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Volume 25 • Number 4 • Winter 2025
Healing vibes: World-renowned vibraphonist seeks a new audience as a music therapist
Jazz wunderkind Thaddeus Tukes is playing for a new audience as a student in Illinois State’s music therapy master’s program.
Life-saving app: Illinois State and OSF HealthCare are addressing the opioid epidemic with an unconventional tool
Matt Kase served as the lead student designer on an app to train laypeople to deliver the life-saving drug Narcan.
Born accessible: Redbird scholar addresses inequalities in STEM education
Special Education faculty member Natalie L. Shaheen is conducting National Science Foundation-funded research to make classrooms “born accessible.”
Houses on hold: Redbirds seek solutions to problem with many causes
The housing shortfall and skyrocketing home price Central Illinois is largely representative of what’s happening across the country.
An update on alumni magazine delivery options
The way we deliver our alumni magazine is evolving to meet the challenges of rising costs and the opportunities presented by digital media.
FirstWord: Winter 2025
A message from Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule
University News briefs: Implementation of new strategic plan begins
Illinois State University’s new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, aims to build on past successes while seizing new opportunities.
Where are they now?: Mary Jo Fabich
The face of Preview for 30 years, Mary Jo Fabich was one of the first staff members to greet new students when they arrived on campus.
Butterly leads the Big West into new frontier
Former men’s basketball team manager Dan Butterly ’94 is now commissioner of the Big West Conference.
Athletics briefs: Indoor facility renamed OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center
The latest partnership between Illinois State and OSF HealthCare has led to the renaming of the OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center.
Redbird trivia: Winter 2025
Try your luck at our winter 2025 edition of Redbird trivia.
Where are they now?: Caroline Lecouer ’21
Former diver Caroline Lecouer ’21 served as deputy manager for diving at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Then and Now: Solar Car Raycing Team
Illinois State’s Solar Car Raycing Team has harnessed the rays of the sun to power its racing machines for 20 years, becoming one of the University’s most visible registered student organizations along the way.
Pause for Applause: Winter 2025
Join us in applauding these accomplished Illinois State University alumni.
A Day in the life: TV-10 provides students broadcast experience
TV-10 offers students experiences to prepare them for careers in broadcasting and beyond.
Experience is the best teacher: Personal journey, spirit of curiosity prepared Illinois State’s provost
Dr. Ani Yazedjian brings the totality of her person and professional experiences to the role of vice president for Academic Affairs and provost.
Alum teams with college basketball legend Dick Vitale and his ‘young heroes’ to take on pediatric cancer with new book
Scott Gleeson ’11 and basketball icon Dick Vitale co-authored a book about cancer survivors. All proceeds benefit cancer research.
Redbird Legacy: Kidney donation strengthens brotherly bond
The brotherly bond between Justin ’07 and Jason Stanford ’04 was strengthened when Jason donated a kidney to Justin.
Thanks to you: Illinois State’s impact inspires Thomas Wicke Presidential Scholarship
Thomas Wicke ’71 established the Thomas Wicke Presidential Scholarship in 2020.
Class notes: Winter 2025
Keep up with what fellow alumni are doing in our class notes for the winter 2025 alumni magazine issue.
In memory: Winter 2025
In memory of Illinois State University alumni, faculty, and staff who have passed away.
