Silverette Alumna, Cheryl Ringler, '89, Shares Her Talents Both On and Off the Field
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Cheryl (Ramke) Ringler, ’89, carries a sense of pride as she helps prepare fellow Silverette alumnae to perform at Huskie Stadium every Homecoming.
“Ten years ago, I participated in the Homecoming events that honored the 40th anniversary of the NIU Marching Band and Silverettes,” shared Ringler. “Over 40 Silverette alumnae attended that year and I reconnected with many former teammates. We spent hours together dancing, reminiscing, and getting to know each other all over again! The entire weekend was so special, and I couldn’t stop talking about it with my family and friends.”
Every year after, Ringler has volunteered to help with various activities related to Silverette alumnae. In 2020, she was asked to serve on the NIU Marching Band Alumni Council as one of the two Silverette representatives.
Ringler, a Northwestern Medicine (NM) admitting and registration manager at both NM’s McHenry and Woodstock, Illinois, hospitals, says supporting her team, patients, and the community has always been her passion.
“I am proud that Northwestern Medicine is a sponsor at the university,” she said. “I always get excited to see my employer’s name mentioned or displayed at NIU events. I carry a great sense of pride for both! I started out as a patient access specialist over 22 years ago and fell in love with helping patients in a non-clinical role. So, I’m still here in the same hospital I started at! But my work at NIU gives me the opportunity to share my talents in meaningful work while meeting new people.”
In her work as a Silverette representative on the Marching Band Alumni Council, Ringler coordinates with the Silverette head coach and choreographer, Lisa Morreale, to help prepare alumnae performers for Homecoming’s halftime show. Recently, Ringler is also serving on an affinity group task force to review and standardize bylaws and other documents for current and prospective NIU affinity groups. She also helped spearhead a new summer alumni event next month in Aurora, Illinois.
“I am very happy to have helped with the Marching Band Alumni Council’s summer event at RiverEdge next month,” said Ringler. “The Chicago Experience is playing and the lead singer, Eric Caliendo, '91, is a current council member and drummer, Adam Cowger, M.M. '08, is a fellow Huskie. It will be a great event to gain excitement as we go into our 50th anniversary celebration of the Marching Band and the Silverettes this fall.”
Ringler says she enjoys watching Silverette alumnae perform for the very first time since graduating.
“These women come back with the same enthusiasm to work together as a team to entertain the Homecoming crowd,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you are 28 or 58, you never forget what it’s like to perform in front of Huskie fans! And Homecoming and the Marching Band Alumni Council offers this unique experience to do it all over again!”
Sharing her love of dance with Huskie fans, making life-long friends and participating in some unique travel opportunities while a Silverette are fond memories for Ringler. She recalls performing with the Marching Band at the University of Iowa, Disney World, University of Minnesota and West Virginia University. She credits her education and learning life lessons while at NIU for setting her on a path for success.
Ringler highlights that volunteer work doesn’t have to be big to make a positive impact for others and yourself. She encourages fellow alumni to look at activities sponsored by affinity groups as they offer networking opportunities while honoring NIU and supporting current students.
“The work I do ultimately brings people together,” Ringler said. “We are connected by our experiences at Northern. Through the many activities offered, alumni can participate in a meaningful way to promote the great things happening at NIU while making new connections in life. Some of my best friends today have come from these alumni events and the memories are priceless!”
Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities at NIU, or contact Liz McKee ‘14 M.S.Ed., senior director of alumni engagement, at Lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400.
Click here to register for The Chicago Experience Concert Hosted by the Huskie Marching Band Alumni Council, Friday, June 28, 2024, at RiverEdge in Aurora, Illinois.