Illinois State University’s College of Applied Science and Technology inducted its newest group of CAST Rising Redbirds on April 15, according to a May 7 announcement. The ceremony took place at the Hancock Stadium Aaron Leech Club.
The CAST Rising Redbirds program recognizes alumni from the college who have become leaders in their fields and serve as examples for others interested in similar careers. This year’s inductees represent a range of disciplines within the college.
The 2026 inductees are John Heiser for Agriculture, Gio Circo for Criminal Justice Sciences, Sara Krewson for Family and Consumer Sciences, Eddie Gordon for Health Sciences, Ramtin Davanlou for Information Technology, Lindsay Vahl Dean for Kinesiology and Recreation, and Troy Deiss for Technology. Full biographies of each inductee are available through Illinois State University.
The Illinois State Department of Agriculture is part of Illinois State University and supports community engagement through student activities and leadership opportunities in agriculture. It also utilizes the University Farm near Lexington, Illinois, for teaching, research, and outreach involving crops and livestock. The department provides academic programs in areas such as agribusiness, animal science, horticulture; specializes in agricultural education and research; emphasizes delivering premier educational experiences; conducts high-quality research; and shares agricultural knowledge with the public—all according to the official website.
By honoring these alumni leaders across various fields within applied science and technology each year, the university highlights career pathways available to current students while strengthening connections with graduates who have made significant professional contributions.
