Jennifer Roscoe
Jennifer Roscoe’s first time on the news was for a car accident story. It was her car. She was hit in front of the station a few weeks after becoming an intern in 1992. Jennifer refused to see this as a sign. 32 years later, she’s still here.
“Central Illinois has been my home longer than anywhere else.”
Jennifer went from intern to reporter to anchor. You can catch her during the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. news. She has interviewed thousands of people for thousands of stories but her favorites were for her “Angels Among Us” series.
“The people I interviewed for these stories amaze me. No one ever thinks they are an Angel, but when you hear how they have changed lives, there is no doubt.”
Jennifer’s half hour special “Angels Among Us — Where Are They Now?” was nominated for an Emmy. So was her Angels story about a school janitor. She won Silver Dome Awards for Best Anchor and Best Feature, and an Associated Press award for Best Spot News Reporting. She has also been the anchor for several Best Newscast winners. Jennifer volunteers with the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club and has helped countless organizations raise money at their fundraisers. The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois named her their Woman of Distinction in 2018.
She grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and went to Illinois, majoring in broadcast journalism. She graduated with honors in 1993 and is fiercely loyal to the Orange and Blue. Jennifer is married to Toney and has two daughters, Sophia and Tessa. Jennifer loves to cook and eat. That also means she must exercise. She doesn’t love that so much. She wishes she could see more movies, buy more shoes, and dance more. She is working on all three.
Former Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals:
2023: Kimiko Gunji, founding director, Japan House and Jennifer Gunji-Ballsrud, director, Japan House (Celebrating 25 years of Japan House!)
2022: Gene Honda, voice of Memorial Stadium
2021: Mary Henson, 2020 honorary alumna
2020: No Parade
2019: Stanley O. Ikenberry, University of Illinois President Emeritus and 2019 honorary alumnus
2018: Scott Altman, former NASA astronaut & U.S. Navy captain, retired, Class of 1981
2017: Brandon Lloyd, former NFL and Illinois football player.
2016: Tatyana McFadden, Paralympic gold medalist, marathon Grand Slam champion, Class of 2013
2015: Bill Geist, Emmy Award winning journalist, Class of 1968
2014: Kendall Gill, “Flyin’ Illini” team member, NBA player (1990-2005), Class of 1990
2013: Judi Ford Nash, Miss America 1969, Delta Gamma sorority alumna, Class of 1973
2012: Raymond Martin, London 2012 four-time Paralympic gold medalist, Class of 2016