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.
Births
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Matt '05 and Kris McDonald Marcum ’06,
a son, Ethan Reesor, July 11, 2016.
Births
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Graham and Angie Gazdziak '05,
a son, Lucas Daniel, July 1, 2016. He joins big sister Hannah Grace, 6.
Births
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Dan and Kristen Shekleton Zachwieja '04,
a daughter, Grace Elizabeth, February 21, 2017.
Births
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Kevin and Rebecca Hess Leahr '01
a son, Jacob Andrew, October 3, 2016.
Births
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Neil and Gabriela Werries '97,
a son, Henry, November 4, 2016.
Marriages
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Matthew Martin and Amanda Greenwood '15,
July 30, 2016. Amanda teaches first grade at Our Saviour School in Jacksonville, Ill.
Marriages
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Austin Feigl and Paige Meyer '14,
October 17, 2015. Paige is a registered behavior technician for Alternative Behavior Strategies in Oceantown, Calif.
Marriages
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Kody Stricklin and Melissa Mennenga '14,
November 19, 2016. Melissa is a district sales manager for Dot Foods in Chesterfield, Mo.
Marriages
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Colt Gerdes '14 and Emily Langheim ’15,
October 1, 2016. Colt is a patrolman for the South Jacksonville Police Department, and Emily is the office assistant for the Office of Residential Life at Illinois College.
Marriages
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Matt Korte '12 and Kortney Sargent ’10,
November 5, 2016. Kortney works in administration at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, Ill. Matt works for Cott Beverages Inc. as a regional supply planner in Maryland Heights, Mo.
Marriages
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Brandon Hott '12 and Kelsea Battefeld ’15
October 22, 2016. Brandon is employed by the Pawnee School District and Kelsea is pursuing a master’s degree in community counseling at University of Illinois Springfield.
Marriages
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Brady Kepler and Lanie Cooper '12,
December 31, 2016. Brady works for Midwest Underground Technology Inc. as a field services manager in Champaign, Ill. Lanie is the executive assistant for projects and programs at the Illinois Public Health Association in Springfield, Ill.
Marriages
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Joshua Kirchgesner and Brittney Meyer '11,
August 13, 2016. Joshua is a mortgage production supervisor with Navy Federal Credit Union in Arlington, Texas.
Marriages
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Tressman Goode and April Harman '11,
October 22, 2016. April is a child and adolescent outpatient therapist at Locust Street Resource Center in Carlinville, Ill.
Marriages
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Cody Vipond and Jessica Verdick '10,
November 5, 2016. Jessica is a universal banker for First Trust and Savings Bank in Geneseo, Ill.
Marriages
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Damien Oliver and Lydia Martin '10,
October 15, 2016. Lydia is a buyer for Howdens Joinery in Howden, South Yorkshire, England.
Marriages
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David Heneisen and Danielle McLaughlin '10,
October 15, 2016. David is a client solutions executive for AT&T small business solutions in Champaign, Ill.
Marriages
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Norman Hairston and Roxanna Marie Norfleet '81,
January 14, 2017. Norman retired Sergeant First Class from the U. S. Army.
Updates
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Brody Pogue '16
Brody Pogue was promoted to offensive line coach for the St. Ambrose University football team in Davenport, Iowa. Brody is also pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership at St. Ambrose.
Updates
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Garrett Barr '16
Garrett Barr is a programmer analyst at Dot Foods in Mt. Sterling, Ill.