James Forstall was one of the first employees at Sangamon State University when it opened in 1970 as a new type of institution, designed to be innovative and progressive in its approach to higher education. By 1974, Forstall had moved to Lincoln Land Community College, also in Springfield, early in that institution's history as well. He served as the Vice President of Student Affairs, working closely with the school's president, Robert Poorman. He also served as the Associate Director for Academic Affairs at the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and became very active in many civic organizations around the Springfield area.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
1968 Democratic Convention
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Moving to Springfield, National Guard, Democratic National Convention, Move to Sangamon State University
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Lincoln Land Community College, Sangamon State life on campus, working with Robert Spencer, emergence of importance of Public Affairs, Building of Campus
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Role of Diversity in higher education, Difficulties of working as a person of color
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
Remarks on leadership role in Military Officer Association and Illini Club
Photos
Caption
James was elected student body vice-president for his class at Vallejo College in 1949. He is shown, third from the left in the school sweater, with his fellow student body officers. James lettered in both basketball and track.
Where:
Vallejo College
When:
1949
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
James graduated and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant from the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Riley, Kansas in 1950.
Where:
Fort Riley, Kansas
When:
1950's
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Lieutenant Colonel James Forstall served as the Regular Army Advisor to the Illinois Army National Guard from 1968 to 1970. That assignment brought him to Springfield, Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1968 to 1970
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
LTC Jim Forstall laid a wreath at Lincoln’s Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery, marking Lincoln’s 160th birthday in February, 1969. LTC Forstall represented President Richard Nixon at the ceremony. The President later sent Jim a signed copy of the photo.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
February, 1969
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Alex Haley, the author of the huge best seller, Roots, met with James (right) and Homer Butler (left) during a visit to Sangamon State University in the mid-1970s for a special presentation of his book.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
mid-1970s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
James Forstall was chosen to be a judge on the selection committee for the Copley First Citizen Award in 1976. The award is given every year to a citizen who has helped “make Springfield, Illinois a better place.”
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1976
Ownership:
State Journal-Register photo. May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
James worked as vice-president for student affairs at Lincoln Land Community College when this photo appeared in the State Journal-Register on June 11, 1977. “I never thought there were any restrictions on what I could do,” said Forstall for the article.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
June 11, 1977
Ownership:
Springfield State Journal-Register photo. May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
James served as the Administrative Assistant to Sangamon State University’s President, Robert Spencer, when this photo was taken in 1978.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1978
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
James was serving as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Lincoln Land Community College when this picture was taken in the school’s student union in 1979.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1979
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Helen Lockley Torregano, James’ mother, was most likely making gumbo for the family in the early 1980’s in her New Orleans home.
Where:
New Orleans
When:
early 1980’s
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
James graduated from Illinois State University in Bloomington with a Ph.D. in Higher Education in 1985.
Where:
Bloomington, Illinois
When:
1985
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Jim took this formal portrait in 2007.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2007
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
James and Giovanna Forstall, taken in 2007.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2007
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
James received the Magnificant Award from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield for his outstanding service to God and neighbors on December 8, 2013. He had been active member of St. Agnes Parish for several decades.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
December 8, 2013
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This photo accompanied the October 11, 2015 State Journal-Register’s article about Jim’s nomination for Springfield’s First Citizen Award. He was not selected, but his nominations was a tribute to Jim’s role as a civic leader for several decades.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
October 11, 2015
Ownership:
State Journal-Register photo. May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Dr. James Forstall received an award from the Springfield State Journal Register as a finalist for the First Citizen Award, in honor of outstanding service to the Springfield community in October, 2015.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
October, 2015
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The Forstall family portrait, taken in 2015. In the back row, left to right are Stephanie, son Gregory, Tami, Giovanna, James, Doris, and son Giulo. In the front row are Gabrielle, Savannah, and Shanna.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
2015
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
The Forstall men: Giulo, James and Gregory during the boys’ visit to Springfield in 2015.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
2015
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.