About Robert Poynton

After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1980 with a BFA in Drama, Bobby decided to leave the security of his suburban Chicago home and head to Hollywood to seek his fame and fortune as an actor. With $500, a beat up sports car and his Dad's gas credit card in hand, he began his journey to pursue his dream. Over the years the acting roles were there for the taking but the "fame and fortune" Bobby had sought proved to be elusive. Work on such shows as Days of Our Lives, Jake and the Fatman, Life Goes On, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, The Sentinel, Touched by an Angel, Viper, Promised Land and Walker: Texas Ranger as well as numerous theatrical credits all served to keep the dream alive, but were never enough. Then the opportunity came to audition for an "international recording group" seeking an attractive male vocalist with a tenor voice, falsetto, and at least 6 feet tall. Well, the tenor voice used to be there when he was in college, so he figured he would wear boots for the height and hope the room was dark for the rest. The result was the 6 year stint as a member of The Lettermen. Bobby recorded 6 albums with The Lettermen, performed in excess of 1000 concerts around the world and most importantly came to the realization that the "fame and fortune" he had so fervently sought was nowhere near as important or rewarding as the "fame" he had in his own family as a big brother or the "fortune of the heart" he receives daily from his wife Beth, son Robert V, and daughter Callie at their home in Illinois. In 2001, Bobby began touring the country again. This time with the classic group The Diamonds, rock and roll pioneers who recorded the 50’s anthems “The Stroll” and "Little Darlin". In 2002, the soundtrack for "The Adventures Of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina," an animated film, included Bobby's duet with Jennifer Love Hewitt. In 2010, Bobby was delighted to be invited to take the stage for a night with the legendary group, The Vogues. In 2011, the door to a return to The Lettermen opened and Bobby walked back though. He considers his return to The Lettermen a true honor and looks forward to many years recreating the magic on stage and in the recording studio with his partners Tony Butala (founding member) & Donovan Tea.

Robert Poynton ’80

Robert, a member of international recording artists The Lettermen, has recently release a new solo CD entitled “The Long Road Home”.  The CD is available via mail order currently (instructions for purchase are on his Facebook page) or via CD Baby, Amazon, Itunes and other online sources by the beginning of October, 2015.

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Jim Radecki ’85

Jim Radecki, class of 1985, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs.  Jim has been Goldman Sachs Prime Services Midwest Regional Manager since 2002, and was appointed Global Co-Head for GS Global Prime Services Clearing in 2012.

Jim is looking forward to seeing his 1985 classmates, as well as many others from the early to mid-eighties, at Homecoming 2015, and would love to see the class of 1985 break attendance records for an IWU 30th class reunion !!!

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Andrea Huber ’81, Michael Ramach ’78 and Lauren Shafer ’15

Three generations of IWU alums are united by the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria. Pictured are Andrea Huber ’81 Director of Development and Intendantin, AIMS Festival in Graz; Michael Ramach ’78 University of Louisville School of Music Co-Director Opera Theatre and Stage Artistry Coach at AIMS (First person to graduate with a BFA in Music Theatre); and Lauren Shafer ’15 Administrative assistant for AIMS. They are in the Stefaniensaal performance space during one of the many orchestra concerts thatwere held by AIMS in the summer of 2015.

AIMS Graz

Let’s Move the Tommymometer to the Top!

Illinois Wesleyan’s fiscal year end is quickly approaching on July 31. Have you shown your Titan Pride by making a gift this year?
Check out the new Tommymometer to see where we stand by clicking here.

If you have already made a gift this year, thank you! If you have not yet made your gift, there is still time for you to make a difference this year.

By making your gift  before July 31, you will not only add to the Tommymometer for alumni donors, but you will help to keep current Illinois Wesleyan students enrolled and our alma mater strong. The percentage of alumni donors is important to IWU because outside organizations view it as a metric to measure alumni satisfaction. It affects Illinois Wesleyan’s rankings, bond rating, and ability to earn grants.

Thank you for doing your part to fill the Tommymometer before July 31 and keep Illinois Wesleyan moving forward!