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Gala caps long day of ISU homecoming activities
By Michele Steinbacher
msteinbacher@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL -- Illinois State University dressed up its Brown Ballroom for a lavish night of entertainment Saturday, marking the campus’ 150th anniversary.

And for many guests, the 6 p.m. start capped an already busy day of homecoming festivities.

“I started the day at 5:30, with the College of Education Hall of Fame breakfast,” said Ken Fansler, the college’s technology director.

That was followed by walking in the ISU parade with his wife, Gigi Fansler, Lincoln College vice president, and the couple’s 8-year-old and 12-year-old, both students at ISU’s Metcalf School. Then it was the football game, taking the kids to sitters and getting the parents ready for the dance.

But the Fanslers were smiling and seemed content with the hectic schedule.

“We’re both alums. What can I say, we bleed red,” joked Ken Fansler.

The most popular outfit for men was some formal wear, accented with red bow ties and cumberbunds. Women’s fashion varied a bit more, though usually featuring a red ballgown, jacket or the like.

But co-emcee Suzanne Douglas, an ISU graduate, appeared on stage in an off-shoulder blue gown. Douglas’ acting credits include “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “The Cosby Show.” She was recently in the musical “Women of Brewster Place.”

“I didn’t get the red memo,” she joked with co-emcee Bradford Thacker, ISU alum and program director for Maxim’s in Chicago.

Douglas wasn’t alone, though.

Danielle Luensman, a senior from Freeport, left the coatcheck area in a royal blue gown; her date, senior Jonathan Hostetler of El Paso, wore a matching tie.

“Honestly, I don’t have a red dress,” said Luensman. The pair, both presidential scholars, didn’t know quite what to expect from the gala, dubbed “Grandest of Enterprises: ISU’s Sesquicentennial Gala.” But Hostetler was looking forward to the late-night jazz.

In the ballroom, fine dining was prefaced by a social cocktail hour and a silent auction.

Cora and Dick Galgano of Naperville enjoyed the ambiance at a table with Claranne Perkins, a College of Business fundraiser.

“We came just for the fun of it,” said Cora Galgano, who said her husband recruits employees for his Chicago-area business from ISU.

Campus and community leaders, students, alumni, and state and local politicians were among the guests.

“This is a culmination of so many of the year’s events — you can tell so many people took part in planning this event. It’s a wonderful example of the ISU family,” said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington.

Organizers have been planning the sesquicentennial for more than a year. The $150 tickets sold out to about 600 guests a month ago. Ticket revenue paid for the event and also scholarship funds.

Shortly after 7 p.m., spotlights began to focus on two men walking around the room: Abraham Lincoln and Jesse Fell. The icons, played by Timothy Connors and George Buss, made their way to center stage, where ISU music professor Paul Borg played “As Time Goes By.”

Later, after other entertainers and VIPs like ISU President Al Bowman were introduced, student Dakota Pawlicki, the winner of an ISU-sponsored contest, played “Vocalise” by Rachmaninoff on his tuba.

Soon, the pair joined voices and welcomed the “voice of the Redbirds,” Steve Adams, to the main stage. Adams, vice president of student affairs, in turn introduced a handful of entertainers and VIPs, including ISU President Al Bowman and his wife, Linda.

Take a look
Sam Bartels, of Normal, looks over at the Illinois State 150 Years of Spirit mock-up cake as she makes her way to the Gala at the Illinois State Student Bone Center in Normal, Illinois, Saturday night (October 13, 2007). (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
People gather at the Illinois State Student Bone Center in Normal, Illinois, for the ISU Gala while the Sesquicentennial Bell, Ornamental Corbel from Old Main, sits on display Saturday night (October 13, 2007). (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
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