2019 Inductees

As Redbirds and former student leaders, our inductees share some common experiences, a passion for making a difference, and a commitment to excellence. They exemplify the values of the Division of Student Affairs and Illinois State University, not only in their professional careers and community involvement, but while they were Illinois State students. During their return to the Illinois State campus, each inductee is paired with a student host, which provides an opportunity to connect with current students and learn more about today's Redbird experience.

Camille Taylor

Camille Taylor ‘78, M.S. '85, is a retired educator, active community member, and social justice advocate.

After graduating from high school in 1972, Taylor went to Illinois State University to major in Special Education. She left school for two years, got married, had a son, and returned to Illinois State in 1975 to resume her education.

Taylor worked in various positions at Illinois State, such as a residence hall front desk staff member and cashier in the Bone Student Center. While in class, her son, Christopher, attended the Illinois State University Child Care Center, and Taylor was asked to be a parent representative on the Child Care Board of Directors. 

Taylor received the Black Student Union’s Academic Excellence Award prior to her graduation. She became employed by Bloomington School District 87 as a Behavior Disorders teacher in the spring of 1978, and then by the Normal Unit Five School District in the fall of 1978, where she remained for 35 years.

Taylor returned to Illinois State to obtain her master’s degree in School Counseling and her certification in English as a Second Language while teaching in multiple schools in Unit 5. She taught in the elementary and junior high levels as a special education teacher, Positive Life Skills Teacher, and an At-Risk Interventionist. Taylor was a counselor during her last twelve years at Normal Community High School. She sponsored several student clubs such as Tomorrow’s Teachers, Students Embracing Diversity, and the Gay Straight Alliance. As a non-tenured track faculty member at Illinois State, Taylor also taught classes part-time in the Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction Departments.

Taylor was an active member of the Unit Five Education Association, the Illinois Education Association, and the National Education Association. She served in various capacities at the local and state levels such as UFEA president and chief negotiator. She was also appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, the State Teacher Certification Board, and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Taylor is passionate about equality and celebrating diversity. This has been the focus of her professional and community involvement. She has served on the boards of the Baby Fold, the YWCA, and the League of Women Voters. She currently serves as chair of the YWCA Foundation Board, and the co-chair of the Not in Our Town Steering Committee and the Not In Our School Education Committee. Their mission is to stop hate, address bullying, and create a more inclusive, safe community.

Taylor is an elder at First Christian Church and volunteers at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. She is a 2001 YWCA Woman of Distinction for Education, winner of the City of Bloomington’s Martin Luther King Jr. Award, the Illinois State University College of Education’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and the IEA’s Human and Civil Rights Award.

Taylor lives in Bloomington, Illinois with her husband, Arthur, and her 93 year old mother, Alma Samuels. Taylor has three children and eight grandchildren.

Stan Shingles

Stan Shingles ’82, M.S. ‘88 is a native of Chicago. He attended Dunbar Vocational High School, and graduated from Illinois State with both a B.S. and M.S. in Recreation and Parks Administration.

At Illinois State, Shingles worked as a student employee in Linkins Dining Center and also served as a student supervisor and usher in Braden Auditorium in the Bone Student Center. Shingles was a member of the Black Action and Awareness Committee, the Black Student Union, served as a High Potential Student Program Mentor, a Special Olympics Illinois volunteer, and was very active in Intramural Sports, as a participant and as captain/manager. He is still an active, 30 year member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

After completing his bachelor’s degree, Shingles stayed in the Bloomington-Normal community and worked as a child care worker for Kaleidoscope, Inc., supporting recreation and leisure programs for troubled youth in a group home setting. He then moved on to the Western Avenue Community Center, and later to the Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center as the Recreation Program Director.

Shingles served in many community service capacities including as a member of the Board of Directors for the Bloomington-Normal Youth Baseball Program, member of the Bloomington-Normal Cultural Festival Inc. Board of Directors, served on the Bloomington-Normal Youth Service Network committee, and as a volunteer for Special Olympics Illinois.

Shingles returned to Illinois State as a graduate assistant in the campus recreation department while completing his master’s degree. After graduating, he moved to Northern Illinois University, as a Coordinator in the Office of Campus Recreation.

Shingles is currently an Assistant Vice President in the Division of Enrollment and Student Services for University Recreation at Central Michigan University, where he has spent the past 30 years. While at CMU, he has also held positions as Assistant Vice President for Recreation, Events and Conferences, and Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director of University Recreation. He also served as the Interim Assistant Vice President for Institutional Diversity.

Shingles has held several leadership positions in professional associations, including as president and a member of the board of directors of NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, as state director for the Michigan Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, and as president of the Mid-American Conference Recreation Directors Association.

Shingles has been the recipient of many professional association, community and university awards, most recently receiving NIRSA’s highest honor, The NIRSA Honor Award. In 2012, Shingles was inducted into the Illinois State University College of Applied Science and Technology Hall of Fame.

Shingles is active in leadership roles in his community, including Special Olympics Michigan, United Way, American Red Cross, the Union Township Planning Commission, and the Union Township Recreation Task Force. Additionally, Shingles currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois State University Black Colleagues Association.

Shingles is also a professional consultant, conducting department and divisional peer reviews for student affairs at universities across the country.

 

Dr. Diane Wolf

Dr. Diane Wolf, B.S. ’89, B.S. ’92, M.S. ’94, Ed.D. ’15, is proud to be a lifelong Redbird.

As an Illinois State undergraduate, Wolf was President of Chi-Omega, advisor to Alpha Tau Omega, worked for the Daily Vidette, and acted as Greek Relations Coordinator in the Student Life Office.

Upon graduation, Wolf became the first Campus Safety Coordinator, creating programs for Illinois State University Police and the Town of Normal. It was through Student Affairs that Wolf witnessed the power of inspirational teachers, leading to her decision to become a secondary educator.

For one of her first assignments, Wolf interviewed Bloomington High School teacher, Sandi Adams, wife of Steve Adams, Illinois State University Director of Admissions. That interview steered Diane to stay in McLean County. Under Sandi’s leadership, Wolf learned the value of student relationships and social justice initiatives. She aided in student growth by forming several youth programs throughout the county and acted as Public Relations Coordinator for District 87. Powerful classroom assessments became her trademark. She then transitioned to the role of Professional Development Coordinator at the Regional Office of Education.

Wolf was appointed Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools in 2009, acting as liaison between 30 school districts and the Illinois State Board of Education. She continued to educate teachers and administrators while promoting equitable learning for students. These efforts led to her appointment by the Governor to the Illinois State Assessment Review Committee. As Professional Development Chairperson for the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents, Wolf helped provide free professional development to over 859 districts. 

Wolf is a nationally recognized speaker for several organizations, sharing knowledge of classroom assessments. In 2015, Wolf received her doctorate from her alma mater and was awarded Dissertation of the Year. Illinois State University has never been far from her view. She remains involved in the Student Affairs Division and College of Education, having served as a Non-Tenure Track professor, and acting as keynote speaker for several events.

Wolf serves as Assistant Superintendent for Bloomington Public Schools, where her interest in education began. She is quick to say “yes” to advancing public education initiatives and has been fortunate to work with top professionals. She serves her community by representing educators on the Behavioral Health in Schools board and McLean County Health Department Advisory Board.

Not all of Wolf’s leadership has been professional in nature. She also acted as the number one cheerleader in her daughters’ lives, serving as PTO President for their school, Girl Scout leader, and Junior Achievement sponsor.

On the wall in her 1986 residence hall room was a quote from Athena Gibson: “No matter what accomplishments you make, someone else has helped you.” That mantra remains true for Wolf. She has been fortunate to have constant support from her family and friends.

Dr. Wolf resides in Bloomington with her family and husband, Dr. Ty Wolf, and will continue to serve Illinois State University and McLean County for years to come.