Redbird legacy: The Goodwin family

The Goodwin family ties are made stronger by the fact 17 relatives share an Illinois State experience.

Members of the Goodwin family who are also Redbirds include, from left, John Wons, Melissa (Wons) Goodwin, Bryan Goodwin, Dan Goodwin, Matt Goodwin, Anne (Kitchen-Goodwin) Kinate, Cliff Kinate, Lauri (Meents) Goodwin, and Jim Goodwin.

Recreation management graduate Dan Goodwin ’07, now a graduate student in Kinesiology and Recreation, is continuing an ISU tradition that started with his late father, Tom Goodwin ’75.

Tom met his wife, Anne (Kitchen) ’77, working at a Burger King on Main Street. Neither one could have predicted the Illinois State legacy their family would create.

Tom’s brothers followed in his footsteps. Jim Goodwin ’82 and Mark Goodwin ’84 both met their wives at ISU as well. Jim and Lauri (Meents) ’82 reside in Woodridge, while Mark and Jana (Mayberry) ’84 are now in Danville.

Anne’s siblings, Art and Kathy Kitchen, also attended, as did the children of Anne and Tom. Beyond Dan, two other sons enrolled. Matt Goodwin ’01, M.S. ’03, is now living in New Hampshire. Bryan Goodwin ’04, M.S. ’07, is living in Plainfield with his wife, Melissa (Wons) ’05. They also met at ISU. Melissa’s younger brother, John Wons, is now enrolled. Patrick Goodwin, the son of Mark and Jana, is also a current student.

“When you grow up and hear so much about Illinois State, you know it’s where you want to go,” said Dan, who has yet another cousin graduate. Darren McEvilly finished a marketing degree in 2007 and resides in Channahon. Dan’s mother has remarried and her current husband, Cliff Kinate, is a 1966 alum. They reside in Danville.

The family’s unique ISU heritage is enriched by the fact many have ties to Campus Recreation. Bryan, Matt, and Melissa, all worked there, as do Dan and Patrick currently. Dan is hopeful even more family will attend the University.

“It would be nice to build that family tree even more,” he said. “The foundation started here. Illinois State is very unique to us. It connects us all together.”