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Illinois State

Jimmy Jr. is a favorite atthe Miami MetroZoo,which is also home toEric Stephens ’79.

Illinois Statealumni magazine

E D I TO R I A L A DV I S O RY B OA R DDeb Gentry, Ed.D. ’90; Joy Hutchcraft; Lynn Kennell; Steven Klay ’81,M.S.’83; Todd Kober ’97, M.S. ’99; Jim Moon; Marilee (Zielinski) Rapp’63; Jim Thompson ’80, M.S. ’89; Toni Tucker; Shari Zeck

PUBLISHER, Stephanie Epp

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03

ALUMNI EDITOR, Annette States Levitt ’96, M.S. ’02

DIREC TOR, University Marketing and Communications, Bob Aaron

CLASS NOTES EDITOR, Leisa Barbour, M.S. ’06

COPY EDITORS, Bob Aaron, Susan Marquardt Blystone ’84, M.S. ’03,

Elaine Graybill

LE AD DESIGNER, Dave Jorgensen, M.S. ’03

DESIGNERS, Laura DiMascio, Teresa Henry, Michael Mahle

PHOTOGRAPHER, Jon Muzzarelli

PRODUC TION ASSISTANT, Ingrid Johnson

PRODUC TION COORDINATOR, Mary (Mulhall) Cowdery ’80

WRITERS, Bob Aaron, Kate Arthur, Tom Nugent

Illinois State (USPS 019606) is published quarterly for members of the Illinois State University Alumni Association at Bone Student Center 146, 100 North University Street, Normal, Illinois 61790-3100. Periodicals postage paid at Normal, Illinois, and at additional mailing offices.

Magazine editorial offices are located at Bone Student Center 146, 100 North University Street, Normal, Illinois 61790-3100; telephone (309)438-2586; facsimile (309) 438-8057; e-mail alumni@IllinoisState.edu;Web site www.IllinoisState.edu/alumni. Postmaster: Send addresschanges to Illinois State, Illinois State University, Campus Box 8000, Normal, IL 61790-8000.

Voluntary subscriptions of $25 per year to help defray the mounting expenses associated with publishing Illinois State are greatly appreciated.Checks payable to the Illinois State Foundation can be sent to Alumni Relations, Campus Box 3100, Normal, IL 61790-3100. Call Alumni Relations at (309) 438-2586 with any questions.

Material may be reprinted with prior approval, provided no commercial endorsement is implied and credit is given to the author, to Illinois State University, and to Illinois State.

Web site: www.IllinoisState.edu

An equal opportunity/affirmative action university encouraging diversity

A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N B OA R D O F D I R EC TO R SDon Shafer ’76, PresidentGreg Ayers ’90Derek Beckman ’97Richard Clemmons ’72Linda Meints Cooper, M.S.N. ’99Bob Freitag ’84Bill Johnston ’43Dan Kelley ’70Ann Kenyeri ’93Emily Miller Kimmey ’99, M.S. ’01Tom Lamont ’69Lynda Lane ’66Mary Ann Louderback ’74, M.S. ’80, Ph.D. ’84Rob McLear ’06Lois (Rademacher) Mills ’62, M.S. ’69Kathy Coyle Murdoch ’86Bob Navarro ’91, M.S. ’93, Ph.D. ’02Marilee (Zielinski) Rapp ’63Joe Rives, M.S. ’90, Ph.D. ’94Gary Schnurrpusch ’69Kristen Emmert Shaner ’86Terrence Sykes ’93Gary Tiffany ’74Jana Whitman ’90Janessa Williams ’89Mike Willis ’82Jerry Wright ’62Carl Kasten ’66, Board of Trustees Alumni Liaison

A L U M N I R E L AT I O N SStephanie Epp, Executive DirectorWalt Cody, Associate Director, Chicago OfficeAngie Coughlin, Assistant DirectorSheila Hawk ’06, Program CoordinatorShanay Huerta ’03, M.S. ’05, Assistant DirectorAnnette States Levitt ’96, M.S. ’02, Assistant DirectorJamie (Kelly) Sennett ’99, Assistant Director

alumni magazineVolume 7, Number 2, Fall 2006

Illinois State

WordThe First

November is the one timeeach year when Americans fall into a holiday season that is typicallymarked by an attitude of gratitude. Relatives gather around a feast, reuniting and reflecting with family members. Gifts are exchanged and gen-erosity abounds, as individuals look for ways to help those less fortunate.

As you pause to ponder your blessings during the weeks ahead, I askthat you take a moment to consider your alma mater. Ask yourself howmany of the items you note as reasons to be grateful have a direct link toIllinois State.

Career accomplishments will no doubt rank high for many on such a list. While contemplating your professional journey, think back to yourcollegiate days. Remember that time in your 20s when dreams of that firstjob weren’t yet a reality? Hindsight affords the opportunity to realize howthe academic challenges encountered at Illinois State all those years agocreated the foundation needed to build the career you now value.

I’ve yet to meet a graduate who doesn’t have memories of one classthat was pivotal in cementing a career decision. I delight in hearing alum-ni recount how specific professors made a real difference by making a sub-ject engaging. Others recall a caring faculty member who offered meaning-ful words of encouragement that sparked a determination to move forwardin a chosen field.

Spend a few minutes remembering those individuals who looked intothe future and helped you set a course for life after Illinois State. Add toyour list of blessings the names of professors from within the Universitywho invested more than expected classroom time to become your mentorand friend.

Before you put the pen down, I urge you to write a note of thanks.Don’t let time and distance keep you from reconnecting with key people from your collegiate days. Visit the University’s Web page atwww.IllinoisState.edu and use the people finder link to search for individ-uals you want to contact. The directory includes retirees as well as currentfaculty members. If the person you hope to reach is not listed, contactAlumni Relations for assistance.

This year wrap your best gift in an envelope and opt for a stampinstead of the traditional bow. The effort required is no more taxing thanshopping for that perfect present. As a professor myself, I guarantee thatthe recipient will find the sentiment priceless.

Al BowmanPresident, Illinois State University

He talks to the animals

Some of Eric Stephens’ favorite moments are spent conversing

with the creatures he comes across during an average day on his

extraordinary job. Stephens ’79 is the director of the nationally

renowned Miami MetroZoo, which ranks as one of the top 10 zoos

in the country. His ability to turn a collegiate internship into a career

is a story as spectacular as the animals he nurtures. Cover: Stephens

has worked hard in recent months to restore the health of the

gorilla he affectionately calls “J.J.” (Cover and adjacent photo were taken by

Ron Magill/Miami MetroZoo.)

Contents

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2 U N I V E R S I T Y N E W S

1 3 I L L I N O I S S T A T E ’ S O T H E R M I S S I O N With approximately 20,000 students enrolled, it’s easy to

envision the University as an institution that serves individuals

working toward a degree. But Illinois State’s mission is much

more broad, as evidenced by the work of Extended University.

The unit that exists to make campus expertise and facilities

widely and readily available excels in public service.

1 8 O N E T O U G H ’ B I R D Ryan Crowley ’00 wanted a unique job. He’s found it as a

member of the elite U.S. Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) forces.

Overseas on an assignment he can’t discuss, Crowley proudly

serves in a military branch so secretive that it is misunder-

stood. What he can disclose is how his years with the men’s

basketball team helped him through the grueling preparation

every SEAL encounters.

2 2 W H O M A K E S T H E G A R D E N S G R O W ?It’s impossible to come to Illinois State and not admire the

work of Darcy Loy. She’s the landscape gardener who has

spent more than 20 years creating a carpet of color on the

Quad. Responsible for placing approximately 13,000 annuals

across 400 acres every year, Loy plants with a specific goal of

making the campus appealing to the senses.

2 6 A L U M N I S E R V I C E S

3 0 C L A S S N O T E S

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2 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

UniversityNews

”Two of the most used classroom buildings on the Illinois State campus will be renovated as a result of significant state funding. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has set aside $18 million for life safetyimprovements at Stevenson and Turner halls.

Bids will go out in the spring, with work expected to begin next summer. Planning and design work hasalready been completed at a cost of $4 million, putting the total budget close to $22 million.

The money will be used to install a new fire alarm and electrical system ineach building, as well as sprinklers. Upgrades will guarantee Stevenson andTurner are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“There are clear safety issues that need to be addressed in these buildings,”President Al Bowman said, noting that the outdated fire and electrical systemsrequire constant and costly maintenance.

“These improvements will provide a better environment for students andteachers at one of the state’s finest universities,” Blagojevich said. “By address-ing these issues now, we will avoid more costly work in the future.”

The University’s administration made the project a top priority with the governor’s office and legislators, pushing the project forward despite delaysdue to state budget woes. Bowman thanked Blagojevich and the Illinois Gener-al Assembly for the funds needed to bring “two workhorse buildings” up to 21stcentury standards.

Dedicated in 1969, Stevenson was named after Adlai E. Stevenson. He waselected governor of Illinois, twice became the Democratic candidate for President of the United States, and was United States Ambassador to the UnitedNations.

Initially home to the College of Arts and Sciences and the departments ofEnglish, Mathematics, and Foreign Languages, the building featured a 200-seatauditorium and one of the most advanced language laboratories in the world.The building still houses the College of Arts and Sciences and several of its departments, but has undergone renovation to incorporate computer laboratories.

Turner dates back to 1963 and is named after Jonathan Baldwin Turner. Before Illinois State was established in 1857, Turner served as president of the Illinois Teachers Institute. He called for creation of auniversity for agriculture and industrial training, which are just some of the programs that have beenhoused in Turner over the years. Today the building is home to the departments of Technology, and Family and Consumer Sciences. The University’s Child Care Center is also located in Turner.

Stevenson Hall

‘‘$18 million made available to renovate Stevenson and Turner halls

ADAMS NAMED VICE PRESIDENT

OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

After spending nearly three decades work-ing in the area of Admissions, SteveAdams was named interim vice presidentfor the Division of Student Affairs thissummer.

The division includes the Dean ofStudents Office, Student Health Services,Student Counseling Center, UniversityHousing Services, Disability Concerns,Career Center, Campus Dining Services,and Recreation Services. Other unitsresponsible for extracurricular learningopportunities and programs are also with-in Student Affairs.

Adams had served as assistant vicepresident for Enrollment Managementand Academic Services since 2003. Hisother administrative assignments haveincluded interim director of Financial Aidand director of Admissions, which is aposition he held for 11 years. During thattime Adams helped raise the new studentacademic profile to record levels.

Adams is also known on campus asthe voice of the Redbirds, havingannounced football and basketball gamesfor decades. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame and theIllinois State University Athletic Hall ofFame.

Jonathan Rosenthal has been namedinterim assistant vice president for Enroll-ment Management and Academic Ser-vices. He now oversees Admissions,Financial Aid, University Registrar, andUniversity College units, which includesmore than 200 staff members. He too hasserved in multiple administrative rolessince coming to Illinois State in 1991 as aforeign languages faculty member.

THAILAND SEEKS COLLEGE’S

HELP IN CREATING PROGRAM

A university in Thailand has turned to theCollege of Applied Science and Technolo-gy and the School of Kinesiology andRecreation for assistance in launching aleisure and recreation management major.

Srinakharinwirot University’s Inter-national College of Sustainability Studiesis developing a new major in leisure andrecreation management, with courses slat-

ed to begin in 2007. Six professors fromthe school came to campus during thesummer for teacher training workshopsand curriculum review sessions conduct-ed by Kinesiology and Recreation faculty.

Barb Schlatter, Brent Beggs, AmyHurd, and Sandy Klitzing helped preparethe Thai faculty members to teach cours-es in recreation and leisure studies, out-door education, and the operation andmanagement of community recreationand leisure services.

The faculty also conducted a cur-riculum review of the courses that will betaught in Thailand. An Illinois State fac-ulty member will visit Thailand in thesummer of 2007 to team teach the firstsessions of the new courses with Thaifaculty.

GUILTY PLEA ENTERED IN

CASE OF SLAIN STUDENT

The family of slain Illinois State studentOlamide Adeyooye has been spared a trial. A suspect arrested in the case, Maurice Wallace, entered a guilty pleathis summer to charges of murder. Hewas sentenced to life in prison.

Wallace lived close to Adeyooye’soff-campus apartment at the time of herdisappearance last October. He wasarrested in Georgia, which is wherepolice discovered Adeyooye’s car. Herremains were found in a burned-outchicken house in Mississippi.

A scholarship fund has been estab-lished on campus to honor Adeyooye,who was a senior clinical laboratory sci-ence major from Chicago. The Student

3ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

Illinois State’s public radio station, WGLT, won a prestigious national Edward R. Murrow

Award for the second year in a row. In addition, WGLT is among a select group of just 12

stations chosen nationally to participate in a new

National Public Radio (NPR) training program called

Morning Edition Graduate School.

WGLT is the only radio or television station to

win the national Murrow award this year in the four-

state region that includes Illinois, Ohio, Michigan,

and Indiana. There were more than 3,700 entries in

the Murrow Awards competition for the year, and

only 55 broadcast outlets won.

Assistant News Director Charlie Schlenker ’80

received the honor from the Radio and Television

News Directors Association. He won for news writing

in the small market radio division. It is the second

Murrow for Schlenker, who captured the award last

year for sports reporting.

The station also won three regional awards for Best Newscast, Best News Writing,

and for Willis Kern’s Hard News Feature on a hotel worker protest. This is also the second

consecutive year WGLT has won more than one regional award.

The Morning Edition Graduate School is the first national effort aimed at assuring

peak performance on local stations for the established Morning Edition program. WGLT

staff attended workshops and will receive assistance as changes are implemented at the

station.

WGLT remains in national spotlight

Charlie Schlenker ’80

Foundation cosponsored a Play forOlamide beanbags tournament this fall toraise money for the scholarship fund.

Contributions may be sent to IllinoisState University Foundation/ATTN: Ron-da Queen, Campus Box 8000, Normal, IL,61790-8000, or can be made online atwww.development.ilstu.edu/giving.

PROFESSOR’S BOOK EARNS

INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM

Communication Professor WilliamCupach has received the OutstandingBook Award from the International Asso-ciation for Relationship Research (IARR).He and San Diego State University Profes-sor Brian Spitzberg coauthored The DarkSide of Relationship Pursuit: From Attrac-tion to Obsession and Stalking.

The book examines the processes bywhich relationships evolve into forms ofharassment and threatening activity.Cupach and Spitzberg also provide thefirst and most comprehensive statisticalsummary of the prevalence, types ofbehavior, levels of threat and violence,and types of victim response that resultfrom these types of relationships. Thebook also develops a new theory of howthese relationships evolve, and the waysin which the victims of such unwantedpursuit can cope with the ongoing harass-ment.

Cupach is a past president of IARR,which promotes the scientific study ofpersonal relationships. Its membersinclude scholars from numerous coun-tries representing a wide range of disci-plines, including communication, coun-seling, psychology, sociology, familystudies, human development, gerontologyand anthropology.

GOVERNING BOARD OFFICERS

ELECTED, STUDENT SEATED

Carl Kasten ’66 has been reelected toserve as chair of the University’s Board ofTrustees. Another alumnus, Stan Ommen’63, is secretary.

A Carlinville attorney, Kasten is theonly current board member who has been

on the governing body since its incep-tion in 1996. He also served on theBoard of Regents, which had oversight ofIllinois State prior to the creation of theBoard of Trustees.

Ommen has been a board membersince 2000. He also serves as chair of theUniversity’s Foundation board. He ispresident and chief executive officer ofthe State Farm Bank.

Brett Schnepper has joined theboard as student trustee. A senior fromChampaign, Schnepper is majoring inbusiness administration and politicalscience.

PRESIDENT BONE REMEMBERED

ON MILESTONE BIRTHDAY

The campus community paused duringthe summer to mark what would havebeen the 100th birthday of former Illi-nois State President Robert Bone. A cele-bration complete with a commemorativecake was held in the Bone Student Cen-ter, which is named after the ninth pres-ident.

Bone was born in Springfield andgrew up to become one of the mostimportant and beloved figures at theUniversity. In leading Illinois Statethrough its 11th decade, Bone oversawthe name change from Illinois State Nor-mal University. He also managed anenrollment explosion, as the studentbody went from 3,200 to 10,500. Fifteenbuildings were constructed during histenure, and the student center wasplanned. The building was renamed in1982 to honor Bone and his wife, Karin.

DevelopmentRETIRED TEACHER CREATES COLLEGE

OF EDUCATION ENDOWMENT

Illinois State students who aspire tobecome teachers of language arts in mid-dle schools will benefit from the generos-ity of fellow graduate and retired teacherCharlotte Corray Kinkade ’61.

She established the Charlotte CorrayKinkade Endowed Scholarship Fund forMiddle Level Education this year, withthe goal of providing financial supportfor students who intend to teach middleschool language arts. Scholarship recipi-ents must also be in the senior year of themiddle level teacher education programwithin the Department of Curriculumand Instruction.

Kinkade, of Normal, began herteaching career in 1962 as a sixth-gradeteacher. She went on to teach 24 years atChiddix Junior High School in Normal.For two decades she taught language artsat Chiddix, including literature, composi-tion, grammar, listening, and spelling.

Additional contributions to thescholarship can be made online atwww.development.ilstu.edu/index.shtml,or by contacting Development DirectorGail Lamb at galamb@ilstu.edu or (309)438-2903.

GIFT OF ART IS A LABOR OF LOVE

University High School and Collegeof Fine Arts graduate Tom Kendall ’71,M.S. ’73, is a renowned artist who createsunique sculptures and vessels usingwood, metal, and porcelain that are thendecorated in leaf patterns. His talent isnow on display at U-High, as Kendall cre-ated a seal for the school.

“Making the piece was an enjoyableexperience because it allowed me to recallmy youth and the time I spent in highschool,” Kendall said of the 36-inchporcelain and bronze seal, which was cre-ated with assistance from Kendall’s sisterand her husband, Meredith ’73 and TomLovelass. Both U-High graduates, theyfunded the bronze center of the seal,

4 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

UniversityNews

Carl Kasten ’66

5ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

which was presented during the highschool’s September homecoming events.

“The quality of education at U-Highand Illinois State was first rate, and thefriendliness of the community had atransforming effect on us all,” Kendallsaid. “I hope this seal will make a smallimprovement in the atmosphere of theschool and bring a feeling of pride to thestudents who notice it, for I myself amproud to have been a student at Univer-sity High School.”

Now a resident of Plainwell, Michi-gan, Kendall owns a studio and contin-ues to create his distinct oak leaf pottery.His work is showcased in myriad collec-tions, including the Smithsonian Insti-tute. It is available in galleries and shopsacross the country.

ALUMNI DONATIONS ESTABLISH

SCHOLARSHIP IN THE SCIENCES

A scholarship to aid undergraduate sci-ence students has been established bytwo alumni as a means to remove finan-cial barriers for promising students.Robert O’Dell ’59, S.C.D. ’01, and MartyRademacher ’59 pledged sufficient fundsto create the scholarship, which isnamed for Carl D. Heldt.

Their goal in establishing the Heldtscholarship is to provide tuition and feesfor an undergraduate studying one of thenatural sciences. The scholarship will begiven annually. The recipient, who willbe chosen based on financial need and a proven willingness to work, mustdemonstrate academic promise andmaintain a high level of academicachievement, without expectation of par-

ticipation in athletics at Illinois State. Heldt had been an outstanding stu-

dent and athlete at Purdue University andplayed professional football before serv-ing as a Lieutenant Commander in theNavy during WW II. In 1949 he joinedIllinois State, where he coached linemenon the football team and was weight-events coach for the track team. Heretired in 1971 and died in 1983.

“To us, he was the personification ofwhat is meant by ‘mentor’ in an era beforethat term became devalued by becomingfashionable. He was a figure of integritythat others tried to emulate,” Rademacherand O’Dell stated. The two majored inmathematics and physics, respectively,while participating in several varsitysports.

The scholarship is expected to sup-port one student at a time. Limited sup-port at this level is available to IllinoisState students. Contributions to thescholarship will support additional gifted and financially disadvantaged students. Gifts can be made online atwww.development.ilstu.edu/index.shtml.Contact Executive Director of DevelopmentJoy Hutchcraft by e-mail at jdhutch@ilstu.edu,or by phone at (309) 438-8184.

Alumni MADRIGAL DINNERS SLATED

FOR CHICAGO AND CAMPUS

The Illinois State Madrigal Dinners willcelebrate a second year in Chicago thisholiday season. The musical and visualcelebration set in the Renaissance style ofMerrie Olde England will be held at 2 p.m. on December 17 at Preston BradleyHall.

Chicago alumni and alumni visitingthe Chicago area are invited to attend theperformance, which is presented by theChicago Department of Cultural Affairsin collaboration with Chicagourmets.Tickets for the Chicago dinner and showare $75. They can be ordered by calling(312) 742-8497.

In addition to the Chicago event,multiple performances of the Madrigalswill once again be scheduled on campus.

For tickets to the dinners on campus, callthe Center for the Performing Arts BoxOffice at (309) 438-2535. The completeschedule for the season is available atwww.cfa.ilstu.edu/events/madrigal.

KEEP IN TOUCH DURING VACATIONS

Are you headed to a warmer climate forwinter? Make certain you receive thismagazine and other important IllinoisState mailings while away from yourhome address. Simply send your season-al address to Alumni Relations, alongwith the dates for the change of address.Doing so also guarantees that you’llreceive information about alumni eventsin the area you are visiting.

If you annually travel to the samelocation during the same time period,just one notice is required. If you travelto a different destination each year,please contact Alumni Relations eachtime you temporarily relocate.

Your name, telephone number, e-mail address, seasonal address, and the start and end dates for the period of your relocation are needed. The information can be submitted online at www.alumni.ilstu.edu/myinfo/update/update_form.shtml, or sent by e-mail to alumni@IllinoisState.edu. Mail shouldbe sent to Illinois State University,Migrating Redbirds, Campus Box 3100,Normal, IL 61790-3100.

LEGACY STUDENT AWARDED

TUITION BENEFIT

One incoming student has been selectedto receive a Nonresident Legacy StudentTuition Waiver from the Illinois StateUniversity Alumni Association. Theaward provides the opportunity forselected sons or daughters of IllinoisState alumni who live out of state toattend the University at in-state tuitionrates.

Kate E. Stickelmaier of Springboro,Ohio, was selected by the Alumni Associ-ation Scholarship Committee from appli-cations received. The daughter ofRichard Stickelmaier ’95, she is a fresh-man majoring in journalism.

To be eligible for the waiver, appli-cants must have at least one parent who

Porcelain and bronze U-High seal

is a graduate of Illinois State University,and be enrolled full time. Selection isbased on scholastic achievement, school-related extra-curricular activities, nonschool-related organizations, honors andawards, and work and volunteer experi-ences.

Individuals interested in the 2007-2008 academic year scholarship musthave applications submitted by March 1.Go to www.alumni.ilstu.edu/about_us/scholarships online for more informa-tion and to obtain necessary forms, or e-mail Alumni Relations Assistant Director Shanay Huerta ’03, M.S. ’05, atsmhuert@IllinoisState.edu.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

DIRECTORS ELECTED

Six individuals have joined the AlumniAssociation Board of Directors, whichworks in cooperation with the AlumniRelations staff to provide programs, ser-vices, and events for alumni.

Elected to their first, three-yearterms were Tom Lamont ’69; KathyCoyle Murdoch ’86; Bob Navarro ’91,M.S. ’93, Ph.D. ’02; Mike Willis ’82, andJerry Wright ’62. Rob McLear ’06 begana one-year term as the Student AlumniCouncil representative.

Lamont lives in Springfield, wherehe worked as a law firm lobbyist beforeretirement. He is a former member of theUniversity of Illinois Board of Trustees.Murdoch resides in Normal and worksas a medical technologist in the labora-tory of OSF St. Joseph Hospital inBloomington. Navarro, of Chicago, is a

former student government leader. Heworks for a university residence organi-zation in Chicago that offers housing tostudents attending downtown colleges.

Willis is a long-time member of theBlack Colleagues Association and hasserved as the organization’s president.He is a Cook County probation officerand resides in Chicago. Wright hasserved on the Technology Departmentadvisory board. He is retired from Cater-pillar and resides in Trivoli.

The following board members wereelected as officers: Don Shafer ’76, Peoria, president; Dan Kelley ’70, Normal, vice president; Emily MillerKimmey ’99, M.S. ’01, St. Louis, secre-tary; and Kristin Emmert Shaner ’86,Morton, treasurer. Three at-large execu-tive committee members confirmed wereRich Clemmons ’72, Bloomington; GaryTiffany ’74, Cherry Valley; and JanessaWilliams ’89, Normal.

All graduates are automatic mem-bers of the Alumni Association. Alumniwho have made a gift to the Illinois StateUniversity Foundation in the current orpreceding year have active membershipstatus and are eligible to serve on theboard.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION CHANGES

ALUMNI PUBLICATION

Alumni who have grown accustomed toreceiving the Statewide Standard from theCollege of Education twice a year will getthe newsletter annually beginning thisacademic year. The publication willchange to a magazine format, with distri-bution in the spring. The first issue willmark the University’s 150-year history inteacher education, with news from edu-cation alumni and friends in the field.

The publication began in 1994 asCollege of Education News, and wasdesigned as a newspaper. It was replacedby the Statewide Standard in the fall of2000. Since then the newsletter hasinformed college alumni and friendsabout opportunities and challenges fac-ing the Illinois education community.

In addition to the Statewide Standardchanges, the college plans to revise theResearch Report. The annual fall publica-tion targets higher education institutionsand research communities. Support ofresearch in education is central to the

6 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

College of Education mission. The col-lege has an impressive record for theacquisition of external grant funding,and is the largest grant-producing unitin the University. The Research Reportwill highlight several key research initia-tives of the college, its centers, and itsschool partnerships.

Both publications will be availableon the College of Education Web site atwww.coe.ilstu.edu.

AthleticsRED ALERT SPARKS STUDENT

SUPPORT OF REDBIRDS

A new student organization aimed atincreasing school spirit has been initiat-ed by Athletics to provide a strongerhome field or court advantage for Red-bird teams. Red Alert gives Illinois Statestudents the opportunity to reserve pri-ority seating for athletic conteststhroughout the academic year.

Red Alert members will be admittedto each game 15 minutes earlier than thegeneral public and have seats close tothe action. Each student who pays the$40 fee for the Red Alert membershipwill also receive a red T-shirt to wear toeach game.

ILLINOIS STATE ATHLETICS,

NIKE FORM PARTNERSHIP

One of the most recognized symbols inthe world, the Nike swoosh, will be seenon all Illinois State athletic uniforms asa result of a five-year, all-school dealapproved this summer.

The $1.25 million deal is expectedto bring the University a savings of 15 to40 percent on Nike merchandise. Priorto the partnership, Athletics purchasedfrom a number of manufacturers. Thiscontract will allow the University to takeadvantage of wholesale pricing. It willalso consolidate the majority of pur-chases with a primary vendor, whichwill reduce purchasing time, and paper-work.

Under the contract, Redbird stu-dent-athletes will be suited in Nike practice gear, footwear, equipment, and

Members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors

Executive Committee include, seated from left, Emily Miller

Kimmey, Don Shafer, and Rich Clemmons. Standing from

left are Gary Tiffany, Janessa Williams, and Dan Kellley.

Kristen Emmert Shaner and Greg Ayers are not pictured.

Editor’s Note: Letters on issues discussed in Illinois State orrelating to university news or policies are welcome. All let-ters should be limited to 250 words or less and are subject toediting. Send e-mail to sjblyst@IllinoisState.edu; fax to(309) 438-8411; or mail to Illinois State, Illinois State Uni-versity, Campus Box 3420, Normal, IL 61790-3420.

To the Editor, As I opened the last alumni magazine and flipped to thealumni news pages, I was stunned! There was no 1950sinformation. Not one note or announcement.

I felt a mild depression. Would we all be forgotten,along with the things we experienced and were given byour alma mater? Who would tell about the Homecom-ing parade with President (Robert) Bone on a bale ofhay, or President (R.W.) Fairchild waving to the citizensand students that made up the small town named Nor-mal? Who would be left to explain why the school wascalled Normal in the first place? Where will students

find out about the 10-cent egg sandwich at Cline’s Coffee Shop, or the Saturday afternoon adventure at the local theater that you could see for one thin dime?

It was when I pondered the words “mission state-ment” that I realized what was happening wasinevitable. Our mission was almost complete. We hadbeen prepared, mentored, and made ready to do a job. Icould sit back in my recliner and bask in the knowledgethat we had done it quite well. We are never going to becompletely forgotten. We abide within all the peoplewho passed through Illinois State and will pass throughfor decades to come.

Surely the next alumni magazine will have ’50snews. After all, we ’50s graduates still have a lot of giv-ing to do! I only wish I could be around to see the nextcentury with all of you.

Edward Powell ’59

Letters

uniforms. Replacements will occur asneeded by teams within the next two tothree years.

Illinois State is only the secondinstitution in the Missouri Valley Con-ference to have an all-school deal. Ath-letics Director Sheahon Zenger sees thepartnership as an exciting opportunityfor the University.

“This agreement with Nike providesan instant upgrade in our perception forour department,” Zenger said. “Everyoneassociated with Illinois State Universityhas always known that the Redbirdscompete in major college athletics, butthis now helps our image nationally.This agreement also allows us to consol-idate our equipment needs, while alsoproviding our department with a consis-tent look.”

Head football coach Denver John-son is equally enthusiastic, saying thatthe Nike contract “is just one more indi-cation of the advances that our athleticdepartment is making, and the positiveimage that Illinois State is presenting ona national scale.”

MARKETING CAMPAIGN BUILDS

ENTHUSIASM FOR UNIVERSITY TEAMS

It’s no coincidence that there were a fewhundred Reggie logo sightings aroundthe Bloomington-Normal communitythis summer. They were strategicallyplaced as part of an intense Athleticsmarketing campaign.

“The day I interviewed for this job, I knew that if this community, theUniversity, and its Athlet-ics Department couldembrace each other, thistruly would be a specialplace,” Athletics DirectorSheahon Zenger said.

With that goal in mind, Athleticslaunched a “Hometown Team” cam-paign. One key theme of the campaign isto “Spread the Red.” Redbird Athleticshas started the ball rolling with morebillboards, the distribution of staticstickers, and Illinois State flags. Thetheme was embraced for 2006 Home-coming events.

In addition, the Spread the Red logowill also appear on all Mountain Dew

Code Red cans from the Pepsi distribu-tion centers in Morton and Kankakee,while delivery trucks will have the samelogo on the trailer’s back door.

“Spread the Red is our way of reach-ing out to the community and hopingthat they will embrace us back,” saidZenger, who noted that there is “moreand more Redbird apparel and merchan-

dise in the community.”The search for more creative ways to

Spread the Red continues. Visit the Webat GoRedbirds.com and click on theSpread the Red logo to submit ideas andphotos. Alumni are needed to helpSpread the Red!

7ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

TM

Meet the mayor of

paradise

It’s late afternoon at the famed Miami MetroZoo, and Eric J. Stephens ’79 hasdecided to pay a quick visit to a couple of his closest buddies.

With the flick of a switch, he kills the engine on his electric-poweredgolf cart and jumps out. A moment later he’s strolling up to a split-rail fencethat flanks a nearby, burbling creek.

“How you doing, guys? Everything going okay?”The two buddies respond by cutting loose with a babbling singsong that

floats and shimmers on the swampy air. Then, having completed theirimpromptu chorus, they turn away together and tumble headfirst down the

8 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

Alumnus tops the animal kingdom as Miami zoo director BY TOM NUGENT

sandy slope toward the rushing water below.The “buddies” are giant river otters, imported

from a zoo in Cali, Columbia, a few weeks before.Rolling merrily across the sand, they cavort like apair of sleek, well-fed seals, then begin to nip at eachother with gleaming teeth the size of piano keys.

“Aren’t they fabulous?” asked Stephens, whohas served as the award-winning director of thenationally renowned Miami MetroZoo since 1998.“These giant river otters are new for us, and they’reextremely rare. We’re only the third zoo in thecountry to obtain a pair. There are actually fewerof these South American otters in the U.S. thanpanda.”

He watches the sinuous, jet-black creaturespaddle lazily through the shallows. “As a zoo direc-tor, I get very excited whenever we welcome newarrivals like these two guys. It’s gonna be interestingto see how they react to their new environment.”

Watching them, Stephens chuckles happily.He was an Illinois State senior completing a parksand recreation administration major when he firstarrived as an intern. He’s spent the past 26 yearsworking at the zoo in a variety of posts, and it’sobvious that he loves this place. Climbing backinto the golf cart, he shakes his balding head inwondrous appreciation of these latest additions tohis 740-acre animal kingdom, which is home formore than 1,200 wild creatures from across theglobe.

“If you think the otters are something, waituntil you get a look at what’s next on the tour,”Stephens said. The golf cart clatters along a peb-bled pathway for 60 or 70 yards, then lurches to astop beside a rocky hill.

“That’s a Komodo dragon,” said Stephens,pointing toward an enormous, copper-hued lizardthat lurks atop the rocky overhang, looking as ifshe just stepped out of Hollywood’s Jurassic Park.“She’s between six and seven feet long—the biggest

species of lizard in the world—and she’s fromIndonesia, the only place where they exist.

“We imported this Komodo in 1997, and she’sbeen a huge success story. A few years ago, shehatched 27 eggs. We were able to send dragons todifferent zoos all over the world,” Stephens said.From beneath the bill of his gaudily decoratedbaseball cap (the logo reads: Cuban Crocodile Sur-vival Plan), Stephens beams like a proud grand-

parent as he remembers the joy of sending allthose baby Komodos off to their brand-newhomes.

“One of our biggest challenges at the Metro-Zoo is species preservation,” he said. “We workdaily with wildlife experts, conservation groups,government agencies, and other zoos around theworld in a continuing effort to save threatenedspecies from extinction.

“It’s a difficult battle at times because of theway urban development and industrializationkeep shrinking the environments required formany types of wildlife. But when you win one—likewe did with those 27 Komodo hatchlings—it really

9ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

“One of our biggest challenges at the MetroZoo is

species preservation. We work daily with wildlife

experts, conservation groups, government

agencies, and other zoos around the world.”

Eric Stephens ’79, facing page,

often leaves his administrative

desk to spend time with the

more than 1,200 wild creatures

at the Miami MetroZoo, which

he has overseen since 1998.

Among his most favorite

creatures is the Komodo

dragon, above, which begins

its life in an egg. The zoo

acquired the female lizard in

1997, and has since sent its

offspring around the world.

underscores the importance of good zoo manage-ment in protecting wild animals from beingdestroyed by the loss of their natural habitats.”

Ask Stephens to describe his remarkableoccupation, and the veteran zoo director will tellyou that he often thinks of himself as a kind of“small-town mayor.” He’s a hands-on chief execu-tive who’s responsible for 120 full-time employeesand 35 part-time staffers, along with an $11 mil-lion annual operating budget. His daily challenge:To lead his zoo organization—which is a unit of theMiami area’s Dade County Department of Parksand Recreation—in maintaining a safe, visitor-friendly environment in which individuals from allover the world can eyeball more than a thousanddifferent species of wildlife. They find everythingfrom giant Indian elephants with tusks the size ofsmall tree trunks to tiny, brilliantly colored Africanhummingbirds no larger than your thumbnail.

As MetroZoo “mayor,” the 49-year-old Stephensis charged with protecting both the animals andthe humans from each other, while also doing his

best to make his exotic residents “as visible as pos-sible to the public. This job really does demand alot of creativity,” he explained. “One of our biggestchallenges is to keep the view unobstructed, whilealso making sure that our visitors are reasonablysafe at all times from the threat of being harmed bya frightened or aggressive animal.

“One of the ways we’ve accomplished thatgoal at the MetroZoo is by building a series ofmoats that the larger animals can’t cross,” heexplained. “When it comes to the elephants andthe rhinos and some of the big cats, we’ve foundthat the moats are effective because they eliminatethe possibility that these big animals could gainaccess to the people.

“Once you solve that problem, you don’t real-ly need a big, vision-obstructing fence for the pub-lic; you can get away with a much smaller ‘warningfence’ that still gives everybody a wide-open view.”

So far the strategy has worked out well,although Stephens readily concedes that thedesign is “always vulnerable” to human reckless-ness and thoughtless behavior. “We got a realscare a few years back,” he recalled, “when a visi-tor became inebriated and tried to pour his beeronto a leopard. The young man was sitting on awall, pouring beer down into an enclosed area. Hegot the shock of his life when the leopard made amighty leap and swatted the bottle out of his hand!

“No one was injured, thankfully, and we tooksteps immediately to restrict the leopard’s move-ments even more. But that incident demonstrateshow you can’t plan for every situation. You doeverything you possibly can for safety but in theend, you have to depend on the judgment andmaturity of your visitors.”

Named one of the “Top Ten” zoos in Americaby the prestigious Travel & Leisure Magazine,Stephens’s highly regarded animal kingdom has

10 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

A commitment to

unobstructed views is

one reason the Miami

MetroZoo ranks among

the best in the nation.

Habitats for the larger

animals incorporate

moats, below, to

protect zoo visitors.

grown by more than 25 percent since the he tookthe helm. He lists the “outstanding views” at hispark, along with some nifty educational pro-grams, as the key reasons why the zoo has gaineda national reputation.

That’s in spite of suffering some major struc-tural damage during several recent hurricanes.Andrew killed more than 100 tropical birds in1993, and last year’s Katrina wiped out the zoo’sonce-elegant and tree-shaded amphitheatre, whichis now being rebuilt.

So what’s the key to managing all of thisbuzzing complexity each day, while also makingsure your animals thrive and your visitors raveabout their latest trip to the Miami MetroZoo? “Ithink the most important thing you need is the will-ingness to step right in and learn everything youcan about every aspect of zoo operation,” said theveteran director, who signed on as a zoo employeesoon after completing his Illinois State degree.

“Over the years I worked in every aspect of theoperation, everything from billing and purchasingto human resources to financial management. Ilearned how the place worked from the groundup. But I also spent a lot of time with the curatorsand the veterinarians. I was young and single. Ireally enjoyed coming in on a weekend day andspending the afternoon with a curator, learningeverything I could about the care and handling ofan elephant or a rhino or a big cat.

“When the county administrators and the Zoo-logical Society of Florida sat down to choose a newzoo director back in 1998, I think they felt that theywanted somebody with a wide diversity of skills,and somebody who had spent a lot of time workingon problems related to zoo management.”

Dedication and common sense are equallycritical on this job, which explains why thenation’s 210 accredited zoos and aquariums areturning to hands-on managers like Stephens forleadership rather than relying on Ph.D. veterinari-ans, or scientists to handle day-to-day operations,as in the past. Why? “They understand that whenit comes to managing a zoo environment, whatreally matters is the ability to spot problems andquickly solve them,” Stephens said. “They needpeople who can ‘get it done,’ rather than scientificspecialists who can write scholarly articles aboutthe wildlife.

“There’s a place for the specialists, of course,and every zoo is different in its own needs. We havetwo terrific full-time vets here, and we couldn’tmake it without them. But there’s also a place forthe ‘can-do’ generalist who’s able to manage thebuildings and direct the painters and the carpen-ters and the landscape artists and all the rest.”

The golf cart rumbles over a bumpy rise, andall at once Stephens is puttering past a gloweringrhinoceros named Mohan. “He’s from India, andhe’s a one-horned rhino,” Stephens explained asthe armored hulker stares balefully up. “Mohanhas really become a fixture here over the years. Hewas sent off to several other zoos for breedingback in the 1990s, and now he’s come home torest. And he’s earned it.”

A moment later, the air splits open with afrightening shriek. “That’s a harpy eagle. Right

now we’re in the middle of a big conservation pro-ject with these birds. We’re raising some harpyeagles from Panama, and if we can get some hatch-lings out of them later, we’ll be able to send themback to Central America to be released.

“Of course zoos have been involved in lots ofprojects like that one over the years— conserva-tion-of-species work with the black-footed ferret of

11ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

“I went to Illinois State hoping to become a voice

major. I wound up taking a course or two in

parks and recreation management, and I found

that I loved it.”

the American Midwest, and the Jamaican iguana,and the Komodo dragons, you name it.”

The path bends away to the left, and within acouple of minutes Stephens is walking through anamazing Coastal River Bottom exhibit featuring liveriver creatures from Indonesia. While a glitteringwaterfall roars and hisses in the background,dozens of bright Bali mynas and gouramis and pig-nosed turtles muddle contentedly through the sun-dappled world of a tropical underwater river sys-tem. Resting in the cool shadows, Stephens takes afew moments to explain how he wound up as thedirector of one of the world’s most admired zoos.

“I went to Illinois State hoping to become avoice major,” he said with a chuckle of nostalgia,“but I soon discovered that because I didn’t knowhow to play the piano, I really wouldn’t be able tokeep up. So just on a whim, I wound up taking acourse or two in parks and recreation manage-ment, and I found that I loved it. I don’t know why,exactly, but I just enjoyed the planning aspect andthe day-to-day management aspect, and after awhile, I couldn’t get enough.”

“I wound up doing a semester-long internshipin the Parks Department for Dade County duringmy senior year. When they offered me a full-timejob I jumped at it, and I never looked back.”

That was nearly three decades ago. In theinterim he married Sandy. While not an IllinoisState alum, she too completed a degree in parksand recreation administration. Today as the long-time zoo director and the dedicated father of Benand Emily, whom he’s often coached as a volunteerin local Little League sports, Stephens said he“wouldn’t change a thing” about his successfulcareer as the Mayor of Zootown.

“I’m enjoying myself more than ever,” he saidat the end of a two-hour tour. “I’m looking forwardto the opening of our new, $38-million TropicalAmerica complex later in the year. It’s going tohave all kinds of new wrinkles, including a big

central lake and a monorail passing nearby. Visi-tors will ride in boats and the displays will includehundreds of animals and birds and insects fromthe world of the tropics—lots of fun for everybody.

“With all that excitement to look forward to,”said Stephens, “you can be sure I don’t wastemuch time thinking about retirement!”

Editor’s note: Portraits of Eric Stephens ’79 were takenby Donna Victor. All animal photos were provided byRon Magill/Miami MetroZoo.

Not your typical day at the office

When the news broke that “Jimmy Jr.” had passed his yearly

physical—after losing 100 pounds and a bad case of high blood

pressure—nobody at the Miami MetroZoo was

happier than Executive Director Eric Stephens ’79.

“J.J. underwent a complete physical exam, and

he passed with flying colors,” boomed the jubilant

Stephens, a few days after a cardiologist eval-

uated the 26-year-old lowland gorilla and star

attraction at the popular zoo.

“Until quite recently, J.J. had been severely

overweight and suffering from hypertension,”

Stephens said. “Like a lot of his human counterparts, J.J. had been

eating too much and not getting enough exercise.

“But the good news for Jimmy is that we were able to put

together an effective program of diet management and physical

activity, and he’s shed 100 pounds as a result. His hypertension

has disappeared and he’s now in excellent health.”

For Stephens, the physical exam was “one of those good-news

moments when you realize how an animal in your care can really

benefit from a healthy, well-planned environment.”

The giant 360-pound ape “sailed through” the hour-long pro-

cedure without a hitch. After being anesthetized, Jimmy Jr. was

strapped to an examination table and given a standard human

electrocardiogram, along with other tests. He also received a

dental exam and a thorough teeth cleaning.

So how you do you go about the tricky process of giving a

comprehensive physical examination to a monster-sized gorilla?

Explained Stephens: “Very carefully!”

12 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

magine two doors lead to campus. The first is the Office of Admissions, which is without

question the familiar entrance to Illinois State. It’s the placeevery individual interested in earning a degree begins theirtrek toward commencement.

The other door is far less obvious, and yet thousands useit to access university resources and expertise every year. Pro-fessionals complete corporate training, seniors pursue life-long learning, youngsters attend camps, and still others par-ticipate in conferences. All enter through ExtendedUniversity (EU), and yet few realize such an office even exists.

Galen Crow, M.S. ’76, Ph.D. ’91, operates the unit that heacknowledges is largely an unknown entity—despite the factthat it offers some of Illinois State’s most popular andentrenched programs, and functions with a budget of approx-

imately $3.6 million. The majority of that total is generatedthrough external sources, meaning EU is not dependent onuniversity or state dollars to function.

“Extended University is a best-kept secret with a staff ofunsung heroes. We’re purposefully under the radar, as every-thing we do is branded as Illinois State University,” saidCrow, who is the executive director of Extended and Spon-sored Programs.

Crow oversees Conference Services, the Center for Infor-matics (InfoTech), Gamma Phi Circus, and Illinois State’sextended learning programs. Each branch of EU has such anextensive outreach that the unit as a whole is now responsi-ble for everything from Senior Professionals to College forYouth. The University’s Web calendar and distance educationprogram also fall under EU’s umbrella, as does the annual

13ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

At your service Campus resources accessible through Extended University

BY SUSAN MARQUARDT BLYSTONE

I

The Extended

University team

is led by, from left,

Rebecca Lee,

Al Light, Robert

Rariden, and

Galen Crow.

band camp that attracts thousands of students from acrossthe country to campus for a week each summer.

“We’ve got a lot of different hooks that bring people tocampus. Some people are shocked when they realize what weare involved in,” Crow said. The amazement increases withan understanding that although EU is now largely self-sup-porting, it started as an isolated initiative within the Depart-ment of Applied Computer Science, which is now known asthe School of Information Technology.

Crow joined the department as a faculty member in1983. By 1992 he was leading a research and training officewithin the department. That effort became known asInfoTech, which mushroomed as contracts with the ArmyCorps of Engineers and the state of Illinois were secured.State Farm Insurance Companies gave $1.5 million, which

enabled InfoTech to establish advanced computer labs andoffer extensive training to faculty.

As InfoTech advanced, so did concern within theprovost’s office about how Illinois State would prepare for theopportunities that were about to unfold with the predicteddemand for distance education. Anticipated technologicaladvances were expected to make online courses a necessityfor future students. At the same time, remnants of what wasonce the College of Continuing Education were operating inisolation.

“There was an enormous amount of activity going on,but with little coordination or synergy,” said Crow, who hasled EU since 1997. Former Provost John Urice envisioned anoffice that would pull these threads together to prepare forthe future by coordinating the University’s public outreachand service efforts.

It was under Urice’s watch that InfoTech went from adepartmental entity to a campus-wide unit with the name ofExtended University. EU remains under the provost’s office,which is appropriate because all activities are very much tiedto academics. “In any project we undertake, we like to havean academic partner,” Crow said.

The approach fits with EU’s three goals. The first is toextend Illinois State’s educational resources beyond the cam-pus. Another is to develop new and innovative extended pro-grams to meet evolving regional needs. The final goal is tobuild educational partnerships between Illinois State andlocal communities and constituencies.

The mission has been accomplished in ways that Crownever anticipated. For example, in FY 2005 there were 36Conference Services events that brought 19,890 visitors tocampus. Academic rooms were scheduled for more than1,000 hours of public use. There were 512,909 visits to theUniversity Calendar Web site. More than 400 hours of cor-porate training were offered to nearly 200 individuals, with130 Illinois State faculty and staff hired to teach sessions.

Another 5,748 Illinois State students enrolled in extend-ed courses, earning a total of 16,832 credit hours across 29academic departments. Gamma Phi Circus attracted 12,528audience members to three performances, with 78 young-sters attending the annual summer circus camps.

The numbers stand as evidence that EU is a critical com-ponent of the University, despite the fact Illinois State’s pri-

mary purpose is to be a pre-mier provider ofundergraduate educationprograms. Those studentswho enter through Admis-sions’ door will always bethe priority. Crow under-

stands and supports that reality, but notes that the Universi-ty also has a mandate to serve more than traditional colle-giate students.

“At its core, Illinois State is a public service organization.We are asked by the state to serve and reach out to the com-munity. The state is telling us to do this, as we’ve got a lot ofresources, expertise, and facilities,” Crow said.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) callsupon higher education entities to help Illinois business andindustry sustain strong economic growth. The state govern-ing board expects universities will partner with elementaryand secondary education to improve teaching and learning atall levels, as well as increase the number and diversity of cit-izens completing training and education programs.

What the IBHE doesn’t dictate is how to reach theseobjectives. That’s left to Crow and his team of directors, all ofwhom admit they cannot predict what EU will become overtime. That’s true in part because they never know who isgoing to ask for what services on any given day. No matterhow bizarre the inquiry, EU staff members will work to see ifthere is a fit with the University’s mission and resources.”

“We sometimes call ourselves ‘the crazy scheme depart-ment,’” Crow said. “Anybody who has an idea or a project canbring it to us. We are a major, comprehensive university withenormous amounts of expertise and facilities, which meansIllinois State is positioned to engage in public service andoutreach. We’ve also got a competent team in place to makethings happen.”

14 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

The University has a mandate to serve more than traditional collegiate students.

To learn more about Extended University,

visit www.exu.ilstu.edu online.

An e-mail link is available from the Web

site, or contact the office by phone

at (309) 438-5288.

Risk is inherent in the Gamma Phi Circus, and not only forthose student performers who fly through the air. Extendedand Sponsored Programs Executive Director Galen Crow alsotook a chance when he added the circus as a key componentof Extended University in 2003.

It was then that former Circus Director Jerry Polacekretired, leaving Gamma Phi at a crossroads. The future of theoldest collegiate circusin the nation was injeopardy because theDepartment of Kinesiol-ogy and Recreation didnot have the resourcesto fill Polacek’s dual rolewith the circus and as afaculty member.

When Crow learnedof the departmental bud-get crunch, he found theresources to hire a new circus director. As a self-supportingentity, Crow had the latitude in his budget to literally savethe circus.

“Gamma Phi easily falls under the rubric of ExtendedUniversity, so I decided to take a risk and subsidize the pro-gram,” Crow said. He relied on money coming in from otherEU initiatives to hire Al Light, as well as some funds withina circus account maintained by the University Foundation.

Light subsequently didn’t just join the circus when hecame to campus. He became part of the EU team, and hewouldn’t want it any other way.

“Jerry was an army of one foreverything,” Light said of his prede-cessor. Because Gamma Phi is nowpart of EU, Light is spared many ofthe administrative headaches Polacekendured.

“We’ve now got a support struc-ture in place, which is importantbecause Gamma Phi runs more like asmall business than an academicdepartment,” Light said. He appreci-ates having camp registrations han-

dled and invoices processed, not to mention the resources topurchase equipment and raise awareness.

One highlight this year was Gamma Phi’s first booking ata major, off-campus venue, as the circus was able to add Peo-ria Civic Center performances. Such opportunities can bepursued because of EU’s resources and structure.

Future possibilities are equally exciting. The AmericanYouth Circus Organization Festival, which attracts severalhundred youth performers from other youth circuses aroundthe world, is considering Illinois State as a possible site forevents next summer.

Light dreams of what more can be done as he partnerswith Crow to make fund-raising a priority. Both are hopefulthat circus alumni will respond to the need for everything

from lighting to the creation of asalaried assistant director positionto a campaign for a building Gam-ma Phi could claim as its own home.

Light knows that even someloyal circus alums may find that lastidea hard to fathom. And yet he isconvinced that a Gamma Phi build-ing is not only within reach, but nec-essary for the University’s proud cir-cus legacy to continue.

15ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

Gamma Phi benefits from Extended University’s support

To learn more about Gamma Phi, visit www.gammaphicircus.ilstu.eduonline. A gift form is available fromthe Web site. Circus Director Al Lightcan be reached by e-mail at ajlight@ilstu.edu, or call (309) 438-2690. Pastcircus members are invited to partic-ipate in the Gamma Phi Circus Alum-ni Club. Go to www.alumni.ilstu.edu/involved/clubs_chapters on theWeb and click on Gamma Phi tolearn how you can stay connected.

Young circus enthusiasts

work hard at Gamma

Phi’s summer camp.

16 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

Rebecca Lee ’91 is a master of minutia. Asthe director of Conference Services, sheknows that events are successful becausethe details are done to perfection. Thosewho have worked with Lee and the Con-ference Services staff have come to expectnothing less.

Lee’s office is the starting point for planning events thatbring thousands to campus each year. Although created pri-marily to assist faculty in attracting their professional affilia-tions to campus, the office now exists to serve any group thatneeds help planning business, professional, or communityconferences.

“We handle all the details so our clients can focus onprogram content and their conference goals,” Lee said. Feesare figured according to what services are requested, with anextensive menu of options available.

Lee and her staff of 10 do everything from creating andmailing marketing pieces that promote a client’s conference

to handling registration and all account-ing tasks. They arrange the caterer andmake the nametags. They reserve meetingspace and make certain the room haswhatever equipment is needed. A staffmember is typically on site to manage anycrisis that may surface during an event.

One that particularly stands out for Lee is the time a tornadoforced an immediate venue change for nearly 200 peopleattending an outdoor event.

Conference Services also handles arranging sleepingaccommodations. That meant finding a spot for nearly20,000 who visited campus last year. “Our goal is first andforemost to get individuals to come to campus for recruit-ment purposes and to showcase the University,” Lee said.And yet, Conference Services will plan and manage meetingsheld at sites across the United States.

It’s those events on campus that keep the staff busy yearround, however, with summer a particularly active season.It’s then that 2,000 Bands of America youth settle in for aweek of music. The group has made Illinois State it’s camphome for 15 years.

Each spring the campus is the destination for approxi-mately 5,000 women who attend the annual Hearts at Homeconference. In between there are groups as diverse as theInternational Farm Managers Congress, the EntomologicalSociety of America Conference, and Future Problem SolvingBowl.

Variety is a given in Lee’s job, not only with the range ofgroups seeking to use Illinois State’s resources but because ofongoing programming that attracts the local community.Conference Services is responsible for Senior Professionals,which is a group of retirees who mentor students and providelife-long educational opportunities with programs open tothe public.

The College for Youth, which provides creative learningopportunities for children during the summer, is another out-reach of Conference Services. The program just celebrated its25th year. The office also reserves space for nonacademicuse, and partners with regional chamber offices to increasetourism in the Bloomington-Normal area.

Lee expects even more visitors in the near future, as ahotel is expected to open just east of Watterson Towers in2008. When it does, Conference Services will have yet anoth-er tool to use when promoting the University as the idealmeeting location.

Conference Services will plan and manage meetings held atsites across the United States.

Conference Services puts ease into events

To find out how Conference Servicescan help with your next event, visitwww.conferences.ilstu.edu online.Director Rebecca Lee can be reachedby e-mail at ralee@ilstu.edu, or bycalling (309) 438-2160.

Bands of America is just one group that relies on Conference Services to handle

the logistics of its annual event.

The Center for Informatics (InfoTech) is the answer to everymanager’s struggle to arrange specialized staff training on abudget that doesn’t allow many dollars for professional devel-opment.

A key component of Extended University (EU), InfoTechprovides coordinated access to the University’s vast research,consulting, and training services. Robert Rariden works withcorporations, governmental agencies, and organizations todeliver whatever expert assistance is needed.

Many courses are designed to help individuals completecertificates needed for career advancement. Certification pro-grams are available in enterprise architecture, business intel-ligence, enterprise application development, project manage-ment, quality management, and business leadership andcommunication.

“We create a knowledge transfer from the University,providing an expertise clients don’t have within their ownstaff” said Rariden, who is director of Extended Universityand InfoTech.

“We do a needs assessment knowing our faculty exper-tise and availability. We put together a package and take itback to the organization,” Rariden said. What results is anopportunity to meet an external need using the time and tal-ent of Illinois State faculty and staff. University employeeswelcome the chance to earn some additional income as theytackle new and invigorating projects.

“The traditional university is self contained. Here atExtended University we matrix in and become a bridge to theUniversity,” Rariden said.Clients subsequently receiveservices that are often deliv-ered at the work site, regard-less of the distance from cam-pus. The price is remarkable,considering the depth andbreadth of knowledge madeavailable.

For example, Rariden put together for one client’s pro-ject a team that included a sociologist, economist, marketingprofessor, university administrator, and an information sys-tems expert. If he can’t find the specialist on campus or with-in the retiree pool, he’ll hire consultants—including alumni.

There are more than 150 standard courses alreadydesigned and ready to be offered with limited notice toclients, many of whom are repeat customers. The state of Illi-

nois’ Central Management Services has relied on InfoTech for15 years. Other users include Archer Daniels Midland, StateFarm Insurance Companies, Caterpillar, and myriad schooldistricts. A Fortune 500 company recently approached Rari-den to provide consultants who will assist with the compli-cated task of updating internal processes to support a newbusiness vision.

The project is an exciting opportunity for the staff of sev-en, who in the past decade have worked behind the scenes tofacilitate training to 866 computer certificate candidates and6,921 computing workshop attendees. A total of 3,948 actual

days of instructor-led training have been deliveredsince 1996. That’s in addition to EU’s task of man-aging all online courses and maintaining the Uni-versity Calendar Web site.

Rariden’s hope for the future is to do evenmore, and for a broader base of clientele. He isworking to expand from the foundation of infor-mation technology to include all academic disci-plines. He envisions endless options, from Eng-

lish faculty creating a grant-writing session to College ofBusiness professors training in management issues.

He is also actively seeking new ideas from across thecountry that fall within EU’s mission to meet knowledgeneeds of citizens. Noting EU’s reputation as “the crazyscheme department,” Rariden is eager to explore all opportu-nities that will allow him to extend Illinois State’s resourcesbeyond the campus community.

17ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

InfoTech’s training creates a bridge from corporations to campus

Find out how the Center for Informatics canprovide training to meet your needs, orexplore ways you can partner with EU as aninstructor. Visit www.exu.ilstu.edu/trainingonline. Director Robert Rariden can bereached by e-mail at rariden@ilstu.edu, orby calling (309) 438-8697. The UniversityCalendar is at www.calendar.ilstu.edu.

Distance is no problem for InfoTech instructors, who use technology

to make classes convenient.

University gardener creates vibrant welcome mat

Petunias with a purpose

BY KATE ARTHUR

When Darcy Loy walks by just any garden, she

can resist the need to stop and deadhead an ivy-leafed

geranium. She never passes a flowerbed on the Illinois

State campus, however, without snapping a wilted flower

or yanking a stubborn weed.

That inherent urge to groom the University gardens is the main reason gera-niums are scarce among the 30 planted plots spread across campus. The flowerthat ranks as Loy’s favorite annual is also a high-maintenance plant. And as theperson responsible each year for about 13,000 annuals spread across 400 acres,Loy just can’t handle anything high maintenance.

The need to limit excessive labor is just one fundamental principle that Loyhas come to rely on during her nearly 25 years as Illinois State’s landscape gardener. She’s the employee whose time and talent brings vibrant color to cam-pus every spring and summer. Along with the gardens, Loy keeps an eye on morethan 50 pots and baskets, some spilling with free-spirited vines and snow-whitepetunias. She’s also the lady who awes university guests with floral arrangementsdesigned to make Illinois State dinners and events something truly special.

Whether her work is isolated as a centerpiece on a table or showcased on theQuad, Loy works diligently to create a positive impression. She rarely meets campus visitors, and yet she knows that they all leave with a visual assessment ofIllinois State. What grade they give is critically important, as research confirmsthat most students choose a school based on aesthetics. There is subsequentlymuch more significance behind Loy’s decision to match hardy violas with glossy-leafed begonias than just the sweet smell of their combined blossoms.

A great deal of planning and purpose goes into the work done by Loy and the16-member Grounds Services staff she works with closely. Together they have cap-tured nine national grounds-keeping awards. She attributes the recognition in partto the fact that Illinois State typically exceeds what is done by other universities.

“A lot of campuses I’ve been on don’t do near the garden planting we do,” shesaid. “Everybody in our department is really proud of what they do. I always say I

23ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

Darcy Loy, facing page, makes the campus

come alive with color. As the University’s

landscape gardener for nearly 25 years,

Loy has had the opportunity to partner with

many Illinois State students. She tirelessly

shares her expertise and enthusiasm with

the next generation of horticulturists.

24 ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

have the best job on campus. Nobody eversays they don’t like what we did.”

Loy’s primary task is to convert displaygardens that were dormant during the winterinto an oasis of color. The transformation onjust the Quad requires more than 1,000plants. She attempts something differenteach spring, and was particularly pleasedwith a striking bed of hot pink wave petuniasflagged by deep purple ornamental peppersthat bloomed this past summer.

Although she won’t sink a single annualuntil after the frost-free date of May 15, herplanning begins in early December. It’s thenthat she starts sketching where the drought-resistant vincas and feathery ornamentalgrasses will go.

While students endure January’s freez-ing temperatures, Loy’s in the greenhouse,starting plants from seed. A month later,spring-green blades are rising through thedirt. In March she receives thousands ofplant “plugs,” or starts. In May it’s time for

Loy to rally a team of staff members and summer employees. They load thousandsof flowers onto a hayrack, and then spend days transplanting the floppy blooms.

“We’re on our hands and knees for seven hours,” she said. “The first two dayswe plant, I don’t get out of bed real fast the next day.”

When that cycle of intense physical labor is completed, Loy turns her atten-tion to the weather. Too much rain slows the plants down, while too little bringsout 100-gallon water tanks. She’s grateful that the most expansive gardens in theQuad are automatically irrigated and fertilized.

Before the first frost, she pulls the withering plants from the dirt and turnsher attention to one of her other campus responsibilities—floral designing. Whenthere’s a special event, such as a gathering at the president’s residence, she may beasked to arrange delicate calla lilies and exotic proteas. Her work mirrors thetheme of any event, which can lead to some challenging moments.

“Probably the weirdest thing I’ve ever done was wire together Brussels sproutsand artichokes,” said Loy, who works from an office that doesn’t have a singleplant. She does have a can of leaf shine nearby, however, along with rolled land-scape plans and two computer screens of weather radar.

Loy’s floral arrangements awe university guests.

25ILLINOIS STATE FALL / 2006

As soon as the temperature drops below freezing, she starts paying moreattention to that desktop radar. Advance warning of inclement weather is crucial,as Grounds Services is responsible for keeping 70 acres of parking lots and 32miles of sidewalks cleared of ice and snow.

She doesn’t mind the assignment, as for years she collected data for theNational Weather Service. Although Illinois State is no longer an official weatherstation, Loy maintains logs of highs and lows that date back to 1898. She still provides statistics to the media, along with a handful of agricultural customerswho continue to rely on her—despite the fact she’s rarely at her desk.

Loy is more likely to be found driving a four-wheeled John Deere gator, witha handful of dying weeds tossed in back. She relies on the transportation to tourthe campus, which is a registered arboretum with a curated collection of trees,shrubs, and plants.

Although she isn’t responsible for the University’s trees or 8,000 shrubs, Loydoes coordinate the Fell Arboretum Donor Tree Program, which allows individualsto purchase a tree in honor or remembrance of someone. Of the 4,000 trees oncampus, she claims a majestic, purple-leafed beech standing proudly on the Quadwith a broad crown and elephant-gray trunk as her favorite.

She keeps an eye on it as she spends hours monitoring the campus. With a quick roll of sunscreen across her lips, rose-coloredsunglasses perched on top of her head and sturdy boots on her feet,she is ready to endure another day of 90-degree heat made worse bythe humidity.

Summer is the time of year that she casts a constant and criticaleye over the lush, green grounds. She’ll pause to wonder if the southside of Hancock Stadium needs another berm, or if the ivy spreadingacross the Center for the Performing Arts needs some encouragement.

Trouble spots always catch her attention, including those thatcan’t be anticipated, such as problems created by foot traffic. Some-times students decide where Loy’s skills are needed by the path theytake. A dirt shortcut near a slender-leafed sassafras tree on the Quadwas turned into an attractive seating area, with a brick-like path andtwo stone benches.

“What was once a very ugly place is now very nice, and that’s what we keeptrying to do,” Loy said. Another need for a creative solution came when a slopingbank was eroding. That problem was eliminated as Loy moved in with a spray ofsunset-orange day lilies. Horticulture students joined her in the effort.

Encouraging students is an important part of the job for Loy, who is a posi-tive influence in part because of her own experiences as a student. She still recallsa small-town high school guidance counselor who tried to discourage her from thethen male-dominated horticulture field. She ignored the advice and enrolled inDuPage Horticulture School. There was no other career that interested her.Decades later, her enthusiasm hasn’t waned one bit—except perhaps at home.

Loy’s husband of 27 years, Kelly, can attest to the fact that they have only asingle flowerbed at home and just a few containers of plants. It’s his job to keepthem watered, as both of their sons are now off at college.

“It’s a major effort for me to go home and water at night,” Loy admits. That’s true even for those treasured leafy geraniums that she just can’t stand towatch wilt.

Loy’s talent captures more than the

attention of campus visitors, many of

whom enter the Quad through the

Lincoln Gates, above. Her labor and

talent have helped the University’s

Grounds Services garner nine national

grounds-keeping awards.

David McCullough1 p.m., February 15 (Founders Day) • Historian and author David McCullough received the Pulitzer Prize for the biography John Adams, and again for the book titled Truman. McCullough has worked as editor, essayist, teacher, lecturer, and is a familiar face on public television. A book signing will follow the speech.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 7:30 p.m., March 28 • Environmental activist Robert Kennedy Jr. has been named by Time magazine as a “hero of the planet.” He issenior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper, and president ofWaterkeeper Alliance.

Robert Ballard 7:30 p.m., April 17 • A faculty member at the University of RhodeIsland’s Graduate School of Oceanography, Robert Ballard spearhead-ed the development of manned submersibles and remotely operatedvehicles for marine research. He is best known for discovering theTitanic. A book signing will follow the speech.

Doris Kearns Goodwin7 p.m., September 18 • World-renowned historian Doris Kearns Good-win has spent more than 20 years reporting on baseball and politics.She captured the Pulitzer Prize for No Ordinary Time: Franklin andEleanor Roosevelt: The American Home Front During World War II. Abook signing will follow the speech.

Ken Burns 7 p.m., November 1 • An award-winning documentary director and pro-ducer, Ken Burns has been making films for more than 30 years. Hehas created some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries evermade, including The Civil War, Jazz, and Mark Twain.

Naomi Judd 7:30 p.m., November 8 • Country music sensation Naomi Judd stoppedperforming when diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening liverdisease, and is now an author and motivational speaker. Her autobiog-raphy, Love Can Build A Bridge, was a bestseller and became the basisfor an NBC mini-series. A book signing will follow the speech.

Jonathon Kozol 7 p.m., November 14 • Jonathon Kozol exposes educational and socialinequities within the nation’s schools. He authored Death At An EarlyAge, which depicts his first year as a teacher in an inner-city school. Morethan two million copies have sold. A book signing will follow the speech.

Purchase a piece of historyHoliday shopping couldn’t be easier this year for the

Illinois State graduate in your family. Unique items

tied to the University’s 150th celebration are now

ready for purchase. Additional items will be available

in the weeks ahead. Go to www.alumni.ilstu.edu/

merchandise_services on the Web to see a full listing

of sesquicentennial souvenirs.

Illinois State University:

Historical Video Series—1857-2007

The University’s history, from its founding to the

celebration of its sesquicentennial, has been cap-

tured in this documentary-style DVD collection.

Each of the 12 episodes included follows a period

of time in the evolution of the University that is

closely aligned to the terms of Illinois State’s 17

presidents. The total run length of the entire set is

approximately four hours. Purchase now for $15 a

set, plus tax, shipping, and handling.

2007 Commemorative Calendar

Be a part of the yearlong excitement with this wall

calendar that captures the history and beauty of

the Illinois State campus. Purchase now for $5

each, plus tax, shipping, and handling.

Illinois State University:

A Pictorial History—1857-2007

This 160-page commemorative album with 230

photos depicts various stages in the long, distin-

guished, and successful life of the University.

Copies will be available in January at a cost of $50,

plus tax, shipping, and handling. Reserve your copy

by contacting author Robert Aaron at

rlaaron@ilstu.edu or calling (309) 438-8404.

Celebrate 150 years of excellence!In just a few short months, Illinois State University will begin an exciting,yearlong celebration of its sesquicentennial. A wide variety of academic,cocurricular, athletic, and social activities are being planned.

The events listed above are just a sampling of what’s ahead. For more information on these events and a full schedule of activities, go to www.IllinoisState.edu. Plan now to visit campus and help celebrate the 150th birthday of Illinois’ first and finest public university!