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Description
Oral history interview with Illinois State University alum Andy Newhouse, Class of 2015. The interview was conducted by Milner Library’s Digitization Center Coordinator Karmine Beecroft on December 6, 2024.
Born and raised in Downers Grove, Illinois, Newhouse came from a middle-class family with a strong legacy of education. They initially pursued a degree in German and Spanish education, inspired by their father and grandfather who were both teachers. However, after struggling with advanced language coursework and disillusionment with the bureaucratic aspects of teaching, they shifted to information technology, specifically web application development. This transition was catalyzed by a serendipitous encounter with WGLT, ISU’s NPR station, where they began working early in their college career. Encouraged by WGLT staffer Jon Norton to explore IT, Newhouse found a sense of intellectual joy and aptitude in programming, leading them in a more fulfilling academic direction.
Newhouse lived in Hamilton-Whitten their freshman year, Cardinal Court their sophomore year, and then off-campus housing with sorority sisters from Tau Beta Sigma, a band service sorority. They recall with pride their leadership role on the committee that brought the 2015 Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference (MBLGTACC) to ISU. Serving in a technical and marketing capacity for MBLGTACC, Newhouse helped build infrastructure for registration and gained valuable teamwork and IT experience. This work led directly to an internship with Student Affairs IT (SAIT), where they honed their skills and contributed to meaningful campus initiatives.
In addition to their conference work, Newhouse participated in Marching Band, Pep Band, and one cycle of Concert Band, finding community through music and service. Academically, they credit Dr. Doug Twitchell, their Java professor, for bolstering their confidence in programming. An incident of misogyny from a former classmate motivated them to excel in the course, leading to a perfect final exam score and a tutoring position. Newhouse’s academic and professional trajectory was further shaped by hands-on projects, such as a database application developed with classmates, which proved directly applicable to their future career.
Newhouse’s work experience as a student was diverse, including jobs at WGLT, Prime Time Pizza, and internships with Alliance Benefit Group and SAIT. They noted that many of ISU’s IT courses were influenced by corporate sponsors like State Farm and Discover, pushing them to seek work experiences that aligned with their personal interests in user-centered design and open-source frameworks. Outside the classroom, Newhouse recalls quiet political years on campus, contrasting sharply with the intensity of national politics post-graduation. However, LGBTQ+ rights, including marriage equality, were a defining issue, and Newhouse vividly remembers where they were when the Obergefell v. Hodges decision was announced.
Throughout the interview, Newhouse discusses the evolution of their gender and sexual identity. Initially identifying as a lesbian in college, they later recognized themselves as non-binary, trans, and pansexual. They describe how the ISU environment, MBLGTACC, and post-college queer community fostered this growth. The experience of organizing MBLGTACC, in particular, provided them not only with technical skills but also a supportive space for personal development. They observed the significant increase in trans and non-binary representation among young queer people and the shift toward more fluid understandings of gender and sexuality, both on campus and in broader community spaces.
After graduation, Newhouse navigated a shifting job market and initially hoped to remain at SAIT full-time, but state budget freezes led them to explore other opportunities. They ultimately built a successful career in web development and now work for Tighten, a consultancy firm they once admired from afar. They now serve as a subject matter expert, blending their love of teaching and technology. Newhouse remains deeply connected to ISU, returning often and feeling pride in the institution’s growth. They speak fondly of the university’s size, faculty-student ratio, and the strong sense of community it fostered. Reflecting on friendships and challenges, Newhouse emphasizes the lessons learned from both positive and difficult relationships, the importance of setting boundaries, and how every experience added layers to their understanding of themselves and the world.
Interview Date
12-6-2024
Index
00:01 – Introduction: Karmine Beecroft introduces themself and explains the purpose of the interview. Newhouse introduces themself and shares their pronouns (they/them).
00:24 – Early life and background: Newhouse describes growing up in Downers Grove, Illinois, and having a middle-class suburban upbringing.
00:55 – High school experience: Newhouse attended Downers Grove South, which was also their father’s alma mater.
01:12 – Decision to attend college: College was a given in Newhouse’s family; it was never a question of if but where.
01:43 – Choosing ISU: Newhouse originally wanted to go into education, and ISU’s reputation for teacher education made it a clear choice within the public Illinois university system.
02:05 – Identity and personal growth: Newhouse reflects on how their identity evolved—from identifying as a lesbian and German-American to identifying as non-binary, trans, pansexual, and culturally white American.
03:11 – Initial interest in education: Teaching was a family legacy, and Newhouse was drawn to it for its focus on knowledge-sharing. However, they disliked the administrative burdens and struggled with language coursework, prompting a major change.
04:51 – Switching to IT: Newhouse switched to IT (web application development) after being encouraged by Jon Norton at WGLT, where they worked editing podcasts and music.
06:23 – First impressions of ISU: Newhouse recounts visiting ISU as a high school marching band student, initially thinking the campus was unattractive but later appreciating it after a formal tour. A first weekend memory includes reconnecting with a former high school peer over giant pizzas at Redbird Pizza.
07:51 – Housing at ISU: Freshman year in Hamilton-Whitten, sophomore year in Cardinal Court, and off-campus housing with sorority sisters during junior and senior years.
08:09 – Roommate experience: Newhouse lived with sisters from their service sorority in a long-sublet, affordable apartment that served as an unofficial social hub.
09:13 – Joining Tau Beta Sigma: Newhouse joined TBS, a band service sorority, their sophomore year to support the Marching Band program.
10:00 – Other student groups: They were loosely involved with Pride and helped bring the MBLGTACC conference to ISU, which they discuss in detail next.
10:44 – Organizing MBLGTACC: Newhouse recalls being recruited to the planning committee by a friend. They helped develop a strong bid, secured the 2015 conference, and worked closely with ISU staff.
12:45 – Hosting MBLGTACC at ISU: The 2015 conference hosted 1,500–2,000 students with Laverne Cox as keynote speaker. Newhouse describes Cox as kind and gracious despite being ill at the time.
13:36 – Challenges in planning: Main concerns included potential protests by Westboro Baptist Church and technical tasks like building the registration system.
16:54 – Lessons from conference planning: Newhouse learned the value of division of labor and trusting teammates in large-scale event planning. They describe the emotional impact the event had on attending queer students.
18:51 – Internships and work experience: In addition to WGLT and MBLGTACC, Newhouse worked at Prime Time Pizza and Alliance Benefit Group. They secured an internship and later a position with Student Affairs IT (SAIT), which shaped their tech career.
21:29 – Academic influences: Newhouse shares a transformative experience in a Java class with Dr. Doug Twitchell, which led to their becoming the first IT major to tutor programming.
24:35 – Least favorite professor: Despite loving Marching Band, Newhouse describes a negative experience with the band director (Dr. B), whom they considered unempathetic and insensitive.
26:02 – Band involvement: Newhouse participated in Marching Band for three years, Pep Band all four years, and one semester of Concert Band to remain active in TBS.
26:49 – Memorable class projects: A database design class stands out as the most practically useful course, where Newhouse collaborated on building a functional database schema.
27:39 – Campus climate: Newhouse recalls that national politics felt relatively quiet during college, especially compared to the post-2016 political climate. They vaguely remember events like Benghazi but weren’t deeply politically engaged.
29:22 – Obergefell v. Hodges: Newhouse recalls hearing the 2015 marriage equality ruling on the radio after a job interview and feeling euphoric. They reflect on the recency of the ruling and its potentially fragile future.
31:41 – Gender identity and cultural shifts: Newhouse discusses their marriage, their spouse’s gender identity, and the dramatic increase in trans visibility among their peers since college.
33:04 – Changing queer narratives: They explore how queer expression has evolved toward more fluid, nonbinary models—contrasting past norms with a more expansive present.
34:57 – Continued involvement with MBLGTACC: Newhouse remained involved in the organization that now oversees MBLGTACC. They observed a notable rise in trans participants over time, with some traditional identity tracks becoming less relevant.
36:40 – Approach to activism: While not a vocal activist, Newhouse sees themselves as a behind-the-scenes supporter, shaped by neurodivergence and personal disposition.
37:40 – Influence of identity on career: Newhouse credits MBLGTACC and ISU’s support of queer student leadership with launching their career. Being openly queer and non-binary in a male-dominated tech field has been both meaningful and impactful.
39:22 – Important mentors: Newhouse names several mentors: Jon Norton (who encouraged them into IT), SAIT staff (who helped shape their coding skills), and MBLGTACC advisors (who taught them cross-departmental communication and collaboration).
42:45 – Social circles at ISU: They describe having separate friend groups in band and queer spaces. While Pride felt exclusionary at times, MBLGTACC offered lasting, supportive relationships.
45:12 – Social Life and leisure: Newhouse and friends often hung out, watched movies, played games, and went out in Uptown Normal. They fondly recall late-night diner visits, concerts, and Pep Band trips.
47:00 – Exploring Bloomington-Normal: Newhouse avoided some parts of town due to complicated family relationships but spent time in downtown Bloomington, especially during their senior year. They reminisce about road trips and outings like Starved Rock and the St. Louis City Museum.
50:24 – Reflections on ISU: Newhouse expresses deep affection for ISU’s campus layout, class sizes, and sense of community. They still feel emotionally connected and appreciate how the university has evolved.
52:44 – Career after college: Newhouse’s post-grad journey included various tech jobs before joining Tighten, a dream company where they now work as a subject matter expert and consultant.
55:06 – If they could do it over: Newhouse would mostly keep things the same but would choose different friends in some cases. They reflect on how hard experiences taught them to set boundaries and recognize real support.
57:11 – Final reflections: They praise ISU’s campus design and community feel, reflecting on how their experiences prepared them for career success and personal growth. They remain proud to be a Redbird and cherish the university’s continued place in their life.
59:14 – Conclusion: Beecroft thanks Newhouse, and the interview ends.
Recommended Citation
Newhouse, Andy, "Interview with Andy Newhouse, Class of 2015" (2015). Alumni Oral Histories. 86.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/aoh/86
