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Matches made in heaven—and many began at IMSA

Yet another IMSA reunion at an IMSA wedding! Dozens of IMSA alums attended Sam and Jessica Droste Yagan's wedding last July.

By Eric Rettberg

Some romances begin over candlelit dinners, walks on the beach, and romantic sunsets; others begin over calculators, protractors, and a challenging math-and-science curriculum. During its 18 years, IMSA has spawned an impressive number of alumni relationships, and a number of these eventually have turned into marriages. Here are some examples:

Michelle (Markey) Butler '90 and Brian Butler'89 met shortly after Michelle began attending IMSA, and they have been together ever since. The two were married on December 28, 1991. Michelle's roommate Krisztina Nadas '91 was the maid of honor. Also in the wedding were three younger Markey sisters (all of whom later attended IMSA), Mia '94, Molly '96, and Margie '00.

Jennifer (Peek) Wylie '92 and Joseph Wylie '92 were not really friends during their time at IMSA despite working on the yearbook together, but Beth (Bielenberg) Hage '92 reintroduced them at a happy hour in June 2000, and they were married in April 2003. Teresa Lehnhardt '92 was a member of the wedding party, and a number of IMSA alumni attended including Annmarie Peil '92, Michael Wilson '94, Beth '92 and Chris Hage '90, Andy Hocker '91, and Tricia Sabathne '92.

Andrew Pitcher '93 and Sophia (Williams) Pitcher '93 began flirting with romance on August 26, 1991, the day of IMSA's convocation at Fermilab during their junior years. By the time they graduated, they knew they were meant for each other, and they were married on July 26, 1997, at St. David's Episcopal Church in Aurora. The Rev. Michael Long, formerly of the IMSA English Department, officiated at the wedding ceremony. Alaina Anderson '93 was the maid of honor, and Gene Choi '93 was the best man. The Pitchers are proud parents of two daughters, Jasmin, 31/2 and Isabel, 10 months.

Karen Kiener '89 and Mitchell Gordon '89 were brought together by mutual astonishing good looks during the early days of IMSA, in fall of 1987. They picked their wedding date, May 25, 1997, while they were juniors at IMSA, and Sarah Woolsey '89 and Marie Reinke '89 served as bridesmaids in the wedding party.

James Hallick '94 and Chulee Santilukka Hallick '94, who started dating as IMSA juniors in January 1993, were married on August 5, 2000. Erick Hallick '92, Aimee Chong '94, and Charlie Santilukka '01 stood up in the wedding.

Jessica Droste Yagan '95 and Sam Yagan '95, who were married in July 2003, feel that IMSA is still a force in their lives because of the lasting friendships that began during their time in Aurora. A staggering 26 members of the classes of '94-'97 attended the wedding, as well as two staff members, Sam's brother Danny Yagan '02, and four other friends from class of 2002. Marty DiMarzio '95 and Danny served as co-best-men. Francis Kim '95 sang at the wedding, Chris Palenik '95 did a reading, and Steve Gebhart '95 served as an usher.

Mike Rudzinski '90 and Jen (Lambert) Rudzinski '90 are among the earliest married IMSA couples, as they were married on September 4, 1991. Their first date took place during their junior year—they walked the Fox River Trail in Aurora together. The couple attended Peoria's Bradley University together, and are parents to two children, Maggie, 11, and Joe, 6.

Kevin Narimatsu '89 and Stephanie Jayne '90 dated at IMSA and went to the charter class prom together, but their lives took separate paths for a number of years even as they remained friends (with high phone bills). Kevin remained in Illinois for college, but Stephanie left for North Carolina. The two continued to travel, with Kevin spending time in Japan and Stephanie spending two years in Northern Ireland and four in Malawi, Africa. When Stephanie decided to move back to the U.S., Kevin suggested California, and the two found themselves in the same time zone for the first time since their graduations from IMSA. After an eleven-year hiatus, the two began dating in San Francisco in 1999. They were engaged in March 2002 and married in August 2002 at a small wedding near a waterfall in western North Carolina. Among the wedding party were several IMSA alumni: Scott Narimatsu ' 95, Robin May '90, Tanya Leinicke ' 90, Aimee Walter (Wonderlick) '90, Banita Butcher '90, and, in spirit, Amy (Gurbacki) Berry '90.

Krisztina J. Nadas '91 and Scott T. Sundem '90 became good friends at IMSA, helping each other through some rough times. After they graduated from college, they very quickly decided that it was right and were married on January 31, 1998. Zsolt J. Nadas '90 served in the wedding party.

Satish Charo '93 and Kathleen Tung Charo '93 met in math class during the first week of their sophomore year at IMSA. They became friends and began dating at the beginning of their junior year; by the time they left IMSA, they had attended seven dances and prom together. The two were geographically separated (at Caltech and Boston University) for one year, but Kathleen made the decision to transfer to MIT and finished her undergraduate degree in the Boston area. Kathleen and Satish were married on May 28, 2000, in Crown Point, Indiana, after nine years of dating. A number of IMSA alumni were involved with the wedding. Elsa Wang Rahner '93, Vivian Vlamakis '93, Karen Kuo Peck '93, Dave Knol '93, and Nathaniel Ohler ' 93 were in the wedding party; and Dani Barstad '93, Gabriel Black '93, Nora Chen '93, Yang Chu '92, Amy Fletcher '93, Steve Knol '95, Robin Shaw O'Meara '93, Elise Sivilay '94, and Matt Unterman '93 attended. The couple currently lives in Chicago, and sees IMSA friends regularly.

In the near future, on June 12 of this year, Chris Tessone '00 and Susan Massey '01 will be married in an IMSA-filled wedding ceremony. Kristin Bolt '01, Laura Freund '01, and Lavina Jadhwani '01 will be bridesmaids, and Michael Massey '98 and Tyler Smith '01 will be groomsmen. Matthew Tomaszewski '00 and Robert Maldonado '00 will be ushers. IMSA even has a connection to the behindthe- scenes aspects of the reception; the parents of Ezra Lyon '00 and Avram Lyon '02 will be making the cake, and Timothy Messer '00 will be DJing.

Eric Rettberg is an IMSA resident counselor and alumni program assistant. counselor and alumni program assistant.

Did we miss your wedding?

E-mail milamber@imsa.edu with your IMSA couple wedding story and we'll be happy to post it here.

IAA and IMSA launch redesigned Web sites

This spring, both IMSA and the IMSA Alumni Association completed much-needed redesigns of their respective Web sites.

www.iaa.org

The IAA's new Web site, www.iaa.org, was launched in April. Designed to meet the needs of alumni and the various other groups the IAA serves, the site features the latest news and information about IAA services and events.

For alumni, the site has all the information about reunions, the annual IMSA Alumni Day, LUMEN, regional and interest clubs and how you can get involved at IMSA. You'll also find information about the IAA, including its constitution, bylaws, meeting minutes and how to contact the members of the IAA Cabinet.

In coming months, www.iaa.org also will feature Class Notes, an electronic twist on the old IMSAlum columns dedicated to updating the alumni community about what you're up to these days, and an online college guide to help current IMSA students select colleges and majors. Be sure to visit the site over the summer to contribute to both of these Web services.

www.imsa.edu

In January, IMSA launched its redesigned Web site at www.imsa.edu. Aside from a new visual look based on a kaleidoscope theme, the site features new content in many key areas. Of particular interest, there is a new section devoted entirely to information for and about alumni. Also, the site now offers a means of online giving to the IMSA Fund. More improvements to the site are planned this summer.

Special kudos to Matt Zanon '97, who was hired as a consultant by IMSA to assist with their Web redesign. His and many other IMSA staff members' efforts on this project have transformed www.imsa.edu into a Web site worthy of a pioneering educational institution.

2004 IMSA Alumni Day and Class Reunions

Plan to attend IMSA Alumni Day activities on June 26

IMSA Alumni Day is an annual tradition — a summer homecoming for IMSA's alumni community that lets us reunite with each other and our alma mater.

This year's Alumni Day will be held on Saturday, June 26 on the IMSA campus. All IMSA alumni are invited to attend the day's events, which include:

10 a.m.—IAA Annual Meeting

Kicking off the day, the meeting will feature updates on IAA activities, IMSA alumni relations and election of eight at-large members of the IAA Cabinet. (See the article below for more information.)

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.—Lunch on your own

Revisit your old Aurora haunts — or try some of the new ones. Whether you're off to Colonial for the Kitchen Sink or the new restaurants on Orchard Road, be sure to hang out with old friends…and make new ones!

1:30 p.m.—IAA Faculty/Staff Tea

Reconnect with your former IMSA teachers and staff members at the Faculty/Staff Tea in the IRC (otherwise known as the library, if you don't remember all your IMSA acronyms). There will be a special opening ceremony at the Tea honoring several retiring charter staff members.

The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones through interest group meetings, sports or just lounging on U-benches.

There's no registration or RSVP required. Just show up at IMSA on June 26.

Whether you're coming back for your class reunion or just want to spend the day reconnecting with your alma mater and fellow alumni, we hope you'll attend this year's Alumni Day.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact IAA President Doug Pratt '97 at milamber@imsa.edu.

(From left) Michael Kim '93, Jet Sun-Lin '93, Kurt Gimbel '93, and Anthony Nuval '98 lounge around campus at last year's IMSA Alumni Day. Jet and Anthony were their classes' reunion coordinators last year.

'89—Charter Class to gather in Chicago for 15-year reunion

Class of 1989 15-year reunion Saturday, July 10, 2004 Reza's—Downtown Chicago

The Class of 1989's reunion will be held on the evening of Saturday, July 10 at Reza's restaurant in downtown Chicago.

Reza's is downtown on Ontario near a lot of entertainment options for those who want to go out after the reunion. Invitations will be sent out soon.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Mark Armantrout at marmantr@imsa.edu.

Don't forget to keep your contact information updated at the myIMSA Alumni Directory at www.iaa.org/myIMSA.html.

'94—'94 celebrates 10 years at the Millennium Park Grill

Class of 1994 10-year reunion Saturday, June 26, 2004 Millennium Park Grill—Downtown Chicago

Life, career, love, joy, or sorrow—what have the last ten years brought to you? Come share your story with old friends and classmates at our reunion this summer. Take time to reminisce about our three years together in Aurora and speculate on what the next ten years might bring.

The reunion will be held June 26 from 7 p.m.–11 p.m. at the beautiful Millennium Park Grill in downtown Chicago.

Full details are available on the class reunion web site at www.iaa.org/94/. RSVP and purchase your ticket there now!

'99—'99 to get together at IMSA for 5-year reunion

Class of 1999 5-year reunion Saturday, June 26, 2004 IMSA Campus —Aurora

It's hard to believe five years have gone by since we left the refuge among the cornfields we once called home. This summer's reunion is your chance to catch up with the people you shared three tumultuous but wonderful years with. Some you may not have seen since graduation, some you may have seen just last week, but all have stories and good times to share. Eat and be merry in the company of friends, reminisce about old times, and most importantly, party again like it was 1999.

The reunion will be held at IMSA on June 26. You should receive your invitations in early May. If you haven't already, please take a moment to send us your contact info by visiting www.iaa.org/99/. All reunion information can be found at the website.

Seeking candidates for IAA at-large positions

During the IAA Annual Meeting on June 26, eight IAA Cabinet at-large seats will be up for election. The IAA Elections Committee is seeking nominations for these at-large positions.

At-large members of the Cabinet provide direction for the IAA and participate in the organization of IAA efforts. They organize events, serve as contact points for the alumni population and generate future plans for IAA activities.

The only eligibility requirement is that the candidate must have graduated from IMSA when they are elected. At-large representatives are elected for a 1-year term.

If you wish to nominate yourself or another alumnus for a Cabinet position, please notify Eric Stuckey at estuckey@imsa.edu.

The nomination deadline to appear on the ballot is May 22, although nominations can be made from the floor at the meeting. from the floor at the meeting.

Mark your calendars for ALUMNI WEEKEND 2005

To heck with Alumni Day. We're upgrading to a whole weekend!

Beginning in 2005, the IAA's annual LUMEN event will be held as part of an expanded IMSA Alumni Weekend. Next year's festivities are scheduled for June 17–20, 2005.

Classes of '90, '95 and '00 to reunite

Three classes will celebrate reunions that weekend. The IAA currently is looking for volunteers from the Classes of 1990, 1995 and 2000 to organize their gatherings.

We're in need people to reserve venues, set up catering, arrange entertainment and, most importantly, help find and communicate with your classmates.

Any time you can give will be helpful — and you don't have to be a Chicago local to help, especially with getting the word out.

If you're interested in helping, please contact Doug Pratt '97 at milamber@imsa.edu.

LUMEN expanded to multi-day event

Moving from its traditional January timeframe, LUMEN will be a highlight of Alumni Weekend 2005. This shift allows invitees with families and other commitments to take advantage of IMSA's residence halls, Illinois' summer weather and the time to both build community and network.

Expertise will be drawn from IMSA alumni, parents, staff, students, great minds and the people of Illinois, in an effort to provide a broad range of perspectives and an exciting, respectful discourse.

Under the guidance of the new LUMEN Steering Committee, the event will undergo several other changes next year. Stay tuned to www.iaa.org and the fall issue of the IMSAlum to find out more.

For now, if you have any questions or ideas, contact LUMEN coordinator Jason Orloff '90 at jason.orloff@abbott.com.

Can you help an IMSA student today?

From the IAA President
Doug Pratt '97
milamber@imsa.edu

One of the major goals of the IMSA Alumni Association is to help current students in whatever ways possible.

But scattered across the country and world, doing such a huge variety of things, how can IMSA's alumni really help?

Well, here are some ideas for ways that you can get involved with IMSA and its students:

Help with the college selection process.

You remember how you felt. The confusion of your first college fair. The stress of the ACT and SAT. The frustration of endless college apps. The agony of waiting for acceptance letters. The panic of finally having to pick someplace to go.

Doesn't it seem like it was just yesterday?

Those feelings haven't changed — current IMSA students go through the same things we did when it comes to picking a college. And that's why alumni are the best resource they've got — we can share our experiences with current students and provide them with a light at the end of the tunnel.

You can attend college fairs to answer students' question — there is the main IMSA College Day that happens each spring and smaller college fairs held throughout the fall. Contact your college's admissions office to see if and when they're attending and offer to go with — or represent them altogether. For more information about college fairs, you can contact the IMSA College and Academic Counseling (CAC) Office by calling the Academy at 630-907-5056.

This fall, the IAA will be launching a new, improved online college guide. Be sure to visit www.iaa.org to share your college experiences so that IMSA students now and in the future can get feedback about the schools and majors they're thinking about.

Also this fall, we'll be starting an alumni host family service. If you live near a college, you can volunteer to help IMSA students and recent graduates who are visiting or moving to your area. Whether they need a hot meal, a place to stay or just a friendly face, alumni can be a valuable resource for students (and younger alumni). If you're interested in volunteering to be a host family, e-mail me at milamber@imsa.edu.

Assist with academic pursuits.

Another key area of experience we can share with current IMSA students is in the academic realm. We made it through the rigors of IMSA's academic life unscathed (relatively speaking!). Alums can help current students not only make it through, but reach new levels of success in their academic endeavors.

Many alumni already volunteer to teach Intersessions. Held in early January (prior to the start of second semester), Intersession gives students a chance to delve deeply into a topic they otherwise might not get to study. Topics for these weeklong sessions range from quantum physics to film study to swing dancing and beyond. With our diverse interests and experiences, alumni make perfect teachers for Intersession. For more information on Intersession, contact Adam Gibson '96 at gippy@imsa.edu or visit www.iaa.org. Proposals for Intersession usually are due in late September, so start thinking about your topic now.

Mentorship and other research opportunities have become a hallmark of the IMSA experience. Again, based on the breadth of our knowledge and experience, alumni make perfect mentors and research partners. If you work in the Chicagoland area, you can set up a formal mentorship with an IMSA student. Even if you're not in the area, the Internet and other distance learning tools give you the chance to share your knowledge with IMSA's students. For more information about mentorship and inquiry opportunities, contact Matthew Knisley '01 at mck@imsa.edu.

Give to the IMSA Fund.

If you can't give of your time and talent, then perhaps you can give money instead!

Usually, the truly exceptional moments in an IMSA student's time at the Academy are also the most expensive. Trips to present at conferences. Travel to foreign countries. Lectures from reknowned experts. All these things are what make IMSA truly special — and they all cost money.

Money which the IMSA Fund provides. Aside from general support for IMSA and the IAA, the IMSA Fund has specific ways in which it supports particular student activities and programs, such as student travel.

As a donor to the IMSA Fund, you can specify where you'd like the money spent. There are several categories to which you can donate any amount of money — humanities and arts, student inquiry and research and student scholarships, to name a few. If you have the resources to make a major gift, you can target the money to any area of the Academy you'd like. In either case, you can also give to the Fund in general, and the money will be diverted to where it's needed most.

I'd also encourage you to give specifically to the IAA through the IMSA Fund. As our financial resources grow over time, the IAA would like to begin offering college scholarships to IMSA students.

For more information about giving to the IMSA Fund, go to www.imsa.edu/giving.

Whether it's through volunteering your time to help with college selection, sharing knowledge about your field as a mentor or instructor or opening your wallet to support student programs, alumni can make a difference in students' lives. I encourage you all to find the best way that you can help an IMSA student today.

For more info on any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Doug at milamber@imsa.edu or visit www.iaa.org. Can you help an IMSA student today?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

IMSA thanks all alumni who have assisted the Academy in various ways in recent months. Just a few examples follow.

Thank you to:

Marc Booth '89, Thandeka Chapman '89, Aimee Chong '94, Ande Croll '97, Carey (Steger) Mayer ' 90, Theresa Phillips '91 and Joe Shidle '90 — for serving on the Student Review Committee, which reviewed and rated applicants for admission to IMSA's Class of 2007.

Stephanie Jayne '90 — for your inspiring and insightful comments on leadership as the featured speaker for the Hollister Memorial Lecture at this year's annual Leadership Symposium.

Kelly Baluta '98, Marc Booth '89, Samantha Chan '03, Ande Croll '97, Jeremy Gottlieb '93, David Hamman ' 02, Matthew Isoda '02, Saugar Maripuri '99, Amanda Leonard Shanbaum '96, Alan Ware '02 and Matt Zanon '97 — for sharing your experiences and insights with prospective IMSA familiies attending this year's Statewide Informational Meetings.

Christi Schweitzer '94 - for speaking at this year's Caring to Challenge program (formerly known as Teacher Recognition Day), when IMSA sophomores nominate and recognize home school/home community teachers and counselors who made a significant contribution to their academic and/or personal growth and success pre-IMSA.

Thandeka Chapman '89, Ande Croll '97, Sanza Kazadi '90, Saugar Maripuri '99, Erin Roche '89 and Matt Zanon '97 — for sharing your professional experiences and personal philosophies for our initial alumni profiles (for use in various IMSA materials).

Jason Orloff '90 — for planning and coordinating LUMEN 2004 and 2005 — and to all alumni who facilitated sessions and attended.

Ande Croll '97, Andy Hocker '91, Saugar Maripuri '99, Jason Orloff '90, Doug Pratt '97 and Jessica Yokley '00 — for sharing your perspectives and recommendations with IMSA's Board of Trustees.

Pooja Agarwal '01, Molly Breslin ' 98, Cynthia Dang '03, Sean Dannenfeldt ' 97, Matthew Day '98, Neal Groothuis '97, Priya Khetarpal '01, Martin McCrory '03, Pranav Parekh ' 92, Doug Pratt '97, Nathan Roberts ' 96, Brian Sebby '96, Leigh Spencer ' 98, Amber Thompson '03, Rebecca Willett '96 and Jessica Yokley '99 — for facilitating and teaching Intersession 2004 experiences for IMSA students.

Kelly Baluta '98, Ande Croll '97, Saugar Maripuri '99, Jason Orloff ' 90, Amanda Leonard Shanbaum '96, Michael Peil '90 and Matt Zanon '97 — for serving on the Life After IMSA alumni panel at IMSA's VIP Day/Kids Institute Open House for prospective families (more than 1,300 guests attended the program, our highest attendance since 1995).

Mark Armantrout '89, Winjie Tang ' 94 and Ani Vallabhaneni '99 — for planning and coordinating their respective Class Reunions; Paul Strasma ' 94 — for leading the work on Class Reunion web sites; and Doug Pratt '97 and the IAA Cabinet — for supporting reunion planning in various ways.

Thandeka Chapman '89 — for speaking on the value of a multicultural environment during IMSA's Multicultural Week.

Matt Unterman '93 and Sendhil Revuluri '90 — for organizing an alumni get-together in New York with IMSA Principal Eric McLaren — and to all alumni who attended.

Marty DiMarzio '95, Chelsy Hopper '92, Doug Pratt '97 and Sendhil Revuluri '90 — for spearheading this year's Annual Giving Campaign Alumni Drive — and to all alumni who are supporting IMSA's work as donors to the IMSA Fund.

Volunteer to help with Move-In Days in August

As in past years, the IAA is organizing volunteers to help with student Move-In Days at IMSA as they return to campus this fall.

Alumni volunteers help in a variety of ways, including moving in boxes, rearranging furniture, answering student and parent questions and staffing an IAA table in the main building during registration.

The incoming sophomores (the Class of 2007) will be moving into the residence halls on Thursday, August 19. Juniors and seniors move in on Saturday, August 21.

If you're interested in volunteering your time that day, contact IAA President Doug Pratt '97 at milamber@imsa.edu.

Alumni, trustees and staff focus on IMSA's future

The Jan. 13, 2004, IMSA board of trustees meeting centered on the increasingly important and valuable role of alumni in strengthening IMSA's programs and services and increasing support for IMSA's work. Panelists Ande Croll '97, Andy Hocker '91, Saugar Maripuri '99, Jason Orloff '90, Doug Pratt '97 and Jessica Yokley '99 joined IMSA trustees, administrators and staff to discuss two big questions:

1. How can the IMSA board, alumni and administration work together to demonstrate strong return on investment to our funders — the taxpayers of Illinois and our corporate, foundation and individual donors?
2. How can the IMSA board, alumni and administration work together to create and grow a strong, dynamic, innovative and relevant next generation IMSA?

In her opening comments, President Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall noted that much progress has been made in the past year in building and rebuilding the IMSA-IMSA Alumni relationship and in tapping graduates' knowledge, skills, passion, resources, connections and counsel. We are a stronger institution today in large part because we now are listening carefully to our greatest ambassadors …and because we are reengaging their hearts and minds in this institution's vital work, she said.

Board Chairman Dr. Luis Nuñez noted that while IMSA's Office of Advancement is taking the lead in developing and coordinating IMSA's overall alumni strategy and program, IMSA alumni belong to all of us and are increasingly in positions of authority, influence and access where they can help IMSA in significant ways. To develop and leverage the IMSA-IMSA alumni relationship fully to benefit those we serve and to ensure IMSA's long-term sustainability and vitality, we need and we expect certain things from our alumni. And - they need and they expect certain things from IMSA and especially from the Board and the Administration, Nunez stated.

Cathy Veal, vice president for advancement, noted that IMSA is still very new at alumni relations. The good news is that our alumni are starting to reconnect and come back to IMSA. The bad news is that our alumni are starting to reconnect and come back to IMSA, and we have little institutional capacity at this time to manage and staff these very knowledgeable, very helpful and sometimes very demanding volunteers who have high expectations of IMSA, as we have of them, she said.

The panelists briefly addressed questions about the IMSA Alumni Association, myIMSA directory, alumni participation in Intersession, how IMSA influenced their personal, academic and/or professional pursuits and successes after graduation, most important things to preserve from first generation IMSA, and how to describe the longer-term value and benefits of the IMSA experience to prospective students today.

Following their comments, the alumni, trustees and staff divided into three groups to discuss these issues in-depth. Among the themes that emerged:

• Helping current students begin to think about a lifelong relationship with IMSA the institution while they are still students. Build the connection early and grow it from there…don't wait years to reconnect with alumni.
• Increase opportunities for alumni to connect with prospective and current students. As volunteers, alumni can extend IMSA's reach and impact by helping to recruit new students, serving as mentors to current students, assisting with the college application and adjustment process, etc.
• Grow and emphasize more strongly the value of the Student Research and Inquiry program (including mentorship) and increase IT and computer science offerings.
• Improve the quality of the myIMSA directory, alumni participation in it, and staff use of this information. We must know who and where our alumni are and what they are doing to benefit Illinois, our nation and world.
• Alumni need to give back in various ways to the State of Illinois to demonstrate that the State's investment is worth it and should continue. They can do this through their academic, professional and civic leadership and achievements, as volunteers for IMSA programs, as donors to the IMSA Fund and so forth.
• Ensure that IMSA continues to recruit and attract students and staff members who are teaching and learning pioneers, trailblazers, risk-takers, out-of-the-box thinkers, etc. Many alumni perceive — rightly or wrongly — that the spark isn't as strong as it used to be…that IMSA has become too comfortable.
• Educate alumni about the challenges and opportunities IMSA faces and will face…in simple, easy-to-consume messages. IMSA is evolving and changing and alumni need to see how and why.

IMSA releases statement on student discipline issues

On April 6, in response to publicity in The Sunday Beacon News (April 4), the Chicago Sun-Times (April 5), other newspapers in the same media family and Chicagoland radio, IMSA released the following statement on recent student discipline issues:

The State of Illinois invests significant resources in the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy's work to develop talent and leadership in math, science and technology. Expectations for students who are privileged to attend IMSA are high - and they should be.

Recent publicity on student expression and disciplinary issues has brought to light poor choices and inappropriate behaviors by a few students, as well as interest in IMSA's formal disciplinary policies and procedures.

IMSA's student discipline policy clearly details the desired expectations for student behavior, delineates examples of misconduct and describes the disciplinary process to address policy infractions. When students violate expectations, consequences are determined in accordance with IMSA policies and applicable laws, including students' right to privacy.

High expectations for moral and ethical behavior parallel those for high academic achievement. Our learning environment must promote honesty, respect, caring and responsibility. Inappropriate actions of a serious nature by a few must not be permitted to jeopardize the well being of the greater community.

On occasion and when appropriate, by their choice or by ours, students involved in serious disciplinary situations do not continue their enrollment at IMSA.

On behalf of the people of Illinois, IMSA has a time-honored and strong commitment to develop highly skilled, ethical learners and leaders. Fortunately, the vast majority of our students embrace the IMSA opportunity, rise to the occasion and make us proud, day in and day out.

IMSA also was mentioned in an April 9 Chicago Tribune article about student disciplinary issues in several Chicagoland schools.

From time to time in IMSA's history, there has been an unusual spike in significant disciplinary situations; such has been the case this semester. Staff, students, parents and alumni are working to address a number of needs that have been identified, including safeguarding the good name and reputation of the IMSA student body as a whole. If you have recommendations in this regard, please contact Cathy Veal, 630-907-5040, cveal@imsa.edu.

IMSA adopts formal plan for Multicultural Development

Under the leadership of Rob Flot, IMSA's coordinator of multicultural recruitment, retention and learning, IMSA's Plan for Multicultural Development has taken shape, and various programs and services now are being developed, implemented and improved.

As the plan notes, The appreciation, affirmation, and inclusion of multiple cultures is important to ensure that all students, faculty and staff will be able to enjoy the educational benefits of a multicultural academic environment.

The plan details various goals, objectives and strategies for multicultural development; addresses the context for multiculturalism at IMSA and details relevant external information (including recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, reports from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois State Board of Education and research findings on the overall educational benefits of diverse campuses).

During IMSA's recent Multicultural Week, alumna Dr. Thandeka Chapman ' 89, an assistant professor of urban education at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, spoke to IMSA students and staff about the value of a multicultural environment and why it is important to be affirming, appreciative, and inclusive of people from a variety of cultural backgrounds in educational, business, and political environments. She also spoke about how IMSA prepared her, from a crosscultural perspective, for life beyond IMSA.

For more information about IMSA's Plan for Multicultural Development, contact Rob Flot at rflot@imsa.edu.

CNS News and Notes

A few announcements about alumni related technology issues from IMSA's Computing and Network Services:

• Due to continuing network upgrades, IMSA network users will be required to change passwords soon. Details are still forthcoming, so watch your IMSA e-mail for more info.
• If you are having trouble accessing your IMSA account, the proper venue for submitting help requests is http://help.imsa.edu.
• If you are an alum who visits campus regularly, pay particular attention to this point! Due to upgrades to the IMSA network which should be in place by this fall, if alumni want to be able to log in to Windows machines on campus, they'll need to submit a help request asking for such permission. All alumni will be granted this access, but you must request it in advance.
• Both the IAA and CNS are aware of several issues with the myIMSA Alumni Directory system. These issues will begin to be addressed this summer. In the meantime, please continue to submit your questions, comments, problems and suggestions to alumni@imsa.edu.

Stay tuned to www.iaa.org for more information about CNS issues throughout the year.

IMSA recognized by The Wall Street Journal

The April 2 edition of The Wall Street Journal (Weekend Journal Section) included an article about the price of college admission, profiling successful high schools in the college admission sweepstakes.

The WSJ recognized 65 schools, including IMSA, for their success rate in sending students (Class of 2003) to ten elite colleges (Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Harvard, Pomona, Princeton, The University of Chicago, The University of Pennsylvania and Yale). It is important to note that the WSJ focused on total students sent, not total students accepted.

The top half of the list was dominated by private schools, many on the East Coast, most charging an annual tuition of $15K–$25K. The second half of the list included mostly public schools and some private schools.

Four Illinois schools made the list. The University of Chicago Lab Schools (which charges tuition) was 21st with a success rate of 23%, IMSA was 43rd with a success rate of 11%, New Trier Township High School was 64th with a success rate of 3% and Evanston Township High School was 65th with a success rate of 3%.

Two of the 14 states with residential math/science academies made the list - IMSA and the North Carolina School of Science and Math (46th with a success rate of 9%).

There was a brief comment about each of the 65 schools. IMSA's was: The students at this boarding school run math, science and technology summer camps for elementary students.

This refers to the IMSA Kids Institute ® ; kudos to all IMSA alumni who as students and as alumni have helped this program develop and grow through the years.

The WSJ recognition positions IMSA as among the best education opportunities that money can't buy. Good for the People of Illinois and their elected officials!

Other IMSA news and notes

New courses for next year

Science, Society and the Future (a reprise of the popular course offered in IMSA's early years), Applied Engineering and Music Theory.

Student inquiry and research

In Seattle, nine IMSA students presented research at the American Junior Academy of Science conference and an IMSA student addressed the opening session of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference.

Another student was selected to participate in Amigos this summer. Amigos is a program to provide healthcare to impoverished communities in remote Andean villages in Latin America.

Two students will represent the U.S. as part of an AAAS delegation to China this summer. Mentorship coordinator Dr. Peggy Connolly will provide research ethics training to the 20 U.S. student delegates as part of their orientation before meeting with Chinese student researchers.

Way to go, Dr. Connolly!

Speaking of Dr. Connolly, she recently was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of the Academies of Science (NAAS) and the NAAS official delegate to the Council of the AAAS.

Student Leadership Development (SLD)

The annual Leadership Symposium engaged the Class of 2006 in various topics, including AIDS Awareness, Gun Control, Child Labor, Political Justice and Leaders, and International Affairs.

The Symposium was capped by the Bernard L. Hollister Memorial Lecture by alumna Stephanie Jayne ' 90, who motivated and inspired IMSA sophomores with her leadership insights and lessons learned.

Student Fees

Beginning in 2004–05, pending board approval, IMSA likely will change from assessing an annual fee for all students (currently $1500 a year, with partial waivers and scholarships for eligible students) to a sliding scale fee for students based on family income ($250 to $2000 a year). Scholarships will continue to support eligible students (thanks to IMSA Fund donors).

IMSA Great Minds Program®

Spring 2004 dialogues for IMSA students: The Quantum and the Cosmos with Fermilab physicists Drs. Joe Lykken and Rocky Kolb and How to Win a Nobel Prize with IMSA's own Dr. Leon Lederman.

Problem-Based Learning Network

An Advanced PBL Design Institute will be co-taught by IMSA and NIU faculty and included as part of the coursework for NIU's Certificate of Graduate Study in PBL. Investigaciones, a Summer Sleuths for bilingual Spanish teachers and students, is being developed with a team of bilingual Spanish educators.

IMSA Kids Institute®

KI summer program registration features seven camps available for students entering grades 3–9. Science Explorers, Jr. (grades 3–4), Science Explorers (grades 5–6), Art a la Carte (grades 6–7), Summer Music@IMSA (grades 7–9), Math Explorers (grades 8–9) and two single-sex residential science camps, Science@IMSA (grades 8–9), are filling quickly.

IMSA on Wheels (IoW) debuted its new show, Air and Pressure, during Intersession in January, visiting eight elementary schools and 1,019 students in five days, and followed this with a spring break tour to six schools in central Illinois.

IMSA Excellence 2000+

Middle school students and teachers throughout Illinois continue to enjoy hands-on, minds-on after-school activities such as Games Theory, Rock 'n' Roll: Tectonics and Seismicity — Illinois and Beyond, and Let's Do Launch — Learning about Force and Motion.

IMSA E2K+ project director Dr. Susan Bisinger (mother of alumna Alexa Bisinger '00) and Dr. Ray Dagenais attended a training seminar offered by the Mitchell Excellence 2000 program in Jerusalem in January and returned with new ideas for IMSA E2K+.

International Career Academy

The Board of Higher Education did not advance the Career Academies Grant to the Governor's Budget, which affects next year's funding for both the Illinois International Career Academy (ICA) which IMSA administers and the Illinois International High School Initiative (IHS) at UI-UC. Accordingly, the future of ICA is in doubt. Existing ICA grants support program operation through July 2004, including the China Study Abroad and Summer Institute for Seniors.

Online Learning

Registration for spring term courses on the Illinois Virtual High School, which IMSA administers on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, again set a new record for semester enrollments at 965. Since IVHS began offering classes in 2001, students from 70% of the Illinois counties have been served.

The 21st Century Information Fluency Program online micro modules were put into production in January and quickly became the second most popular visited site in just six weeks, with 3500+ visits. The 21CIF Micro Modules have been featured in The Official Monthly E-mail Newsletter of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

Information Technology

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) System Implementation is now focused on student scheduling, finance (chart of accounts creation), and the second phase for admissions. We are moving various software systems for IMSA over to the Oracle based Linux platform. We are working to select tools to content manage the IMSA web site.

Advancement

In January, the Peoria Journal Star featured a major story on IMSA's residential program, focusing on its power and value. Described through the lives of Peoria students attending IMSA and alumnus Jason Ribando '90, the story highlighted the diverse student body and the rich learning opportunities provided through mentorship. This led to significant coverage on a leading Peoria radio talk show.