Joe Rank

Joseph “Joe” Rank has been associated with and influenced by the University of Illinois since 1952, when he was a boy and his family moved to Champaign-Urbana.  His earliest memories include watching the Marching Illini practice with his father and exploring the military training equipment at the Armory with a neighbor, who was an Army captain. 

He grew up in Urbana, living a subdivision that arose out of the post-World War II building boom, and recalls seeing the Twin Cities grow up alongside him.  He recalls being a free-range kid in the ‘50s and ‘60s, biking around town to the Crystal Lake swimming pool, Little League games in the summer, and Champaign-Urbana high school football rivalry games.  His playmates were the children of professors and University employees, and he enjoyed going to baseball games at the old Illinois Field at University and Wright Street. 

When it came time for him to attend college in fall 1965, he applied to one school only – the University of Illinois.  Joining the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, he lived at home his first year, but as campus social life at that time centered around one’s housing unit, he frequently spent time at the SAE chapter house.  He also joined the Marching Illini, and, after his sophomore year, applied and was accepted to the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).  During this time, he declared an advertising major, but prepared to commission as a Navy officer following graduation, which he did in 1969. 

After several years at sea, he returned to the University of Illinois to teach naval science to ROTC students in 1972, and also attended graduate school for a master’s degree in advertising.  He credits his time discipline from sea duty for helping him manage these commitments.  After retiring from the Navy in 1989, he eventually returned to Champaign-Urbana, initially working in real estate and then working at the University of Illinois Alumni Association as Vice President of Membership in Marketing.  At UIAA, he was an integral part of re-dedicating Memorial Stadium for those Illini killed in all wars, not just World War I, and also establishing the Richmond Welcome Gallery and the history and traditions program.  As of 2024, he is enjoying his retirement but remains involved with the Chez Veterans Center.