Updates
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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.
Updates
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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.
In Memoriam
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William “Bill” Metz ’69,
October 1, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
In Memoriam
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Ervin Wittman ’62,
September 23, 2020 (Sigma Pi).
Births
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Shaun Monica and Vanessa Schrader Monica ’10,
a son, Cash Michael, July 8, 2020.
Marriages
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Caitlin McLaughlin ’11
and Arend Hinrichs on August 8, 2020.
Updates
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Melanie Ferricks Capps ’92 and Julie Minch Dailey ’93
created the Daisy T-Shirt Project that raised $3,680 for frontline workers dealing with COVID-19 at HSHS St. John's Hospital and Memorial Medical Center.
Updates
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Ray ’48 and Alia Sewell Montgomery ’49
celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on June 15, 2020.
Updates
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Alexander Gardner ’16
graduated from a rigorous program at St. Louis University School of Medicine. He recently began his four-year residency at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, at Ft. Sam Houston as a Captain in the US Army Medical Corp.
Updates
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Dale Mueller ’76
has retired from UPS and is now residing at the Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri.
Updates
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Rylan Hyneck ’20
is assistant store manager for Sherwin-Williams in Urbana, Illinois.
Updates
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Drew Comstock ’14
was named girls’ soccer head coach at Jacksonville High School. He was previously assistant coach for the school and played four years of soccer for the Blueboys.
Sympathy
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Terry Geirnaeirt
(Head Athletic Trainer), Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Jenny Stremlau Geirnaeirt ’93, on June 12, 2020.
Sympathy
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George “Jack” Mann,
Illinois College extends its sympathy to retired faculty member George “Jack” Mann on the death of his wife Marilyn Haynes Mann ’74 on June 12, 2020, as well as to her sons Mark Mann ’82 and Mike Mann ’85, and to her daughter-in-law Amy Mann ’91.
Sympathy
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George Peknik ’68,
Illinois College extends its sympathy to him on the death of his wife, Sabina Stein Peknik ’68, on July 31, 2020.
Sympathy
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John Baumgartner ’55,
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Lori Baumgartner ’57, on August 28, 2020, and to her sons, Thomas Baumgartner ’82 and David Baumgartner ’88.
Births
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Blake and Kayla West Born ’08,
a daughter, Presley Dale, joins brother Brooks, on April 19, 2020.
Births
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Joe ’07 and Laura Weber Rheinecker ’07,
their third child, a daughter, Samantha Jo, on January 9, 2020.
Marriages
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Sarah Huff Wayne ’95
and Robert Miller on July 28, 2020, in Missouri.
Marriages
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Katie Edwards ’10
and Mark Hoffman on August 22, 2020, in Quincy, Illinois.
Marriages
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Calla Kaufmann ’15
and Aaron Merriman on August 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Marriages
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Amy Pearson Huston ’92
and Jay Carriger on August 8, 2020, in Franklin, Illinois.