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Volume 16 • Number 3 • Winter 2016
Wizard of Watts: Alum masters art of illumination
Television audiences of multiple thousands have seen Jon Kusner’s talent displayed on live productions for years, and yet few viewers know of the 1995 School of Theatre alum.
One man’s mission: Judge combines compassion with justice in juvenile court
Judge Walter Brandon Jr. looked as placid as a pond, as he had all day, while he waited for the next case to begin in St. Clair County’s juvenile justice courtroom.
Redbird proud: Tracing traditions that speak to Illinois State’s legacy
What are Illinois State’s traditions? That’s a complicated question.
50 years of Preview: 1966-2016
Illinois State’s summer orientation program was ahead of its time.
Unique field: Alumna’s vineyard dream takes root in Illinois
Mary (Mouser) Hofmann ’76 and her husband, Rudi, are fulfilling a lifelong dream by operating White Oak Vineyard in Carlock.
Emerging as national force in biomathematics
Along with an international journal and hosting the largest biomathematics conference in the nation, Illinois State is spearheading a quickly growing consortium of universities dedicated to advancing the science of biomath.
Where are they now: Neil Skaggs
Neil Skaggs arrived on the Illinois State campus in 1979 after completing a doctorate in economics at Duke University.
Mail to the Editor: February 2016
Mail to the Illinois State magazine editor for February 2016:
Conference champions: Second consecutive title, playoff run for football team
fter making it to the national championship game a year ago, Brock Spack’s football team had one objective this past season: return to the finals and bring home the trophy.
Leader in women’s athletics mourned
Former Director of Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics Laurie Mabry passed away last October at the age of 86.
Athletes serve community and beyond
Student-athletes logged 2,666 hours of community service during the 2014-2015 academic year.
Four Redbird athletes take top annual awards
Rachel Tejada and Tre Roberson won top honors last fall at The Reggies, which is the annual awards ceremony sponsored by State Farm Insurance Cos.
Athletes remain strong as classroom students
Statistics for the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) released last fall by the NCAA shows an 87 percent for Illinois State, which equals ISU’s all-time high.
Illinois State University launches first mobile app
The Illinois State University App launched this summer, available for free from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Alumni events set for milestone anniversaries
Graduates from the Class of 1966 will celebrate their 50th class reunion on April 29 and 30 during the annual Half Century Club event.
ISU business alum sells movies, one ad at a time
Heather Artis discovered her passion for advertising in an Illinois State classroom. Twenty years later, she’s now an advertising executive at Fox Searchlight, one of the top studios in Los Angeles.
Alumna named Retail Dietitian of the Year
Julie (Williams) McMillin ’01 is a role model for every retail dietitian in the country.
Alumnus plays role for World Series champion Royals
The Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Phoenix Coyotes are just a few of the organizations on the resume of 2015 College of Applied Science and Technology Hall of Fame Inductee Mike Bucek ’82.
Alum selected COO of American Dental Hygienists’ Association
Robert Moore ’95 will put his degree in industrial/organizational psychology to good use as the first chief operating officer of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA).
How we met: Alexander ‘Lex’ Samaras and Carolyn Jean Brown
Alexander “Lex” Samaras grew up in the Illinois agricultural town of Hoopeston. He transferred to Illinois State Normal University in 1941 with a love for music and a passion for music education.
Redbird legacy: Alumna follows in parents’, brother’s ISU footsteps
Megan Geigner doesn’t have to look far to see how her family got connected to Illinois State.
Thanks to you: ISU raises $556,733 on Giving Tuesday
More than 1,400 gifts exceeded a total of $556,733 in the 24-hour campaign launched primarily via social media.
