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.
Charles “Charlie” Meyerson arrived at the U of I in fall 1973 as an aspiring journalist. He lived in Allen Hall/Unit One for his first two years and considers it a “seminal” part of his college experience. In this interview, he discusses journalism, the WPGU radio station, student life, his broadcast career, and the effect that U of I has had on his life.
Danny Vogwill arrived at the University of Illinois in fall 2018, coming from an educationally minded family in Chicago. They made a last minute switch to Allen Hall, a decision which paid off – Danny eventually became an Allen RA, was deeply involved in Unit One activities, and even created, hosted, and filmed five (!) seasons of Allen Hall Big Brother. Remaining a tireless advocate for their residents even through the coronavirus pandemic, they graduated with an MCB degree in 2022. In this interview, they discuss their early life, path to college and U of I, Allen Hall and Unit One, the RA job, and navigating college before and during COVID-19.
George Miller attended from 1970 to 1974, and lived in Unit One at Allen Hall in its first year of existence, 1971-72. He joined Neely Bruce’s American Music Group, and later taught high school business. In this interview, he discusses the beginning of Unit One, in loco parentis period, student life, and the Library.
Howie Schein took a circuitous path to the University of Illinois, first studying at Grinnell College, then the University of California, Berkeley, and then arriving in Champaign to pursue his PhD. After graduation, he led Unit One as associate director and director from 1976 to 2008. In this interview, he discusses his early life and education, graduate studies, and how he guided Unit One as it evolved through the decades.
Jeff Machota attended the U of I from 1984 to 1986 and took full advantage of what Unit One/Allen Hall had to offer. He made connections with artists-in-residence and also got involved in the anti-apartheid movement. In this interview, he discusses his early life, activism, and his impressions of the University.
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.
Kenneth Roellig served in World War II, and then used the GI Bill to attend college. He first studied at the Galesburg campus, specifically established to accommodate the influx of students after the war, and then transferred to Urbana. After graduating in 1950, he returned in the mid-1950s for graduate school, and then came back once again after receiving his master’s degree to study for an advanced certificate. In this interview, he discusses his early life, military service, time at both campuses, experience as a graduate student, and later career.
