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Helpful hints for a stress-free commencement You’re graduating! Here at the Alumni Relations office, we know how rewarding college graduation is; yet, we [...]
Join an alumni network! Just because you’re graduating, doesn’t mean you have to leave Illinois State Univeristy and all of your [...]
The ISU Alumni Association is here to help you transition So…what’s next? Going out into the real world for the first time can be scary, but never fear!—the ISU [...]
More questions about commencement? For more information on professional commencement photography, ceremony scheduling and disability accommodations, [...]
Career Center Need help finding a job? Would you like a career expert to critique your resume? Interested in attending career [...]
Normal Fire Department receives Redbird Pride Award The Normal Fire Department received a Redbird Pride Award in recognition of their long-standing partnership with [...]
Sean Hayes gives students his Hollywood story While his classmates left the Illinois State campus with the generic plan to get a job, Sean Hayes was much more specific in stating his aspirations. Beyond efforts to take care of his mother and be nicer to people in general, Hayes departed the College of Fine Arts… [Read the Rest]
Commencement remains capstone moment Every May the campus community comes together at commencement to recognize the hard work, dedication, and achievement of another graduating class. While the reason for celebration has remained the same over time, the ceremony itself has changed as the University has evolved. In the early years, the ceremony wasn’t full of… [Read the Rest]
PIERRE WOODS KNOWS HOW TO ROCK THE RUNWAY Too cool for school That’s the look clients like Ralph Lauren want when Pierre Woods ’04 steps in front of the camera. Woods consistently delivers, striking a flawless image whether he’s sweating through a summer shoot on a Miami rooftop in a wool blazer or shivering on… [Read the Rest]
Had you spent a few afternoons hanging out in New York City’s Zuccotti Park—the U.S. headquarters for the high-profile Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement last fall—the odds are high that you would have soon been in the presence of a dynamic young woman named Allison Margaret Kilkenny ’05. At the tender age of 28, the… [Read the Rest]
Understanding the nations finical crisis Remember the first half of 2008? The stock market was healthy, unemployment low, and inflation under control. Then, seemingly in the blink of an eye, the financial world fell into chaos. Within a few months, Wall Street investment banks were on the brink of collapse. Their struggles spilled into the… [Read the Rest]
Paralysis can’t crush alum’s spirit or mission Greg Gardner ’91 came to campus as a state wrestling champ, mentally and physically psyched for the grueling schedule of an NCAA student-athlete. Equally determined to gain his teaching credentials, he was ready to tackle classes in DeGarmo Hall. Greg lived his dream of wrestling well at Illinois… [Read the Rest]
The website of the Alumni Association, Alumni.IllinoisState.edu, has been redesigned to create a more user friendly experience. Visit for access to the latest news from the Alumni Relations office, Athletics, and the campus community. Registration for alumni events is available online, along with links to help alumni find a friend from their time at Illinois… [Read the Rest]
The Alumni Association Homecoming committee is seeking nominations for the 2012 Homecoming court alumni king and queen, and the prince and princess. The alumni king and queen will be crowned at the Homecoming luncheon on Friday, October 5. They will reign over events throughout Homecoming weekend with the student king and queen, as well as… [Read the Rest]
The Alumni Relations office provides a monthly e-newsletter featuring updates from campus and special events. Available only electronically, the e-newsletter is sent on the last Wednesday of each month, excluding December. To receive this communication, submit your email address via the online form at Alumni.IllinoisState.edu/alumni/updateinfo.
The Alumni Relations office works in conjunction with the Alumni Association to provide a variety of events and programs for alumni. More than 200 events are coordinated annually and nationally to help keep alumni informed about campus, provide networking opportunities, and offer a social outlet for Redbirds. A variety of geographic and affinity networks host… [Read the Rest]
Alumni Relations staff members have compiled a reunion planning guide to assist graduates who are interested in coordinating a reunion. Whether the intent is to get together with former classmates or club members, this guide will make the planning simpler. Go to Alumni.IllinoisState.edu/reunion to download the guide, or obtain a copy at the Alumni Relations… [Read the Rest]
Career Center serves as resource for new grads and alumni While Illinois State students consistently use the Career Center’s employment services, alumni may not be aware resources exist for them as well. Graduates can define and implement career goals or develop a job search strategy through one-on-one career advisement. Guidance is available for writing resumes… [Read the Rest]
After a five-year apprenticeship at Genszler Stoneware Designs in Wisconsin, Elisabeth Maurland, M.A. ’89, opened her own pottery studio in Decorah, Iowa. Her ceramic art regularly wins awards at juried art fairs across the country. It is also now a keepsake for European royalty. A native of Oslo, Maurland was asked to create a piece… [Read the Rest]
It’s been more than two decades since the series Dallas ended with the question of who shot J.R. Fans who remember the drama of the Ewing dynasty will be thrilled with the continuation airing this summer with Carlos Bernard ’91 as part of the cast. A marketing graduate, Bernard is an actor who has appeared… [Read the Rest]
Long after establishing Illinois State’s glass program, Distinguished Professor of Art Emeritus Joel Myers continues to impact the art world. He has been named the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by the Glass Art Society. The honor acknowledges individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the glass arts worldwide. Myers was the… [Read the Rest]
When a reggae song was played at a Valentine’s Day social, Cavell Dunkley ’02 and Mark Walcott ’02, M.S. ’07, couldn’t resist the urge to dance. Born in Jamaica and raised in Evanston, hearing a Caribbean song in the Midwest was a rare treat for Cavell. The same was true for Mark, a native of… [Read the Rest]
Graduate degree prepared alumna for academic leadership role Fear of public speaking and a job with a drug store chain wasn’t going to get Kathy Embry ’84, M.S. ’89, where she wanted to go. That’s why she decided to return to Illinois State University for a master’s degree in family and consumer sciences. “When I… [Read the Rest]
High school students entering the chemistry class of Jeff Christopherson ’90, M.S. ’93, see a doorframe decorated with caution tape, which sets the tone for the semester. Christopherson brings humor, storytelling, and enthusiasm to his teaching at Normal Community High School. The combination makes him a stellar teacher, as noted last year. He was awarded… [Read the Rest]
Dr. Fred Gletten ’71 came to Illinois State in the 1960s on a football scholarship. A letter-winner and cocaptain of the football team, he enrolled with plans of becoming a teacher. That changed when he met David Brusick, M.S. ’65, Ph.D. ’70. A graduate student at the time, Brusick became a mentor and friend who… [Read the Rest]
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