In conjunction with the University of Illinois Sesquicentennial celebrations in 2017 and 2018, the University of Illinois Archives launched the “Voices Now” initiative to conduct new oral history interviews with students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. These recordings cover a wide variety of topics including University housing, student activism, student publications, the Champaign-Urbana community, and more. We are continually adding new interviews to this portal collection.
In this short history, alum Aja Beckham discusses the creation of the student organization "Being Black at Illinois," first campus memories, and the resources that the university provides. This oral history was recorded as part of the ongoing Oral History project and conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Library Archives.
Bob Lumsden’s association with the University of Illinois began almost at birth and has continued to the present. He was born in town, attended starting in 1949 and graduated in 1953 with a marketing degree. Later, he returned as Coordinator of Campus Tours and fostered the creation of the Student Alumni Association, the revitalization of Homecoming, and other major events on campus. In this interview, he discusses his life, career, and the connections with students and staff he made along the way.
Robert James Jones rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to become the 10th chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. After earning degrees in agriculture and building a distinguished research and administrative career, he led the university through major challenges, including a state budget crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and campus tensions following global events. In this interview, he reflects on his early life, academic journey, leadership philosophy, and the accomplishments that shaped his tenure.
David and Ann Atkins attended the University of Illinois where both earned teaching degrees in the early 1990s. In this interview, they discuss why they chose the University of Illinois, campus life, notable professors, and meeting while living at Stratford and Koinonia houses.
Alumn and library staff member Gregg Homerding reflects on the eighties at the University of Illinois. He discusses university athletics, parties, and housing (specifically the Hendrick House). This oral history was recorded as part of the ongoing Oral History project and conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Library Archives.
Alum Jill Rosenbaum shares a short story about one of her closest friends from the university. This oral history was recorded as part of the ongoing Oral History project and conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Library Archives.
Joseph “Joe” Rank’s connection with the University of Illinois goes back to 1952, when he and his family moved to Champaign-Urbana. As an undergraduate from 1965-69, he studied advertising, and was active in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, the Marching Illini, and Naval ROTC. He returned to teach naval science and attend graduate school in the early ‘70s and came back once again to work at the Alumni Association from 1995 to 2018. Then, he helped establish the history and traditions program and rededicate Memorial Stadium. In this interview, he discusses these experiences and shares stories of his longtime association with the University.
Alum Judy Coonce discusses her experiences as the first white woman to have a Black roommate at the university. Coonce also helped refound the Sigma Kappa sorority on campus, which she details here. This oral history was recorded as part of the ongoing Oral History project and conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Library Archives.
