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.
Births
Updated on:
Mathilda Edge Velazquez '11
and Rolando Velazquez welcomed their first child, Rosa Marie, on February 9, 2021.
Births
Updated on:
Kristine Plocher Lo '11
and Timothy Lo welcomed twin boys, Henry and Oliver, in December 2020.
Births
Updated on:
Chris and Megan Newell Maurer ’08
welcomed their first child, Charlotte Anne Maurer, on November 21, 2020.
Marriages
Updated on:
Justin Mably ’16 and Amy King ’17
on October 2, 2020.
Marriages
Updated on:
Bill Stephens '96
and Amy Kim on September 18, 2020.
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Anne Murray Hullet ’93
March 27, 2021.
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Evelyn “Lyn” Bradney Pickel ’76,
March 6, 2021.
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Cynthia Allen Basile ’71,
January 26, 2021.
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Anna Daveronas DeFrates ’69,
January 26, 2021.
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Susan Spengler Flinn ’67,
March 16, 2021 (Gamma Delta).
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Mary Jo Releford Zumstein ’65,
December 15, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Joan Swanson Henry ’56,
February 3, 2021 (Gamma Delta).
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Scott E. Long ’51.
March 4, 2021.
In Memoriam
Updated on:
R. Patricia Howell Allen '49
September 6, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Gwendolyn Costley Floreth ’43.
April 18, 2021 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
In Memoriam
Updated on:
Barbara Leeper Goebel ’43,
December 30, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
Updates
Updated on:
Chris Rourke '07
is a commercial lines underwriter for Auto-Owners Insurance in Montgomery, Alabama.
Sympathy
Updated on:
Theodore T.C. Rammelkamp ’97.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother, Trudi Rammelkamp, on April 13, 2021.
Sympathy
Updated on:
Eleanor Schreiber Strey ’60.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Carol Strey, on July 5, 2020.
Sympathy
Updated on:
Melanie Berg ’86.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her mother, Jean Berg Simhauser, on January 25, 2021.