November 1, 2023

News for and about the Illinois Wesleyan community



Due to recent glitches in message distribution, several weeks of information have been consolidated into this edition to keep readers updated on the latest IWU news.

The Pantagraph

Professor of Theatre Arts Curtis Trout explained the scene design behind the School of Theatre Arts recent musical production of Carrie. Nancy Steele Brokaw '71 also reviewed the production as a "well-crafted Halloween tale."

Shaw Local News Network

Pat Schou '74 announced her retirement as executive director of Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network in Princeton, Illinois, in summer 2024.

Southwest News Media - Minnesota

Will Dusek '23 plays Frankie Valli in the Chanhassen Dinner Theater production of "Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons" in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

WGLT Radio

Director of The Petrick Idea Center John Quarton said the Bloomington-Normal area could be seen as an entrepreneurial hub, especially with the future addition of The Petrick Idea Center on IWU's campus.

The Pantagraph

President Georgia Nugent reflected on her tenure at Illinois Wesleyan, her hopes for the future of the University and her personal plans after stepping down in July 2024. Also reported by WGLT Radio, WEEK TV and WMBD TV.

WMBD-TV

Illinois Wesleyan athletics has partnered with OSF HealthCare to provide care and athletic training services to all Titan athletes. Also reported by The Pantagraph and WJBC Radio.

The Pantagraph

Students from IWU, ISU and community members gathered for a rally on campus on Oct. 25 to support the people of Palestine. Also reported by WEEK-TV.

Kim Hayes from Blooming Life Yoga instructs yoga on Mondays and Thursdays from 12:15-12:50 p.m. in the Shirk Center Niepagen South Classroom. 

"You are worth the quiet moment. You are worth the deeper breath. You are worth the time it takes to slow down, be still and rest." - Morgan Harper Nichols

Assistant Professor of Theatre Michelle Cowin Gibbs was recently a guest on the Cohort Sistas podcast, a program that celebrates the experience and expertise of Black women and non-binary doctoral degree holders.

Prianka Sharma '07 received the Environment, Energy, and Resources Section Outstanding Committee Award from the American Bar Association for work on the 2022-23 Endangered Species Committee.

Lincoln Biederbeck '81 was named vice president of business development for USSI Global.

Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Michelle Cowin Gibbs will share a presentation at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Welcome Center Auditorium titled, "Care Webs: A Theatrical Reinvention of Space and Place." The audience will be encouraged to consider the ways that theatre directors can shift processes that support collaborative artistic and audience-safe spaces as a method of teaching and learning.

New Employees — October 2023

Mark Tallman started Oct. 1 as the Director of Campus Safety.

Amy Leathery started Oct. 2 as the Transfer Coordinator in the Registrar's Office.

Katherine (Kat) Jiardina started Oct. 16 as the Administrative Specialist IV in Human Resources.

Courtlean (CJ) Jones started Oct. 18 as a Custodian in Physical Plant.

Professor Emeritus of History Paul Bushnell passed away on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Bloomington. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at Evelyn Chapel, with a reception following at the Joslin Atrium, Memorial Center. His obituary may be viewed here.

Campus Weekly is an electronic newsletter from Illinois Wesleyan's Office of Communications, edited by Julia Perez, assistant director of communications. To submit items of interest, email webedit@iwu.edu.