Updates
Updated on:
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
Updated on:
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
Updated on:
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.
Updates
Updated on:
Ka-La Harris ’19
started a new position at University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis.
Updates
Updated on:
Chauntel Vance ’19
started a new position as high school counselor at Taylorville High School.
Updates
Updated on:
Allison Hewitt Pilarte ’19
started a new position as revenue tax specialist trainee at Illinois Department of Revenue.
Updates
Updated on:
Megan Zirkelbach ’17
was promoted to procurement agent II at Boeing.
Updates
Updated on:
Allison Kjellander ’17
started a new position as corporate healthcare attorney at Holland & Hart LLP.
Updates
Updated on:
Dalton Kerans ’17
started a new position as the south/central IRAP coordinator.
Updates
Updated on:
Shafer Soars ’16
started a new position as research chemist at Arkema-ArrMaz.
Updates
Updated on:
Guus Duindam ’16
started a new position as a judicial law clerk at US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Updates
Updated on:
Alexia Helmer ’16
started a new position as digital assets and content manager at Illinois College.
Updates
Updated on:
Lauren Mense ’16
was promoted to director of ticket sales at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Updates
Updated on:
Frankie Kimmell ’16
is an admission counselor at Illinois College. He began this position in April 2021. He also graduated from Illinois State University with a master’s degree in communications studies where he taught public speaking and interpersonal communication.
Updates
Updated on:
Renata Gray ’16
started a new position as front end lead at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Updates
Updated on:
Joe Tooley ’16
is now a senior analyst Learning Employee Engagement at the Kraft Heinz Company.
Updates
Updated on:
Dan Lewis ’16
started a new position as advisor in the Office of the Director at Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Updates
Updated on:
Karina Espinosa ’16
started a new position as contract administrator at General Dynamics Information Technology.
Updates
Updated on:
Gabrielle Esparza ’16
had her first peer-reviewed article published in The Latin Americanist.
Updates
Updated on:
Morgan Zytseva ’15
started a new position as Staff Accountant at National Mortgage Insurance Corporation.
Updates
Updated on:
Aaron Traum ’15
was promoted to part owner at Brynolf Manufacturing, Inc.
Updates
Updated on:
Ryan Flynn ’15
embarked on a journey to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
Updates
Updated on:
Allen (Miggins) Coultas ’15
was promoted to K-12 college and career manager at Fort Wayne Community Schools.