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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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Ana Karen Flores ’15
started a new position as senior associate at Mercury Public Affairs, LLC.
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Logan Giesing ’14
passed the Illinois Bar exam and was sworn in as an attorney in November.
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Amanda Dutton Baker ’98
earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration and became a certified professional in patient safety certification.
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Laszlo Varju ’98
was awarded the Silver Cross of the Hungarian Cross of Merit.
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Carmen Kremitzki Umberger ’13
is now the manager of institutional planning at Illinois Central College.
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Carly Holmes Stroud ’13
started a new position as a marketing acquisition strategist with Horace Mann.
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Heather Miller Thompson ’10
started a new position as executive director, enterprise marketing at GROWMARK, Inc.
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Megan Cericola ’10
began a master’s degree program in risk management and insurance at Florida State University and accepted a new position with Nationwide as the senior living human services and nonprofit national practice leader.
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Amanda Flemmer ’08
obtained the Salesforce AI Associate certification from Salesforce AI.
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Eric Horon ’97
was promoted to director of sales and operations for the Central Region at Lee Enterprises.
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Andrea Hostutler ’94
started a new position as controller of International Paper.
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Carrie McCrary Ward ’91
joined the board for the nonprofit Girls on the Run of Central Illinois.
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Russell Miers ’89
started a new position as project manager in consulting at Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc., LRS.
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Jerry Coots ’89
graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an MBA degree.
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Tom Chesser ’87
retired from Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc., LRS, after a 37-year career working in IT.
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Lisa Raby Delaney ’84
celebrated 40 years in the insurance industry and 13 years as a senior insurance claims training specialist with United Fire & Casualty.
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David Ringhausen ’83
retired from his career at General Electric Power Division after 25 years at the company. He spent more than 40 years working as an engineer in the power industry.
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Barbara Funk Kristler ’74
retired from her career at Ivy Tech Community College.
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Bill Curry ’69
was recognized by the Retired State Employees Association of Illinois on the tenth anniversary of helping enact legislation protecting State of Illinois retiree benefits. He has been on the association’s board for 19 years, serving as president from 2008-2016.
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Carl Kretzer ’69
received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration recognizing more than 50 years of exemplary aviation flight experience, distinguished professionalism and steadfast commitment to aviation safety.