2009 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
Joan Kane
Gerald Lewis
Mary Jane Linton
Charles Powers
John Tenney
Not present: Kathleen O'Leary
Joan Kane
Joan Kane graduated from Illinois State University in 1973 with a B.S. in education. After earning her degree, Kane taught at St. Martin of Tours School in Kankakee, as a sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade mathematics teacher. Kane then moved to the Tri-Point School District in Kempton, where she currently teaches. Her dedication to teaching is inspiring, as she is in her 35th year of service. Her career includes 32 years of teaching first grade and three years of junior high language arts instruction.
Kane has been affiliated with several associations, including the National Education Association, the Illinois Education Association, and the Tri-Point Education Association. She has also been a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Teacher Sorority since 1984. In addition to keeping children and young adults on track academically, Kane has served as the CCD coordinator and catechism teacher at her parish for over 20 years.
Gerald Lewis
Since his first day of teaching, Gerald Lewis has worked as an advocate for the improvement of education and inclusion of life-skills supports for special education students. Lewis earned his B.S. in special education from Illinois State in 1965 and his M.S. in education from Chicago State University in 1971. He began his career as a prevocational coordinator and special education teacher for the Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights and held other leadership positions such as principal of the SPEED training center for adaptive learning; coordinator of special education in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; supervisor of instruction in Jackson, Michigan; and director of student services in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
From 1998-2001, he worked as a student teachers supervisor for the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and supervisor of administrative interns for Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. For the past several years, Lewis has been helping to develop a center in the second poorest county in Wisconsin for at-risk and special-needs students. At the center, students complete their high school education and pursue career and technical education programs.
Mary Jane Linton
Mary Jane Linton's first love was nursing, yet she has made teaching nursing a primary focus of her career goals. Linton graduated form the Decatur Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and Millikin University with a bachelor of science in 1970. While Linton began her career as a part-time nurse at Millikin University, she soon after took a position instructing at her undergraduate alma mater. In 1980, Linton earned a master of science in medical-surgical nursing and was promoted to assistant professor at Millikin University. She was promoted again to associate professor in 1988—a position she still holds today—and served as department chairperson from 2000-2003.
Linton became a part of the Illinois State community while earning a Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from the College of Education in 1997. She credits Illinois State for contributing to her successful career in higher education. Linton is a recognized presenter in the field of nursing education and has been an investigator for several grants in the past nine years. She has earned certifications as a Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse Leader from national organizations. This year, Linton was honored by Millikin University with the University's Teaching Excellence Award.
Kathleen O'Leary
Kathleen O'Leary earned her B.S. in elementary education in 1967. Her 36-year career in teaching includes positions at both elementary- and middle-level schools. O'Leary's first position was as a fifth-grade teacher at Garfield School in Pekin. In 1969, O'Leary ventured to Oceanside, California, and dedicated the next 34 years of service to three different schools in same district. She became a learning disability teacher at Lincoln Junior High; then at Laurel Elementary School teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth graders; and finally at King Middle School teaching sixth graders. O'Leary's commitment to the profession and dedication to her students was highly regarded and earned her recognition as Teacher of the Year at King Middle School twice.
O'Leary was, and is still, affiliated with several professional organizations. She served two terms as the president for the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a women educators association, and has been the society's parliamentarian since 2006. O'Leary has remained active in the field of education since her retirement. She has served as a voice for former educators as the California Retired Teachers Association President since 2008.
Charles Powers
Charles Powers began his career in education in 1950 as a teacher and later held positions as an athletic coach, principal, and superintendent in the southern Chicago suburb of West Harvey; as a junior high principal and director of special education in Oak Lawn; and as superintendent of Cook County School District 133 in Riverdale. After 20 years in K-12 public education, Powers honored his alma mater by taking a position in Illinois State's Office of Admissions. Working under Wilber Venerable and Steve Adams, Powers opened and directed the University's first Chicagoland office.
Powers earned his B.S. in education in 1949 and M.S. in education in 1950—both from Illinois State University. He later earned an advanced certificate from the University of Illinois in 1969. Powers was nominated by his son Mike, who is one four siblings. All of Powers' children are college graduates, two are Illinois State alums.
John Tenny
John Tenny entered Illinois State University as a non-traditional student, but was connected with our institution in a way unlike any of his fellow classmates—as a carpenter he was part of the team that built Stevenson Hall. Tenny earned his B.S. in elementary education in 1973 with honors and his M.S. in reading education in 1974 from Illinois State University, as well as a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Oregon. Tenney moved to Oregon where he served as a district reading supervisor, reading consultant, and university professor.
Tenny joined the education faculty at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, in 1985 and later served as chair of the education department, where he is credited with helping to develop a graduate school of education. He served as director of the school, director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, and as professor of education. Now a professor emeritus, he is a trainer and consultant with several school districts and universities across the nation. Tenny's anonymous nominator parallels a phrase that was coined by Tenny while at Willamette, "educators first, specialists second, and leaders always" by describing him as "first, a highly respected educator, second a specialist in bringing about the unique talents of teachers and students, and always a leader in twenty-first century education."