- Jamie Licht,
Senior political science major
 |
From left, good friends Cyndy Johnson, Colleen Farige and Betty Kinser, armed with their iPads, meet every morning at the Coffee House to discuss the day's news and politics. (Photo by Lynn Tangarro / Staff Photographer) |
She attends every graduation ceremony at Illinois State University. She is in the Homecoming parade each year. You will see her at President Bowman's State of the University address. Building dedications, athletic events, homecoming events? She is there. Fundraisers, retirement dinners, alumni events? Yup, she attends these, too.
Who is this woman who dons red more often than Reggie Redbird? She is the embodiment of ISU's "State Your Passion" slogan. She is Betty Kinser, one of six appointed members of the ISU Board of Trustees. Kinser has served on the Board since January, 2006. To be appointed, hopeful board members have to apply, be interviewed by state representatives, approved by a state senator, and then they are appointed by the governor for six year terms.
"The vetting process is extensive and time-consuming," Kinser said, "but I wasn't finished at ISU."
Kinser's relationship with ISU began 40 years ago when she came to pursue a degree in art education. After receiving her bachelor's degree in 1973, she stayed on at ISU and received her master's degree in Art Education in 1975. She left to teach at the elementary, secondary and community college levels, but returned to the university in 1980.
Before her retirement from ISU in August 2005, she had served as an instructor, an advisor and the assistant to the director of the School of Art, as well as being a faculty advisor for various RSOs and a member of numerous committees. Less than six months after her retirement, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees, an unpaid position.
"I serve as the liaison between the university and the community," Kinser said. "I go to meetings, news conferences, banquets, dinners. If anything happens at ISU, I'm on call. It has provided a lot of experiences for me now that I'm retired. I get to meet a lot of interesting people."
On this particular Sunday morning, Betty sits across from her husband Ron at a table at the Coffee House in Uptown Normal. Ron is enjoying his breakfast while Betty plays a game on her iPad. They are regulars at the Coffee House. Every morning they arrive and soon, the table for six is full, many times with more than six gathering together. Some are retirees, some have lost a spouse, some are lonely. It is a therapy group. Betty is there because her husband has advanced Alzheimer's.
"Colleen Farlee started this group after she lost her husband Lloyd [a former music professor at ISU]," Kinser said. "We keep track of each other. We need each other. Sometimes his illness makes things difficult. But, ISU has supported us in so many ways, going beyond what they needed to. Joanne [Maitland] and Anne [Davis] are also caregivers. So we have our own little support group among the Trustees."
Student Body President David Marquis has witnessed Kinser’s dedication to ISU despite her husband’s illness.
“We were at dinner at President Bowman’s house and Betty and Ron were there. Betty had to take care of him during that time,” Marquis said. “She could have stayed at home, but instead came to be with us. And she was actively engaged in what we were discussing. I was really impressed with her dedication.”
Betty is genuinely happy to spend time talking with students. While she is sitting with her coffee, one of the Coffee House servers approaches. Jamie Licht, a senior political science major, gives Betty an update on the class she is taking.
“I love Betty,” Licht said. “She asks about my classes and helps me think things through. She’s like extended family here.”
One gentleman comes over and discusses the current art display. Another stops at the table to say hi. Betty takes the time to speak to each person, giving her full attention.
"I guess I'm still advising," Kinser said with a laugh. "You've got to love what you are doing in life. There are a lot more important things in life than money. I try to share that with students. If you don't love what you do, you won't be happy. I’ve advised over 700 students over the years and I’ve shared that with them all."
Suzette Walden, former advisor for Student Government, saw Betty’s dedication to ISU students.
“Betty’s commitment to individualized attention is best demonstrated by the relationships she has with students,” Walden said. “When I advised Student Government, she really spent time to get to know the Student Body President and she continues to do that to this day. You can usually find her sitting next to the Student Body President during dinners and events and really taking an interest in who they are as a person and how to best help them in their career path.”
David Marquis agrees. “Betty has always been very friendly,” Marquis said. “I feel she really takes an interest in me and I think she really enjoys what she does as a trustee.”
Kinser’s activities are not limited to serving ISU. Betty is also involved with Easter Seals, the League of Women Voters, the Midwest Food Bank and McLean County’s Light the Night Walk. She has run for a seat on the McLean County Board and received the YWCA Women of Distinction award in 2007. The depth of community support for Kinser was displayed when she had an emergency aorta dissection in the spring of 2008.
“I wasn’t supposed to make it,” Kinser said. “The people, the students, the community saved my life. I received close to 600 cards of encouragement from people throughout the Bloomington/Normal community as well as from students, faculty and staff at ISU. This is a great community to be in.”
Despite her health problems, Kinser, still recovering from the procedure, attended the May commencement ceremonies. Walden vividly recalls that day.
“After she had her stroke, when she was in recovery and we weren’t really sure what her health was going to be like, she came to commencement,” Walden said. “She had trouble walking, so we took her down the back hallway of the Bone, down the service elevator, to take her around to the stage at Braden so she could be at the ceremony. This level of commitment you just don’t find in most people, particularly since this is volunteer for her – she doesn’t get paid for her service to the institution.”
If you attend graduation this year or the Homecoming parade in the fall, keep an eye out for Kinser. She will be there. Seek her out, get to know her.
“Her spirit is inspirational,” Walden said. “Her story and the way she cares for others and puts others first is incredible. Her commitment of care - I can think of no one else who epitomizes what it means to be a strong woman, a strong leader and a civically engaged person. ”