General Interest Interviews

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General Interest Interviews

James Forstall - General Interest

James Forstall was one of the first employees at Sangamon State University when it opened in 1970 as a new type of institution, designed to be innovative and progressive in its approach to higher education. By 1974, Forstall had moved to Lincoln Land Community College, also in Springfield, early in that institution's history as well. He served as the Vice President of Student Affairs, working closely with the school's president, Robert Poorman. He also served as the Associate Director for Academic Affairs at the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and became very active in many civic organizations around the Springfield area.

Dave Luechtefeld - General Interest

Dave Luechtefeld grew up on a dairy farm outside Okawville, Illinois, then used his 6 ft 7 in frame to earn a full sports scholarship to St. Louis University. He returned to Okawville to begin a very successful teaching and coaching career, especially in basketball, where his teams made multiple trips to the state finals. Dave taught for 33 years and coached the basketball team for 37 years. He also was the school's baseball coach and athletic director. He retired from teaching in 1993 while retaining his coaching job for several more years, and went on to have a successful career as an Illinois State Senator.

Naomi B Lynn - General Interest

Naomi Lynn served as President of Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois from 1991 through 1995. In that year the university transitioned into the University of Illinois at Springfield, part of the University of Illinois system. Lynn skillfully oversaw that transition, becoming chancellor of UIS. As part of that transition, she also supervised the school's transition from a two year (junior and seniors only) to a four year program with increasingly robust graduate programs as well. Lynn was the nation's first Hispanic woman to head a public university. She was a champion of women’s rights and became a leader and mentor for women and minorities in academia and the larger community.