This past Sunday, rapper, Common, originally known as Common Sense, won a Golden Globe award for his original song he created for the movie Selma.

While he is also known for his acting prowess, Common is most notably recognized as an influential figure in rap’s underground scene. While commercial gangsta rap was becoming popular and other forms of rap were vanishing, Common managed to keep the style of jazz-rap alive.

Lonnie Rashied Lynn was born on March 13, 1972. His original claim to fame came to him when he won The Source magazine’s unsigned Hype contest. He soon after, released his first single, “Take It EZ.” After several hit songs, Common landed a major-label deal with MCA.  His music career only sky rocketed from there and he started to collaborate with other music artists, such as Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, MC Lyte and Cee-Lo.

During his acceptance speech for best original song for his and John Legend’s original song “Glory,” he notably referenced several recent controversial events.

“As I got to know the people of the Civil Rights Movement, I realized I am the hopeful black woman who was denied her right to vote,” said common. “I am the caring white supporter who was killed on the front lines of freedom. I am the unarmed black kid who maybe needed a hand but instead was given a bullet. I am the two fallen police officers, murdered in the line of duty. ‘Selma’ has awakened my humanity.”

This was Common’s second Golden Globe award.

Learn more:
Think Common - Common's official website
Common's IMDB profile

Sherrill Milnes was born on January 10, 1935 in Downers Grove.

Growing up, Milnes thought he would become an anesthesiologist, but later realized he had a gift for music. After graduating from Drake University, he spent a whole summer an as apprentice at the Santa Fe Opera and studied with the famous soprano Rosa Ponselle.

He started his career with the Opera Company of Boston in 1960. This is when he managed to get his debut part as Gérard in Andrea Chénier. In 1964, Milnes sang the role of Valentin in “Gounod’s Faust” at the New York City Opera. Within the same year, Milnes made his European debut singing “Figaro” from “The Barber of Seville” and captured international fame with his performance in Verdi’s “Luisa Miller.”

Milnes has been garnered many awards during his career, including seven honorary doctoral degrees. He is also a member of the Lincoln Academy, the highest honor awarded by the state of Illinois.

Milnes continues to teach young students through master classes and opera tours. He also judges singing competitions from time to time. Milnes and his wife Maria founded a nonprofit organization called VOICExperience, which helps young singers throughout the country develop and pursue their careers.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Illinois’ civil engineering graduate program first in the nation.

An advanced graduate degree in engineering from the University of Illinois lays the groundwork for graduates to be successful leaders in our nation.

When we need to invest in our infrastructure, civil engineers create the designs and technology that are vital to sustaining our roads, bridges and airports for the future.

Graduates of the civil engineering program go on to invent cutting-edge technology. For example, University of Illinois alumnus John Cornelius Houbolt led a team to create the lunar orbit rendezvous mission mode, the concept used to successfully land humans on the moon and return them to Earth. The concepts he developed are still being used by space programs throughout the world.

Learn more:
U.S. News & World Report - Best Grad Schools
The life and accomplishments of John Cornelius Houbolt

Cooler than the other side of the pillow, that was Stuart Scott.

For years, Scott entertained many of us as an ESPN anchor. His extraordinary sportscasting style changed the way we talk about sports.

As a sportscaster, Scott was unapologetically himself. He took a sometimes bland profession and added just the right amount of spice. His impact as a sportscaster is only trumped by one thing, his inspiring story as he battled with cancer.

On July 16, Stuart accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYS. The award is given to those who exemplify the fighting spirit of NC State Coach Jimmy Valvano, who battled cancer valiantly years ago. In Scott’s acceptance speech he had this to say about his fight with cancer: “When you die it does not mean you lose your fight with cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live.”

Scott passed away on January 4 after a seven-year fight with cancer. He was remembered and honored by many athletes, celebrities, politicians, colleagues and viewers as a game changer and most of all, an inspiration.

What do David Lynch, Terrance Malick and Paul Thomas Anderson have in common (besides being acclaimed film directors, of course)? They have utilized the expertise in production design or art direction of Illinoisan Jack Fisk.

In addition to having a rock solid careers in art direction and production design for other directors, Fisk has also directed feature films himself. While working on Terrance Malick’s film Badlands in 1973, he met his future wife, actress Sissy Spacek. The couple has two daughters, both of whom have followed in the family business.

Learn more:
NY Times article on Jack Fisk
Jack Fisk's impressive filmography