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.
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.
