Alumni
Wrigley Field Baseball with History Department!
TBD
Join your fellow ISU History Department alumni at our third annual alumni Cubs game during the summer of 2027! This is a great opportunity to visit with your friends and peers from your time in the ISU History Department.
More details to come.
Alumni Spotlight
The following men and women illustrate Department Chair Dr. Kennedy’s contention that "History students receive a classic liberal arts education that can serve as a stepping stone for nearly any career, whether in education, law, government, journalism, or business."
Fred Walk, 2026 Homecoming Distinguished Alumnus
B.S. History '78
Fred taught history-social science classes at Normal Community High School for 34 years before transitioning to the ISU Department of History. From 2005-2020 Fred taught methodology classes, was an academic advisor, and the coordinator of the student teaching program for the department.
During his 50-year educational career Fred was a teacher consultant developing engaging teaching materials and traveled the country conducting teacher workshops and presentations for the National Geographic Society, the Population Reference Bureau, and the Teacher Curriculum Institute.
In 1998 Fred created of the Towanda, Il Route 66 Parkway with his high school students and later engaged his ISU history students in preserving a 4.1-mile stretch of an abandoned stretch of Old Route 66. This undertaking provided an avenue for Fred to engage his students in service-learning and to model how to pay it forward to enhance the communities in which they live. Students were immersed in researching the human activity occurring along this piece of the road during its heyday and showcasing it for the thousands of visitors from around the world.
Fred enjoys traveling, reading, and being outdoors walking and hiking and spending time with his family.
Meghan Hawkins, 2026 ISU Frederick Drake Award winner
B.S. Social Science Education '16
Dr. Meghan Hawkins is a social studies teacher and department chair at Normal Community High School. A National Board Certified Teacher, Meghan currently teaches US History for English learners, AP Comparative Government, and Western Civilization. She earned her doctorate in 2026 at the University of Kentucky where she focused on making inquiry accessible for all students. Meghan also mentors Illinois State University students, collaborating with university professors to create meaningful clinical experiences for future teachers. In her work with C3 Teachers, Meghan delivers professional development to teachers from around the country and designs inquiry-based curriculum
Check-in with Us
We want to know about your activities and achievements and keep you up to date with the latest news concerning Phi Alpha Theta, the history faculty, the accomplishments of history majors and other department news.
Have you moved recently? Had a baby? Changed careers? Taken an interesting trip? Let us know and will include your information on the History Alumni Directory and History Alumni News pages.
Illinois State University Alumni Association
The Illinois State University Alumni Association offers a wide variety of information and services of interest to all alumni.