ILLINOIS STATE E-LUMNI NEWS - Volume 4, Number 2
November 22, 2005
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: REDEFINING NORMAL CAMPAIGN REACHES GOAL!
Its official: Illinois States first comprehensive fund-raising campaign passed its stated goal of $88 million! The exciting announcement came after a $1 million planned estate gift from retired school teacher Margaret Thomas Van Meter 65 and her husband Roy sent the total rocketing past the goal mark to bring the campaigns current total to $88,246,062 as of November 18.
The remaining question is how high can we go before December 31?
STUDENTS TURN OUT TO VOTE IN RECORD NUMBERS
Reports were mixed on voting turnout for 18- to 24-year olds nationwide on this recent Election Day. But at Illinois State University, our students voted in record numbers!
Students waited in long lines to vote at their precinct in the Bone Student Center, some as long as 3 « hours. Though polls closed at 7 p.m., students already in line were given numbers to ensure they got to vote. Voting continued until around 10 p.m. The students appeared to take it all in stride as it seemed few gave up and left.
Take a peek at the Election Day excitement at www.IllinoisState.edu/alumni/ElectionDayphotos.shtml.
ILLINOIS STATES RETENTION/GRADUATION RATES HIT ALL-TIME HIGH
Illinois State Universitys retention and graduation rates have achieved all time highs. The 2004 fall-to-fall retention rate (the percentage of freshman who started in fall 2003 and returned for fall 2004) is now at 84 percent, up from 82.6 in fall 2003 and up more than 5 percent from five years ago.
The Universitys freshman retention rate is the second highest among Illinois public universities and ninth highest among U.S. News and World Reports 57 Tier Three institutions.
Illinois States graduation rates are improving as well. The Universitys overall percentage of freshmen graduating within six years is also at an historic high of 62 percent, up from 56 percent in 2000. Illinois States six-year graduation rate is 2nd highest among Illinois public schools and ranks 12th out of U.S. News and World Reports 57 Tier Three schools.
RADIO COVERAGE OF REDBIRD BASKETBALL REACHING WIDER AUDIENCE
An alum who had to hit the road during Illinois State's mens basketball game with Mississippi recently told us how grateful he was for the Redbird Radio Network that allowed him to hear the 70-52 victory in its entirety.
The alum left Bloomington heading north to Wisconsin at game time listening to flagship WJBC (AM-1230). Traveling north on Interstate 39, he slid from WJBC to Pontiac's WJEZ (98.9 FM) and then to WZOE (AM-1490) in Princeton as he neared Interstate 80. As the Redbird lead grew in the second half, the alum was able to stay with the call on WBIG (AM-1280) in Aurora/Naperville right into the post-game, which ended a few miles south of Rockford.
The recent addition of WBIG provides a new opportunity for Chicago-area alumni fans to follow the Birds.
The Redbird Radio Network can keep fans tuned-in heading south as well with WFMB (AM-1450) in Springfield and WDID (AM-1510) in Highland, near St. Louis.
TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHES FUND TO HELP GLBT STUDENTS
A group of Illinois State employees and alumni, through gifts to the Redefining normal campaign, have established a fund to provide emergency grants to students who, due to their sexual orientation, lose the financial support of their families.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) students who come out to their families often encounter resistance and in some cases lose family financial support. The main goal of the GLBT Student Support Fund is to provide a safety net to allow these students to stay enrolled at Illinois State while they work through difficult issues.
The fund was established through the efforts of Illinois States Triangle Association, which represents GLBT faculty and staff, who will oversee the fund, review requests and make funding decisions in cooperation with the Dean of Students.
In the future, the Triangle Association hopes to organize efforts by GLBT alumni and allies interested in building the support fund and providing assistance to current students. Interested alumni may contact Mark Vegter 93, current Triangle Association president, for details.
For more information on the GLBT Student Support Fund, contact Amy Sajko, Director of Development for Student Affairs. To make a donation, see the ISU Foundation's Ways to Give Web page.
REDBIRD ROUNDUP A ROOT-TOOTIN SUCCESS!
Alumni, parents, and friends of the University joined students, faculty, and staff in a week-long celebration of Illinois State pride during Homecoming 2004: "Redbird Roundup."
A few favorite moments:
** On Friday, 50 alumni from all over the world (yes -- one from Latvia, one from England!) were recognized as special "Alumni Day" guests. These alums spoke to classes and/or shared their expertise with faculty and staff throughout the day.
** Nearly 70 Alumni Band members in the parade ranged from the class of 1951 to the class of 2004.
** Alumni Homecoming King and Queen Helen (Matone) '47, B.S. '48 and Duffy Bass '50, M.S. '51, reigned superbly throughout the weekend.
** The Redbirds won 30 - 24 over the Youngstown State Penguins in football, including a 97-yard Redbird run for a touchdown on the opening kick-off!
** More than 450 people attended the Saturday night "big band" dance in the Ballroom featuring Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians with Al Pierson (a.k.a. Al Pizzamiglio '54).
Want to see highlights? Check out the Homecoming 2004 Photo Album on the Alumni Web site. And be sure to save the date for HOMECOMING 2005: OCTOBER 7-9!
NEW WEB SITE FEATURE: FREE DOWNLOADABLE WALLPAPER
Looking for a new and exciting background picture for your computer? Want to remember your alma mater fondly throughout the day while youre at your desk at the job that Illinois State trained you for?
Then consider downloading a scene from the Illinois State University campus from our new Web page of free computer wallpaper! You can choose from nine different scenes. The site provides simple directions on how to download the photos to your desktop.
Just click in to www.IllinoisState.edu/alumni/Wallpaper.shtml -- and enjoy!
LET'S GIVE THANKS FOR OUR FAVORITE FACULTY
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, stop for a moment and reflect on some of the faculty you learned from during your time at Illinois State. Which ones are you particularly thankful for?
Alumni Services announces the latest E-lumni News contest Favorite Faculty! Send us your vote for your favorite faculty member (whether current or retired) and why today you consider yourself thankful for him/her. Please keep your submission to about 200-250 words. Well create a special report in a future E-lumni News and send you a little gift for participating.
Better yet well contact your favorite faculty members (if we can) and present each with a Favorite Faculty certificate, letting them know how thankful their former students are. For the five faculty members getting the largest number of votes, well send along a gift. So spread the word to your alumni friends who share your favorite!
ASK ALUMNI SERVICES
QUESTION: I am wondering if you might be able to tell me how to contact one of my professors from the Anthropology department? I believe he retired this past year. Is there still a way that you know of for me to contact him? Thanks for any assistance you can provide. --- Kea Carney '79, Long Beach, California
ANSWER: Kea, your recent question became very timely as we decided to launch our Favorite Faculty contest!
One good way is to use the People Finder feature on the Illinois State University Web site at www.IllinoisState.edu. Anyone currently affiliated with the University should show up there, with an e-mail address in most cases. Retired faculty may keep their ISU e-mail accounts, so we hope youll be able to reach them that way.
In addition, many academic departments and schools provide a list of faculty (and sometimes emeriti) on their Web sites. Start at the Illinois State home page, and use the A to Z feature to find your department. Hopefully youll find a link to a list of faculty.
Of course, we make no guarantees that retired faculty check those e-mail accounts regularly. After all, isnt that what being retired is all about?
QUESTION: Im looking for a really great ISU item for my sweetie for a holiday gift. Got any suggestions? --- Anonymous, Des Plaines, Illinois
ANSWER: You and your sweetie are in luck! Some great Illinois State items are only a click away at the Alumni Web site Merchandise page. You can look for an alumni ring, diploma frame, or beautiful desk lamp . . . a mug or sweatshirt via the Barnes & Noble College Bookstore Web site link. . . . Lands' End clothing embroidered with the Redbird from the Alumni Collection . . . and more. Most purchases from these sources benefit Illinois State University or the Alumni Association.
For fans of Big Band music, check out our newest addition to the site: CDs from alum Al Pizzamiglio 54, known professionally as Al Pierson, with Guy Lombardos Royal Canadians. Proceeds from the sale of these CDs go to the Class of 1954 Scholarship Fund, which benefits the grandchildren of ISU and ISNU alumni.Of course, if your sweetie is really sweet, you might want to consider one of the many exciting travel opportunities offered on our Travel Programs page!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Details on alumni events can be found on our Events Calendar Web page.
