After the new Northern Star made its debut in October 1954, editor Ted Bacino and staff received the ultimate testament to the paper’s professional new image and popularity: President Leslie Holmes’ decision to debut his plans for the creation of the new Northern Illinois University in the student newspaper.

Through his tenure as editor, Bacino learned skills that have continued to serve him, regardless of his career path. “Working at The Northern Star was such a great experience,” he says. “It wasn’t always good for grades, but it taught me skills I have continued to use – from managing deadlines and dealing with public relations to layout and design.”

Bacino also left his mark on NIU in other creative ways. He wrote and directed the first musical at NIU, titled “Take It From The Top.” He also wrote and directed the first two homecoming alumni shows, “The EN-NI-YOO Show” of 1960 and 1961.

After graduating with a master’s degree, Bacino went on to work in Rockford, first at what is now Boylan High School as an assistant principal and then later at Rock Valley College as director of public relations. He continued to pursue his interest in music and theatre while in Rockford as well by founding the Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley and the Cabaret Dinner Theater at the Clock Tower Hotel and Resort.

Bacino later would pack up his family and leave for his next career challenge – assistant to the deputy secretary of state for Illinois. He’d later move to Washington when his boss was appointed to a post in the Reagan Administration. That move would lead him to a marketing job in California and then retirement.

But retirement has brought Bacino back to his college passion: writing. And if you ask him, “it has been like falling into a pot of gold.”

Bacino now spends his days living either in London or Palm Springs, Calif., keeping track of his three grown children — Lara, Mickey and Geoff — and seven grandchildren. He also writes for three trade magazines: one in the credit union industry, one in the auto brokerage industry and another in the travel industry.

“It’s the one thing to never forget … you never lose your ability to write,” he says. “There are a lot of opportunities for writers out there and when you find the one that’s right for you, it makes life perfect.”