Illinois State College of Education Inducts Four

Illinois State University’s College of Education (COE) will induct four new members to the COE Alumni Hall of Fame during Homecoming 2011 on Friday, Oct. 14 in Normal during the University’s Homecoming festivities.

Frank Chiodo of Normal retired from University High School in 1993. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and master’s degree in educational administration, both from Illinois State. As an undergraduate athlete, Chiodo played as quarterback on ISNU’s undefeated 1950 football team.

The Rev. Joanne Peppard Cooke of East Peoria, Ill. , served as a pastor for six different ministries across Central Illinois in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1966, she was a faculty member and coach of women’s basketball at Indiana State University. Cooke was the only female in the first graduating class of Illinois State’s Educational Administration and Foundations doctoral program.

Wayne Ruble of Fontana, Calif. , worked in special education for more than 60 years. He was among the first students to graduate from Department of Special Education at Illinois State Normal University in 1951. He was also one of the first to earn his master’s degree, also in special education, in 1952. For 27 years, he served as a teacher and coordinator of special services in the district and established the Fontana Developmental Center for special education students. In 2004, the Wayne Ruble Middle School in Fontana was named in his honor. 

  Edward Storrs of Bloomington earned his master of science from the Educational Administration and Foundations Department at Illinois State University in 1980. Storrs is a life-long educator and is said to inspire his students and colleagues to show how public school education can succeed. After 38 years of teaching, Storrs plans to retire from Oakland Elementary School in Bloomington District 87 in 2012.

For additional information, contact the College of Education at (309) 438-5415.