and reading tutors to thousands of students in grades three through eight.
What’s next? Alumna Patti Hart answers how to revel in retirement
After retiring a second time, Alumna Patti (Sarles) Hart reflects on her retirement experience, and offers advice for a successful retirement.
FirstWord: Summer 2022
As we approach the start of an academic year, this is a great time for reflection.
Illinois State University announces $4.5 million Faculty Diversity Enhancement Program
Provost Aondover Tarhule announced the launching of the Faculty Diversity Enhancement Program to support the recruitment, retention, and success of faculty members who promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Amazon Prime Video to feature Illinois State students in The College Tour series
A television production crew with experience working on Emmy award-winning reality shows was on campus for a weeklong shoot with 10 Illinois State University students who shared their experiences as Redbirds for a 30-minute episode of The College Tour, scheduled to stream on Amazon Prime Video this fall.
Illinois State awarded $403,900 NSF grant for state-of-the-art electron microscope
Known as a field emission scanning electron microscope, the instrument can take images of nano-sized objects. The instrument will aid in research across campus and institutions across the area.
College of Business accreditation extended by AACSB
Illinois State University’s College of Business has once again received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Illinois State graduate programs advance in U.S. News & World Report rankings
Graduate programs in the College of Business and the College of Education were elevated in the national ranking, while a new program in the Mennonite College of Nursing debuted in the top 100.
Mark Wyman honored with Illinois State Historical Society Lifetime Achievement Award
The Illinois State Historical Society announced Distinguished Professor Emeritus History Mark Wyman as the winner of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ian Freeman named Goldwater Scholar in physics
Ian Freeman, a junior at Illinois State University, has been named a 2022-2023 Barry Goldwater Scholar. The award is one of the most prestigious national scholarships in the fields of STEM.
New graduate program in English education approved for summer 2022
Illinois State University’s Graduate School is excited to announce the implementation of a new graduate program.
Scholarship memorializes anthropologist and ISU Faculty Emeritus Edward B. Jelks
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology lost one of its most talented and influential members in 2021 with Professor Edward B. Jelks’ passing on the evening of December 22. In his fifteen years as a Professor of Anthropology at Illinois State University, Jelks made enormous contributions to the University and to many of the graduates of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, which Jelks started in 1968.
Three chosen as directors for Alumni Association
There is new leadership within the Alumni Association following the annual meeting held in June.
Half Century Club reunion plans set
Graduates from the Class of 1972 will celebrate their 50th class reunion on October 14 and 15 during the annual Half Century Club event held Homecoming weekend.
Where are they now? Pete Guither
This edition of “Where are they now?” features retired Assistant Dean of Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Pete Guither.
Freshman gymnast Jaye Mack rises to NCAA tournament
Illinois State freshman gymnast Jaye Mack competed in this year’s NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship.
Practice facility pledge honors administrator
An anonymous pair of donors made a $1.5 million gift commitment to the Indoor Practice Facility and to honor the legacy of former Deputy Director of Athletics Aaron Leetch.
Women’s teams take Valley championships
The women’s tennis and golf teams celebrated successful seasons during which they both won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Top accolades for two student-athletes
Basketball player Mary Crompton ’21 and golfer Ali Schrock ended their season on a high note as their teams advanced to NCAA play and they each garnered high honors for their success as student-athletes.
Redbird trivia: Summer 2022
Try your luck at our summer 2022 edition of Redbird trivia.
Grigsby selected as member Of 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class
Illinois State football legend Boomer Grigsby has earned a spot among college football’s all-time greats, as the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced January 10 that he will be a member of the 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class.
Where are they now? Owen Miller
Owen Miller made his first opening day big league roster when he started the season with the Cleveland Guardians.
Then and now: Welcome Week
Efforts to welcome incoming students has been an ISU tradition for decades. What’s changed is the type of activities that get students connected before classes begin in the fall.
Pause for applause: Summer 2022
Join us in applauding these accomplished Illinois State University alumni.
A Day in the Life: Students play vital role in recruiting Redbirds
Enrolling the next class is a year-round process. Admissions leads the effort, with Theresa Wiese an integral part of that office’s team. She has coordinated ISU’s tour guide program for nearly 18 years.
Top of their game: New head coaches Allie Matters, Ryan Pedon aim to elevate Redbirds
Still running on adrenaline from coaching Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament two days prior while simultaneously beginning his new role as Illinois State’s head men’s basketball coach, Ryan Pedon paused to chat with a new colleague who was on a similarly chaotic ride—newly hired head volleyball coach Allie Matters.
State editor Susan Blystone ready to write next chapter
Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03, could not have predicted that her decision in middle school to be a journalist would result in a 27-year editorial career at Illinois State University. For the past quarter century, she served as editor of State, ISU’s alumni magazine.
Redbird legacy: Spring graduation gives family three generations of ISU alumni
Spring commencement held special meaning for Paul Burton ’73, as his granddaughter’s graduation marked the third generation of Redbirds in his family. He began the Illinois State legacy as a nontraditional student.
Class notes: Summer 2022
Keep up with what fellow alumni are doing by reading our class notes for the summer 2022 alumni magazine issue.
In memory: Summer 2022
In memory of Illinois State University alumni, faculty, and staff who have passed away.
Thanks to you: Alumni support first-generation students through Dunaway Family Dean’s Scholarship
Mark Dunaway and Jon Farney are alumni so grateful for the support they received at Illinois State that each has created dean’s scholarships to assist students.
