The support Andrew Anastasia ’06 received from LGBTQ+ advocates at Illinois State was essential to his success as a student and a professional. Now he is doing his part to give back to students who need that same help.
Dr. Fariborz (Frank) Naeymi-Rad ’75, an international student to Illinois State from Iran, and Dr. Theresa A. Kepic ’73, a resident of Illinois State’s first International House in fall 1970, committed a $250,000 gift to support renovations and upgrades within the University’s Multicultural Center. Their gift will also support technology infrastructure at the center to connect students to alumni and other U.S. and international multicultural centers.
When veteran Illinois State student affairs professional Michael Schermer was asked if he would consider supporting the University’s new Multicultural Center, the answer was an easy one. “I said, ‘Of course! Tell me what you want me to do,’” recalled Schermer ’73, M.S. ’78, a longtime Illinois State employee and advocate for addressing students’ needs. In recognition of his generosity, the center expected to open in summer 2021 will house the Michael D. Schermer Conference Room.
A third named space within Illinois State University’s Multicultural Center has been announced following action by the Board of Trustees on October 16. The Mr. Stan L. and Dr. René R. Shingles Black Student Union Office is named in recognition of gifts from Stan ’82, M.S. ’88 and René Revis Shingles M.S. ’86. Two other named spaces were approved by the governing board in July. The Multicultural Center is scheduled to open summer 2021 at 301 N. Main St., where the Instructional Technology and Development Center is currently located.
To ensure that the University is prepared to continue to support students facing unexpected financial obstacles, University Advancement is encouraging all Redbird alumni and friends to help Rebuild the Red and White.
Illinois State Athletics launched the public phase of the Keep Rising campaign, a special fund to help the department offset the loss of revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact across college athletics.
In recognition of the retirement of alum Bill Allison, his long-time employer, the Deloitte Foundation, donated $15,000 to the SAP Impact Fund.
Motivated by staff who go above and beyond to support Mennonite’s mission and vision, Janeen Mollenhauer, M.S. ’91, and her husband, Matt, M.S. ’94, created the MCN Staff Excellence Award through gifts, gift commitments, and a planned gift.
Gifts that support Illinois State University faculty and staff often continue giving beyond the initial investment. Such was the case with the professorship that would later inspire the newly endowed Ali Riaz Graduate Student Award in the Department of Politics and Government, an annual award that will recognize the best student in Comparative Politics and International Relations.
Joe Galvin ’80 left his mark at ISU by scoring more than 1,000 points and setting a school record of 132 career blocks while a member of the men’s basketball team.
