Illini Media Alumni Network

09/27/2024

Extra, extra! Latest issue of the Illini Media Alumni Connections newsletter is out today with an update on memorial funds, student leadership profiles, a new feature called my first job, fun ways to support Illini Media with a click, a memorable upcoming anniversary and more!

Full issue: https://conta.cc/3XJzmy7

08/04/2024

Our alumni have come together to honor Anne Cusack Derk’s memory by establishing an annual grant that will benefit current student journalists, photographers, designers, illustrators and video creators during their time at Illini Media.

Annie was a towering talent as a photojournalist who got her start at The Daily Illini where she was the first woman photo chief. She went on to work for the Daily Herald, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. Throughout her exceptional career, she made art in the service of journalism. Her super power was her huge, open heart. While producing all that great work, she was a spectacular mom, wife and a loving friend to so many.

To honor and preserve Annie’s legacy you can make a donation to the Anne Cusack Derk Fund: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/ug-Tna_OGr8U4hrrQLEMVQ

07/10/2024

A memorial will be held on Saturday, July 20, for beloved Anne Cusack Derk. Visitation will be 9:15 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Health, 1775 Grove in Glenview.

Mass starts at 10 a.m. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road in Glenview, and a lunch reception at 12:30 p.m. at Riverfront Restaurant at the Hilton Northbrook.

Questions: Please contact [email protected].

An Anne Cusack Fund is being started at the Daily Illini by Kevin Horan, Patti Wingert, Jim Schlueter and others. You can contribute at the Illini Media. Just write “Anne Cusack Fund in the memo field.”

Questions: call Kevin at 360.221.2324.

RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/29xvxxkp

Here's where to donate: https://tinyurl.com/4yj5s3w7

When you get to the actual donation page, it will give you the option to write a note. Please write “Anne Cusack Fund.”

05/13/2024

Illini Media is sending condolences to the family of Rick Sallinger, one of our 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees.

During his time at the University of Illinois, Sallinger was a music director and program director at WPGU 107.1FM. He graduated in 1971.

Sallinger's WPGU colleagues readily recall [him] as a person with big dreams. Guiding the station as it moved from a closed-circuit to a commercial enterprise, Sallinger built consensus to make WPGU a market competitor. The radio station began airing commentaries for the first time under his leadership. Sallinger got his professional start in news radio, and reported for WMAQ-TV (Chicago), CNN and most recently at CBS4 (Denver). Sallinger covered the Columbine (Colo.) High School shooting, the Oklahoma City bombing trials and three wars. His work earned him, among other honors, a Peabody award.

We are thankful for Rick's WPGU and Illini Media legacy, and we will carry his memory and passion with us as we continue to build the nonprofit student media of the future.

View Richard "Rick" Sallinger's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

04/28/2024

Thanks to everyone who came out to support and sustain the future of Illini Media at the Wrigleyville Reunion. It was so great to reconnect with friends and make new ones!

04/26/2024

There's still time to make plans and join us tomorrow at the Illini Media Wrigleyville Reunion at Sluggers. Buy tickets in advance or at the door. All the info on the event and advance tickets: https://conta.cc/3U9Osv3

04/25/2024

A preview of limited edition and new merchandise available at the Wrigleyville Reunion on sale this Saturday Sluggers World Class Sports Bar and Dueling Pianos! There's still time to purchase tickets in advance: https://conta.cc/3U9Osv3 You can also purchase tickets at the door.

04/21/2024

Only a few days left to get your tickets for the Illini Media Wrigleyville Reunion on April 27! For more info including how to purchase tickets, limited edition merchandise and more: https://conta.cc/3U9Osv3 Hope to see you there. 🧡💙

04/10/2024

Extra, extra! Latest issue of the Illini Media Alumni Connections newsletter is out today with the latest on the Wrigleyville Reunion, a financial update, a visit to campus, the new student managers and much more: https://conta.cc/4d51Cm3

03/29/2024

ELITE 8! 🧡💙

Four days after earning its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2005, No. 3 Illinois men’s basketball was opposite No. 2 Iowa State. Both squads had dominant outings in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament despite excelling in very different areas of the floor. Illinois entered with one of the most productive offenses while Iowa State was known for its elite defense. Ultimately, the Illini’s offense outlasted the Cyclones and advanced to the Elite Eight with a 72-69 win.

Head coach Brad Underwood stuck with his most more frequent starting five on Thursday night. Graduate student forwards Quincy Guerrier and Marcus Domask were next to fifth-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr., senior forward Coleman Hawkins and sophomore guard Ty Rodgers

Illinois came down with the tip off and Iowa State’s staunch defense immediately forced a turnover. However, the Illini returned the favor on the opposite end and got on the board thanks to a three-pointer from Shannon.

📲 Click the link in our bio to read more

✍️ Written by Conor Blount
📸 Photo by James Hoeck

03/27/2024

The countdown is on! One month from today Illini Media alumni will gather at Sluggers in Wrigleyville to reconnect with friends and make new ones. Don't miss out. Get your tickets TODAY. All the info on the event including tickets and limited edition merch: https://conta.cc/3VdkXuI

03/25/2024

Join the Illinois Newspaper Project and the Student Life and Culture Archives to learn about the history of The Daily Illini, and the Library’s efforts to preserve and make it digitally accessible. For more information from and to register for the webinar: https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/80/511876980.html

03/24/2024

03/20/2024

Today is your LAST chance to pre-order limited edition Illini Media Wrigleyville Reunion merchandise. Order merch or buy tickets to the April 27 event: https://secure.lglforms.com/form.../s/QfaBC0Bz2Q5f4SUhEq6cjQ

03/19/2024

Get your limited edition Illini Media Wrigleyville Reunion pint glass or baseball shirt today before the pre-order deadline March 20 -- that's tomorrow!
Here's the order form for merch and tickets: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/QfaBC0Bz2Q5f4SUhEq6cjQ
For more info on the April 27 event in Chicago: https://conta.cc/3VdkXuI

03/18/2024

Don't miss your chance to order limited edition Illini Media Wrigleyville Reunion merchandise. Order merch or buy tickets to the April 27 event: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/QfaBC0Bz2Q5f4SUhEq6cjQ

03/12/2024

Connect with old friends and make new ones at the Illini Media Wrigleyville Reunion in Chicago on Saturday, April 27. For more info and details on how to buy tickets and limited edition reunion merchandise: https://conta.cc/3VdkXuI

02/25/2024

A very BIG thank you to our generous alumni who raised the $12,000 needed to purchase much-needed chairs for the newsroom, broadcast studios and offices of the Daily Illini, WPGU and Illio. Read more about it in our email newsletter: https://conta.cc/3wtOPbT

02/09/2024

More than a dozen current Daily Illini staffers will be in Chicago for the Illinois College Press Association conference and awards Feb 16 - 17.

Meet up with us at the original Billy Goat Tavern on Fri, Feb 16 at 6:00pm to give alumni and students a chance to meet, chat about the industry and network.

Please Note: We've reserved the space, but drinks and food are on the individual.

Kindly RSVP if you are planning to stop by:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7t2EhlnfXPvtZeGepvs65nRPrNadbMuymjCBtDpy2_IQWBQ/viewform

Hope to see you there!

01/12/2024

Check out the latest Illini Media Alumni Connections newsletter for updates on the endowed chairs campaign, the upcoming Wrigleyville Reunion April 27 and a Q&A with Executive Director Jake Williams! Plus, get the final results of the Battle of the Decades and a Homecoming recap. Don't miss out on these stories and more.

Endowed chairs, Wrigleyville Reunion, Q&A with Jake Williams, Battle results, Homecoming recap and more   JANUARY 2024 ILLINI MEDIA ALUMNI CONNECTIONS News above the fold on The Daily Illini, The Illi

12/22/2023

Help save our butts…literally!
Endow a chair and replace the terrible, prehistoric, potentially dangerous chairs in the Illini Media offices, newsroom and studios worn down by over 25 long years of constant use. For a $200 tax-deductible donation, you can purchase and endow a chair. A plaque will be placed on the chair with wording of your choice.

Of course, donations of any size will be gratefully accepted to meet this pressing need and you could team up with friends to honor or remember a friend or classmate. All donors will be recognized on the Illini Media website.

All funds raised through this effort will go directly to purchasing the much needed chairs. If an individual or group donates $200 or more, we will contact you to arrange the inscription on your plaque, which will be affixed to the chair you or your group have endowed. Make a donation here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/hVT3TTu12OJE4_l0eqUaRg

11/23/2023

The annual Maui Invitational college basketball tournament always features nationally ranked teams with big-name coaches, such as Mark Few of Gonzaga and Matt Painter of Purdue, who met in a game earlier this week. But to the Illini Media Company, the star of the show is seated on the right – our own Gene Honda, who has become a staple of the tournament as its long-time public address announcer.

Gene is also the voice of the Illini Media Battle of the Decades, and he invites our alums to participate in the Battle and become fighting members of our growing cohort of Illini Media Company alumni!

You can see Gene’s video and join the battle here: https://illinimedia.org/alumni/decades/

11/10/2023

Save the date for the Illini Media Alumni Spring Event, Saturday, April 27 in Chicago. 🧡💙 Details to follow...

11/08/2023

Calling all DC alums! 🧡💙 Cheer on the Fighting Illini with fellow Illini Media alums on Feb. 17 when the men’s basketball team faces off against Maryland at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Md. Tickets are going quickly, so contact fellow alum Jeffrey Katz (’78) at [email protected] by Thursday, Nov. 9.
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