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Volume 11 • Number 3 • Winter 2011
Alumnus Jay Blunk plays key role in Blackhawks turnaround
To a sports fan, Illinois State alumnus Jay Blunk ’86 had it all. For more than 22 years he promoted the Chicago Cubs as the team’s vice president of marketing and broadcasting. He and former Cubs’ president John McDonough helped skyrocket the Cubs’ brand to a nearly international level. Blunk ’86 shared the victory with
Blend of story, art makes alum powerful voice in children’s literature
In elementary school Eric Rohmann ’80, M.S. ’85, drew dinosaurs, monsters, and knights, as well as fanciful machines. His imagination was influenced by authors he read as a boy: Wanda Gag, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Maurice Sendak, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Now youngsters are reading Rohmann’s books, finding inspiration in the stories and illustrations that
International student stands out with Gamma Phi Circus
Whether balancing his role as a star performer in the Gamma Phi circus with schoolwork or his Chihuahua on his back during a show, Christian Stoinev manages to shine. A sophomore broadcast journalism major, Stoinev did not have the typical upbringing of most college students. He is a fifth-generation circus performer on his mother’s side.
Circus alumnus has dream job as Gamma Phi director
“Most people never thought I could make a career out of circus performing, and it’s just amazing that I get paid to do this. It’s phenomenal,” Director of Gamma Phi Circus Marcus Alouan said. Although this is Alouan’s first year as director, he is no stranger to Illinois State or its on-campus circus. He performed
Innovative cuisine experience enriches student life
Maybe they’ve never tasted quinoa or lifted a forkful of salad nicoise with freshly grilled tuna. Maybe they prefer squirting ketchup over a burger to squeezing lemon over salmon on spring greens. But at least Illinois State students now have a choice, one nonexistent years ago when campus dining meant steam tables and sneeze guards
Meet the man behind the menu: Tim Gump
After overseeing the preparation of as many as 14,000 meals daily, you’d think the last thing ISU Executive Chef Tim Gump would want to tackle when he gets home is dinner. You’d be wrong. “I do every bit of the cooking,” he said of the meals he makes for his wife and 7-year-old daughter. His
Bell replica enriches Founders Day tradition
Each February individuals from across the campus community participate in a Founders Day bell ceremony. The bell rings for each year since the University was established in 1857. The ceremony is especially meaningful for Carson and Iris Varner from the College of Business, and College of Fine Arts instructor Randy Reid. They united to create
Where are they now? Paul Rosene
After nearly 25 years as a supervisor of student teaching in music and professor in the School of Music teaching courses in music therapy, handbells ringing, instrumental techniques, conducting, and music for the exceptional child, I “retired” from full-time teaching as professor of music in August of 1990. I loved teaching the bright students ISU
Join fans and Spread the Red
Basketball teams headed to MVC tournaments For the first two weekends of March, Missouri Valley Conference fans will invade St. Louis with the hope of watching their team punch the ticket to “The Big Dance.” Join fellow Illinois State alumni and fans in cheering on the Redbirds for each of the State Farm Missouri Valley
MVC tournament pregame events planned
Illinois State Athletics and Alumni Relations will host a pair of send-off parties for both the Redbird men’s and women’s basketball teams prior to their first games in the 2011 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The men’s event will be held in the lobby at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis prior to the
Athletics Internet site redesign complete
Four months of planning, design, and implementation culminated with the relaunch of the Internet site GoRedbirds.com during the fall of 2010. The site is the No. 1 source for all things regarding Illinois State Athletics, and now boasts a sleeker, more compact look. Fans will find expanded offerings in video streaming and audio podcasts. The
Redbird baseball team receives championship rings
After claiming its first regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championship and its first Missouri Valley Conference tournament title since 1994, head coach Mark Kingston presented the Illinois State baseball team and support staff with championship rings to remember the historic run. The Redbirds earned the automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Tournament and were selected as
Alumni Connections: A familiar and friendly place
Half Century Club event sparks memories of college life long ago Cook Hall is still standing, the Big Red Marching Machine plays on, the Quad is still beautiful, and the academic programs offered at Illinois State remain stellar. These all give alumni of yesteryear the assurance that their alma mater remains a familiar and friendly
Black Colleagues Association continues scholarship support for students
Members of Illinois State University’s Black Colleagues Association (ISUBCA) continue their efforts to support students financially. Funds from scholarships were awarded last fall during Homecoming, including the Judge Russell R. DeBow Scholarship and Vincent Lionel Davis Scholarship. Senior Lorryn Neely of Flossmoor, junior Gordon Booker of Gurnee, junior Raven Nance of Chicago Heights and freshman
Class Notes: A passion for people overseas
International study leads to graduate student’s life mission Emily Pozo traveled to the Galapagos Islands to study. She stayed to become a change agent. Pozo planned a healthcare career while a nursing student in Wisconsin. She completed graduate work in Spanish at Illinois State, where she taught the language and recruited for international education. She
Pause for applause: Winter 2011
Shining on stage Central Illinois audiences saw rising star Leslie Ann Sheppard ’07 perform in many faculty and student productions, as well as the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, while she completed her undergraduate degree in acting. Now she is impressing Chicago theatre patrons. Sheppard has been on Windy City stages since graduation. She appeared in Harriet
How we met: Masara Beukinga and Eric Browning
Masara Beukinga ’03 and Eric Browning ’03 didn’t expect to find a spouse at Illinois State, but when they met through mutual friends in 2001 there was a lasting impression. Eric pursued Masara. While spending time abroad, he sent letters from her dream vacation spot in Paris, France. He even bought her a souvenir.
Redbird legacy: The Cortilet sisters
Staying in the collegiate environment may seem like a dream come true for some upcoming graduates. For Carol Cortilet-Albrecht, ’91, M.S. ’93, it is reality. Cortilet-Albrecht, Ed.D., completed her doctorate in educational psychology from National-Louis University. As the associate vice chancellor for enrollment management at Purdue University-Calumet in Hammond, Indiana, she spends every work day
