Mummies, werewolves, ghosts! Oh My! Come join the spooky students of Illinois Wesleyan for some Halloween fun!

On Thursday, October 30th from 5:30-7:30pm we would like to invite kids of all ages to come to campus for trick or treating throughout two of our Residence Halls: Pfeiffer Hall and Munsell Hall. Come join us for an extra night of candy collecting that is indoors, warm, dry, early, and safe!! Pfeiffer Hall will also have some fun Halloween themed activities in the lounge, like Pin the Broom on the Witch and more!! Stop by both or either of the two buildings!

If you have any questions, please contact Kaitlin Ballard, IWU Residence Director at kballard@iwu.edu or 309-556-3729. Can’t wait to see you there!

University of Illinois Foundation’s interim president Edward Ewald.

The University of Illinois Foundation chose Edward Ewald  to serve as the interim president.  Edward, senior vice president for development, will be the interim president as of Oct. 18.

Ed steps in as Thomas Farrell moves on to become senior vice president and chief advancement officer at the University of Rochester.  As interim president, Ed will oversee the foundation’s day-to-day operations and lead the university’s overall fundraising.

“Ed Ewald’s appointment achieves a level of stability and continuity, sought by the executive committee of the foundation’s board,” UIF Board Chair Roger Plummer said. “He provides vital institutional memory important to maintaining momentum on the Roadmap plan and other key initiatives that are part of the strategy to significantly enhance our level of private support.”

The 56-year-old Ewald has been at the foundation for 22 years, serving in a variety of positions, including campaign director for the $2.43 billion Brilliant Futures campaign. He also has been interim vice chancellor for institutional advancement for the Urbana campus and interim vice chancellor for development for the Chicago campus. Most recently, he has been involved in the foundation’s “Roadmap” strategic plan.

Prior to the UI Foundation, Ewald was an investment advisor and financial planner.  He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1979 and serves on the board of directors of Kirby Medical Center and the Kirby Foundation in Monticello.

Ross Fraser ’78 sent me this interesting fact.

“I am a 1978 graduate of IWU and just realized that my first day of class at IWU was 40 years ago this coming Friday, Sept. 12^th. Registration that year was Sept. 9^th.”

Ross was a theater major.  They were a small, close-knit group, and Ross is still in touch with many of my classmates. My brother-in-law, Roger Keller,  graduated from IWU in 1966, his daughter Heidi Keller, in 1999.  Ross has another niece, Hillary Davis, that graduated  in 2013!

Thanks for the great information, Ross.

Judge Elizabeth Robb ’78

Eleventh Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb announced Wednesday that she will retire Dec. 31.  The Eleventh Judicial Circuit is based in Bloomington, IL.

“I am so very grateful to have had the opportunity to achieve a goal that I have had since I was a junior in high school,” Robb said in a statement on her plans to leave her position after 22 years as a judge.  Elizabeth was appointed to the bench in 1993, Robb was the first woman to serve as associate judge, circuit judge and chief judge of the circuit.  The Eleventh Judicial Circuit serves McLean, Logan, Woodford, Livingston, and Ford counties. She has also worked in private practice, spending five years as an assistant public defender representing juvenile court clients.

Robb was elected circuit judge in 2000 and retained twice by voters. She has been chief judge for 10 years.

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita Garman called Robb “an excellent chief judge and administrator, a leader among the chief judges in Illinois.”  Robb “has been on the forefront with innovative programs that have moved the courts forward,” said Garman.

Chief Judge Robb has worked to foster the spirit of cooperation during her tenure.  “The concept of collaboration, bringing people around the table to share ideas, the needs of the court system, ways to make things better — that whole spirit of we can do it together,” Elizabeth said of her approach.

The council has been credited with saving over $1 million in tax dollars through changes that have made the criminal justice system more efficient.  Sheriff Mike Emery, one of the founding members of the council, said Judge Robb “implemented many positive changes that have increased efficiency and effectiveness in our justice system. She has certainly guided us in a direction that has made us a model county.”

Robb also helped implement the state Supreme Court pilot program for cameras in the courtroom. Media have extended their coverage of proceedings with cameras, video and sound equipment in McLean County courtrooms for more than a year.

A 1978 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, Robb said she plans to remain active in the community and may enjoy new opportunities not available during her judicial service.  Robb earned her law degree from Loyola University in Chicago in 1981. She taught business law at Illinois State University and IWU.

Outside McLean County, Elizabeth has served on the Illinois Judicial Conference. She will leave her current post as chairwoman of the Illinois Conference of Chief Judges in December.  Robb is an active member of the of the Illinois Judges Association and the McLean County Bar Association.

Brian Koopmans ’79 tells us that on June 8 he completed The Echo Half Marathon.  This race was his first half marathon in over 35 years.  He completed the half marathon in a time of 1 hour 55 minutes and 20 seconds.

A half marathon is a road running event of about 13.1 miles or about 21 kilometers.

Congratulations Brian.