Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Melissa Gustafson-Hinds '94

Melissa Gustafson-Hinds is in her 19th and final year as director of bands at O'Fallon Township High School in O'Fallon, Illinois, where she also serves as performing arts department chair. She is the past president of the ILMEA Band Division and a newly inducted member of the American Bandmasters Association.

Under her direction, the OTHS Marching Panthers have been consistent Bands of America Regional and Super Regional finalists, a Grand National Finalist in 2018, and performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2015 and 2022 and the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The program has earned the John Philip Sousa Sudler Flag (2022), Sudler Shield (2023), and NBA Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award (2019). Concert ensembles have performed at Carnegie Hall, the Midwest Clinic, and the Music For All National Festival, among other prestigious venues.

Gustafson-Hinds served as assistant band director for the 2026 Bands of America Honor Band for the Tournament of Roses Parade and is the 2026 recipient of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Educator Alumni Award.

David E. Mosier '70, M.S. '81

David E. Mosier graduated from Illinois State University in 1970 with a degree in education concentrating in choral music and taught general music and high school choir for four years. He returned to Illinois State in 1981 to complete an advanced degree in housing and environmental design, then spent the remainder of his career in design and architectural specification.

Later in life, Mosier returned to the Illinois State campus as a passionate supporter of the fine arts, finding joy in promoting music and following the careers of young musicians. He has assisted in establishing a satellite Illinois State String Project in Livingston County, Illinois, helping others discover the power of music.

Mosier and Marge are the 2026 recipients of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Legacy Alumni Award. He often says, "I passionately believe in music, and I passionately believe in kids."

Marjorie (Paul) Mosier '69

Marjorie (Paul) Mosier graduated from Illinois State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in education, majoring in choral music and minoring in English. After graduation, she taught junior high English and high school choir for 17 years. In 1990, she joined State Farm as a technical editor, later advancing to business analyst and technical writer, a position she held until her 2012 retirement.

A lifelong singer, Mosier has participated in numerous choral organizations, including conducting the State Farm Employees Choir from 1995 to 2012, singing with the Donald Armstrong Choral Ensemble, and singing with the Peoria Bach Festival Choir in summer 2026. Since its inception in 2001, she has sung with Cantus Novus, a Bloomington-Normal chamber choir for which she also serves on the board of directors.

David and Marge are the 2026 recipients of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Legacy Alumni Award.

Jonathan Awori, M.F.A. '01

Dr. Jonathan Awori is a pediatric cardiologist, educator, and innovator whose career has bridged the arts, medicine, and technology. A graduate of Illinois State University's Master of Fine Arts program in theatre, he began his professional life as an actor and theatre educator before pursuing medicine. He is now an assistant professor of pediatric cardiology at West Virginia University, specializing in advanced cardiac imaging and caring for children with congenital heart disease. His work explores innovative uses of virtual reality to understand complex cardiac anatomy, enhance medical education, and improve surgical planning.

Born in Kenya, Awori co-leads the Awori Foundation, advancing health, education, and community initiatives there. He is now collaborating with Illinois State students to explore how low-cost virtual reality technology might expand access to advanced medical education in resource-limited settings in Kenya.

Awori is the 2026 recipient of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Charles W. Bolen Pathforger Alumni Award.

Levia Lew, M.F.A. '03

Levia Lew is president and co-founder of Reveal Design Group, bringing more than 20 years of diverse experience across museum, theatrical, and architectural lighting design. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in art history and a Master of Fine Arts in theatrical design from Illinois State University.

Before founding Reveal, Lew served as resident gallery lighting designer at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and worked with the Shakespeare Theatre Company, Arena Stage, and banished? Productions, a D.C.-based company producing original works and interpretations of art and literature.

At Reveal, her notable projects include an interactive art sculpture for the Smithsonian's "Futures" exhibition, created to commemorate the Institution's 175th anniversary and installed on the site where Thomas Edison first unveiled the light bulb. Her client roster spans global luxury hospitality and retail brands, historic American institutions, and acclaimed restaurants and bars worldwide.

Lew is the 2026 recipient of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Innovator Alumni Award.