Education Commons^™

Victor Peyron, Victor L. Peyron '52

All oral histories

Mr. Peyron recalls campus activities (Phi Mu Alpha, Marching Band, and the Bloomington-Normal Symphony) and his career path and personal life after graduation with a Bachelor's in Music Education. He served in the Fifth Army Band and also had long-time sales positions with two major corporations.

Alice Fairchild Heath, Alice Fairchild Heath '52

All oral histories

Alice Fairchild Heath majored in Sociology, served as Kappa Kappa Gamma Registrar, and was a member of the Spanish Club, and the Women's Sports Association. She is the recipient of the 2013 Alumni Loyalty Award. An excerpt from the award citation follows.

"A few of Alice’s accomplishments include receiving Certification as Volunteer Administrator through the National Association of Volunteer Administrators, and serving on the Steering Committee for Rock Valley College Curriculum Development Human Services Dept. In addition, she is Past President of the Northern Illinois Southern Wisconsin Assoc. of Volunteer Administrators and she was named Volunteer Coordinator of the Year …

Marie Ann Hill, Marie Ann Schlemmer Hill '52

All oral histories

Marie Ann (Schlemmer) Hill, received a BFA in Speech/Theatre as a member of the Class of 1952. She played Center on IWU's intramural Field Hockey team and ewas a member of the Women's Sports Association (WSA) and the IWU Women's League. She remains an active member of Alpha Gamma Delta (AGD). This interview was recorded on October 22, 2019.

Delores Worazek Colton And Roger Colton, Delores Worazek Colton '59, Roger Colton '59

All oral histories

The Coltons share their recollections in succession--first Delores and then Roger--on this recording. They are both members of IWU's Class of 1959. They made this recording during Homecoming on October 3, 2019.

Donna Maurer, Donna Maurer '44, Courtney Barrett 2020

All oral histories

Donna Maurer attended Illinois Wesleyan University from 1941-1944. She transferred from Stephens College. She was a home economics major and a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She discusses her time at Wesleyan and the impact of World War II.

Kristina Dehlin And Megan Win, Kris Dehlin 2016, Megan Win 2016

All oral histories

Kristina Dehlin and Megan Win responded to an open call for Story Corps-style oral histories and self-recorded this interview during Homecoming 2018. Kristina was a Philosophy and English Writing major and was in Kappa Delta, Tributaries, and a co-founder of the IWU Happy Club. Megan was a Music (Voice) and Psychology major and was in Kappa Delta, Delta Omicron, a co-founder of the IWU Happy Club, Co-Choir, Vocal Jazz, the Hooping Club and JM7 (an improv troop).

Carol Phoenix, Carol Phoenix '67

All oral histories

Carol Pedigo Phoenix responded to an open call for Story Corps-style oral histories and self-recorded this interview during Homecoming 2018. She was a Music major and recalls how she came to Illinois Wesleyan and the influence her mother Ruth Yenerich Pedigo (MM '34) had on her interests. She also tells stories of her family's connections to IWU and of her curricular and extra curricular activities.

Hannah Sage, Hannah Sage 2018

All oral histories

Ms. Sage responded to an open call for Story Corps-style oral histories and self-recorded this interview during Homecoming 2018. She BFA/Theatre Design Tech Major and member of Sigma Alpha Iota. She recalls the reason she came to IWU, her family's history here, and the work she did as a Campus Tour Guide with the Admissions Office.

John Wiley, John Wiley '57

All oral histories

Mr. Wiley responded to an open call for Story Corps-style oral histories and self-recorded this interview during Homecoming 2018. He was a physics major and is member of Theta Chi. He discusses his reason for coming to IWU and his post-graduate and career work, and he shares how and why he stayed connected to IWU since his graduation.

Suan Guess-Hanson, Suan Guess-Hanson '64

All oral histories

Mrs. Guess-Hanson responded to an open call for Story Corps-style oral histories and self-recorded this interview during Homecoming 2018. She was an Art major and grew up in Bloomington. She recalls her connections to IWU as a participant in activities offered by different faculty prior to being enrolled and also describes her activities as a student and how she's remained connected since graduation.

Wilberta Naden Pickett, Wilberta Naden Pickett '50

All oral histories

Bachelor of Music, IWU, 1950. According to the 1950 Wesleyana, she was a member of the Indee Women, Egas, Alpha Lambda Delta, Women's Chorus, Colleqiate Choir, University Chorus, Episcopoi, Sunday Evening Fellowship, Vesper Chairman, Vesper Organist, Park Hall President, and was in productions of "Faust" and "Of Thee I Sing."

Mrs. Pickett later attained the following additional accomplishments:

• Master of Sacred Music, Union Theological Seminary, 1952
• Choir Master degree, American Guild of Organists, 1956
• Certified Church Musician, Presbyterian Association of Musicians, 1978

Carol And Ken Boyd, Carol Boyd '61, Ken Boyd '61

All oral histories

Carol and Ken Boyd, both class of 1961, discuss their lives before and after attending Illinois Wesleyan. They go into detail on their children, the School of Music, and religion. They stress the importance of attending a liberal arts college and how it had impacted their lives.

Nicole Brown, Nicole Brown '99, Meg Miner

All oral histories

Dr. Nicole Brown, Class of 1999, recalls her days as a leader of the Black Student Union, lessons learned from the corporate world and goals as the Director of Multicultural Affairs. She further relates examples of IWU’s lack of progress on lasting change with regard to hiring and retaining Black faculty. In each portion of her IWU affiliations, Brown recalls the achievements and frustrations she experienced.

Adriane Powell And Jessica Olsen, Iwu Council For Women

All oral histories

Since its inception in 2006, Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women. The Council’s signature event is the annual summit, open to all IWU women—alumnae, students, faculty and staff. Held on the IWU campus March 3-4, the theme of the 2017 summit was “Raise Your Voice”. Special guests at the 2017 event included Casey Erin Clark ’04 and Julie Fogh, the founders of Vital Voice Training, an organization dedicated to creating a deeper understanding of effective communication.

Oral Interviews are one many summit activities that bring alumni and …

Catherine Bayles And Kenzie Berggren, Catherine Bayles, Kenzie Berggren, Council For Iwu Women, Illinois Wesleyan University

All oral histories

Since its inception in 2006, Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women. The Council’s signature event is the annual summit, open to all IWU women—alumnae, students, faculty and staff. Held on the IWU campus March 3-4, the theme of the 2017 summit was “Raise Your Voice”. Special guests at the 2017 event included Casey Erin Clark ’04 and Julie Fogh, the founders of Vital Voice Training, an organization dedicated to creating a deeper understanding of effective communication.

Oral Interviews are one many summit activities that bring alumni and …

Alissa Miller And Abigail Kauerauf, Iwu Council For Women

All oral histories

Since its inception in 2006, Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women. The Council’s signature event is the annual summit, open to all IWU women—alumnae, students, faculty and staff. Held on the IWU campus March 3-4, the theme of the 2017 summit was “Raise Your Voice”. Special guests at the 2017 event included Casey Erin Clark ’04 and Julie Fogh, the founders of Vital Voice Training, an organization dedicated to creating a deeper understanding of effective communication.

Oral Interviews are one many summit activities that bring alumni and …

Abigail Sullivan And Linda Stone, Iwu Council For Women

All oral histories

Since its inception in 2006, Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women. The Council’s signature event is the annual summit, open to all IWU women—alumnae, students, faculty and staff. Held on the IWU campus March 3-4, the theme of the 2017 summit was “Raise Your Voice”. Special guests at the 2017 event included Casey Erin Clark ’04 and Julie Fogh, the founders of Vital Voice Training, an organization dedicated to creating a deeper understanding of effective communication.

Oral Interviews are one many summit activities that bring alumni and …

Kelly Petrowski And Linda Tianze Zhang, Iwu Council For Women

All oral histories

Since its inception in 2006, Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women. The Council’s signature event is the annual summit, open to all IWU women—alumnae, students, faculty and staff. Held on the IWU campus March 3-4, the theme of the 2017 summit was “Raise Your Voice”. Special guests at the 2017 event included Casey Erin Clark ’04 and Julie Fogh, the founders of Vital Voice Training, an organization dedicated to creating a deeper understanding of effective communication.

Oral Interviews are one many summit activities that bring alumni and …

Kim Bankston And Karyssa Clark, Iwu Council For Women, Kim Bankston, Karyssa Clark

All oral histories

Since its inception in 2006, Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women. The Council’s signature event is the annual summit, open to all IWU women—alumnae, students, faculty and staff. Held on the IWU campus March 3-4, the theme of the 2017 summit was “Raise Your Voice”. Special guests at the 2017 event included Casey Erin Clark ’04 and Julie Fogh, the founders of Vital Voice Training, an organization dedicated to creating a deeper understanding of effective communication.

Oral Interviews are one many summit activities that bring alumni and …

Debra Burt-Frazier And Kelly Fuller, Iwu Council For Women

All oral histories

Since its inception in 2006, Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women. The Council’s signature event is the annual summit, open to all IWU women—alumnae, students, faculty and staff. Held on the IWU campus March 3-4, the theme of the 2017 summit was “Raise Your Voice”. Special guests at the 2017 event included Casey Erin Clark ’04 and Julie Fogh, the founders of Vital Voice Training, an organization dedicated to creating a deeper understanding of effective communication.

Oral Interviews are one many summit activities that bring alumni and …

Dennie Bridges, Dennie Bridges '61

All oral histories

Bridges was a first generation college student and recalls the effect that being a student-athlete from a small farm town had on him. Throughout this narrative he reflects on the people and programs that had an impact on his success as a student and on lettering in three sports. After graduation, Bridges started as a basketball and tennis coach; he served IWU as Athletic Director from 1982-2015.

Kelly Petrowski And Anyssa Balcazar, Council For Iwu Women

All oral histories

IWU Alumni Kelly Petrowski '08 speaks with current student Anyssa Balcazar ‘16 during the annual Women's Summit, sponsored by the IWU Council for Women.

Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women, established in 2006. The Council’s signature event is its annual summit. The 2016 summit was held February 26-27, and centered on the theme “At the Table”.

Jess Olsen And Gabby Cooney, Jessica Olsen 2008, Gabriella Cooney 2017, Council For Iwu Women

All oral histories

IWU Alumna Jess Olsen ’08 and current student Gabby Cooney ‘17 interviewed each other during the annual Women's Summit, sponsored by the IWU Council for Women. They discuss significant women and events in their lives, their hopes for their futures, and they offer advice to incoming students.

Ken Fahsbender, Ken Fahsbender '49, Josh Immke 2019

All oral histories

Ken Fahsbender is a member of Phi Mu Alpha. He majored in music and two years after graduation he joined the Army and the Ft. Leonard Wood Band. Later he pursued a Master's from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a PhD from Stanford. He retired from teaching in the California school system.

During this interview he recalls the benefits of being in a fraternity talks about being in a men's choral group, intramural and extramural sports, and competing in track. He also remembers interacting with Coach Jack Horenberger, Lee Short, and Lloyd Pfautsch. He speaks of the value …

Dave Moravec, Dave Moravec '84, Francine Krieger 2015

All oral histories

In this interview, Mr. Moravec reflects on a dorm tradition that led him to his future wife Susan, changes to campus over the years, and his time as Tommy Titan.

Other topics include the campus jobs he had (Admission, Saga, and Dolan Hall), and the benefit he later found to the rigors of his English Composition class.

He briefly discusses his wife Susan’s activities on campus and the annual student-faculty basketball competition.

Mr. Moravec is a businessman in the Bloomington-Normal community and active in mentoring students through the Hart Career Center. In 2009, he and Susan took part in the …

Sammye Greer, Sammye Greer

All oral histories

Professor of English Sammye Greer was on faculty at IWU from 1970-1982. On behalf of the newly-formed 2014 Women's Caucus, Greer was asked to provide any recollections she had of the ca. 1970s IWU Women's Caucus, including any records or documentation that might still exist. Her remarks describe the campus climate for female faculty, events of the Caucus in her era, and perspectives on the issues she encountered as department chair.

Dr. Greer received IWU's Teaching Excellence Award and gave an Honors Day Convocation address in May 1978. The text for that address may be found at http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/teaching_excellence/42

Janet Mcnew, Janet Mcnew, Meg Miner

All oral histories

Janet McNew was Illinois Wesleyan's Provost and Dean of Faculty and Professor of English from 1993-2003. She also served as Acting President from 2003-2004 following the death of Minor Myers, jr.

During this interview, McNew discusses her career progression, before and after IWU, and some of the distinctions involved in Provost/Dean duties as they relate to managing the budget and changes to curriculum.

She shares her views on how monitoring national issues, addressing educational goals with faculty, and responding to tragedies affected IWU. She includes favorite memories of President Myers.

Reflecting on her time as acting President, McNew comments on …

Carren Moham, Carren Moham, Francine Krieger 2015

All oral histories

Dr. Moham was Professor of Music at Illinois Wesleyan from 1998-2014. She matriculated from The Ohio State University in Columbus where she earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Pedagogy and Black Music History.

During this interview she recounts her move from her doctoral program at the Ohio State University, to the Washington Cancer Institute and her choice of Illinois Wesleyan. Moham also discusses some of the memorable moments from her teaching and performing career in Illinois. After retiring, she became artist teacher voice at Illinois State University and is the owner of a voice rehabilitation business in …

Patrick Mclane, Patrick Mclane, Francine Krieger 2015

All oral histories

Mr. McLane worked in IWU's Information Technology office starting in 1991 and retired in 2014. He discusses the changes in technology and personnel he witnessed and also provides career highlights prior to IWU.

Mary Murphy, Mary Murphy '78, Abigail Szunyogh 2014

All oral histories

Mary Murphy majored in Biology with a pre-professional Medical school focus. She was the first in her immediate family to go to college. Murphy recalls faculty relationships and teaching assistant responsibilities and shares impressions about campus culture. She also mentions extracurricular activities such as church choir and the Homecoming planning committee. Dr. Murphy is a pediatrician in Ohio.