Karl Eigsti ’56 completed the circle last July. The Tony Award nominated scene designer brought dozens of paintings, drawings, and photographs to the campus where he first became involved in theater depicting the sets he created for such iconic productions as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway and House of Blue Leaves off-Broadway.

His career retrospective was displayed in the refurbished stable at Ewing Manor and a gallery in Centennial East to coincide with the Illinois State Shakespeare Festival. “This exhibition is very meaningful to me,” said Eigsti, “because I went to Metcalf from sixth grade on and then, with the exception of my freshman year, University High School.”

It was at Metcalf that Eigsti attracted the notice of longtime Illinois State Theatre Director Mabel Clare Allen. She cast the sixth-grader in the title role for Rumpelstiltskin in the Children’s Theater of Normal. Later he performed in two of her university productions, My Heart’s in the Highlands and Ernest Hemingway’s The Killers. “I got my start in the theater here, with Mabel Clare Allen,” Eigsti said.

Eigsti performed in plays at University High School and then studied acting at Indiana University. During college he was acting in summer stock theater in Michigan when the set designer quit in the middle of the season. Recognizing Eigsti’s talent for drawing, the director asked him to design the set for Picnic. Eigsti accepted and his life took a new direction. His efforts were rewarded in 1962 with a Fulbright scholar-ship to study set design in England.

“The theater was undergoing a great transformation at that point in England. I saw literally 100-plus plays in a two-year

time, and I also had many design opportuni-ties there,” Eigsti said. Upon his return to the U.S., he immediately got a job at the famed Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. “I have been a designer ever since,” he said.

For the next 25 years, Eigsti designed 10 to 15 shows a year on average—on Broadway, off-Broadway, and for regional theaters across the United States. In 1979 he earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Scenic Design for the play Knockout. However, out of the 20 shows he designed for Broadway between 1969 and 1984, Grease was the unexpected golden goose of Eigsti’s career.

“My friend Douglas Schmidt, the set designer for Grease, asked me to do the lighting for this little off-Broadway show

that we both thought would only last for a few weeks and never be heard from again.”

In 1972, Grease began a record-setting eight-year run on Broadway. That success launched his set design career on Broadway for the next 15 years.

Following his Broadway design career, Eigsti was asked to be the head of the graduate the-ater design program at Brandeis University, a position he held for 21 years. “My teaching gave me the opportunity to give to a genera-tion of future theater designers experiences that are not available in books,” he said.

Eigsti has since retired from teaching and returned to New York City. He reconnected with Illinois State early last year when asked to create the set design for the School of Theatre and Dance’s production of the Benjamin Britten opera A Midsummer Night’s Dream. At the time, he was offered the opportunity to bring his retrospective to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

Eigsti explained how theater is a collabor-ative craft involving directors, writers, actors, and producers who cooperate to create a production that results in the most effective live performance in front of an audience; “Shakespeare observed that the theater is like life, each moment passes and then is gone forever. So all of this work on display at the festival is like an echo of those past live productions. The artwork is present and will last a long time; the production it represents has disappeared forever.”

Eigsti has given his retrospective, The Karl Eigsti Collection of Theater Design, to the Illinois State University Foundation. It is under the direction of archivist April Anderson and will eventually be linked to the Foundation website for all to see.

Alumni Newsletter

For alumni and friends of

University High School,

College of Education,

Illinois State University

Vol. 20 No. 1 Spring 2015

Nationally renowned set designer returns to Illinois State University campus with career retrospective

By Kevin Bersett

PioneerThe

Alumni Newsletter

Volume 20 Number 1, Spring 2015Published semiannuallyIllinois State UniversityUniversity High SchoolCampus Box 7100Normal, IL 61790-7100

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University High School Alumni AssociationIllinois State UniversityCampus Box 7100Normal, IL 61790-7100(309) 438-8346Website: UHigh.IllinoisState.eduEmail: UHighAlumni@IllinoisState.eduFacebook: We Are One: U-High Pioneers

Board members President Dave Martin ’83

President-electRyan Scritchlow ’01

Past president Shelley Livingston ’81

Secretary Diane Davis Black ’79

Alumni relations coordinators Tricia Braid ’93 Barbara Lichty Blunk ’53 Eric Schlipf ’96

Homecoming chairs Kyle Karraker ’81 Tom Ocheltree ’89 Cory Roop’ 92

Historian Dixie Smith Lewis ’64

Newsletter editor Kathy Coyle Murdoch ’81

At-large board members Ann Fairbairn Gullixon ’84 Dana Baker-Klauss ’91 Pete Pontius ’88 Whitney Thomas ’04

Alumni board advisors Yvonne Maxey Hougham ’46

Awards committee members David Auth ’85, chair Kris Albert Burke ’79 Mary Ann Cullen ’87 Becky Roderick Ehredt ’73 Tom Feely ’83 Judy Mower Garee ’59 Steve Mower ’62 Kristin Walker ’08 Frank Weiting ’57 Steve Wilson ’92 Teri Wilson ’92

Board consultantsSuperintendent, Laboratory SchoolsJeff Hill

Principal, University High SchoolAndrea Markert

Senior director of DevelopmentLiz Adams

Associate director of DevelopmentWilma Bates

Class of 194570-YEAR REUNIONOctober 16 & 17 2015Contacts: Audrey Brust Naffziger at (309) 452-0170Marilyn Mette Freedlund at (309) 663-0345

Class of 1946LUNCHEONNoon, every second Wednesday of each month at Jim’s Steakhouse in Bloomington.

Class of 1947BREAKFAST9 a.m., every fourth Tuesday at CJ’s Restaurant in Bloomington

Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School (ISSCS)Contacts: Bernie Latta ’60 at (309) 829-1991 or (309) 261-4297 or bern1207@aol.comDebbie Burt Macchiaroli ’73 at (773) 775-4272 or debbiemacchiaroli@hotmail.com

Class of 1969ANNUAL HOLIDAY REUNIONDecember 24, 2015Lunch at the Grand Cafe in downtown BloomingtonContact: Karen Mercier Cruisis at (309) 662-8909 or karen@stametdp.com

Class of 196550-YEAR REUNIONJuly 10, 11, & 12, 2015Contact: Sally Hyde Burmeister at (571) 970-5455 or sally.burmeister@gmail.com

Class of 198530-YEAR REUNIONContact: Dave Auth at (309) 825-2124 or auth91@yahoo.com

1992 Pioneer Wrestling TeamREUNIONContact: Cory Christenson at (847) 561-9073 or cchristenson@pontiac90.org

Now is the time!Lead your class to a successful reunion by contacting one of the Alumni Relations coordinators to start the process. Gatherings can be simple to elaborate; customize your party according to the desires of your classmates. Let us help; contact information for the UHSAA board can be found at UHigh.IllinoisState.edu/alumni.

2015 U-High reunions

If interested in serving your alma mater, please contact any board member or email us at UHighAlumni@IllinoisState.edu.

• President-elect• Awards committee• Homecoming committee• Website coordinator• At-large board members

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UHSAA president’s letterThere are many ways to give back to the school as alumni and we appreciate all of the various types of contributions alumni made to U-High in 2014, including the tremendous number of alumni volunteers for this year’s Pioneer Homecoming.

Social media provides tremendous possibilities to spread the word in supporting one’s school! This past year U-High participated in two different campaigns. Locally, there was the Pantagraph Challenge Contest to show which school has the most fans. The top prize of $2,000 was offered to the booster club of the school that drummed up the most votes and many central Illinois high schools were vying to become the top vote-getter.

State Farm Insurance also offered a really exciting and lucrative safe-driving campaign. “Celebrate My Drive” was open to schools across the country and gave the insurance giant an opportunity to provide a little education for drivers both young and old. Anyone could go online and participate daily during the contest. The grand prize was $100,000 along with other $25,000 cash prizes as well as a concert by The Band Perry. This was a fantastic way to make teenagers aware of responsible driving! Students, teachers, and community members were able to make a safe driving commitment during this campaign (no texting while driving). What an easy and great way alumni could show their support for U-High!

Because of the time limit of such contests, we want to make sure we can spread the word as quickly as possible. If you haven’t joined our Facebook group, please do so at We are One: U-High Pioneers where we will post future similar opportunities to support U-High.

Dave Martin ’83 UHSAA president

Superintendent’s welcomeWhat an amazing Pioneer Homecoming! We were overwhelmed by the tremendous Alumni turnout. It was great to see all of our friends from the decades and to share sto-ries with many of you. Being a Pioneer is clearly special to all of you and was never more apparent than our past Homecoming. I want you to know how much we appreciate the support of time, talent, and treasure you continually share with us. You are a testament to our alma mater: “Gladly say that you’re from U-High, uphold her through the years.” It was very moving for me to see you “upholding” U-High after many years. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Pioneer and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Jeff Hill, Ed.D. Laboratory Schools superintendent

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Fall 2014 Memorial Gift CorrectionsTwo donors were inadvertently omitted from the Memorial Gifts list in the Fall 2014 Pioneer. We would like to recognize the gift from William Miller in memory of Eugene Schaab and the gift from Michael Wiant in memory of Albert Eckert.

Troy Hari Memorial Scholarship

Wilma BatesThe Troy Hari Memorial Scholarship has been established by the Class of 2004 to remember fellow classmate Troy Hari whose life was cut short in 2002. Troy was a larger than life personality who could bring a smile to anyone’s face, no matter the situation. Troy was such a large presence on campus that the annual Mr. U-High competition was created in his honor. His lasting impact on so many of his fellow classmates and U-High faculty cause us to look back fondly on the time we were able to share with him.

Troy had a love for life that is rarely matched and his infectious spirit could be felt in whatever he was doing. He also impacted the life of people outside of U-High. To this day, his work with Eastview Christian Church is carried on through his family and all of the proceeds from the annual Mr. U-High event continue to be donated to the Haitian Christian Ministries, a cause which was close to Troy.

The Class of 2004 created this scholarship to honor Troy and his positive impact on everyone around him. He was a prime example of how one person’s positive attitude and hard work can create lasting impressions. We want to continue Troy’s legacy by recognizing a U-High senior who emulates the spirit of Troy’s positive impact within U-High or our community.

Donations may be made online by going to: Advancement.IllinoisState.edu. Choose “Supporting Colleges,” select “College of Education” and scroll to the bottom to “View a complete listing of giving opportunities.” Choose “Click here to choose designation for your gift.” Select College of Education folder, Lab Schools, U-High, General support, U-High.

Please be sure to write “Troy Hari Memorial Scholarship” in the gift notes section.

In June 2014, David Brown ’65 received a special award from the Iowa State Bar Association. The “Keeper of the Flame” award was given in recognition of Brown’s tireless, persistent, and remarkable efforts on behalf of the bar and the legal profession. “He has a commitment to the practice of law like few others. David is a true advocate for the rule of law and the vital work lawyers provide,” said Guy Cook, outgoing president of ISBA. “He is a genuine friend to lawyers and judges everywhere. David’s selfless con-cern for the past and future generations of lawyers and traditions of the legal profession is unmatched. Brown is also a previous recipi-ent of the ISBA Award of Merit.

Marilee Williams Alvey ’69 is one of the faith writers in the compilation book, Mixed Blessings-Simple Pleasures. It was published by Breath of Fresh Air Press in June 2014.

See Ellen Crawford ’69 in her latest movie, Angel’s Perch where she plays Betsy. The story line revolves around a successful architect who returns to his small, rural hometown to care for his grandmother who has Alzheimer’s. This independent film may be seen on iTunes, Hulu, HuluPlus, and Amazon.

Molly Doud ’77 visits AFS exchange student Yalçın Gür in Istanbul, Turkey in November 2014.

In June 2014, Robin Murray ’80 was selected to umpire at the Little League World Series in July and August. Appointment as a member of the umpiring crew for

a World Series is the highest honor Little League can bestow on an umpire. An umpire is eligible to be selected for a World Series assignment once every four years.

Theresa Corso Feliu ‘81, a fourth grade math teacher/teacher leader at John Adams Elementary School, Kingsport City, Tenn., is one of seven educators

representing Tennessee in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching Competition.

Juliet Pritner ’81 portrays a perpetrator’s mother in an episode of Law and Order, Special Victims Unit. The episode, “Undercover Mother”, aired on February 11, 2015.

A mini class reunion was held in August in Littleton, Colo. 1982 classmates: Paul Houska, Dawn Bunke Nicola, and John Kotarba.

After serving our country for an astounding 32 years, Steve Morefield ’82 retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in November 2014. He was awarded the Legion of Merit medal. He served stateside and overseas as an infan-tryman, an explosive ordinance disposal tech-nician, and recruiter. He also was the senior enlisted adviser for the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force.

While working a bicycle assignment for the Denver Police Department at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Sergeant Shawn Saunders ’90 was called to a medical event when a Bronco’s fan collapsed due to failure of his pacemaker. Sgt. Saunders imme-diately began CPR and revived the man who was then transported for further treatment.

Nick Africano ’01 debuted his new album If Timing Were of a Different Course and Fire at the Castle Theatre in October. The CD features 10 songs that Africano feels mark a new maturity in his lyrical and musical expression. Africano also dabbles in watercolors and held an art exhibit in the twin cities at the Brandt Gallery in December.

The independent film, The Guest is being marketed for the scary movie season in October after its highly praised premier at the Sundance Film Festival. Chris Harding ’01 co-produced the movie that stars Dan Stevens (from Downton Abbey fame). Harding also has a cameo in the film as the leading character’s dead friend. This is the second movie he’s produced at Snoot Entertainment, where he’s worked since graduating from DePaul University in 2006.

Melissa Smith ’02 is an advisory engineer at IBM and visiting scientist and research affiliate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2013, she and another engineer invented a flexible high-voltage thin film transistor and currently hold a patent on its development. In 2006, she graduated with a bachelor of science in materials science and engineering from the University of Illinois; and in 2012, earned a Ph.D. from MIT in the same field of study.

Andre Francois ’03 completed his residency at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. and is practicing medicine in his hometown at Medical Hills Internists in Bloomington. He earned his medical degree at University of Illinois in Peoria, Ill.

Tim Glover ’09 won the bronze medal in the javelin throw at the 2014 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif. The four-day compe-tition in June was organized by USA Track and Field and served as the national cham-pionships in track and field for the United States. Currently he has the highest world-ranking in United States in the javelin throw and is 23rd in the world.

Alumni through the decades

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STATE your Passion. STATE your Pride.Please share news about yourself, your family who attended U-High, or a classmate so that it can be published in the next issue of The Pioneer. This publication relies on the efforts of all alums to alert the editing staff of newsworthy tidbits. Please send information and photos to UHighAlumni@IllinoisState.edu or mail to University High School Alumni Association, Campus Box 7100, Normal, IL 61790-7100.

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Yearbooks neededPlease help us preserve a part of our history. Yearbooks have been graciously retrieved from garage sales, donation piles, and even garbage cans and dumpsters. So if you come across an extra Clarion, please pass it on to the UHSAA. There are many anxious alumni wanting to have a yearbook from their era. There are a limited number of Clarion yearbooks available for purchase for $10 each.

To donate or purchase yearbooks, please contact the UHS Alumni Association at uhighalumni@ilstu.edu or contact Barbara Lichty Blunk ’53, alumni relations coordinator, at (309) 452-2414 or blblunk@ilstu.edu. Donations can also be left at the school library.

Legacy familyOn December 23, 1929, Charles Mercier received a letter from the Illinois State Normal University President David Felmley inviting him to “manage the University Farm at a salary of $140/month and if at the end of the year 1930 it appears that you have been so efficient on the farm work as to increase our income $360, we shall pay you $120 more for the year.”

Charles Mercier along with his wife, Ruth, served as farm manager for many years. They had four children who all attended Thomas Metcalf School and University High School. So began a long family legacy of service and volunteerism with the ISU and Lab School communities.

Dr. Charles A. Mercier ’36 became a dentist in the Chicago area. Mary Ruth Mercier Turner ’38 sent her four children to the Lab Schools: Charlotte Turner Frank ’60, Rev. James Turner ’65, Robert Turner ’68, and Elizabeth Turner Frank ’73. E. Burton Mercier ’45 sent his four children through the Lab Schools: David Mercier ’68, Karen Mercier Crusius ’69,

Mary Jo Mercier Adams ’70, and Thomas Mercier ’71. Joan Mercier Heller ’48 raised her family in the Mattoon area.

The third generation who graduated from U-High includes Rob Turner ’00, TJ Turner ’03, Patrick Turner ’05, Meredith Mercier Diaz ’03, Ryan Crusius ’96, TJ Crusius ’99, Jeff Mercier ’98, Melissa Mercier Ash ’98, Michelle Mercier ’10, and Allisson Mercier ’18.

The fourth generation of the Mercier family is currently attending Metcalf: Alexander Mercier ’27, Keaton Ash ’25 and Eliot Ash ’28.

And there are two other UHS grads in the family as well. Mary Jo married class-mate Sandy Adams ’70 and Melissa married Ryan Ash ’97.

Burt Mercier was awarded the UHSAA Distinguished Alumni Award in 1985. He served on the ISU foundation for several years and was an avid volunteer and spon-sor for ISU Athletics. For the past two decades, the E. Burton Mercier Alumni Service Award and scholarships have been presented at ISU in his memory.

Burt Mercier ’45 with Tom ’71, Mary Jo ’70, Karen ’69, and David ’68

Back row: Rob Turner ‘00, TJ Turner ‘03, Patrick Turner ‘05 | Front row: Lindsay Turner, Joan Turner, Robert Turner ‘68, Emily Turner

Tom Mercier ’71 with third and fourth lab school generations

We Are One: U-High Pioneers is our Facebook alumni groupSeveral alums have started U-High alumni groups. Please note that the group that the University High School Alumni Association endorses is “We Are One: U-High Pioneers.” This is where the UHSAA will be posting information. We have 1800 plus members in our Facebook group. All may join and post.

Back row: Gladys Mercier, David Mercier ‘68, Karen Mercier Crusius ‘69, Rich Crusius, Mary Jo Mercier Adams ‘70, Sandy Adams ‘70, Tom Mercier ‘71, Sandy Mercier, Michelle Mercier ‘10 | Middle row: Redro Diaz, Meridith Mercier Diaz ‘03, Beth Mercier, Jeff Mercier ‘98, TJ Crusius ‘99, Ryan Crusius ‘96, Allisson Mercier ‘18, Ryan Ash ‘97, Melissa Mercier Ash ‘98 | Front row: Elly Carrell, Bella Carrell, Vivi Diaz, Kendra Crusius, Mary Lou Mecier, Carter Mercier, Tara Jane Crusius, Alexander Mercier ‘27, Keaton Ash ‘25, Eliot Ash ‘28

Support our troopsThank you to all of our University High School alumni who are bravely serving in the armed forces during Operation Enduring Freedom.

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Pioneer 2014H O M E C O M I N G

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1. Kurt Wolter ’82 and Dawn Shonkwiler ’82 (photobombed by Roger Basting ’82)

2. John Wroan ’45, Jeanne Wroan, Barbara Lichty Blunk ’53, Jean Chiodo

3. Louise Keeran Kerr ’56 and Dick Keeran ’54

4. Judith Mower Garee ’59, Steve Mower ’62, Dave Auth ’85, Wilma Bates

5. Alyssa Scritchlow ’05, Caitlin Demont ’05

6. Kenny Lane ’10, Angela Lane, Katie Lane ’12, Elena Serano

7. Laura Gould Swope ’95, Frank Swope, Levi Swope, Frank Swope, Jr.

8. Class of 1984, 30-year reunion: Dan Kraft, Bill Kauth, Bob Stevens, Todd Lindsey ’83, Jennifer Brumleve-Joseph, Mike Vohland, Sarah Kaiser Lindsey, Patty Labedz, Karen Wolter Peruba

9. Bruce Naffziger ’73, Dave Gannaway ’71, Rick Thompson ’71, Jim Bass ’73, Mark Messman ’83

10. UHSAA Board members Cory Roop ’92 and Dave Martin ’83

11. Bob Watkins ’82, John Maier ’82, Tad Schrantz ’82, Roger Basting ’82, Kathy Coyle Murdoch ’81, Paul Houska ’82

12. First UHSAA president Casey Lartz ’75 and Bob Dean

13. College running mates, Superintendent Jeff Hill and Tom Engelhorn ’79

14. Linda Wieting Kruger ’82, Frank Wieting ’57

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Distinguished Alumni Award

Norman J. McCormick, Class of 1956With more than 40 years of experi-ence as a professor at the University level, McCormick is recognized as a nationally renowned educa-tor and mentor to both students

and educators. He received his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and his mas-ter’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan.

After receiving his doctorate, McCormick taught as an assistant and associate profes-sor in nuclear engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. He also served as a risk analyst for Science Applications, Inc. McCormick later served the University of Washington as a professor of nuclear engineering and a professor of mechani-cal engineering. Since 2003, he has served the University of Washington as professor emeritus in mechanical engineering.

McCormick’s principal research activity has involved solutions of linear problems of transport theory. After 1990 he began to focus on analytical methods for solving inverse radiative transfer problems for oce-anic, atmospheric, and biological applica-tions. Specific projects where his solutions were applied included the development of inversion algorithms for in-situ ocean measurements and for remotely sensing the optical properties of seawater and clouds, and the estimation of the optical thickness of clouds. McCormick has also authored two books. In 1981, he wrote Reliability and Risk Analysis Methods and Nuclear Power Applications (Academic, 1981), and in 2011, he co-authored Risk and Safety Analysis of Nuclear Systems (Wiley, 2011) with John Lee.

McCormick has also been active with the community, serving as a youth advocate in King County Court for Family Law, as well as a tour guide for high school students interested in the University of Washington Medical School.

Over the course of his career, McCormick has received the following awards and recognitions:

• Fellow, American Nuclear Society• Outstanding Alumnus, University

of Michigan Department of Nuclear Engineering

• Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Illinois Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

• Fellow, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, University of Ljubljana

While at U-High, McCormick received the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award. While at U-High, his favorite teachers were Douglas Bey, T.E. Rine, and Ruth Stroud.

He is married to Mildred McCormick and has two children, Kenneth, and Nancy.

Hall of Fame Alumni Award

Chase M. Hilgenbrinck, Class of 2000After graduating from Clemson University in 2004, Hilgenbrinck played professional soccer for three Chilean teams. In 2008, he returned to the United States and played professional

soccer for the Colorado Rapids and the New England Revolution. In his profes-sional soccer career, he was voted the “Best XI” in the Chilean Second Division in 2005 and 2006, an award distinguishing the best player in the left fullback position.

In 2008, Hilgenbrinck made the deci-sion to resign from professional soccer and follow a calling to the priesthood. Hilgenbrinck entered the Catholic Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md. He spent the next six years studying theology and phi-losophy with the hopes of being ordained. Hilgenbrinck was ordained a deacon for his home diocese of Peoria, Ill., and on May 24, 2014, he was ordained a priest.

While studying to become a priest, he volunteered his services to the community. In 2010 and 2011, he served as a volunteer assistant in the Theology Department at St. Maria Goretti High School. In 2011 and 2012, he provided prison ministry at the Maryland Correctional Institute. And in 2012 and 2013, he volunteered time to an immigration lawyer, preparing Unlawful Presence Waivers on behalf of illegal immigrants in Washington, D.C.

In high school, Hilgenbrinck twice made the United States Under-17 National

Team, in 1997 and 1998. He was also First Team All-State in 1997, 1998, and 1999, named as a member of the NSCAA All-Midwest Team in 1998 and 1999, and was an NSCAA All-American in 1999. He was also named an ADIDAS Elite Soccer Program All-Star in 1997, 1998, and 1999.

He is the son of Mike and Kim Hilgenbrinck, and brother to Blaise, ’99.

Hall Of Fame Award

Pokey LaFarge, Class of 2001After graduation, LaFarge hitch-hiked throughout the United States and earned a living playing for the public on side-walks and streets. In 2007, LaFarge

released Marmalade, his first album. Shortly after that, LaFarge released Beat, Move and Shake (2008) and Riverboat Soul (2010).

In 2010 Pokey LaFarge was named Best New Band at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, R.I. The St. Louis Riverfront Times named Pokey LaFarge the Best Americana Band in 2010 and 2011. Additionally, the band won Best Americana Album with Riverboat Soul at the Independent Music Awards in 2010. In 2011, the band won Independent Music Awards for Best Americana Album with Middle of Everywhere and Best Americana Song with Ain’t the Same.

The band has toured with Jack White and Old Crow Medicine and has also made rounds on late night television, appearing on Conan O’Brien and the Late Show with David Letterman. In 2013, LaFarge and the group made an appearance on the APM “live” radio broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion, with Garrison Keillor. LaFarge has been featured in the Bloomington, Ill. newspaper, The Pantagraph, as well as local radio stations WGLT and WBNQ.

He credits his family, University High School, and growing up with Midwestern values with making him what he is today, a successful, internationally renowned musician, performer, songwriter, producer and entertainer. LaFarge has also given back to the community, donating his tal-ents to The Strings Attached project in St. Louis, Mo. This program provides guitar

University High School Alumni Association Alumni award recipients 2014

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lessons and music education, as well as musical mentoring opportunities for youth.

LaFarge is a preservationist and propo-nent of traditional American music and values. He is on a mission, encouraging fans worldwide to think differently about what it means to celebrate musical traditions.

Hall Of Fame Award

Alison Hitner Mouton, Class of 1982With more than 27 years of teaching experience, Mouton is recognized as a passionate educa-tor and mentor to students and other educators. She graduated from

University High School in 1982, where she took French with Mr. Boyd. During her junior and senior years, she joined an AFS program, studying in France. It was during this time that her passion for the culture and language of France was cultivated.

After graduation she studied at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla. She earned a bachelor’s degree in French in 1986.

She continued her journey in foreign lan-guage by moving to France and beginning a long teaching career, teaching English to French schoolchildren. In the 1990s, she created an exchange program with Central

Catholic High School, initially, and then with University High School, giving back to the school where her passion began.

Currently, her exchange program works with Thomas Metcalf School and runs every other year. The program is designed for a sixth grade class and brings 32 French children to the twin cities.

The exchange program with the Illinois State University Laboratory Schools makes the experience for Mouton come full circle, as her passion began with an exchange program through U-High in 1981.

Alumni Service Award

Herb Todd, Class of 1982After graduation, Todd enlisted in the Navy and con-ducted two Pacific cruises, attain-ing the rank of electronic warfare petty officer 2nd

class. He received his bachelor’s degree in applied computer science and his master’s degree in information assurance and secu-rity from Illinois State University.

Todd started working at State Farm more than 20 years ago. He works as a security analyst technician in Dallas and has earned the following industry certifications:

• Associate in Information Technology • Certified Information Systems Security

Professional• Certified Secure Software Lifecycle

Professional • Giak Security Essentials Certification• Giak Web Application Penetration TesterTodd has also been active with the Boy

Scouts of America. He has served as a com-mittee member, leader and assistant scout-master for the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) camps and he received the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow. He is also a member of Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and for many years helped teach SCUBA classes at Wild Country in Normal, Ill.

Todd transferred to University High School from Fairbury-Cropsey prior to his senior year. He was active with the Clarionette, the Clairon, and the Science Club. He fondly appreciated all of his teach-ers, especially Peter Parmantie, Michael Surma, Michael Briggs, and Peggy Scott.

Todd met his wife, Heidi (Semmler) ’83 at U-High and their son Ian, ’13 and daugh-ter, Amanda, ’14 are graduates. Other fam-ily alumni include his mother, Esta (Baker) Wessels, ’59; his brother, Patrick, ’83; two sisters-in-law, Tracey (Semmler) Shuler and Jacqui (Semmler) Crutchely, and brother-in-law, David Crutchely.

FUTUREHOMECOMING

D A T E

Friday, October 16, 2015

Step up and start getting

that milestone reunion

planned. Contact the

Alumni Relations

Coordinators to start the

process. It’s never too

late or never too early

to organize a gathering

of your classmates.

Front row: Jeanne Kendall Wooldridge, Tony deRosa, Sally Brooks Hershberger, Robin Norris Wilt, Marcy Vancil, Linda Lower Potts, Martha Ulbrich Vacco, Mary Tebrugge Payton, Sue McGinnes, Vicky Freedlund VanCauwenberge, Cindy Mattoon Leach

Back: Dan Satorius, Mark Englesman, Mike Neeley, Tom Lovelass, Dan Hopkins, Gary Ayers, Ron Martin, Richard Quindry, Dave Whikehart, Dan Milligan, Jon Thetard, Robin Schaab Gould, Jane Legg Bower, Marilee Williams Alvey, Tom Eddy, Jeff Oberman, Chuck Richmond, Diane Bier Meister, Karen Mercier Crusius, Kent Wurmnest

Attended, not pictured: Pete Kagy, Brenda Miller, Barb Porter Schlosser, Rick Roderick, Debbie deWerff Burkey, Bruce Roberts

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A 45-year diamond reunion

By Marilee Williams Alvey ’69

My reunion weekend is over. Now, it is back to my regular life with breakneck speed. We carved out a rare oasis of time for this, but, now our routines beckon once again.

It was really wonderful to see people with whom I spent those awkward teenage years. We were so young, so naive. Of course we didn’t think so, but we were. Say what you will, but our group went through four years of something truly unique. When we get together, we can feel it.

It’s odd. There was a wave of insecurity that hit me when I was approaching this weekend. I spoke with others who felt it as well. As it came near, I think we became those same insecure teenagers! However, I believe that, once we were together, there was nothing more healing than being together. It’s hard to express. We were like a big group of brothers and sisters. Like siblings, we got some wounds from being together, but we also became stronger, together. We launched,

together. Now, it seems as if returning to the scene of the ‘crime’ provides a unique place of healing for each other. We talked freely to those whom we never got (or took) an opportunity to speak with in high school, as well as to those whom we hadn’t seen for many years, some, since 1969.

The drama and poignancy of life was played out in this weekend. We have lost 25 classmates so far. We had somewhere around 150-160 seniors in our class. We have gone through the early reunions where success seemed to matter greatly, only to have come out on the other end of it where many are no longer working. There really is no point in bragging about what you used to do. Success just isn’t that important, nor is saving face. It’s a precious, comfortable time of life!

Those twenty-five names whisper to us that life is fleeting for us all. There’s now grey hair (and white hair!), no hair, pounds put on and pounds taken off, tooth loss and caps, job

change, job loss and retirement; but none of that matters. The joy is that the majority of us are still here this day. We don’t care what they do nor what they did. We only care that they are here and that brings us contentment.

If I could have gotten one photo, it would have been just a giant aerial group hug, with each of us drawing strength from each other, the strength to continue on our own paths, to persevere, knowing that our U-High ‘sib-lings’ will always have open arms to welcome us home, no matter where we may have gone or the battering we may have faced.

Home is where they always have to take you in. For our Class of ‘69, U-High is our home.

U-High’s Class of ‘69 is my not only my heritage, they are my family, where I will always be loved, defended, if needed, and accepted, no matter what. There’s a rea-son for the word, “Homecoming.” We all returned ‘home,’ one magical weekend in July of 2014.

David Almy ’57 died 2/9/15

Beverly Walters Behnke ’42 died 11/16/14

Charles Brown ’47 died 3/2/14

Alice Blum Budz ’35 died 7/19/14

Jean Butcher ’86 died 9/28/14

Harry Cluts ’49 died 8/22/14

Edward Doage, Jr ’68 died 1/11/15

Karen Mishler Gatlin ’61 died 1/11/15

Sally Lynn Brooks Hershberger ’69 died 12/1/14

Anthony Holtz ’79 died 8/1/14

Harriet Jacquat ’38 died 12/19/14

Navy Maddio Kelly ’39 died 8/29/14

Marjorie Rhinehart Killough ’45 died 7/19/14

Helen Priest King ’48 died 8/29/14

Lester Martin ’45 died 8/23/14

Judith Blakney Mayberry ’56 died 12/22/14

Jacqueline Freed Neal ’48 died 8/10/14

Edwin Raydon ’60 died 12/16/14

Eloise Moberly Rosensteel ’34 died 12/26/11

Oren Schaab ’50 died 12/31/14

Nancy Wallen Tieken ’65 died 01/24/15

Joyce Nix Vannice ’50 died 8/7/14

I N R E M E M B R A N C E

Alumni Award nominations neededThe Alumni Awards committee needs your help to nominate fellow classmates to be considered for the alumni awards. Please forward names to the UHighAlumni@IllinoisState.edu or contact the awards committee chair. While a brief description of why the alum is being nominated would be appreciated, it is not necessary to make the nomination.

All nominees for Distinguished Alumni and Pioneer Hall of Fame will be contacted to accept the nomination and will submit a detailed autobiography to aid the awards committee in the selection process. All completed nomination forms will be retained and re-evaluated each year. Selection is completed in the spring and the awards presentation is held in the fall at Homecoming. Nominees are encouraged to update their information periodically.

Candidates for Distinguished Alumni must be U-High graduates while candidates for Pioneer Hall of Fame and Alumni Service must have attended U-High. Friends of U-High may include individuals, groups, or businesses that have provided exceptional service or gifts to UHS.

A listing of past recipients can be found at the U-High website at UHigh.IllinoisState.edu/Blogs/Alumni.

U-High Alumni Association Awards nomination formDistinguished Alum • Pioneer Hall of Fame • Alumni Service • Friend of U-High

NOMINEE’S NAME GRADUATION YEAR (OR YEARS ATTENDED)

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In the halls of U-HighPioneer football won the Corn Belt Conference title outright and ended the season 9-0 and undefeated for the third consecutive year.

Student Senate is currently repainting and updating the country flags in the newly painted second floor hallway.

In July, Ricardo Cortez de la Cruz II and Jordynn Palmer participated in the 36th Annual National NAACP ACT-SO Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cortez ’14 brought home a silver medal in poetry, a monetary award, and a Microsoft Surface tablet courtesy of State Farm.

The U-High Thespians’ production of Welcome to the Moon and Other Plays opened to rave reviews and standing ovations at the American High School Theatre Festival at The Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland, in August. The 12-member cast joined hundreds

of other performers for a week of theatre and camaraderie at the world’s largest performing arts festival. U-High was one of only 28 U.S. high schools to be invited to perform.

This past summer, a number of Pioneers volunteered at Advocate Bromenn Medical Center where they helped in various capaci-ties and were greatly appreciated for their dedication. Junior Volunteers included Jordyn Blythe, Juju Olsen, Chris Braun, Sydney Kneller, Jessica Pledger, Nahdia Wilbert-Davis, Sarah Lyman, Ava Roper, and Christina Su.

The U-High speech and debate pro-gram has yet again earned membership in the prestigious 100 Club by the National Forensic League. This honor is due to the chapter achieving 100 degrees or more last year, placing it in the top 10 percent of chapters nationwide.

Junior Christina Su qualified for the HISA state tournament in girls’ tennis after coming in third at the Normal Sectional in singles.

Girls’ golf made it to the Class 2A state tournament again this year. The Pioneers finished in 12th place overall. Senior Sarah Lyman shot a 78, just one stroke away from a top 10 finish.

A number of Pioneers were selected to perform at the Illinois Music Educators’ Association District Jazz Festival. They included: Jazz Band—Cole Bateman, Misa Nagase and Alec Rodriguez and in Jazz Choir—Thea Cornwell, Grace Henderson, Jeff Kapraun, Josh Kuhn, Caroline McKinzie, Cole Morgan, Jordynn Palmer, Ethan Schlenker, Leah Taylor and Alex Walbert.

All nominees will be contacted to accept the nomination and to send a detailed autobiography to aid the awards committee in the selection process. All completed nomination forms will be retained and re-evaluated each year. Selection of recipients is completed in the spring and the awards presentation is held in the fall at Homecoming. Nominees are encouraged to update their information periodically.

Composite list of past recipients and award definitions available at UHigh.ilstu.edu/blogs/alumni

return all nominations to Attention: Awards Chairperson University High School Alumni Association Campus Box 7100 Normal, IL 61790-7100

Or email to UHighAlumni@IllinoisState.edu

Special giving opportunities for alumni and friendsThe University Laboratory Schools, U-High and Metcalf, are grateful to alumni and friends of the schools who make donations to support and enhance the educational experiences for our students. All gifts are welcome. Please use this form if you would like to make a gift at this time. Several priorities are listed. If you prefer, please specify your own amount.

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Please designate my gift to U-High Alumni Association U-High science laboratories U-High Stroud Auditorium U-High athletics facilities

�Wroan Engineering and Technology Center at U-High

Lab Schools classroom technology �Metcalf Zimmerman Library renovation

Metcalf Applied Technology Center

Metcalf Hayden Auditorium Other_______________________

Gladly say you’re from U-High. Uphold her through the years!

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University High SchoolCampus Box 7100Normal, IL 61790-7100

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This document is available in alternative formats upon request by contacting University High School Alumni Association at (309) 438-8346.

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