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Jim Hunstein to lead new IC men’s volleyball program
Jim Hunstein to lead new IC men’s volleyball program amy.jones Mon, 08/12/2019 - 11:34 8.12.2019 The long-time St. Louis-area coaching veteran was selected to lead the newest Illinois College program. Illinois College Director of Athletics Mike Snyder has introduced Jim Hunstein as the first head coach of the new IC men’s volleyball program. Hunstein, currently the women’s head coach at Lindenwood University-Belleville, will continue coaching the Lynx in their final season before officially taking the reins of the new Blueboys program later this year. “I'm really excited about this opportunity,” Hunstein said. “Starting a program from the ground up is going to be quite a challenge, but one I welcome for that reason. It's something I think most coaches dream of having the chance to do.” Hunstein began his coaching career nearly 20 years ago and joined the college ranks in 2008, joining Washington University in St. Louis as a women’s assistant. The Bears would go on to win a national title in 2009 and again reach the Division III Final Four in 2010. After four years there, Hunstein took over his own program when he became the head coach at Lewis & Clark Community College. He then moved back to Division III and led the Blackburn College program in 2016 and 2017, helping the Beavers achieve their second-best season in school history two years ago. Starting in 2018-19, he took over at Lindenwood-Belleville and has served as the head women’s coach and assistant men’s coach with the Lynx ever since. Along with his coaching experience at the collegiate level, Hunstein has had a long career in the St. Louis area as a club coach and assistant with USA Volleyball. From 2000 through 2016, Hunstein coached three clubs in the St. Louis area and has since been the head coach of the Capital Area Volleyball Club out of Springfield. Since 2012, he has worked with USA Volleyball as an assistant coach and evaluator. He has also directed and presented at numerous camps throughout the region. “I am thrilled to have Jim join the department as the leader of our men's volleyball program,” said Director of Athletics Mike Snyder. “We were looking for someone with an established coaching background, strong recruiting abilities and deep ties to the Midwest volleyball scene. Jim checked all of those boxes. We are excited to get this program rolling and I am confident Jim will build a program that will have prolonged success.” “I look forward to joining the athletic department and the rest of the IC family,” Hunstein added. “I've always been impressed by the campus and the facilities and I look forward to calling it home and bringing in young men to compete for us.” Hunstein will begin recruiting for Illinois College in the upcoming months before officially beginning his duties on the Hilltop later this year. With a competition season that runs from January to April, the IC men’s volleyball program will debut early in 2021. Athletics
Illinois College mourns Paul Findley ’43 H’73
Illinois College mourns Paul Findley ’43 H’73 amy.jones Fri, 08/09/2019 - 12:10 8.09.2019 The Illinois College community has lost one of its most dedicated and beloved members with the passing of influential politician and peacemaker Paul Findley ’43 H’73 on August 9, 2019, at the age of 98. Congressman Findley’s legacy at his alma mater will be his unbridled optimism, his inspiring courage and his lasting commitment to the success of IC’s students. President Barbara A. Farley Congressman Findley graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Illinois College in 1943. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from the 20th District of Illinois from 1961 to 1983, and is a member of the Illinois College Congressional Hall of Fame. “Congressman Findley will be remembered as a man of integrity and conviction,” said President Barbara A. Farley. “He was a celebrated politician, statesman, author, speaker and global citizen. The Illinois College community is mourning the loss of a great friend and distinguished alumnus. Congressman Findley’s legacy at his alma mater will be his unbridled optimism, his inspiring courage and his lasting commitment to the success of IC’s students.” Congressman Findley’s deep connection to the College and Phi Alpha literary society is woven throughout his life and extended well beyond his years as a student. “Illinois College has been a part of my life, a fascinating part, all through the years,” said Findley in a 2013 interview with Mark DePue, director of oral history at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The interview took place in the Paul Findley Congressional Office Museum, located in IC’s historic Whipple Hall, three blocks from the Jacksonville house on Edgehill Road where Findley was born in 1921. The museum, established in 2011 as a part of the Khalaf Al Habtoor Leadership Center at Illinois College, is designed to promote justice and opportunity for all people. The space interprets the government office Findley held for 22 years, complete with his congressional desk. It houses a collection of artifacts — the physical embodiment of Findley’s life story. The museum serves as a learning laboratory for Illinois College students and welcomes both local and global visitors. Through the museum, they are able to experience Findley’s awe-inspiring journey spanning several decades. The collection gives insight into his varied interests. Several themes emerge from the curated space — Findley’s passion for human rights and social justice, the connection he felt to Abraham Lincoln, the influence of his successful political career serving under seven presidents, and his life’s work toward international relations and awareness of global issues. Findley grew up in Jacksonville, one of five children. He developed an early love for politics as a teenager listening to FDR’s “fireside chats” and participating in student government. He exhibited talent as a journalist on the school newspaper at Jacksonville High School, where he often wrote about social justice and equality. As a student at Illinois College, Findley completed a double major in history and political science and was a member of the debate team. He also played tennis and worked as a reporter for the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, where his interest in politics grew covering local government. Findley was also a contributor to the student paper, The Rambler, composing two memorable op-ed pieces, titled "Highlights and Shadows" and "Findley's Uncensored Prejudices," which he described as "valuable experiences in speaking out." Despite his busy schedule, he established strong ties to Phi Alpha literary society, a connection that kept him involved on campus. After returning to Jacksonville in 1983, the Congressman devoted time and attention to the students of Phi Alpha. He attended productions, offered counsel and hosted an annual event at his West College Avenue home, at which he served pumpkin pie and listened to the hopes and dreams of members. Upon graduating from IC, Findley was immediately called to duty in the Navy Reserves. He trained throughout Illinois before being stationed in the Great Lakes, Japan, and later in Guam, where he met his future wife, Lucille Gemme, who was serving as a Navy flight nurse. The two were married in January 1946. Following his time in the Navy, Findley took a job as an assistant editor at a weekly magazine working with author Clarence Streit. He continued writing about the political and social issues of the time. Findley later returned to the Jacksonville area working as managing editor for the weekly Pike County Republican newspaper in Pittsfield, a publication that he later owned. In 1960, Findley was elected to Illinois’ 20th congressional seat and relocated his family to Washington, D.C., to begin his political career. Findley ignored early advice in his political career to keep a low profile, opting instead to “make the biggest waves possible for worthy causes.” Throughout his career in politics, Findley remained conservative on fiscal matters and bold when speaking out on social issues. He built a reputation as someone who was not intimidated into silence by the risk of controversy — even when his ideas conflicted with pressure from his own party. Findley was an advocate for farmers and the agricultural community, which included many of his central Illinois constituents. Along with the Agriculture Committee, he worked on the Education and Labor, and Foreign Affairs Committees. Findley felt strongly about many issues including war, trade, human rights, diplomatic relations and famine. In 1964, he controversially supported a bill that barred housing discrimination on the basis of race — an unpopular vote with his constituency and fellow Republicans. Findley later said that he was most proud of his record of voting to support civil rights while in Congress. In his work with foreign affairs, Findley had the opportunity to travel and work with governments throughout the world. Congressman Findley led the NATO task force and developed stronger relations with France and China. A trip to Yemen in 1974 was said to be the catalyst moment when he recognized what the current situation was in the Middle East; it was an experience that shifted his humanitarian mission and helped develop his global vision. Findley has been recognized nationally and internationally for his work promoting peace in the Middle East and educating others on the region. Findley’s work in the Middle East fostered a longtime friendship with United Arab Emirates businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Khalaf Al Habtoor H’10, which grew out of their shared values, a mutual interest in enhancing relations between the U.S. and the Middle East, and a dedication to addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After publishing his book, “They to Dare Speak Out: People and Institutions Confront Israel's Lobby,” in 1985, Findley became even more well known in the Middle East. Findley and Al Habtoor met several times in the late 1980s and each has expressed their admiration for the other. Findley introduced Al Habtoor to his alma mater. The College later conferred an honorary doctorate on Al Habtoor in 2010, recognizing his distinguished contributions to global peace. In 2014, Al Habtoor announced that he was creating the Pathways to Peace program at Illinois College in collaboration with Congressman Findley and his family. Findley shared the stage with him that day, as did former U.S. President Jimmy Carter H'14 who delivered the Phi Alpha Literary Society Lecture. The previous day Congressman Findley offered remarks at the dedication of the Khalaf Al Habtoor Archives at Illinois College. Dr. Al Habtoor and Congressman Findley shared a mutual admiration for Abraham Lincoln. Findley’s connection to Lincoln was a thread woven throughout his political career and life. As politicians, Lincoln and Findley represented much of the same geographical area in Congress, and he was dedicated to ensuring that Lincoln’s story lived on in Central Illinois. Findley’s fascination with Lincoln grew throughout his political career and led him to author a book on the historical figure in 1979, titled “A. Lincoln: The Crucible of Congress.” He said that he may have never been elected to Congress without Lincoln and that he never gave a speech during his first political campaign without quoting a Lincoln speech; he had many of them fully memorized. It was a skill he learned at IC through his involvement with Phi Alpha. He found it fitting that Lincoln was an honorary member of the same literary society. During his political career, Findley was instrumental in passing legislation to make Lincoln’s Springfield home a national historic site. He rescued Lincoln’s made-to-order sofa from the historic figure’s 1837 law office, displaying it in his congressional office and later in his museum — where it remains today. In 2016, a new “Looking for Lincoln” exhibit was dedicated on the IC campus, a project initiated and funded by Findley in collaboration with Illinois College, which he called “a great gift to the student body and to the future.” Supporting the College became a lifelong passion that seems to grip me tighter with each passing year. Paul Findley, 2009 Findley served on the Illinois College Board of Trustees from 1963 to 1993 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1973. The Khalaf Al Habtoor Archives at Illinois College houses Congressman Findley's papers; IC students have gained hands-on experience with researching, processing, and digitizing this content. Since 2017, two NEH Visiting Humanities Scholars have journeyed to Illinois College specifically to utilize the collection. In June Illinois College received a grant through Interfaith Youth Core to fund the Findley Interfaith Initiative, a yearlong project to explore the career of U.S. Findley as an interfaith leader, drawing from historical collections in the Paul Findley Congressional Office Museum and the Khalaf Al Habtoor Archives at Illinois College. “I was on the scene during a lot of history, and it could be that some of the activities I took part in will yield information for historians in the future,” said Findley of the many resources he has worked to establish at Illinois College. More about Findley and his work can be found in the collection of prolific writings he produced throughout his life. He authored several books including his autobiography, “Speaking Out: A Congressman’s Lifelong Fight Against Bigotry, Famine, and War,” in 2011. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church, 870 West College Avenue, Jacksonville, Illinois. The family will meet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at the Paul Findley Congressional Office Museum, located in Whipple Hall on the campus of Illinois College, 1101 West College Avenue, Jacksonville, Illinois. The American flag on the Historic Upper Quad of Illinois College will be flown at half mast until Friday August 16. Memorials can be made to the Lucille Findley Educational Foundation or the Illinois College Student Success Scholarship Endowment. The Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com. Read additional tributes to Findley online: Paul Findley, 11-term Republican congressman from Illinois, dies at 98 | Washington Post Former Rep. Paul Findley of Illinois dies at 98 | St. Louis Post Dispatch Paul Findley: Congressman recalled as outspoken advocate for equality, community | Journal-Courier Former Congressman Paul Findley dies at 98 | State Journal Register Paul Findley, Congressman Behind War Powers Act, Dies at 98 | New York Times Alumni
Illinois College community mourns dedicated trustee emerita
Illinois College community mourns dedicated trustee emerita amy.jones Mon, 07/29/2019 - 09:21 7.29.2019 Diana Dawdy Chesley ’58 H’08, a trustee emerita and lifelong supporter of Illinois College, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the age of 82. Chesley maintained close contact to Illinois College throughout her life. She grew up on West College Avenue, immediately across from campus. As a student, she was president of Gamma Delta Literary Society and the IC Hilltoppers theatre group. As an alumna, she remained connected to her alma mater by serving as a class agent and as a reunion chair. Chesley joined the Illinois College Board of Trustees in 1985 and served until 2008. In 1994, she was honored with a Distinguished Service Award by the Alumni Association to recognize her meritorious service to Illinois College and her service to humanitarian and charitable causes. In 2008 Illinois College conferred upon Chesley the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. She was a loyal supporter of the College, notably helping to establish the Chesley Health and Wellness Center to provide high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare to the campus community. The center, which will be relocated to Lincoln Hall this fall, was named in her honor. She also established an endowed scholarship, the Diana Dawdy Chesley Award in Technical Theatre, which is awarded to an outstanding theatre major annually. She remained a leader in IC’s philanthropic community throughout her life and became a lifetime member of the Illinois College Society when it launched in 2017. Professionally, Chesley enjoyed a successful career; she served as president of Vacation Estates for more than 30 years and held a number of high-ranking posts within national and regional associations, including the Louisiana State Society and the Metropolitan Board of Cystic Fibrosis in Washington, D.C. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Williamson Funeral Home, with burial at Fernwood Cemetery in Roodhouse. The family will meet friends from 10 a.m. until time of services Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at the funeral home. Alumni
Twyford BBQ named official food truck of ICVC
Twyford BBQ named official food truck of ICVC amy.jones Tue, 07/23/2019 - 10:01 7.23.2019 Illinois College has announced that Twyford BBQ will serve as the official food truck of the Illinois College Varsity Club during the 2019-2020 athletic season. Annual donations to the IC Varsity Club strengthen Illinois College athletic programs by supporting daily operations for each of the College’s 24 athletic teams. By joining ICVC, members support world-class facilities and competitive experience for nearly 500 student-athletes. During the upcoming athletic season, ICVC members will have access to special areas with complimentary food and drinks at Illinois College sporting events throughout the year. Twyford BBQ will offer a variety of food options from their menu at several of these events. The Jacksonville-favorite is known for their award-winning barbecue including chicken, pork, ribs and brisket, as well as their sides, desserts and creative menu items like pulled pork nachos. Randy Twyford, who owns the business with his wife Marla, said that barbecue and sports are a natural pairing. He is looking forward to being a part of the game-day atmosphere and building connections to IC. I think our partnership with Illinois College has been great and will continue to grow. This is really a situation where we both benefit, and I am happy to see where it goes. Randy Twyford, Twyford BBQ According to head football coach Ray DeFrisco, Twyford BBQ has provided meals regularly for his team over the past three seasons. “I love seeing his truck parked outside the field on game day,” said DeFrisco. “Not only has he been feeding the team over the years, but has been hiring our football players and providing a part-time job.” Twyford hires Illinois College students from all areas of the College. He said he has been continuously impressed with their work. “I have no idea how IC does it, but the College teaches such good people skills. The students we have working for us — whether they are from the football team or debate and speech or any area — the people skills they have are just incredible,” said Twyford. Katie Carls, director of business development and campus events at IC, said this announcement is part of the overall expansion of the IC Varsity Club. Several new levels of membership will also be offered this year with benefits that include IC apparel, a monthly IC athletic newsletter and sponsorship recognition in IC’s annual athletics golf outing. Carls hopes to continue to partner with local businesses and organizations. “Twyford BBQ has always been a big supporter of Illinois College and it was time to officially welcome them as part of the IC family,” she said. “We are excited about this partnership and looking forward to having them on campus supporting our students, faculty, staff and alumni throughout the year.” For more information about joining the Illinois College Varsity Club please visit www.ic.edu/icvc or call the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 217.245.3046. To learn more about partnership opportunities with Illinois College for your business or organization, contact Katie Carls at 217.245.3112 or katie.carls@ic.edu. Athletics
IC presents Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle at free outdoor movie night
IC presents Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle at free outdoor movie night amy.jones Tue, 07/16/2019 - 16:52 7.16.2019 Illinois College is hosting a free outdoor movie night on the lower quad of campus on Tuesday, July 23. The event is open to the public and will begin at 8:30 p.m. with concessions available for purchase. The movie, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13), will begin at 9 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Parking is available in the Cummings Dining Hall parking lot located on the corner of Edgehill Road and Lincoln Avenue. The evening is sponsored by Doyle Plumbing & Heating Co. in Jacksonville and Illinois College’s Center for Student Involvement and Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Contact Shelby Carey at 217.245.3094 or shelby.carey@ic.edu with questions. On Campus

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