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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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Megan Bettis Kirkhart ’10
started a new position as a career development coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in January.
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Teresa Wallbaum ’88
has been appointed as an administrative law judge for the Drug Enforcement Administration in Arlington, Virginia.
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Samantha Bentley Renaud ’04
has accepted a position as an ag loan administrator with Green Belt Bank & Trust in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
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Vance Martin ’96
is currently the master of Mahomet Masonic Lodge in Mahomet. Each year the organization awards scholarships to local students and the master usually has the privilege of handing them out. This year’s recipient at Mahomet Seymour High School was Haylie Orton, who plans to attend IC in the fall. Vance felt honored as an alumnus to be part of helping a future IC student start on her own pathway.
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Erika Rasch Hunt ’96
started a new position as project director at Regional Office of Education 17.
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Dianne Pruitt Potter ’77
retired after 36 years as human resources manager for Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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Rick Vuylsteke ’66
joined the faculty at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies as a professor Jan. 3 after serving as president of the East-West Center in Honolulu for five years.
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Monica Pappas ’20
started as a subcontract administrator in the aerospace and defense industry with United Launch Alliance.
Births
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Amber Kleckler ’11
and her husband, David, welcomed a daughter, Sawyer Faye, on January 4, 2022.
Marriages
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Dominic Caldieraro ’20
and Kayle Crawford Nov. 20, 2021.
Marriages
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Rebecca Gerecke ’10
and Alan Grant Wilson, Jr., Nov. 13, 2021.
Marriages
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Chris Moore ’19 and Markie Mulchay ’20,
July 2021.
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Skylar Dees ’22
was promoted to IC Store manager at Illinois College.
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Seth Vaughn ’21
started a new position as operations coordinator at Stifel Financial Corp.
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Ryan Kaufmann ’21
started a new position as third golf assistant at Illini Country Club.
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Brett Bettis ’21
is the owner of Bolt’s Candy, Cones and Corn, a sweet-tooth-indulgent store in Jacksonville. He opened the store in August.
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Grant Flynn ’21
started a new position as loan officer at Pilot Grove Savings Bank.
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Nick Rentschler ’20
was promoted to Software Engineer II at Mastercard.
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Anthony Flores ’20
started a new position as TRIO academic coach and student engagement coordinator at Illinois College.
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Madelyn Budd ’20
started working at BKD.