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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.
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Devin Hemmer ’18
was promoted to engineering manager at Boeing.
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Joe Byington ’15
was honored as one of Springfield Business Journal’s "Forty under 40" for his leadership, professional achievements, and contributions to the Springfield, Illinois community.
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Miriam Quezada Mendez ’15
was promoted to regional director for Northwest Indiana at the Center for Congregations.
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Drew Comstock ’15
has been named the executive director of the Bob Freesen YMCA in Jacksonville.
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Taylor Molandro ’14
started a new position as M&A Integrations Manager at Digs Dog Care.
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Luke McQuillan ’13
returned the Hilltop in April to present a convocation on “Making His Own Music” where he performed music and shared stories about his career in arts and entertainment.
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Brett Leischner ’13
celebrated his 100th win as head baseball coach at PORTA High School. This season, the team also reached 800 program wins, set a school record with 30 victories and a 30-7 final record, and became the first team in school history to record three consecutive 20-win seasons.
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Cory Washington ’13
earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Saint Louis University.
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Daniel Hackett ’10
co-chaired the 2026 Prairieland United Way campaign, exceeding the goal by 8%.
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Ryne Fiorito ’09
was named engineer of the year by the Capital Chapter of the Engineering Society of Illinois.
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Craig Fiorito ’08 and Luke Scroggins-Zellers ’08
were both honored as one of Springfield Business Journal’s "Forty under 40" for their leadership, professional achievements and contributions to the Springfield, Illinois community.
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Daniel Sauerwein ’06
wrote the chapter, "Site of Commerce, Exchange, and Power: Forts of the Missouri River in Peace and War" in the book "The Missouri, America’s Longest River: A Cultural and Environmental History," published in April by the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Christopher Miller ’05
is vice president and co-owner of ATB Technologies and was named 2026 St. Louis Titan 100, a national program recognizing the top 100 C-level executives in the region.
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Corey Waltz ’03
celebrated 12 years of owning Iron House CrossFit.
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Courtney Brehm Dzierwa ’03
was appointed deputy auditor general for the State of Illinois.
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Emily Welch Boles ’03
is the chief online learning officer and director of the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service at the University of Illinois Springfield.
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Glenn Fernetti ’02
accepted a new position as special education teacher and assistant football coach with the Burlington School District.
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Scott Stewart ’02
is the director of advancement for the Chicago Academy for the Arts.
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Gina Gillmore Wolter ’86
received the Capital Area Association of Realtors Community Service award for her service to preserve Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site.
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Dan Layzell ’85
is executive vice president and chief operating officer at the University of Alabama.