Heyne’s TikTok content was funny and entertaining enough to gain a large following and become an ambassador, but he was completely shocked with what came next. In 2019, he was awarded What Do You Meme?’s Top Brand Ambassador Award. “TikTok gave me the freedom to be employed and continue to do speech.” “It was cool and exciting to have a job during school and get paid for my content,” Heyne said. A few weeks later, What Do You Meme? did something similar and asked him to be a brand ambassador. Eventually, TikTok noticed his presence on their app and reached out to Heyne to become a campus ambassador. Before graduating in 2020, he generated 1.2 million followers on his personal TikTok account, posting skits with his friends, and doing voice-overs.
#I BELIEVE IN LEARNING ON THE JOB MEME PROFESSIONAL#
Heyne’s creativity pours out into many areas of his personal and professional life. “I believe the lessons they taught transcend the practice of writing and pushed me to become a more organized and driven creative in all spaces,” he added. “Their creative writing classes were pivotal to my growth not only as a writer but also as a professional.” Even after his time at Illinois State, Heyne still finds himself revisiting old college notes and folders from their classes. Duriel Harris, and Ricardo Cruz,” Heyne said. “I am indebted to many wonderful professors I met at ISU, but especially Professor Gabriel Gudding, Dr. Heyne with his Illinois State creative writing friends He took that passion for language and poetry and made it the focus of his college academic career. It wasn’t until one English teacher helped Heyne with his reading and comprehension skills that he developed a deep appreciation for language and poetry. “I put everything into that, and I am forever grateful that it paid off.”Īlthough writing was always important to Heyne, it was difficult for him to stay focused and motivated in high school. “Speech was undoubtedly the reason I was able to attend ISU,” he said.
He was, and still is, proud of his team for putting all their energy into crafting important messages and putting advocacy first. One of Heyne’s fondest memories of his time at Illinois State is when the Forensics Union won the Hell Froze Over (HFO) tournament in Austin, Texas-one of the biggest tournaments of the year. “Not only was I able to develop my critical-thinking and communication skills, but the speech team allowed me the privilege to advocate for myself and others in competitions across the nation.”
With obvious talent in public speaking, he was able to obtain a generous scholarship from the Forensics Union. The Illinois State Forensics Union is the oldest and most successful competitive team on campus, where students on the speech team can perform in interpretation, public speaking, and limited preparation.Īs a junior in high school, Heyne visited the University and fell in love with the campus and the speech team, just as his brother did.
Heyne, a creative writing major, knew he wanted to be a Redbird after his brother, Richard, M.S. ’16, raved about his time in Normal as a graduate assistant and Illinois State University Forensics Union coach. Heyne brothers (Craig right, Richard left)
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