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.
Updates
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Jovanny Nava ’16
began law school at Saint Louis University Law School in St. Louis, Missouri, and plans on focusing on litigation and corporate law.
In Memoriam
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Jon D. Ware,
July 31, 2020.
- Read obituary
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Illinois College Trustee Emeritus Jon D. Ware died Friday, July 31, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 84.
Ware was elected to serve on the Illinois College Board of Trustees in 1990 and later received the distinction of trustee emeritus. He was a lifetime member of the Illinois College Society and a longtime champion of fine arts at the College. In 2008, Illinois College conferred the Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Ware in recognition of his philanthropic contributions and outstanding leadership to the College.
Ware loved helping young athletes grow and was an enthusiastic supporter of Jacksonville-area sports throughout his life. He served as president of the YMCA in Jacksonville and was founder of the Jacksonville Youth Football league. The Ware family also helped position Illinois College as a leader in athletics for the region. In 2007, the College named its new state-of-the-art performance track the Ware Family Track in appreciation of the support given to the project by Jon and his wife June. The track has allowed IC to host many track and field events.
Ware was a Springfield native who graduated from Eastern Illinois University where he played baseball, ran track and was captain of the football team. He led a successful career as president of Wareco Inc., a family business founded by his father that had service stations across the Midwest. He also served as president of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association.
Ware was preceded in death by June who passed in 2010. The couple married in 1956 and settled in Jacksonville in 1959. They raised two sons, Brad and Todd.
In Memoriam
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Conni DeVan Roegge,
August 4, 2020. She taught at Illinois College, Chapin and Concord Elementary Schools and at Triopia High School.
In Memoriam
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Bernice Hines Shepherd ’47,
August 25, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
In Memoriam
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Lori Baumgartner ’57,
August 28, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
In Memoriam
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Taylor H. Briggs ’19,
June 25, 2020.
In Memoriam
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Stephanie Law ’16,
June 3, 2020.
In Memoriam
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Michael Barbier ’00,
March 30, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
In Memoriam
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Nancy Peters Flach ’95
June 24, 2020.
In Memoriam
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Scott A. Hall ’93,
August 5, 2020.
In Memoriam
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Jenny Stremlau Geirnaeirt ’93,
June 12, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
In Memoriam
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Corrina Kurth-Baker ’84,
May 18, 2020 (Alpha Kappa Phi).
In Memoriam
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Paul Yagow ’78,
June 4, 2020 (Gamma Nu).
In Memoriam
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Warren Baker ’75,
August 3, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
In Memoriam
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Marilyn Haynes Mann ’74,
June 12, 2020.
In Memoriam
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Sabina Stein Peknik ’68,
July 31, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
In Memoriam
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Warren Merriman ’67,
June 28, 2020.
In Memoriam
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John Richard “Dick” Cully ’63,
July 23, 2020.
In Memoriam
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Larry Holcomb ’62,
May 20, 2020.
In Memoriam
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Dana Lou Furry ’64,
May 20, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).