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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Jim Proffitt '70
Jim Proffitt retired from Illinois College as assistant professor of business administration after 16 years of service to his alma mater.
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Jim Alexander '69
Jim Alexander completed his 101st marathon when he ran the Little Rock Marathon in March 2018. He also participated in the Frostbite Short Course Series of races in St. Louis over the winter in which he placed second in his age group.
Sympathy
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Johanna Meyer Horton '67
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Johanna Meyer Horton on the death of her husband, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Sympathy
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Edward Horton '53
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Edward Horton on the death of his brother, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Sympathy
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Dorothy Weaver Murphy '49
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Dorothy Weaver Murphy on the death of her husband, David Murphy ’47, on February 26, 2018.
Sympathy
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Josephine Gerdes Cannon '48
Illinois College extends is sympathies to Josephine Gerdes Cannon on the death of her sister, Eula Gerdes Stierholz ’56, on March 8, 2018.
In Memoriam
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William Ray “Bill” Cummings
William Ray “Bill” Cummings served Illinois College with heartfelt enthusiasm as a maintenance technician for more than 22 years. He was working for Illinois College when he passed on January 19, 2019, at the age of 57.
In Memoriam
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Dale Reber Heiniger
January 18, 2019
Updates
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Amber Rak ’18
began a position as a K-12 music teacher for the Western Community School District in Barry, Illinois. She and Jacob August Kaufmann-Jamieson '18 are engaged.
Updates
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Shelby Arthur ’17
graduated with a master’s degree in forensic accounting from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She is internal auditor at Huntington National Bank in Columbus, Ohio.
Updates
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Jordan Washington ’16
recently was offered a VISTA position with Illinois Campus Contract. In February, she began in a new role as communications coordinator.
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Matthew Murphy ’16
Matthew Murphy has been accepted to the University of Illinois to earn his Ph.D. in crop science through the J.C. Hackleman Fellowship.
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Brianna Klein ’16
Brianna Klein is a pricing and finance analyst at AmerisourceBergen in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
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Alessandra Capparelli ’15
accepted an adjunct faculty position at Daytona State College with the School of Nursing (ASN Program).
Marriages
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Zach Murray and Kelly Bloemer Murray ’12,
August 25, 2018. Zach is a feed delivery driver for The Equity and Kelly works at Dieterich Bank. They reside in Casey, Illinois, and are pictured with Kelly’s five-year-old son, Alex.
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John Zimmerman ’12
John Zimmerman is employed by the City of Springfield as corporate counsel and legal advisor to the Springfield Police Department.
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Brad Regul ’11 and Heidi Bruce-Regul ’12
Brad and Heidi Bruce-Regul ’12, a son, Abraham Alexander, October 3, 2018.
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Amber Armstrong Kleckler ’11
Amber Armstrong Kleckler is a pediatric ICU nurse at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.
Marriages
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Amber Armstrong Kleckler ’11 and David Kleckler ’10,
August 4, 2018, in Littleton, Colorado. Amber is a pediatric ICU nurse at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Illinois
Sympathy
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Chris Rourke ’07
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Chris Rourke on the death of his grandmother Lenore Rourke on February 23.