BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – For some, the excitement and anticipation of the first day of college can overwhelm the mind, turning the experience into nothing more than a generic blur of recollections. However, for others, the first day of class can make a long-lasting impact.

While standing in a circle among fellow theatre majors on the very first day of class, Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Samantha Glaudel, class of ’93, learned a lesson that would remain with her for the rest of her professional life.

As a student raised his arm to look at his watch, Professor Emeritus John Ficca asked the student what time it was. “The student did not know. Dr. Ficca told us at that point to never make a move without a purpose – otherwise it would not be believable. That lesson sticks out to me every time I do anything in front of an audience – whether the audience is in the theatre, a jury box, or watching my films,” said Glaudel.

Although Glaudel graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in theatre performance, she immediately went on to pursue her studies in law at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Law. Upon graduating with a juris doctorate in 1996, Glaudel worked in the district attorney’s office and also had experience in private practice. Between the two jobs, she has had six years of trial work, with a few hundred cases going to trial. Today, Glaudel works as the senior staff attorney for the chief judge in her judicial circuit in Savannah, Ga.

For Glaudel, there is a correlation between acting and the law. “When an attorney tries a case in front of a jury – or even a judge – the attorney is presenting material that tells the story of his/her client’s circumstances,” Glaudel said. She explained how an attorney has to memorize the facts of the case, comparing them to lines in a play. An attorney must do an opening and closing, which is much like setting the scene. When a client changes testimony, she said, an attorney has to think on his/her feet, which is similar to another actor dropping his/her lines.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – As Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Sandra Steingraber stood over a box filled with the latest edition of her book Living Downstream in her home in Trumansburg, N.Y., she announced her goal for the book, which is an unorthodox one for authors. “I want this book to become antiquated really fast,” she said.

Living Downstream, originally published in 1997, chronicles Steingraber’s personal journey – both as a biologist and as a cancer survivor – to explore toxins in the environment as a cause of cancer. “I’m hoping all the problems in this book will be eliminated,” Steingraber said. “I’m hoping there will be no need for a third edition.”

The 2010 edition of the book is being released this month, along with a new documentary film of the same name. “Sandra’s book struck me because it was so visually written,” said Chanda Chevannes, the film’s producer and director. “She has a unique writing style. Through it I could see everything, from the Illinois landscape to the insides of our bodies. I thought, ‘This is the most cinematic book I have ever read.’”

The film is currently in limited screenings, and is set to be shown at the Performing Arts Center at Illinois Central College campus in East Peoria at 7 p.m. on April 17. She hopes to tour with the movie through Central Illinois this October. “I like the fact that this movie will be able to reach communities in an entirely new way,” said Steingraber. “It is an accessible vehicle for this message.”

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Monmouth College Public Services Librarian Lauren Jensen, Illinois Wesleyan class of 2005, is one of 30 Illinois librarians selected to participate in Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative, a year-long program designed to develop future leaders in the library profession and in the Illinois community.

Jensen will attend Synergy seminars and work with other library community members April 20 to April 22 in Utica, August 3 to August 5 in Grafton and October 26 to October 28 in Lisle. The Illinois State Library and the Illinois Library Association sponsor the seminars.

The group of 30 librarians will attend three sessions with other developing leaders, experienced Illinois library leaders and nationally recognized speakers. The goal of the program is for each individual to develop leadership skills that can be applied in local, state and global arenas.

“I am thrilled that Lauren has been selected to participate in this unique endeavor,” said Illinois State Library Director Anne Craig. “Synergy participants will be exposed to new strategies and new ways of thinking about the future of the library profession. We must be proactive and seek out new library leaders and keep our libraries growing and vibrant in the coming years. I am confident that Lauren and our other Synergy participants will help us chart a course for the future that encourages citizens to enter the library profession and become library leaders, while maintaining our libraries as cornerstones of our communities.”

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Lindsay Sicks, Class of 2006, was awarded one of five $2,000 scholarships given to optometry students nationwide by the Heart of America Contact Lens Society (HOACLS). She received a travel fellowship to attend the 2010 meeting of the HOACLS in Kansas City, Mo. held in February.

Sicks, a native of Orland Park, Ill. attends the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) in Chicago. She was nominated for the award by the contact lens faculty at ICO and will be graduating in May with a Doctorate in Optometry.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Barbara Nathan was honored Tuesday, March 9, with the 2010 Gale Keeran Spirit of Success Award at the annual Women’s Health Night at the Interstate Center in Bloomington.

According to the award sponsor, the Illinois Heart & Lung Foundation, the recipient of the award possess a “spirit of success” that has made this community a better place to live. The honor was named after the late Gale Keeran, a community leader and former chair of the Bloomington Cultural District.

A 1980 graduate from Illinois Wesleyan, Nathan spent 15 years in nursing and hospital administration with BroMenn Healthcare in Normal. In 1996, she became the executive director of the Community Cancer Center and its Foundation, which has raised more than $9 million for a continuum of cancer care from community education on prevention and early detection, to treatment and survivor services.

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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The women of Zeta Phi Beta plan to name a Community Service Award in honor of their sorority sister and Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Monica Taylor, class of 1988. The first ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 10 from 2-4 p.m. in the Davidson Room of Illinois Wesleyan’s Memorial Center (104 University St., Bloomington).

Taylor, who passed on Oct. 21, 2009, was the director of Illinois Wesleyan’s Multicultural Affairs for 11 years before she joined State Farm Insurance Companies in 2004. While on campus, she supported the Black Student Union, the Council for Latin American Student Enrichment and the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. With her help, the Kwanzaa program and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel Festival were established and organized.

In 2008, Taylor was recognized by the Normal Human Relations Commission for her dedication to improving cooperative and respectful relations among diverse groups in the community and was the recipient of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award. She was also awarded the 2008 Spirit of State Farm honor for Community Service.

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