Taking Charge

When Suze Orman '77 LAS spoke, thousands of women listened.

As part of the 2004 Biennial Conference for Women held on campus in April, the personal finance guru gave women practical steps to take charge of their money. "Brokers just make you broker," Orman said. "Take care of yourself on the financial level."

For many of the women attending, the event itself was a means to that end. The conference drew participants from around the country to hear speakers talk about the progress women have made in their professional and personal lives.

Hosting the event was another familiar Illini face: Erika Harold '01 LAS, Miss America 2003, who said the event "really offers the opportunity for women to reflect upon the progress they've made."

Photo courtesy of Jon Dessen/Illini Studio Photo.

From left, Ryan McCoy, Suzanne Bornkamp McCoy, Jack McCoy and Roger McCoy greet fans in front of their Illibus2 at a 2003 Illinois-Northwestern game.

Extreme Makeover: Homecoming Edition

Ryan '94 LAS, MD '98 (UIC), and Suzanne Bornkamp McCoy '95 ACES rolled out the Illini welcome wagon for their new son, Nicolas Thompson, born in April 2003. He joins brother Jack in the family's extra-specially orange and blue room at home in Schaumburg.

The McCoys and their boys take Illinois spirit on the road as well, with their Volkswagen van, the Illibus2. (The first Illibus patrolled campus from 1985 to 1993.) Next time you see them, give a wave to the McCoy extended family, which includes Amy Bornkamp '98 ALS, Michelle McCoy Johnson '90 ED and Wayne Johnson '90 LAS (all three not pictured), at the next home game.

Jack McCoy, at right, welcomes brother Nick to his new Illini bedroom.