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Jim Spizzo ’74
was recently awarded first place and a cash prize in the architecture category in the 2021 juried exhibit sponsored by the Midwest Center for Photography in Wichita, Kansas, for his photo “Infinity: The Way Out.” Jim has also received honorable mentions by juries for his photography in the annual Minimalist Photography Awards, as well as in other exhibits at the Midwest Center for Photography. In the past few years, Jim’s photos have been selected by juries for inclusion in a dozen exhibits in Chicago; Wichita; Scottsdale, Arizona; and online. He was invited to do a show at the Pharmacy Gallery in Springfield as a guest artist in September.
In Memoriam
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Conrad Damsgaard ’57
was a dedicated, active alumnus who had a vision for raising the profile of the institution. He and his late wife, Patricia Carlson Damsgaard ’53, remained active supporters of the College throughout their lives. Over the years, Conrad Damsgaard served on the Board of Trustees and as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. In 1987, he was honored with a distinguished service award “for his devotion to Illinois College as evidenced by thoughtful alumni involvement.” The Damsgaards’ philanthropy made them members of the Julian Monson Sturtevant Society and the Illinois College Society.
As a student, Damsgaard was elected student body president and was an active member and leader in Phi Alpha. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, economics club, the Hilltoppers dramatic organization, student forum, social committee and intersociety board.
He was first sergeant of the Army Reserve unit on campus and served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He started his career in sales with Shell Oil Company and went on to have a long career in sales and marketing management at Shell, Swank Motion Pictures and Psychological Associates.
The Damsgaards had three daughters, Susan Damsgaard-Brand ’81, Kristine Damsgaard and Beth Damsgaard Rodriguez. Susan and their granddaughter, Rachel Brand ’18, carried on the family’s legacy as IC alumni. He was 88 when he died March 23, 2022.
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Lanie Cooper Kepler ’12, Brady Kepler ’12 and Bailey Cooper ’18
founded the KASE Project. It is a central Illinois non-profit dedicated to supporting the autism community. They installed a playground communication board at Southwind Park in Springfield for children with limited verbal speech to enjoy the park with their peers.
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Hannah Oak ’14
transitioned into a new role as director of North America after six years with Arrow Electronics.
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Chloe Neisler Lucca ’14
began a new position as director of development at Central Illinois Foodbank.
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Nate Kohler ’14
began a new role as life/health underwriter for State Farm.
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Audrey Knight ’14
began a new position as IA scientist at Dallas Tissue Research.
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Leslieann Harris ’14
started a new position as first-gen program specialist at Georgia Southern University.
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Elizabeth (Katie) Bernardi ’14
started a new position as manager of account management with Roundel Media, re-imagined by Target.
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Will Barefield ’13
started a new position as dean of enrollment management at City Colleges of Chicago, Kennedy-King College.
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Ryan Blesse ’13
wrapped up his professional certificate in Google Project Management.
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Carmen Kremitzki Umberger ’13
won the MWACE Diversity Advancement Founders Award for her advocacy and work for first generation students at Bradley University.
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Djenan (Mouna) Soumahoro ’12
began a Ph.D. program in nuclear engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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Rachel Macon ’11
obtained a new professional certification, SHRM-CP.
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Jeremy Hommowun ’11
passed the Certified Technology Specialist exam with AVIXA.
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Eric Hiatt ’11
was elected national vice president of the JCI USA (U.S. Junior Chamber), and was the 2022 recipient of the Central Illinois Business Magazine Forty Under 40 Award.
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Joshua Slaughterback ’08
started as an account manager with Electric Power Engineers.
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Sarah Keller ’07
started a new position as a senior staff accountant at Caterpillar.
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Julia Legate ’06
earned a Doctorate of Educational Leadership in May 2022. Her dissertation was titled, “Pre-K and Kindergarten Teachers Perceptions of Kindergarten Readiness.”
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Rebecca Vortman ’05
was promoted to associate department head for the Department of Population Health Nursing Science at University of Illinois Chicago.
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Ben Tobin ’05
was awarded Best Attorney and his law office, Pratt & Tobin P.C., won the Best Law Office category at the “Best of the Best” event hosted by the two newspapers that serve the Metro East side of St. Louis.
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Blake Stadel ’05
received the Silver Dome Award for Personality of the Year for medium-sized markets from the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Blake hosts the "DBR Morning Show with DJ Blake" for WDBR-FM in Springfield.
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Danielle Doerfler ’04
was promoted to director of athletics at Fontbonne University.