In congruence with the rest of the nation, ISU saw its very own Occupy movement take place with an array of students and community members living in Milner Plaza to Occupy BloNo. While the group has currently left the area, the impact of their mission to bring economic equality to the 99 percent of the population has rooted in the minds of many young people.

ISU hosted several honorable speakers throughout the year. Dan Savage, creator of “It Gets Better,” television personality Ross Mathews, actress America Ferrera, and country singer Chely Wright visited the campus for various events.

Democracy is alive at ISU. Throughout the year, many groups such as the American Democracy Project, Young Americans for Liberty, Invisible Children and an array of others hosted documentary screenings and fundraisers. 

Our campus is host to many exemplary faculty and staff, many of whom were honored with awards this year. ISU President Al Bowman was honored with the 2011 District Five Chief Executive Leadership Award by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education in October. 

One of the stranger events this school year dealt with a mysterious “poopetrator” who defaced several building bathrooms with feces. While the “poopetrator” was never caught, the incidents seemingly stopped in the spring.

Homecoming 2011 was declared a success through attendance and large amount of school spirit displayed by all Redbirds.

In October, Mitsubishi rolled out an ad for the new “i” that featured the town of Normal. With a tour through Uptown and genuine interviews with Normalites, it yanked at the heartstrings of many and showed the world how Normal is looking to the future.

Outside of ISU and even Illinois, the world went through both triumphant and challenging changes. Muammar Gaddafi, Libyan dictator, was killed during an uprising against his repressive dictatorship. The 2011 year was marked by the Arab Spring, a series of moments and armed conflicts in the Arab World. The Occupy Movement also marked many topics of conversation all over the world and at ISU. 

As for the Daily Vidette, many changes to management meant saying goodbye to old friends and hello to new ones. Rick Jones, general manager of the Daily Vidette, is retiring this month, leaving behind hundreds of students that have been touched by his wisdom. John Plevka is welcomed as the new general manager starting this summer. The current editor in chief, Alyssa Siegele,  will be leaving the Vidette family and is graduating after working at the Vidette for four years. Her innovations in management and design, her guidance through tough days, and her friendship will not be forgotten. Grace Johnson will be undertaking the editor in chief position for the 2012–13 school year and is excited to begin.

Through individual successes, the ISU community is that much stronger for the work it put in and the blood, sweat, and tears that go into achieving the future. We congratulate all those who are graduating and wish them the best in their search for success. We also welcome incoming students and invite them to take part in everything they can while they are at ISU because these years are the best of your life.