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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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Nancy Sheinbaum ’69
was elected to the position of president of the Board of Directors for the Easter Cross Association, a local non-profit organization.
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Ed Stanfield ’68
donated a quartz to the chemistry department that is currently on display on the second floor of Parker. The cluster was either found or purchased by his grandparents, Frank and Bettie Theroux of Florence, Alabama, during the 1920s or 1930s in one of the western states while on a rock collecting trip.
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Hon. Richard H. Mills ’51
retired as United States District Judge on Sept 1, 2022, after 56 years of service. Mills is an Illinois College trustee emeritus.
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Dick Orendorff ’61
retired on Aug. 15, 2022.
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Thomas Samuels ’85
retired Aug. 12, 2022.
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Dr. Jay R. Anders ’79
was awarded a Power Press Award in November 2022 for the monthly podcast he hosts, Tell Me Where IT Hurts. His show was recognized in the category of Discovery, which recognizes journalistic work that “spotlights innovation or new insights in health care.”
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Brandon Fisher ’14
is the director of basketball operations for UNC Asheville Women's Basketball.
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Luke Scroggins-Zellers ’08
joined Family Service Center as the director of finance in August 2022.
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Christina Cook ’00
started a new position as development database manager at Mary Institute and St. Louis County Day School.
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Luiz Guimaraes ’90
began a new leadership role at ERM as Global Co-Lead of Corporate Sustainability and Climate Change services.
Updates
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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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Brendan Bachman ’15
started a new position as director for FS Agronomy at GROWMARK.
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Nathan Zimmerman ’16
started a new position as project manager consultant at Valorem Reply, delivering value to clients and improving skills and expertise in project and product management.
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Allison Pilarte ’19
was promoted to revenue tax specialist at the Illinois Department of Revenue.
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Austin Crawford ’21
started a new position as employer services auditor at the Teacher's Retirement System of the State of Illinois.
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Cynthia Staake ’21
of Worrell Land Services, LLC, has earned the State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser license, the highest rank of appraisal licensing in the state. The license required two years of extensive education and testing.
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Fidel Chilchoa ’22
started a new position as private equity analyst at Mesirow.
Marriages
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Cressie Halberg Volz ’20
and Cory Volz, April 29, 2022.
Marriages
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Napoleon Karnley ’15
and Adenike Adeleke, May 17, 2021.
Marriages
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Becca Weil Fraedrich ’16
and Austin Fraedrich, Sept. 10, 2022.