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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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Seth Knolhoff and Brittney Burgess '15,
July 15, 2017. Brittney is a residential instructor at Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, Fla.
Marriages
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Jose Lama and Nicole Rush '13,
July 1, 2016. Nicole is a senior material handling associate for General Dynamic Mission Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Marriages
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Matthew Gwaltney '13 and Cara Carter ’12,
June 25, 2017. Matthew is a pharmacy technician. Cara is a co-occurring therapist for adolescents at Rimrock Foundation in Billings, Mo.
Marriages
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Jimmy White and Jerika Long '11,
March 31, 2017. Jerika is a first grade teacher in Jacksonville, Ill.
Marriages
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Chris Rourke '07 and Kassie Barry
July 7, 2017. Chris is an insurance advisor for Arthur J. Gallagher in Springfield, Ill.
Marriages
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Oscar Young '06 and Emily Vandevender ’07,
February 18, 2017. Oscar is an independent insurance professional in the Chicago, Ill., area. Emily is a catering manager at Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, Ill.
Marriages
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Shawn Artis and Jennifer Banks '06,
October 15, 2016. Jennifer is an associate veterinarian at Lincoln Land Animal Clinic in Jacksonville, Ill.
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Drew Szabados '17
Drew Szabados was sworn in as a police officer with the Springfield Police Department in Springfield, Ill., in April.
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Scott Pantier '17
Scott Pantier is employed by Illinois College as an arborist and facilities manager at Starhill Forest Arboretum.
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Lauren Mense '17
Lauren Mense is a program specialist at the National Association of Attorneys General Training & Research Institute, the training and research arm of the National Association of Attorneys General, in Washington, D.C.
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Brandon Coniglio '17
Brandon Coniglio is a sales associate for Pacific Sunwear in Schaumburg, Ill.
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Jovanna Chavez '17
Jovanna Chavez is an admission counselor in the Illinois College Office of Admission.
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Carlie Sides '16
Carlie Sides is a mental health counselor at Cass County Mental Health Association in Beardstown, Ill.
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Marlee Jo Bradshaw Schultz '16
Marlee Jo Bradshaw Schultz is an IT recruiting support specialist at Dot Foods in Mt. Sterling, Ill.
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Justine Pfaff '16
Justine Pfaff is a staff accountant in the legal entity purchasing area for Caterpillar in Morton, Ill.
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Jovanny Nava '16
Jovanny Nava has accepted a new position as case manager in the Lakeland, Fla., office of Morgan & Morgan personal injury law firm.
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Parker Murray '16
Parker Murray is an environmental health and safety systems specialist at Glanbia Performance Nutrition in Aurora, Ill.
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Matt Murray '16
Matt Murray has been selected as a Clemson University Graduate Fellow at Clemson University. Matt also accepted admission and research assistantships in Clemson’s plant and environmental science doctoral program where he will be researching sorghum genetic diversity.
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John Love '16
John Love is enrolled in The Second City Conservatory Program at the renowned improvisation and sketch comedy school in Chicago, Ill.
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Brady Huber '16
Brady Huber recently finished playing football for the Reus Imperials in Reus, Spain. After two seasons of playing American football in Europe, Brady is beginning master’s degree coursework at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., where he has accepted a graduate assistant position.