The College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) at Illinois State University has spent the last year celebrating its 50th anniversary. This series, CAST 50×50, highlighted a total of 50 faculty, staff, students, alumni, and organizations within CAST that make the college special. These notable people and organizations made it clear that every day in CAST is a great day to be a Redbird!
CAST includes academic units in Agriculture, Criminal Justice Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Kinesiology and Recreation, Military Science, and Technology. The 50th anniversary series featured members of each academic unit, and showcased them through interviews and even the occasional Facebook Live.
The first phase of the series included faculty and staff. Individuals that were featured include: Jan Murphy (CAST Interim Dean), Todd McLoda (CAST Dean), Jeritt Williams (TEC), Kailey Corken-Golz (FCS), Michael Barrowclough (AGR), Justin Stanek (KNR), Ashley Farmer (CJS), LTC John Cross (MSC), Adam Jagodinsky (KNR), Clay Robinson (AGR), Chelsea Kuehner (KNR), Iullia Protopop (AGR), Taneshia West Albert (FCS), Tom Bierma (HSC), Don Meyer (AGR), Tonya Pierce (IT), Mike Mulvaney (KNR), Olivia Butts (KNR), and Shelly Clevenger (CJS).
The next phase of the 50th anniversary series included some notable and involved alumni! Alumni featured included: Kristen Faucon (AGR), Julia Luchtenburg (CJS), Tim Bassett (TEC), Carly Klaus (FCS), Erin Kennedy (KNR), Lauren Hardy (FCS), Brett Fogle (TEC), Caroline Bubulka (FCS), and Kyle Garman (HSC).
Phase three included some unique students, those who represent Illinois State on the sports stage and in the classroom. Student-athletes live a much different life than traditional students, so highlighting that was important. Student-athletes that were featured include: Kyle Harbour (IT, football), Tyler Brown (TEC, football), Jalen Lewis (TEC, track), Elianna Lovejoy (TEC, volleyball), Sarah Voss (AGR, track), Megan Beutke (FCS, volleyball), and Samantha Ward (KNR, gymnastics).
The final phase included some outstanding registered student organizations (RSO) with CAST. RSOs that were featured include: International Interior Design Association (FCS), Sigma Alpha (AGR), Indy-Pendence Service Dogs (AGR), Criminal Justice Association (CJS), Fashion Design Merchandising Association and the Illinois State Fashion Show (FCS), Fix it Friday (FDMA within FCS), and the Engineering Technology Club (TEC).
The series also featured the Lois Jett Historic Costume Collection with senior fashion merchandising major Corrine Norris. Last but certainty not least, the series featured our very own Gamma Phi Circus. Four members of the circus—Rebecca Angles, Holly Bush, Prado Keme, and Savannah Wetzel—told the story of Gamma Phi and showed us around at one of their practices.
CAST wants to extend a huge thank you to everybody who participated in the 50th anniversary series.
