Updates
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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.
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.
In Memoriam
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Joan Hamilton '53,
May 5, 2018
In Memoriam
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Stanley Kolc '52,
May 29, 2019
In Memoriam
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Philip Francis Snow, Sr. '49,
March 8, 2018
In Memoriam
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Paul Findley '43,
August 9, 2019
In Memoriam
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Patsy J. Nave,
Pat was “mom” to hundreds of students as a resident director at Illinois College for over 30 years. She retired
in 2012. August 27, 2019
In Memoriam
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Gerald A. “Jerry” Bose,
Jerry was the food service director at Illinois College. July 6, 2019
In Memoriam
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Mark Andrew “Andy” Reynolds,
Andy served the Illinois College Campus Services for 8 years as a custodian. June 27, 2019
In Memoriam
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Linda Beth Lonergan,
Linda worked in the dining hall for 18 years. May 9, 2019
In Memoriam
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James Davidsmeyer
August 8, 2019
In Memoriam
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Isaac Newton “Newt” Mitchell
August 4, 2019
In Memoriam
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Lois Ann Ewert
February 16, 2019
Births
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Darrel and Renee Price Colley '15,
a son, Owen Carter, June 19, 2019.
Births
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Michelle Ownbey '00,
publisher at Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal, a son, Dayne on September 29, 2018.
Marriages
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Allison Hewitt Pilarte and Alec Pilarte '19,
July 20, 2019. Allison is a commercial order customer service representative at BUNN and Alec is a loan document specialist at Wells Fargo. They reside in Springfield, Illinois.
Marriages
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Brianne Gerecke Sealock and Matthew Sealock '10,
married on June 23, 2018
Marriages
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Vanessa Schrader Monica and Shaun Monica '10,
March 16, 2019. Vanessa is human resources director at MERS Goodwill. Shaun is the owner of Monica Brothers Property Management.
Marriages
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Aaron Gyrion and Megan Stringer '13,
December 15, 2018. Megan finished her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis in 2018 and is an account executive for Spectrum Scientific Communications. Aaron is a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150
Sympathy
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Julie Henry '90
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Julie Henry on the death of her mother Ferol Henry on February 3, 2019.
Sympathy
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Lori J. Schisler '87
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Lori J. Schisler on the death of her mother Helen M. Wise on April 15, 2019.
Sympathy
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Dan Langan '81
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Dan Langan on the death of his father Tom Langan on August 23, 2019. He was also the father-in-law of Valerie Velinski Langan ’83, the uncle of Tiffany Carl Flowers ’97 and grandfather of Mitchell Neally ’09.