I’s on the World: French Connection

Oh, the places we go … University of Illinois alumni are globetrotters who travel near and far, but never forget their Alma Mater!

Patty Roberts and James Edwards in front of Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard in Gard Patty Roberts and James Edwards at Pont du Gard in Gard, France. (Image courtesy of James Edwards)
Oh, the places we go … University of Illinois alumni are globetrotters who travel near and far, but never forget their Alma Mater!

James L. Edwards, ’73 BUS, and Patricia A. Roberts, ’74 UIC, DDS ’76 UIC, both went to Taylorville (Ill.) Senior High School before entering the University of Illinois in the early 1970s: Edwards to prepare for law school and a stint in the U.S. Army; Roberts to become a dentist. They remained in touch through chance encounters at high school reunions.

“This was our first trip together,” Edwards says of a 2023 cruise on the Rhone River, “and, amazingly enough, Patty still considers me her friend.” Edwards and Roberts were joined by their respective spouses, as well as another couple from the Taylorville Senior High School reunion group. “We started in Lyon and ended in Avignon while stopping along the way at various towns for day excursions.” Edwards says.

For more photos of alumni around the world, check out our Flickr album. Send pictures of yourself clad in orange and blue to IllinoisAlumni@uillinois.edu. You also can post to www.Facebook.com/IllinoisAlumni and twitter.com/uiaa using hashtag #IlliniWorldwide.

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