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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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Anjali Patel ’19
successfully defended her master’s thesis on April 1, 2021, and on May 7, 2021, she graduated from Illinois State University’s School of Communication with a master’s degree in communication. She was also selected as the winner of the Outstanding University Graduate Student Teaching Award for Level 1-Master's.
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Noah Yantis ’18
started in the role of legislative director for Representative Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) in January 2021.
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Christian Flores '18
is now a program administrator at Safer Foundation in Chicago.
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Samuel Welbourne ’17
started a new position as lean leader at Dot Foods.
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Jacob McNamara '16
graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in December 2020.
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Ana K. Flores ’15
started a new position as research analyst at Safer Foundation.
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Alessandra Capparelli McNamara ’15
accepted a clinical nurse position at Central Dupage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois, and recently earned her psychiatric and mental health nursing board certification.
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Jaimie R. Engle ’12
was elected president of the Illinois Academic Advising Association and currently works at DePaul University in Chicago as assistant director of academic advising for biological sciences and neuroscience.
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Djenan Mouna Soumahoro ’12
started a new position as senior performance assurance specialist at Argonne National Laboratory.
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Brandon Reed '07
was promoted to partner-elect at Crowe LLP: Accounting, Consulting, & Technology.
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Luke ’05 and Allison McCombs Worrell ’06,
owners of Worrell Land Services, recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their business.
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Julie Surratt Wilkinson ’05
joined the leadership team at the Will County Center for Economic Development as the vice president of investor relations.
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Steven Snyder ’04
had his first comedy book, “How to be a Miserable Failure: The Complete Guide for Destroying Your Life,” published in December 2020 .
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Lindley Hanley '02
was a recipient of the JPMorgan Chase National Achiever Award as a top producer in private banking and wealth management. She was previously honored with the award four times while working in Laguna Beach, California.
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Dan Wright '01
won a four-year term as Sangamon County State’s Attorney.
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Gray Noll ’99
won re-election for Morgan County State's Attorney.
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Gail Noll '94
won re-election for Circuit Court Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit.
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Tony Stivers '93
was recently promoted to subject matter expert for New York Appeals and Grievances with UnitedHealth Group.
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Debra McCormick Drake ’92
was recently promoted to Chief Financial Officer-Marketing at Anglo American.
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Dan Layzell '85
was appointed vice president, chief operating and chief financial officer/treasurer of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, in October 2020.