An abiding sense of community has sustained and uplifted Stan ’82, M.S. ’88, and Dr. René Revis Shingles, M.S. ’86, throughout their lives.
Donors inspire a place to belong
Unit: Diversity Advocacy
Illinois State alums help Redbirds in need through LGBTQ+ Student Support Fund
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.
Donors honor immigrant heritage through gift to ISU’s Multicultural Center
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.
Better together: Donor’s gift inspires collaboration and community
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.
Board of Trustees approves named spaces within ISU’s Multicultural Center
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.
Spanish-speaking nursing students serve patients at free clinic
Sophia Navarro was nervous. It was one of the first times she had to speak Spanish with a patient as part of her nursing clinical last fall at the Community Health Care Clinic (CHCC) in Normal.
Dr. Doris Houston, Dr. Christa Platt named YWCA Women of Distinction
Dr. Doris Houston and Dr. Christa Platt have been named YWCA Women of Distinction for 2020 for their careers supporting racial equality and social justice.
CRCC 2020: Equity with a Mirror, register by October 22
The deadline to register for the Fall 2020 Culturally Responsive Campus Community (CRCC) Conference is approaching. The event will be October 29-30 via Zoom.
Getting to know the new director of the Multicultural Center
Dr. Christa Platt, M.S. ’09, Ph.D. ’17, began her new role as director of the Multicultural Center on July 1, when all operations of the Diversity Advocacy office transitioned to the center.
Healing Justice Circles: Election Edition with Bert and Det
A duo of popular and influential speakers, Bert and Det, will be coming to Healing Justice Circles: Election Edition at 4 p.m. on October 16 via Zoom.
