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.
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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.
Sympathy
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Melissa Martin Medford '91
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Melissa Martin Medford on the death of her father, Donald Martin, on February 8, 2018.
Updates
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Tim Green '91
Tim Green is the new president of Burrus Brothers and Associated Growers. He previously served as vice president of Burrus Brothers and as part-owner of Burrus Seed Farms Inc. He has more than 26 years of experience developing sales teams and overseeing account and territory management in the seed industry.
Sympathy
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Lori Burrus Greene '91
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Lori Burrus Greene on the death of her father, Tom Burrus ’71, on October 28, 2017.
Sympathy
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Dr. Sarah Horton '89
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Dr. Sarah Horton on the death of her father, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Updates
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Chris Bichsel '89
Chris Bichsel was recently promoted to the rank of captain for the Quincy Fire Department in Quincy, Ill.
Sympathy
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Geoffrey Pruitt '88
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Geoffrey Pruitt on the death of his father, Don Pruitt ’59, on February 2, 2018.
Updates
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Marcia Short '86
Marcia Short retired from Illinois College as executive director of development and alumni relations after 31 years of service to her alma mater.
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Dr. William Schlosser '84
Dr. William Schlosser is an adjunct professor on the Oral-Medical Connection at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Ill. He is also on the Sangamon County Medical Society Community Health Committee, a local committee for the Illinois State Dental Society 2018 II Mission of Mercy.
Sympathy
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Fr. Geoff Horton '86
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Fr. Geoff Horton on the death of his father, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Updates
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Janice Sigrist '83
Janice Sigrist is the superintendent of kindergartens with Vanke, Shanghai DTD Education in Shanghai, China. She is also the founder of Bright Start Academy and an educational consultant with Little Adam technologies. J.C. Wise is the assistant golf coach at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill.
Sympathy
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Beth Horton Hilleke '83
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Beth Horton Hilleke on the death of her father, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Updates
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John Jackson '82
John Jackson was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on April 7 in Champaign, Ill. The former Plainfield High School-Central Campus head football coach is a 34-year veteran educator and coach. He is currently serving as an assistant coach at Naperville North High School in Naperville, Ill.
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Jay Eckhouse '78
Jay Eckhouse retired from Illinois College as head baseball coach after 18 years of service to his alma mater.
Sympathy
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Deborah Steirholz Heinrich '77
Illinois College extends is sympathies to Deborah Steirholz Heinrich on the death of her mother, Eula Gerdes Stierholz ’56, on March 8, 2018.
Sympathy
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Bob Trimpe '76
Illinois College extends its sympathies to Bob Trimpe on the death of his wife, Lynda Stewart Trimpe ’79, on January 20, 2018.
Updates
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Carole Ornellas Finchum '76
Carole Ornellas Finchum retired from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Department of Business Services after almost 40 years of employment.
Sympathy
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Joan Tholen Lunsmann '75
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Joan Tholen Lunsmann on the death of her husband, Les Lunsmann, on January 24, 2018.
Updates
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Jim Spizzo '74
Jim Spizzo is pursuing his life-long interest in photography since retiring from the practice of law after 35 years. His photographs have been included in several juried art exhibits to date. He most recently had a photograph included in a mixed media exhibit that opened at the University Club of Chicago on March 12.
Sympathy
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Paula Johnson Lemmon '74
Illinois College extends its sympathies to Paula Johnson Lemmon on the death of her husband, Loren Lemmon ’76, on March 8, 2018.
Sympathy
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Marcy Bramley Burrus '71
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Marcy Bramley Burrus on the death of her husband, Tom Burrus ’71, on October 28, 2017.