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.
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Tammy M. Hayes
February 23, 2018
In Memoriam
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Dr. William M. “Bill” Cross
March 2, 2018
Births
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Darrel Colley and Renee Price '15,
a daughter, Natalie Renee, April 4, 2017.
Births
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Brady and Lanie Cooper Kepler '12
a son, Kase Michael, March 22, 2018.
Births
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Caleb and Heather Bentley Seifert '10,
a daughter, Alexa McKinley, October 26, 2017. She joins big brother Aiden, 4, and big sister Adalyn, 2.
Births
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Jon and Angela Rice Valuck, a son, Logan Charles '09,
January 27, 2018. He joins big brothers, Camden, 5, and Landon, 5.
Births
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Stephen and Claire Brakel Packer '08,
a son, August James, March 9, 2018. He joins big brother George, 2.
Births
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Blake and Kaylin West Born '08,
a son, Brooks Leon, November 27, 2017.
Births
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Curt and Pam Gillis Steiner '02,
a son, Drake William, on December 31, 2017. He joins big brothers Clayton, 4, and Rhett, 2.
Births
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Rick Beiermann and Shannon Bonjean '02,
a son, Landen Patrick, November 12, 2017.
Births
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Duane and Billie Jo Dirks Brunk '90
recently adopted Kurtus, 7, and Lily, 4. They join big sisters Abby, 19, and Aimee, 18.
Marriages
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Dillon Clark '15 and Elizabeth Kelley ’16,
July 8, 2017. Dillon is a compliance officer for the Litchfield National Bank in Litchfield, Ill., and Elizabeth is a kindergarten teacher at Greenville Elementary School in Greenville, Ill.
Marriages
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Brandon Kuchar and Cori Garthaus '14,
June 17, 2017. Cori is a behavior technician at The Autism Clinic at the Hope Institute for Children and Families in Springfield, Ill.
Marriages
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Nana Yaw Baffour Gyimah Antwi and Afua Adobea Addo Nyarko '11,
January 6, 2018. Afua is employed at Ghana National Gas Company and resides in Tema, Ghana.
Marriages
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Anthony Lozzi and Amber Berman '09,
August 26, 2017. Amber is currently self employed as a digital marketing consultant.
Marriages
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Ravinder Shankesi and Alicia Schofield '08,
October 14, 2017. Alicia is the public information specialist for the Division of Internal Medicine in the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Wash.
Marriages
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Timothy Treiber and Caryl Weigle '86, December 17, 2017.
Caryl is the officer manager at Midwest Motors in Eureka, Mo.
Updates
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Jordan Washington '16
Jordan Washington is the traffic editor at SafeSpeed Inc. in Chicago, Ill. She also holds an internship with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra in Park Forest, Ill.
Updates
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Dan Lewis '16
Dan Lewis was hired as field director for Betsy Dirksen Londrigan’s campaign for United States Congress in February. He was also elected president of the Westside Democratic Club, a political organization in Sangamon County, Ill. He still continues working for United States Senator Dick Durbin.
Updates
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Alex Gardner '16
Alex Gardner is currently in his second year of medical school at St. Louis University on the Health Professions Scholarship Program through the United States Army.