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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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Matt Jagodzinski '15
Matt Jagodzinski is the new sports information director for Lyon College in Batesville, Ark.
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Taylor Molandro '14
Taylor Molandro is a regional marketing manager for Strategic FUSE in Chicago, Ill.
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Cory Washington '13
Cory Washington is a financial aid specialist at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill.
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Lakyn Richard '13
Lakyn Richard is assistant director of admission and systems coordinator in the Illinois College Office of Admission.
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Nicole Rush Lama '13
Nicole Rush Lama is a senior material handling associate for General Dynamics Mission Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz.
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Ryan Blesse '13
Ryan Blesse is a marketing compliance specialist at COUNTRY Financial in Bloomington, Ill.
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Dr. Damian Peyton '12
Dr. Damian Peyton graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Damian offers veterinary care for pets at Blue Springs Animal Hospital in Blue Springs, Mo. Bryant Suess is the owner of Sound Solution DJ Entertainment in Byron, Ill.
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Jennifer Yeoward '11
Jennifer Yeoward is enrolled full-time in the doctorate program in counseling and psychology at the University of Memphis.
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Amanda Savage Stewart '10
Amanda Savage Stewart is a human resources personnel assistant III for DynCorp International LLC in Melbourne, Fla.
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Daniel Hackett '10
Daniel Hackett began a new position as demand analyst at H.D. Smith in Springfield, Ill.
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Justin Stewart '09
Justin Stewart is a client relationship manager for Market Track LLC in Chicago, Ill.
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Katie Lewis '08
Katie Lewis is the store manager for Famous Footwear in Jacksonville, Ill.
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Chris Rourke '07
Chris Rourke has joined Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as an insurance advisor in Springfield, Ill. The company, which has offices in 130 countries, acquired Nicoud Insurance Services in March.
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Daniel Sauerwein '06
Daniel Sauerwein is a reference specialist in the North Dakota State Archives in Bismarck, N.D.
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Alicia Allen Maloy '06
Alicia Allen Maloy is an infrastructure analyst for the Public Utility Commission of Texas in Austin, Texas.
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Jared Lively '06
Jared Lively is a business development analyst for Archer Daniels Midland in Minneapolis, Minn.
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Kate Russell '05
Kate Russell has been promoted to senior production assistant, wholesale property at Ironshore Insurance Services LLC in St. Louis, Mo.
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Matt Marcum '05
Matt Marcum is an environmental loan project manager with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
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Shane Owsley '03
Shane Owsley has been appointed principal at Gillespie High School in Gillespie, Ill. He was formerly the dean of students and head football coach at North Mac High School.
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Dr. Scott Stewart '02
Dr. Scott Stewart was awarded the prestigious Professional Citation by the American Public Gardens Association at their annual conference in Hamilton, Ontario. This award recognizes a member who has excelled in one or more disciplines associated with public horticulture. As executive director of the Millennium Park Foundation, Scott directs the state-of-the-art collection of art, architecture and landscape design in Millennium Park.