Class Notes are not published as part of the Fall 2019 Impact Report. Please check our next issue for updated Class Notes.
Class Notes
Below are Class Notes for this issue. To see all Class Notes, click here.
Updates
The annual Impact Report does not include class notes in the print and digital versions of the Quarterly.
1930s
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy to the survivors of Parker Lincoln Doan, son of Francis Doan on March 13, 2018.
Updates
The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation honored the late Robert F. Sibert and Ron Tendick (who received an honorary bachelor’s degree from IC in 2005), posthumously with a Jacksonville High School Distinguished Alumni Award as part of Jacksonville School District 117’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. Sibert died in 1998, and Tendick died in 2016.
In Memoriam
(Sigma Pi) March 15, 2017
(Gamma Delta), March 11, 2019
(Chi Beta) February 25, 2017
(Sigma Phi Epsilon), May 20, 2000
1940s
In Memoriam
(Gamma Delta) March 26, 2017
February 20, 2015
December 21, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
December 11, 2021 (Gamma Nu).
October 15, 2019.
November 22, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
(Chi Beta), May 20, 2018. Member of the Julian Monson Sturtevant Society.
July 27, 2022 (Phi Alpha). MM
(Gamma Nu), September 22, 2017
December 30, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
August 9, 2019
April 18, 2021 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
(Gamma Nu), December 23, 2018. The family has suggested memorial gifts be made to Illinois College.
(Phi Alpha) October 22, 2022
(Gamma Nu) March 30, 2016
(Sigma Pi), August 9, 2017
December 26, 2012
May 12, 2022.
February 27, 2017
December 2006
(Gamma Delta) July 25, 2017
August 25, 2019.
November 20, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
August 25, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
(Sigma Pi) January 24, 2017
(Gamma Nu), June 16, 2017
(Sigma Pi) February 26, 2018
July 7, 2017
(Gamma Delta) December 13, 2022
November 9, 2021 (Phi Alpha).
(Gamma Delta) February 13, 2023
March 26, 2022 (Sigma Pi).
(Gamma Delta) December 13, 2022
(Sigma Pi) February 2, 2017
November 30, 2018
September 17, 2017
(Phi Alpha), October 7, 2017
February 8, 2022 (Phi Alpha).
March 8, 2018
September 6, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
(Sigma Pi), June 30, 2017
(Gamma Nu) January 2, 2017
December 15, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
(Gamma Delta), June 1, 2017
Updates
celebrated his 100th birthday on October 25, 2021. He is a WWll flight veteran. Warren is a very special American treasure who honorably served his country, then led a full civilian life of family, business and further public service.
celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on June 15, 2020.
celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on July 24, 2020.
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife Judy Westrate on December 14, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Doris Kurtock, on Oct 10, 2021, and to her daughters, Julie Kurtock ’74, Debra Kurtock Haynes ’76 and Janice Kurtock Chiaradonna ’78, and son-in-law, Gary Haynes ’74.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, William Miller, on January 11, 2021, and to her daughter Hilda Miller Radcliffe ’77 and son-in-law Jeff Radcliffe ’77.
Illinois College extends is sympathies to Josephine Gerdes Cannon on the death of her sister, Eula Gerdes Stierholz ’56, on March 8, 2018.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Dorothy Weaver Murphy on the death of her husband, David Murphy ’47, on February 26, 2018.
December 15, 2019.
1950s
In Memoriam
January 20, 2017
August 2, 2016
October 26, 2018
(IC Sports Hall of Fame) (Sigma Pi) November 25, 2018. Funded Memorial Membership.
(Gamma Nu), June 2, 2017
(Gamma Delta) December 15, 2016
(Sigma Phi Epsilon), July 26, 2017
April 1, 2017
April 2, 2022 (Chi Beta).
(Phi Alpha), October 18, 2016
(Chi Beta) March 29, 2023
July 2, 2020.
June 10, 2021 (Gamma Delta).
December 21, 2021 (Sigma Pi).
July 26, 2021 (Gamma Nu).
(Phi Alpha) March 22, 2018
March 13, 2017
July 31, 2020 (Gamma Nu).
March 3, 2022 (Gamma Delta).
(Phi Alpha) January 20, 2018
October 22, 2019.
November 20, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
January 3, 2021 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
December 21, 2016
September 2, 2022.
April 12, 2017
(Gamma Delta) December 1, 2016
September 14, 2022 (Phi Alpha). SS
(Sigma Phi Epsilon), April 2016
January 13, 2017
November 18, 2019.
May 11, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
March 4, 2021.
December 2, 2021.
June 25, 2021 (Gamma Nu).
November 21, 2021 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
Gamma Delta, February 21, 2020.
December 6, 2021.
January 31, 2020.
February 14, 2021 (Gamma Nu).
September 27, 2017
January 26, 2017
May 29, 2019
(Phi Alpha) December 27, 2022
Gamma Delta, May 9, 2020.
July 12, 2020.
(Chi Beta) December 24, 2022
October 10, 2018
(Chi Beta), May 5, 2018
December 10, 2021.
April 28, 2022 (Chi Beta).
(Gamma Nu) August 10, 2017
(Sigma Pi) December 25, 2015
May 5, 2018
June 13, 2022.
December 20, 2022
(Chi Beta) May 20, 2022
June 20, 2017
September 19, 2018
March 23, 2022 (Chi Beta).
(Sigma Phi Epsilon) December 20, 2017
July 27, 2022.
March 26, 2022 (Gamma Delta).
Illinois College Society member, January 12, 2020.
(Chi Beta) October 30, 2022
(Gamma Nu), April 15, 2017
October 26, 2021.
December 1, 2021.
September 6, 2021 (Chi Beta).
February 3, 2021 (Gamma Delta).
March 5, 2017
June 14, 2020 (Sigma Pi).
(Gamma Nu) January 12, 2018
(Gamma Nu), November 14, 2017
(Gamma Delta) March 11, 2018
(Phi Alpha), July 31, 2017
July 15, 2018
January 25, 2022 (Chi Beta).
December 23, 2020 (Chi Beta).
November 11, 2019.
(Sigma Pi), December 17, 2019.
August 28, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
December 29, 2020.
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.
May 7, 2017
April 3, 2022.
December 6, 2022
April 1, 2021.
February 21, 2022 (Illinois College Trustee Emeritus).
June 22, 2019
March 31, 2017
May 2, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
(Gamma Delta) July 17, 2015
July 14, 2021 (Sigma Pi).
(Sigma Phi Epsilon), October 14, 2017
December 20, 2016
February 17, 2022 (Alpha Phi Omega).
August 13, 2018
October 31, 2021.
August 14, 2019
February 2, 2018
October 22, 2018
November 5, 2016
wife of former athletic director and coach Joe Brooks, November 28, 2020.
April 23, 2017
(Alpha Phi Omega) July 26, 2015
May 11, 2022.
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy to George Fischbeck on the death of his wife Elizabeth Shewmaker Fischbeck '52 on May 9, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to George Fischbeck on the death of his wife Elizabeth Shewmaker Fischbeck '52 on May 9, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Barbara Mielke Gregory ’49, on December 15, 2020, and to her daughter Rebecca Gregory Ruby ’74.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Jodie Lukeman, on Oct. 2, 2022.
trustee emeritus, Illinois College extends its sympathy to him on the death of his wife, Rachel Mills, on October 29, 2020.
Trustee Emeritus, Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Rachel Mills, on Oct. 29, 2020. Also in our thoughts are brother-in-law James Mills ’56, nephews Greg Mills ’77 and Doug Mills ’79 and niece Ann Marie Mills ’85.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Delmar Seitz on the death of his wife Jean Seitz on July 20, 2019.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Jack L. Rieke ’51, on November 20, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Edward Horton on the death of his brother, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Bob Merris '53 on the loss of his wife Mary Merris, who was also sister-in-law to Bill Merris ’56, on September 30, 2018.
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.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Gary Curtis on the death of his wife, Betty Curtis, on April 4, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his sister, Evelyn Feffer, on Dec. 13, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Carl Clayton on the death of his wife, Mary Elizabeth Clayton, on October 1, 2017.
September 19, 2019.
Updates
and Jodie Keiser Falkenburg celebrated their 71st anniversary.
joined with friends, family, and managers of the Jack Schmitt Chevrolet Family of Dealerships to celebrate a donation to the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, Illinois, that allowed the hospital to purchase a rehab vehicle.
1960s
Updates
joined the faculty at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies as a professor Jan. 3 after serving as president of the East-West Center in Honolulu for five years.
completed a 200 mile race across the state of Minnesota in fifteen consecutive days of racing. He has completed a marathon in all 50 states.
retired on Aug. 15, 2022.
is the nostalgia columnist for the Oak Park Wednesday Journal.
and his wife, Lisa-Marie, moved from San Diego, California, to the Charleston, South Carolina, area in May of 2021. They are living on Johns Island, South Carolina.
traveled to Kenya on a two-week trip with Judah Lion Ministries.
is pastor at Pathway Church for a revival group in the School of Supernatural Ministry in Redding, California.
recently published "David Prince Pioneer Surgeon." The text includes a chapter on the Illinois College medical departments.
have relocated to The Woodlands, Texas.
has been busy running three dogs in various dog sports since she retired in 2006.
was honored by the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation with a Jacksonville High School Distinguished Alumni Award as part of Jacksonville School District 117’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. She was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from IC in 2015 and is an emeriti trustee who served the Illinois College Board of Trustees for 23 years, recently completing a successful 10-year term as board chair.
Alicia Parrott Claypool was the recipient of the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice at the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in August. The Iowa Department of Human Rights and the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women recognized Alicia for founding and directing The Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and serving as the Iowa Civil Rights Commission Chair. She pushed for advancement in Iowa civil right laws that prohibited the discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community.
donated a quartz to the chemistry department that is currently on display on the second floor of Parker. The cluster was either found or purchased by his grandparents, Frank and Bettie Theroux of Florence, Alabama, during the 1920s or 1930s in one of the western states while on a rock collecting trip.
ran the 100-mile Tunnel Hill in Vienna, Illinois, on November 9-10, in 29 hours, 25 minutes. At 72 years old, he was the oldest, but not the last finisher in the race.
completed 105 road races in 2019 in 36 different states, 33 of those races were half marathons. His goal is to complete a half marathon in all 50 states.
completed 11 half marathon races in 11 days, from June 1-11, in 11 states. Each half marathon was 13.1 miles and he ran 144.1 miles in total during that time. Next, Jim plans on doing a race in all lower 48 states and so far has raced in 38 states.
was elected to the position of president of the Board of Directors for the Easter Cross Association, a local non-profit organization.
James Alexander completed a religious pilgrimage to Israel and Jerusalem in February to visit several holy sites and said the highlight was being able to visit the Holy Tomb where Jesus’ body laid before resurrection.
Jim Alexander completed his 101st marathon when he ran the Little Rock Marathon in March 2018. He also participated in the Frostbite Short Course Series of races in St. Louis over the winter in which he placed second in his age group.
earned a medal in the men’s 5k and 10k runs during the Illinois Senior Olympics held in Springfield, Illinois. He will advance to the 2019 National Senior Games to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
completed a 200 mile race across the state of Minnesota in 15 consecutive days of racing. He has now completed a marathon in each of the 50 states.
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Carol Strey, on July 5, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her brother Earl Lynn Davidson ’62 on October 31, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Donald Havlin, on Jan. 29, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Anna Daveronas DeFrates ’69, on January 26, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Robert G. Olson ’62, on November 1, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his daughter Susan Downer ’88 on June 10, 2021. Also in our thoughts are her siblings Beth Downer Lewis ’86 and Bob Downer ’90, and her uncle Jim Downer ’66.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife Mary Myers on June 18, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife of 52 years, Peggy Duffield, on Jan. 13, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Carole Ostermeier Schaefer ’65, on February 23, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Diane Berthoux Shelton ’63, on January 6, 2020, and on the death of his brother, Lewis “Steve” Shelton ’69, on March 1, 2019.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Johanna Meyer Horton on the death of her husband, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Thomas Showalter, on July 6, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Janice Morrison Spikes on the death of her husband, William Frank Spikes, on November 8, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to her on the death of her husband, George Phillips, on September 10, 2020, from complications from Parkinson's Disease and PD Dementia. He retired as an IT analyst after 30 years at the University of Miami, Florida but was also a fine musician at the same time.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to him on the death of his wife, Sabina Stein Peknik ’68, on July 31, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of their mother, Roberta Wheelan Clark ’68, on November 11, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her sister, Cheryl Pillsbury ’69, on November 18, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Christopher Mack, on Feb. 7, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Lora Pond Murgatroyd on the death of her cousin Valerie Blane ’70 on December 28, 2018. Blane was a loyal member of Chi Beta literary society and a former president for the group.
In Memoriam
(Phi Alpha), July 24, 2019.
September 30, 2021 (Phi Alpha).
July 6, 2019
February 1, 2022.
November 12, 2021.
February 8, 2018
February 17, 2018
March 8, 2018
April 30, 2020.
March 21, 2022
December 3, 2015
June 5, 2021 (Alpha Phi Omega).
(Phi Alpha) July 16, 2021
April 28, 2022 (Sigma Pi).
(Gamma Delta) February 9, 2023
August 16, 2021.
Alpha Phi Omega, November 5, 2019.
April 1, 2021.
May 10, 2019
August 18, 2017
June 18, 2019
(Alpha Phi Omega), November 5, 2019.
January 15, 2022 (Phi Alpha).
January 20, 2021 (Alpha Phi Omega).
January 8, 2017
(Phi Alpha) February 5, 2017
October 19, 2019.
October 31, 2020.
August 25, 2022 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
September 23, 2020 (Sigma Pi).
May 20, 2020.
(Sigma Pi), December 23, 2018
September 7, 2019.
November 1, 2020 (Phi Alpha Omega).
October 29, 2021 (Phi Alpha).
December 4, 2016
September 13, 2021 (Gamma Nu).
October 25, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
(Gamma Delta) September 28, 2022
October 22, 2019.
(Phi Beta Kappa) December 14, 2022
May 1, 2022.
(Phi Alpha) February 20, 2023
August 25, 2019.
May 26, 2022.
December 29, 2019.
July 23, 2020.
(Chi Beta), February 14, 2019
(Gamma Nu), December 18, 2017
March 7, 2019
July 7, 2019
January 6, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
(Phi Alpha) June 17, 2017
June 27, 2019
(Gamma Delta) March 16, 2017
September 26, 2021 (Phi Alpha).
May 20, 2020 (Sigma Phi Epsilon).
March 2, 2022 (Gamma Nu).
December 14, 2021 (Sigma Pi).
October 18, 2022
September 9, 2019.
July 23, 2022.
August 15, 2018
December 14, 2021 (Sigma Pi).
(Chi Beta), November 23, 2018
(Phi Alpha), August 16, 2017
February 10, 2019
December 5, 2015
December 15, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
July 15, 2019
(Chi Beta) November 14, 2016
March 2022 (Gamma Delta). MM
(Gamma Delta) October 30, 2022
Sigma Phi Epsilon, February 23, 2020.
(Sigma Pi) August 2, 2022
January 9, 2023
February 23, 2020 (Sigma Phi).
(Gamma Delta) January 15, 2023
January 19, 2019
August 23, 2018
December 25, 2022
September 15, 2018
February 27, 2023
July 26, 2018
Illinois College Society, Gamma Nu, May 8, 2020.
(Phi Alpha) January 14, 2017
July 26,2019
Sigma Phi Epsilon, January 15, 2020.
(Sigma Pi), January 8, 2020.
November 9, 2021 (Phi Alpha).
March 10, 2019
September 8, 2021.
June 20, 2022.
August 20, 2021.
March 2 , 2022.
a top debate team member and student journalist during his time at IC, went on to have a successful decades-long career in public service, leaving his mark on Chicago and on Illinois state government. Reilly was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of both Illinois College and the University of Chicago Law School. On the Hilltop, he became editor of The Rambler as a sophomore and was elected Student Forum President, in addition to being an active member and leader in Phi Alpha, Pi Kappa Delta forensic fraternity, Hilltopper drama group, IC’s Young Republicans chapter and being named in “Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.” He was also on one of the most successful debate teams in College history. As a first-year, he was on a two-man team with John Betonte ’64 that, at a tournament, defeated debaters from Harvard University twice and won seven out of eight rounds against some of the largest universities in the country.
After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School in 1972, Reilly practiced law in Jacksonville and served as city attorney for three years. He was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1976 and went on to run three more times, serving in a number of important committee roles and sponsoring the Illinois Human Rights Act and Emergency Medical Services Act, among other legislative accomplishments. Reilly stepped down from his House duties in 1983 to serve as general counsel to Gov. James R. Thompson. Within a year, he became Thompson’s chief of staff and eventually, in 1987, was tapped to be Thompson’s deputy governor. He returned to Springfield in 1993 to serve as Gov. Jim Edgar’s chief of staff.
Outside of his career in state government, Reilly led multiple important Chicago organizations through expansions and challenges in the 1990s and 2000s. He served as chief executive of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which oversees McCormick Place and Navy Pier, and later became a trustee of the organization and a life trustee on Navy Pier’s Board of Directors; led the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau; was chairman of Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority; and served as chairman of the Illinois Capital Development Board.
Reilly was involved in numerous civic and community organizations and had many philanthropic interests throughout his life, including his continued support for Illinois College and organizations serving the Jacksonville community. He was the first recipient of the College’s Young Alumnus Award in 1981 and was awarded a Distinguished Service Citation in 1987, and served as president-elect and president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Reilly is survived by his wife of 30 years, M. Veronica Lynch. He was 77 when he died April 4, 2022.
March 16, 2021 (Gamma Delta).
May 7, 2021.
March 12, 2023
July 2, 2016
June 28, 2020.
(Phi Alpha), September 3, 2019.
January 26, 2022.
August 5, 2022 (Alpha Phi Omega).
(Sigma Phi Epsilon), March 18, 2016
January 23, 2020.
(Gamma Delta) September 12, 2016
November 11, 2020.
October 5, 2021.
October 4, 2021.
April 2021.
April 21, 2020.
May 17, 2021.
July 31, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
August 14, 2017
(Gamma Nu), September 29, 2017
(Alpha Phi Omega) , January 16, 2020.
June 12, 2021.
Phi Alpha, March 18, 2020.
March 1, 2019 (Gamma Nu).
January 26, 2021.
June 12, 2021 (Phi Alpha).
October 1, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
November 18, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
December 18, 2021.
March 7, 2023
July 3, 2015
May 3, 2020.
(Chi Beta), November 17, 2019.
(Phi Alpha), September 24, 2019, incomplete funded memorial membership.
(Gamma Nu), August 26, 2019.
Marriages
and Marco Molder on August 20, 2020.
1970s
Updates
was named the recipient of the Illinois State Historical Society annual awards with the honor of Superior Achievement for his scholarly book, “Stephen A. Douglas: The Political Apprenticeship, 1883-1843.”
retired after 36 years as human resources manager for Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
published his novel.
attended the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy in 2019. His trip followed the path of the Allies through Europe all the way to Munich and Eagles Nest. He and wife Deborah honored to be selected as Grand Marshals of the Christmas Parade in Charleston this year.
Jim Proffitt retired from Illinois College as assistant professor of business administration after 16 years of service to his alma mater.
celebrated their 50th anniversary on Aug. 1, 2021.
will have a three-volume biography about Stephen A. Douglas, who got his start in politics in Jacksonville, published in May. The work covers the politician’s greatest achievements between 1844 -1850.
has published the second of a three-volume biography about 19th century U.S. Sen. Stephen A. Douglas, “Stephen A. Douglas, Western Man.” The book is part of what Lincoln historian Douglas Egerton called the “definitive life of Douglas.” IC’s Sigma Pi literary society made Douglas an honorary member in January 1858.
recently retired.
sold his real estate appraisal company in Lawrenceville, Illinois, and went into semi-retirement. He continues to appraise and sponsor his son-in-law who is learning the business.
retired on February 1, 2020, from Intermountain Healthcare.
retired as vice president and editor of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was editor of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin until 2010, when it acquired the larger Honolulu Advertiser and the papers were merged. Before Honolulu, he received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and worked in New York at The Wall Street Journal as night news editor and then The New York Times as assistant financial editor.
retired from surgical nursing in February of 2021.
was elected chairman of the board for West Central Bank (WCB), its holding company and its subsidiaries. Brownback was vice chair and corporate secretary, and served on the WCB board and that of its predecessor organization, since 1985. Brownback is vice president emeritus at Southwestern Illinois College and the retired long-time chairman of the Cass Cass County Board.
Dave Miller has retired from IBM after 25 years as a user research consultant.
retired in May 2021 from her position as academic coordinator for the Slane College of Communication and Fine Arts at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Martha was subsequently granted emerita status by Bradley University for her distinguished years of service. Martha was also the recipient of Bradley University's 2020-2021 Staff Excellence Award for her "significant contributions to the Bradley University community."
and husband, Lance, have retired and moved to Saugatuck, Michigan.
was named the 2020 Circle of Excellence Award winner by the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
went back to teaching after being retired for 10 years when her district reopened for in-person learning in October of 2020. They needed a long-term substitute and it was a small class and shortened day. She truly enjoyed her six months of fourth grade. The kids were so happy to be out of the house and back with friends, even with social distancing and masks.
has been named to the Lincoln Land Community College Foundation Board of Directors.
retired from Raytheon Company at the end of 2021 after spending 20 years there.
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.
Charles Rammelkamp has written and published a book about alumnus William Jennings Bryan 1881 titled, “American Zeitgeist.” Framed by fictional Illinois College professor Jefferson Lynn’s lecture on The Progressive Era, the book is a collection of dramatic monologues illustrating the life and career of “The Great Commoner.”
has moved to Elgin, Illinois, and is teaching Upper School French at Elgin Academy.
his deli located in Grapevine, Texas, was named best Deli in Texas by Smart News. This is the third time Weinberger’s Deli has been named best in Texas, once by Eat This Not That and MSN.
Jim Spizzo is pursuing his life-long interest in photography since retiring from the practice of law after 35 years. His photographs have been included in several juried art exhibits to date. He most recently had a photograph included in a mixed media exhibit that opened at the University Club of Chicago on March 12.
is honored to report that his photo, “Superstition Saloon Tableau,” has been selected by the jury for inclusion in the upcoming Americana Photography Exhibition, sponsored by the Midwest Center for Photography in Wichita, Kansas. He shot the photo in Tortilla Flat, Arizona.
recently published his second book. Sunbury Press published "Cops Under Fire!" which is a compilation of 12 stories of real police shootings and the lessons we can learn from them. Brian's website is www.authorbrianmckenna.com.
, the plaintiff in a landmark decision by the Supreme Court in 2018 which ruled that non-union members do not have to pay fees to cover activities like collective bargaining, was honored for his “remarkable demonstration of courage” with the 2019 Whittaker Chambers Award by the National Review Institute at the 2019 Ideas Summit in March.
was promoted to supervisory trial counsel and assistant director of the Securities & Exchange Commission's Division of Enforcement in February 2021.
Larry Moore retired from Anna-Jonesboro Motor Company in Anna, Ill., after more than 26 years.
has retired from UPS and is now residing at the Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri.
began a new position as a health educator with Columbia/Boone County Health Department focusing on adult mental health and opioid response.
Carole Ornellas Finchum retired from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Department of Business Services after almost 40 years of employment.
is currently working on the Phi Alpha 175th reunion.
graduated from Texas Christian University in December 2018 with a master’s degree in liberal arts. She has been employed at TCU for 9 years presently holding the position of director of degree certification for the College of Science and Engineering.
was promoted to director of the Certified Public Manager Program and local government specialist at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jim Dunn has been named the editor and general manager of the Bureau County Republican in Princeton, Ill. Jim began his journalism career as a reporter and photographer nearly 40 years ago at this same newspaper.
David Alan Taylor recently retired from Aris Radiology in Nashville, Tenn.
is retiring as CEO of Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, Illinois. During his 42-year healthcare career, he has also served at hospitals in Florida, Missouri and Pennsylvania.
Mark Travous is an IT manager for Munger Farms in Delano, Calif.
has been named the new chief executive officer of Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Illinois.
now has 18 grandchildren with the birth of Maryrose in November. He is a member of the Sports Hall of Fame at Illinois College and has served on the Hall of Fame committee for the past 15 years.
will retire as president and CEO of Superior Choice Credit Union later this year. He has more than 40 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with Superior Choice Credit Union for 15.
retired from 41 years of teaching science kindergarten through graduate school.
was a Republican candidate in the gubernatorial primary election. Jesse is the son of IC Sports Hall of Famer, Dan Sullivan ’78 and brother of K.C. Sullivan ’05 and Janelle Sullivan Zinselmeier ’08.
Jay Eckhouse retired from Illinois College as head baseball coach after 18 years of service to his alma mater.
was named chief executive officer of Gateway Regional Medical Center located in Granite City in June. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a healthcare executive and previously served as CEO of Galesburg Cottage Hospital & Clinics.
is chief financial officer at FCC Behavioral Health in Kennett, Missouri, which has completed its second successful year as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic provider. The CCBHC initiative has been co-authored by Senator Roy Blunt, who visited the FCC offices in February 2019.
was awarded a Power Press Award in November 2022 for the monthly podcast he hosts, Tell Me Where IT Hurts. His show was recognized in the category of Discovery, which recognizes journalistic work that “spotlights innovation or new insights in health care.”
In Memoriam
(Pi Pi Rho), October 1, 2017
June 28, 2017
September 14, 2021 (Sigma Pi).
(Chi Beta), December 28, 2018. Julian Monson Sturtevant Society, Funded Memorial Membership
October 15, 2021.
January 27, 2018
December 12, 2016
(Pi Pi Rho) January 15, 2018
March 3, 2018
November 18, 2018
October 31, 2017
August 13, 2018
January 26, 2021.
July 1, 2019.
May 29, 2018
June 13, 2019
September 10, 2020.
October 11, 2020.
(Gamma Nu) October 28, 2017
January 24, 2022.
May 14, 2021 (Alpha Phi Omega).
February 2, 2021.
January 18, 2018
December 12, 2017
October 15, 2017
November 19, 2023
January 4, 2022.
September 27, 2021 (Phi Alpha).
December 13, 2021.
October 9, 2018
July 16, 2022.
September 26, 2022 (Pi Pi Rho).
December 22, 2021 (Chi Beta).
January 28, 2022.
September 26, 2021 (Sigma Pi).
December 28, 2022
(Phi Beta Kappa) October 9, 2022
June 12, 2020.
Illinois College Society, Chi Beta, May 7, 2020. Nancy attended Brown County High School, Illinois College, and Sangamon State University, which awarded her a bachelor’s degree in accounting and auditing. She enjoyed a distinguished career in finance, accounting, auditing, and information technology. She married Keith Bradbury ’73 in 1973 in her birthplace of Mt. Sterling and he survives. Along with her husband, she was a loyal supporter of Illinois College throughout her life. In November 2019, the Bradbury family established a scholarship in support of a student pursuing a career in education as a tribute to Ken Bradbury ’71 H’98, Nancy’s late brother-in-law.
August 3, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
August 4, 2021.
March 8, 2018
March 6, 2021.
April 30, 2019
December 19, 2020.
December 18, 2020.
March 8, 2022 (Phi Alpha).
November 1, 2018
July 10, 2021 (Alpha Kappa Phi).
Sigma Phi Epsilon, January 28, 2020.
June 27, 2021.
January 6, 2022.
June 4, 2020 (Gamma Nu).
August 4, 2021.
July 1, 2017
Trustee of Illinois College, May 13, 2021 (Pi Pi Rho).
December 2, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
March 16, 2022.
May 4, 2022 (Chi Beta).
(Sigma Phi Epsilon) January 20, 2018
Marriages
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Marcy Bramley Burrus on the death of her husband, Tom Burrus ’71, on October 28, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Mary Alice Akers, on Jan. 17.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his father, Enoch “Nick” Scull Jr., on July 19, 2021. Enoch was a decorated World War II veteran who received the Order of Merit medal from the ambassador of Luxembourg in June. Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared June 11 Nick Scull Recognition Day in the state of Illinois for his service at the Battle of the Bulge during WWII.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to on the death of Ronald Surratt ’72 on Nov. 19, 2022. Ronald was Barbara’s husband of 50 years and Julie’s father.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of their mother and mother-in-law, Shirley Brooks ’59, wife of former athletic director and coach Joe Brooks, on November 28, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Mary Tierney Hengels on the death of her husband, William Hengels, on November 27, 2016.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to John Power on the death of his wife, Judith Fay, on December 25, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his father, Elmer Bradbury, on April 17.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Keith Bradbury on the death of his wife, Nancy Utter Bradbury ’75, on May 7, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her father, Scott E. Long ’51, on March 4, 2021, and to his grandson, Adam Mayberry ’10.
Illinois College extends its sympathies to Paula Johnson Lemmon on the death of her husband, Loren Lemmon ’76, on March 8, 2018.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Connie Johnson, on Oct. 17, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of Joanne’s mother, Mary Gerry Spatz, on Dec. 18, 2022.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her daughter, Laura, on July 25, 2021. Laura leaves behind IC alumni sister Holly Duvendack Saxer ‘06, aunt Becky Stuart Keithley ’76 and cousin Naomi Watkins Neal ’04.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the loss of his mother, Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson ’52 on February 21, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Frances "Fran" Robinson, on Oct. 14, 2021. Fran and Rix were married for 38 years.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Joan Tholen Lunsmann on the death of her husband, Les Lunsmann, on January 24, 2018.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his brother John M. Williamson ’78, Trustee of Illinois College, on May 13, 2021. Also in our thoughts are his cousins David Robson ’83 and Glen Robson ’84, and his niece Kristin Williamson Bruce ’98.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Heather Harlan on the death of her son Micah Harlan Bacus on February 25, 2019.
Illinois College extends its sympathies to Bob Trimpe on the death of his wife, Lynda Stewart Trimpe ’79, on January 20, 2018.
Illinois College extends is sympathies to Deborah Steirholz Heinrich on the death of her mother, Eula Gerdes Stierholz ’56, on March 8, 2018.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Janice Kurtock Chiaradonna on the death of her husband, Cesare Chiaradonna, on February 1, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to him on the loss of his mother, Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson on February 21, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to them and to Jeremy Beard ’02 on the death of their mother and grandmother, Maxine Beard, on June 12, 2020, and father and grandfather, Gerald Beard, on October 7, 2020.
and Ray Wellman ’78. IIllinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her father, Roy Baker, on January 17, 2021.
are pastors at First Presbyterian Church in Adair, Iowa, and Bob also serves as business manager for Mt. Olive Lutheran School in Des Moines, Iowa.
Suzanne Stone Hembrough is teaching Elementary Methods of Science Teaching as an adjunct professor at St. Louis University, and continues to teach Elementary and Secondary Methods of Science Teaching in the same capacity at Lindenwood University. Suzanne’s career in education spans 38 years.
1980s
In Memoriam
January 16, 2023
November 2, 2020.
October 15, 2021 (Phi Alpha).
March 25, 2022.
(Pi Pi Rho), January 19, 2019
June 16, 2019
July 2, 2019
September 13, 2020.
May 18, 2020 (Alpha Kappa Phi).
September 2, 2018
February 27, 2020.
Pi Pi Rho, February 11, 2020.
September 16, 2022 (Gamma Delta).
March 14, 2022.
August 14, 2019.
April 10, 2019
June 10, 2021 (Gamma Delta).
December 10, 2019.
January 26, 2022.
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his brother, Kevin L. Stafford ’76, on December 18, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of their mother, Marjorie Schnake, on Dec. 23, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Ken Miller on the death of his mother Martha Jane Mercer Miller on April 19, 2019.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother, Lois Schultz, on January 27, 2021, as well as to her daughter-in-law, Rita Mueller Schultz ’80 and grandchildren: Mark N. Schultz ’09 and Andrea Schultz Price ’12.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Dan Langan on the death of his mother, Jeane Langan, on February 10. She was also the mother-in-law of Valerie Velinski Langa ’83, the aunt of Tiffany Carl Flowers ’97 and grandmother of Mitchell Neally ’09.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Dan Langan on the death of his father Tom Langan on August 23, 2019. He was also the father-in-law of Valerie Velinski Langan ’83, the uncle of Tiffany Carl Flowers ’97 and grandfather of Mitchell Neally ’09.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother, Bobbie Rogers.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Beth Horton Hilleke on the death of her father, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the loss of his aunt Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson ’52 on February 21, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of their father, Larry Reid, on Dec. 17, 2021, and to his daughter-in-law, Amy Hildebrand Reid ’86.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the loss of his aunt Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson ’52 on February 21, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Jane Nish McCaffery on the death of her husband, Edward McCaffery, on September 24, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her mother, Jean Berg Simhauser, on January 25, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother, Linda Bauersachs on Dec. 15, 2021, and to her daughter-in-law, Lisa Lonson Bauersachs ’85.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Fr. Geoff Horton on the death of his father, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to David C. Zink on the death of his father, Oscar Charles Zink Jr., on November 20, 2018.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Kathy Blough Taylor on the death of her husband Samuel W. Taylor Sr. '85.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Lori J. Schisler on the death of her mother Helen M. Wise on April 15, 2019.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of their father Bill Zobus ’60 on June 5, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Geoffrey Pruitt on the death of his father, Don Pruitt ’59, on February 2, 2018.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Dr. Sarah Horton on the death of her father, Professor Bill Horton, on September 27, 2017.
Updates
Ann Bishop Prather was appointed a Passavant Area Hospital Foundation trustee for the hospital in Jacksonville, Ill.
Kate Windhorst Woods is a home educating administrator for Lakeland Church in Gurnee, Ill.
was inducted into the Illinois Softball Coaches Association Umpire Hall of Fame in February.
was elected vice chairman for the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Northfield, a charter bank of Merchants Financial Group located in Minnesota.
retired from a 35-year teaching career at the end of May. She most recently worked as a special education teacher at Slater School District in Slater, Missouri.
retired at the end of January 2022.
was honored with the Robert B. Engel Farmer Co-op Manager of the Year award from the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. This award recognizes excellence in the management and leadership of farmer cooperatives.
John Jackson was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on April 7 in Champaign, Ill. The former Plainfield High School-Central Campus head football coach is a 34-year veteran educator and coach. He is currently serving as an assistant coach at Naperville North High School in Naperville, Ill.
has been named principal of Routt Catholic High School in Jacksonville, Illinois.
has announced that he will retire as athletic director at Alton High School effective June 30. He has served AHS in the role for seven years.
Jeff Alderman was awarded the Ray Eliot Award by the Illinois High School Association and the Coaches Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor is reserved for individuals who have shown exemplary efforts to the sport of football through longevity and have earned the utmost respect from the people around them. President Ronald Reagan was recognized with the award named for “Mr. Illini” in 1981.
Peter Simoncelli was appointed general manager at The Ritz-Carlton in Chicago, Ill.
retired as GROWMARK’s chief executive officer in 2022 .
was named the 2020 PRIDE Award recipient during BKD CPAs & Advisors annual leadership conference. The PRIDE Award recognizes individuals who emulate the BKD PRIDE values of passion, respect, integrity, discipline and excellence. Wendy was St. Louis managing partner and retired June 2021.
Janice Sigrist is the superintendent of kindergartens with Vanke, Shanghai DTD Education in Shanghai, China. She is also the founder of Bright Start Academy and an educational consultant with Little Adam technologies. J.C. Wise is the assistant golf coach at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill.
retired in May 2018 after 34 years of teaching.
Cheri Callahan Bustos was a keynote speaker during commencement ceremonies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on May 13. Cheri’s father, the late Gene Callahan ’55, was a past member of the SIU Board of Trustees who received a distinguished service award posthumously.
Justin Grady received a 2017 Jefferson Award for Public Service for his work with the Mattoon Township Park District and volunteerism with the Mattoon Arts Council and many other community groups in Mattoon, Ill.
Dennis Litteken was inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on April 2 in Champaign, Ill. The former Breese Mater Dei head coach is currently the school’s principaland assistant coach.
won re-election in Illinois 17th Congressional District.
retired from teaching special education for 35 years in Plainfield District #202 and moved back to her hometown of Canton in June 2019.
retired in April after overseeing the art department and gallery at University of Arkansas, Little Rock.
retired from the Registrar’s Office at Western Illinois University in June 2019 after 32 years of service.
was named CEO of Xeno Biosciences. He has 35 years of experience in business and as a scientific expert. He previously worked at Abbott Laboratories in drug discovery and development.
Rodney Norris is the new principal at Midwest Central Primary School in Manito, Ill. Previously, he served as high school assistant principal and athletic director for Midwest Central.
Congratulations to Robert Cox whose son was married on June 7, 2019.
Dennis Weger is the chief operating officer for the Bank of Bluffs in Bluffs, Ill.
was appointed vice president, chief operating and chief financial officer/treasurer of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, in October 2020.
was among those honored as CFO of the Year for 2018 by St. Louis Business Journal.
Eric Sheffield is the chair of Western Illinois University’s Department of Educational Studies in Macomb, Ill.
is a budget and legislative analyst for the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado General Assembly in Denver, Colorado. Rick Meidel recently retired from ExxonMobil and joined Crowley Fuels as vice president and general manager, responsible for the performance and day-to-day operations of their Alaska division in Anchorage, Alaska.
Dan Layzell has been named interim president and chief executive officer of the Louisiana State University Foundation. He will continue to serve as LSU’s vice president for finance and administration/chief financial officer during his interim role at the foundation.
has been named vice chancellor of finance and operations at Appalachian State University.
retired Aug. 12, 2022.
Rob Lazarus is an assistant vice president accountable for compliance with registered investment advisor and Employment Retirement Income Security Act laws and rules at Horace Mann Educators in Springfield, Ill.
were recognized with Prairieland United Way’s Helen Baldwin Distinguished Service Award.
Paula Eschelbach Rawlings completed the Florida Xtreme Triathlon, which was three triathlons over the course of three days beginning at the Gulf of Mexico and ending at the Atlantic Ocean.
retired as the captain of Jacksonville Fire Department in June 2018 after working for the city since 1990.
recently joined the Kyle Killebrew Sales Team at The Real Estate Group, Inc. Springfield, Illinois.
Dr. William Schlosser is an adjunct professor on the Oral-Medical Connection at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Ill. He is also on the Sangamon County Medical Society Community Health Committee, a local committee for the Illinois State Dental Society 2018 II Mission of Mercy.
Marcia Short retired from Illinois College as executive director of development and alumni relations after 31 years of service to her alma mater.
Kerry Grubb Cox was named a 2017 Superintendent of Distinction by her colleagues in the Two Rivers Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators. Kerry has been an educator for 30 years, the last four as superintendent in Carrollton, Ill.
was promoted to vice president, accounting operations at RLI Insurance Company.
started a new job as the executive assistant and office manager for the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.
will be installed as president of the Kiwanis Club in Jacksonville in October 2019.
retired January 1, 2020, more than 32 years working for the State of Illinois. She worked for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in Springfield for 31 years, serving 26 years in the budget office.
Steve Schaller was inducted in the Waterloo High School Legacy Society in September. Waterloo (Illinois) High School annually recognizes individuals who honor the legacy of WHS by their service or accomplishments. A nationally recognized speaker on consumer lending and regulatory compliance matters, Stephen is deputy general counsel of Springleaf Financial Services in Cincinnati, Ohio.
received the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame distinguished Ray Eliot Award for his service to high school football in the state on June 19, 2021.
Dave Jacobs was inducted into the High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame during the Illinois Football Coaches Clinic in Champaign, Illinois, in March.
retired from Jersey Unit #100 after 34 years of teaching and 33 years of coaching.
has been appointed as an administrative law judge for the Drug Enforcement Administration in Arlington, Virginia.
Kim Still retired from the Illinois Department of Corrections in Jacksonville, Ill., after 27 years of service.
joined Aeris LLC as CEO.
has accepted a position as an account tech with the Department of Corrections.
is the new executive director for the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation.
Chris Bichsel was recently promoted to the rank of captain for the Quincy Fire Department in Quincy, Ill.
Marriages
January 14, 2017. Norman retired Sergeant First Class from the U. S. Army.
Caryl is the officer manager at Midwest Motors in Eureka, Mo.
1990s
Updates
started a new position as project director at Regional Office of Education 17.
is currently the master of Mahomet Masonic Lodge in Mahomet. Each year the organization awards scholarships to local students and the master usually has the privilege of handing them out. This year’s recipient at Mahomet Seymour High School was Haylie Orton, who plans to attend IC in the fall. Vance felt honored as an alumnus to be part of helping a future IC student start on her own pathway.
Christopher Passmore has been elected to the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. The NCRP was chartered by Congress in 1964 to serve as a nonprofit organization that represents a national resource on topics related to radiation protection and radiation quantities, units and measurements.
Jeffery Hopkins was elected alderman of Ward 1 in Jacksonville, Ill., this spring.
David Pohlman was promoted to logistics manager at Reynolds Consumer Products in Jacksonville, Ill.
began a new leadership role at ERM as Global Co-Lead of Corporate Sustainability and Climate Change services.
Luiz Guimarães is a regional client market leader – chemical sector for North America at Environmental Resources Management in Chicago, Ill.
Luiz Guimarães is a senior partner of North American Operations for the Midwest Business Unit of Environmental Resources Management in Rolling Meadows, Ill.
is the executive director of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
took on the role of regional director of services and innovation at ERM.
was promoted to director at Sikich LLP in Springfield.
Tim Green is the new president of Burrus Brothers and Associated Growers. He previously served as vice president of Burrus Brothers and as part-owner of Burrus Seed Farms Inc. He has more than 26 years of experience developing sales teams and overseeing account and territory management in the seed industry.
Dr. Carol Kilver received one of four international Outstanding Research Awards during the January 2017 Thinking Collaborative Leadership Symposium held in Littleton, Colo. Carol was recognized for her research examining the experiences of preservice teaching during student teaching placement. She completed her doctoral work in education at Western Illinois University in December 2016.
received the industry-respected Certification in Fund Raising Management (CFRM) designation through the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI University.
was promoted to executive director of Development and Alumni Relations at SIU School of Medicine. In this role, she also serves on the executive team at the SIU Foundation-Carbondale.
was named by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to the Illinois Forensic Science Commission. Ward is the chief executive officer of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, where she works with legislators at the state and federal level to improve the policies and resources available to survivors of sexual assault.
Members of the Gamma Delta Literary Society reunited at Tuscan Hills Winery in Effingham, Illinois. They have been college sisters and great friends for 35 years and counting. Pictured left to right are: Teresa Fonke Haake ’91, Gigi Galloway Patterson ’92, Melissa Eversgerd Kuhl ’92, Heather Krell Stephens ’91, Vickie Hemann Kraatz ’91, Kelly Morrow Lavender ’91, and Shannon Gauen Heisler ’92.
is acting as associate dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois-Springfield through August 2021. She became a professor of journalism and media in August 2020.
was recently promoted to Chief Financial Officer-Marketing at Anglo American.
Debbie Rollins contributed historical information about her family and the history of the Greenfield Public Library for the recently published book, “Greene County, Illinois: History and Families.”
was promoted to vice president of infrastructure and engineering at State Farm in December. He has worked for the company for nearly 29 years.
Travis Cox has been appointed the treasurer for Cass County in Virginia, Ill., by the Cass County Board. He has worked in the treasurer’s office since 1995.
was recently promoted to subject matter expert for New York Appeals and Grievances with UnitedHealth Group.
Julie Minch-Dailey is a payroll analyst for the Illinois Teacher’s Retirement System in Springfield, Ill. Her artwork is featured at Keefner’s Restaurant in Springfield.
Jennifer Heaton Buhlig was named president of the board of directors for Senior Services of Central Illinois. Jennifer continues in her position of director of sales and marketing for Springfield Supportive Living.
Amy Wilson, director of the office of inclusion for the National Collegiate Athletic Association, was among the five finalists for the 2017 President’s Award. The impact Amy has made in two years at the NCAA national office earned the respect of her colleagues and admiration of her nominators, placing her among the top five finalists for the coveted award.
was named vice president of professional development for Illinois Realtors. He oversees professional development programs for the statewide association’s more than 50,000 members.
was sworn in to an at-large Circuit Judge in an agreement with a Seventh Judicial Circuit by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman on January 7, which allows her to hear cases in Sangamon, Morgan, Scott, Greene, Macoupin and Jersey counties.
won re-election for Circuit Court Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit.
has moved to a new position as financial litigation and bankruptcy program specialist staying with the Illinois Department of Justice. The move comes as her husband, John Milhiser, begins his new role as U.S. attorney for the Central District of Justice.
is the new database administrator for university advancement at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
now works at Microsoft as a senior cloud solutions architect. He previously spent 27 years working at Karmak, Inc. and recently earned the certification as a Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
Anne Credi Sumpter is a strategic business partner for the Center for Creative leadership in Greensboro, N.C.
works for realtruck.com as a category merchandiser.
recently celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary with James ‘JR’ Brooks. The couple has two daughters, and they own a business together.
Bill Stephens works in the legal department at Stewart Title Insurance Company as a legal assistant in Addison, Ill.
was hired in August of 2019 to work for the Liberty Mutual legal department’s Miami office. He still resides in Illinois.
Dr. Chris Becker graduated in May with his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Chris conducted a mixed-methods study of teacher perceptions of learning communities at Highland High School in Highland, Ill., where he is the associate principal.
Dalitso Sulamoyo has been named chief executive officer of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission in Urbana, Ill. Previously, Dalitso was the president and CEO of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies.
Champaign County Regional Planning Commission chief executive officer, has been elected as new chair of the National Community Action Partnership (NCAP), the largest anti-poverty network in the country. The partnership is a national, nonprofit membership organization that provides technical assistance, training and other resources to over 1,000 community action agencies around the country like the regional planning commission, as well as nonprofit and public groups funded by the Community Services Block Grant.
Alice Grady is currently in her 20th year of employment on the Spirit of Peoria and her 10th year as captain of the riverboat.
Paul Johnes is the new baseball coach for Father McGivney Catholic High School in Glen Carbon, Ill.
retired from the US Army after 24 years of service and now resides in O’Fallon, Illinois. He is employed at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in St. Louis, Missouri.
Jim Lale is a secondary education teacher at Bloom Township School District 206 in Chicago Heights, Ill., where he also serves as assistant football coach. He is a trustee on the District 206 Education Foundation and is a member of the district’s finance committee.
Amy Hull Logsdon was appointed president of the National Bank of Petersburg by the Board of Directors of NBP Financial Services. She joined the bank located in Petersburg, Ill., in 1996 and most recently served as vice president of bank operations and cashier.
Erin Shoemaker FitzPatrick is an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Dr. Chris Becker has been named the next principal of Highland High School in Highland, Ill. Currently the assistant principal at Highland, Chris will begin in his new role at the conclusion of the academic year.
Adam Mefford was appointed police chief for the city of Jacksonville, Ill.
Carrie Jo Henry Donnan surpassed a career milestone of 300 victories in her 15th year of coaching high school volleyball. Carrie Jo has been the head volleyball coach at PORTA Petersburg/A.C. Central for five years, following 10 years at A.C. Central prior to the merger.
accepted a position as the director of recreation in June 2019 for the Oswegoland Park District in Oswego, Illinois. He was also appointed in May 2019 to serve a two year term on the village board in Montgomery, Illinois.
is senior auditor at BJC Healthcare in St. Louis, Missouri.
Jeremy Wright is a senior internal auditor at Movement Mortgage in Indian Land, S.C.
Eric Mandell is creating a video game along the lines of “CSI” and designing the curriculum around it for a physics class he teaches, thanks to a National Science Foundation grant intended to introduce new ways of thinking about STEM pedagogy. Eric teaches in the department of physics and astronomy at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.
started a new job as the director of the learning resource center and campus engagement for the SIUE East St. Louis Higher Education Campus.
Darin Gehrke is executive vice president and community president of Town and Country Bank in Jacksonville, Ill.
published her first children's book, "Herbert the Edgy Hedgie," with co-author Tara Elmore.
recently celebrated 15 years of service at Hanson Professional Services Inc., where she is currently the natural resources discipline manager. She joined the firm in 2006.
Julie Bodam Macartney was promoted to director of business operations and strategy at CARE USA in Atlanta, Ga. In her new role, Julie will drive strategic operational alignment across organizational functions and teams in support of optimizing performance of country and regional teams.
received a master’s degree in human service with a concentration in child and family from the University of Illinois Springfield and she was promoted to assistant regional manager for the Springfield and St. Clair Regional Office for Division of Specialized Care for Children in May 2019.
became senior vice-president of market lead ventral and southern Illinois for SomerCor.
Kristin Van Aken Jamison is co-owner of Jamison’s Future Swings in Jacksonville, Ill. The baseball and softball academy provides education for youth learning the foundations of baseball and softball, as well as further instruction for those playing competitively in high school and college.
has been promoted to the role of strategic market director of regional and government accounts at Johnson & Johnson.
obtained a new certification for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) from American Heart Association.
Charlie White is senior vice president at Illinois Business Financial Services in Springfield, Ill.
was elected to chair of the board of directors for the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture, an organization in Chicago that has provided student teaching and internship opportunities to Illinois College students for many years.
began a new position in January as vice president of marketing and communications for the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation.
won re-election for Morgan County State's Attorney.
Brian Bruce is a captain for Emirates airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tim Keefe is the new principal at Charleston Middle School in Charleston, Ill. Tim was formerly the assistant principal at Charleston High School.
Jim Slaid began a new position as principal of Korea International School’s Middle School in Seoul, South Korea, in August.
was named the head girls’ softball coach at Jacksonville High School.
Births
recently adopted Kurtus, 7, and Lily, 4. They join big sisters Abby, 19, and Aimee, 18.
a son, Henry, November 4, 2016.
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Delbert Force, on Dec. 31, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her father, Jim Nurss, on April 30.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Julie Henry on the death of her mother Ferol Henry on February 3, 2019.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Lori Burrus Greene on the death of her father, Tom Burrus ’71, on October 28, 2017.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Melissa Martin Medford on the death of her father, Donald Martin, on February 8, 2018.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her husband, Ronald A. Pierce, and her father, Robert W. Lucassen, in March 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to them and to Kathleen Peters Cross ’81 on the death of their sister and cousin, Nancy Peters Flach ’95, on June 24, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother, Trudi Rammelkamp, on April 13, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the loss of her grandmother Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson ’52 on February 21, 2020.
and Nichol Eyman DelGiorno ’99. Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of Tony's father, Joseph DelGiorno, on January 28, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her father, Dr. James Reid, on Jan. 10, 2022, and to his son-in-law, Jeremy Lansaw ’99.
In Memoriam
October 3, 2020.
November 15, 2017
May 12, 2022 (Chi Beta).
February 17, 2022
June 12, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
August 5, 2020.
March 27, 2021.
March 13, 2018
March 2, 2017
July 3, 2019
January 6, 2023
May 6, 2017
June 24, 2020.
March 26, 2017
March 4, 2019
August 8, 2018
March 2, 2022 (Gamma Delta).
Marriages
and Jay Carriger on August 8, 2020, in Franklin, Illinois.
and Robert Miller on July 28, 2020, in Missouri.
and Amy Kim on September 18, 2020.
January 14, 2019.
September 22, 2018, in Monument, Colorado. Pictured with Jerry Flynn ’70, Luana Meinders Flynn ’71 and Grant Flynn ’22. The couple resides in Springfield, Illinois, where Jeremy serves as chief of staff for the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Jessica is the associate director of residential life at Illinois College.
Dani Morgan Heeter is an instructor in outreach at Miami Valley Career Technology Center in Englewood, Ohio. Dani provides outreach within the adult education Aspire program to community partners.
was promoted to the rank of Captain on the Auburn Fire and Rescue Department.
2000s
Updates
Adam Edlen is a broker representative – global marine practice for Marsh in St. Louis, Mo.
started a new position as development database manager at Mary Institute and St. Louis County Day School.
Missy Olinger Block was recently promoted to manager of the Management, Research and Analysis Unit at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Office of the Inspector General.
earned his Doctor of Public Administration degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield in July 2019. He is a revenue auditor for the Illinois Department of Revenue.
performed stand-up comedy in Jacksonville in September in a show produced by Belly Laffs Comedy. He was joined by comedians from the region including St. Louis, Chicago, Springfield and Peoria.
Angie Kuebrich Noble was a top ten finalist for the Illinois State Board of Education’s 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year competition. Angie is a third-grade teacher at Jerseyville East Elementary School in Jerseyville, Ill.
Christina Cook is a database administrator for the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis, Mo.
is now director of philanthropy with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in St. Louis, Missouri.
has been promoted to associate vice president of enrollment management at Illinois College.
was appointed to the Illinois Forensic Science Commission by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Nicholas Cray is vice president of marketing for AmeriCu Credit Union in Rome, N.Y.
Tim Chipman was named Assistant Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association. He is currently in his third year as assistant principal at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Ill.
Amanda Williams is a litigation attorney defending corporate clients at Clayborne, Sabo & Wagner LLP in Belleville, Ill.
Dan Wright was named first assistant state’s attorney in Sangamon County, Ill.
was named a 2021 Molly K. Arnold President’s Service Recognition Award winner by the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC). This award recognizes members with more than five years’ service who have provided strong and consistent leadership to IACAC.
Christy Heaton recently earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of New Orleans. Her dissertation examined the lived experiences of transgender college students at institutions in the south. Christy is the director of first-year experiences at the University of Colorado in Denver, Colo.
won a four-year term as Sangamon County State’s Attorney.
was appointed Sangamon County State’s Attorney on October 30, 2018, and will run for election in November 2020.
Tim Tyrrell is the director of software engineering for Mediavine. He works remotely from his home office in Louisville, Colo.
has served as the director of alumni relations and continuing education at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry since 2018.
will be principal of Litchfield High School following this school year. She is currently the principal of Pana Junior High School.
has been promoted to director of brand marketing for kid’s portfolio (Pebbles & Honeycomb) at Post Consumer Brands.
is practicing immigration law at the award-winning non-profit Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. She previously spent a decade working in government law in St. Louis.
was promoted to vice president of administration at Milner Media, where she oversees radio stations WVLI, WFAV, WIVR and WYUR.
had his final day as executive director of the Millennium Park Foundation. He is going to the Dallas, Texas, area to serve as the executive director of Frisco Hall Park Foundation at the Communities Foundation of Texas.
Tony Evans is a chemist and forensic examiner for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Quantico, Va.
is a licensed clinical social worker working as a psychotherapist in private practice in Normal, Illinois.
Ike Howe has been named an associate with Benton & Associates Inc. He serves as project engineer/project manager at the firm located in Jacksonville, Ill.
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.
has been named the new football coach at Sacred Heart-Griffin in Springfield.
Ryan Alwood was honored as one of Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in February. He is a senior vice president at PNC Bank and resides in Milwaukee, Wis.
was selected as a recipient for the 2020 Provost’s Awards for Faculty Excellence at the University of Alabama at Birmington where he is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology.
professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Psychology, is part of a group that has been awarded $21 million from the National Institute of Health HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative to establish a new national center aimed at disseminating accurate information about the opioid crisis to the public.
Josh Evans was recently promoted to chief executive officer of the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.
was selected as a 2018-19 President’s Executive Leadership Program Fellow, a professional development program meant to strengthen leadership among the three universities that comprise the University of Illinois System. Dochterman was among a limited number of individuals chosen for the program from a competitive pool of 60 nominations. He is visiting assistant vice chancellor for student engagement for the University of Illinois Springfield.
received her fifth National Achiever Award in Wealth Management at JPMorgan Chase for being in the top 5% of producers in private banking across the company.
Kelly Payne was promoted to associate professor of English at Olney Central College in Olney, Illinois.
Mark Dochterman is the visiting assistant vice chancellor for student engagement at University of Illinois Springfield.
Angela Ryckman Schubert received a promotion to Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Program Director for Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo.
is the director of technology at Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing.
Dr. John Hulsen completed his residency in plastic surgery at Ohio State University in June. He began his fellowship in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery at Harvard Medical School in July.
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.
Natalie Blake Prince is an agricultural program specialist in the conservation and environmental programs division at U.S.D.A. Farm Service Agency in Springfield, Ill.
received the 69th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Air Force-Level Award. He was recognized in the basic science category for his research in next-generation electronic propulsion systems. The Flemming award honors outstanding federal employers who have made a significant and extraordinary contribution to the federal government.
was promoted to director of athletics at Fontbonne University.
is a third grade teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School in Keokuk, Iowa.
Tony Shiffman is the new varsity football coach at Fort Madison High School in Fort Madison, Iowa.
was recently hired as a high school special education teacher in Knoxville, Illinois.
Michael Bendorf has been promoted to the position of associate director of enrollment technology at Illinois College.
Greg Butterfield was recognized by Mother’s Against Drunk Driving as a MADD Hero at a ceremony in Springfield, Ill., last September. Awarded to the top 25 law enforcement officers throughout Illinois, this is the fifth time the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office deputy has received the award that recognizes efforts to eliminate drunken driving and help to fight drugged driving, efforts in victim support and efforts to prevent underage drinking.
had a second book published, "Woke, Banned, Censored & Canceled." It's a compilation of research, news stories, articles and commentary on the "war on everything" in culture.
Adam Dean was promoted to superintendent of Triopia School district starting July 1, 2019.
Jenny Brown Krell was promoted to vice president of Hickory Point Bank. She will oversee the training and development of the banking staff for all Hickory Point Bank locations throughout Central Illinois. She will also continue to oversee the daily operations of the Springfield, Illinois branch located at the corner of Wabash and Koke Mill Road.
started a new job with Summit Agriculture Group in March 2019.
has accepted a position as an ag loan administrator with Green Belt Bank & Trust in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
had his feature length documentary and sequel mockumentary, “The Giant Steel Wall” and “The Giant Steel Wall 2: The Sequel” approved to launch on Amazon Prime. He also just signed a literary agreement with a literary manager in Hollywood to get his first feature length screenplay made into a movie.
is the Controller, North America General Accounting and Close at Archer Daniels Midland.
Samantha Bentley is an independent sales support team leader and underwriter for Diversified Crop Insurance Services in Jacksonville, Ill.
was promoted to director of divisional technology and operations for the division of external relations at Illinois College.
Mandi Scott Chukin is a buyer for Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville, Ill.
had his first comedy book, “How to be a Miserable Failure: The Complete Guide for Destroying Your Life,” published in December 2020 .
has been named the new head basketball coach at Alton High School.
received the Silver Dome Award for Personality of the Year for medium-sized markets from the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Blake hosts the "DBR Morning Show with DJ Blake" for WDBR-FM in Springfield.
is vice president of sales and marketing at the ATB Technologies in Chesterfield, Missouri. Courtney Traub is a merchandise planner at ModCloth.
Jessica Ballenger works for Safeco as their quality assurance manager in Seattle, Wash.
owners of Worrell Land Services, recently celebrated the 25th Anniversary of their business.
Lawrence Spasojevich is assistant general counsel in New York City’s Office of Labor Relations in New York, N.Y.
was appointed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in August to serve on the Civil Service Commission. She is currently executive director of human resources at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
was promoted to associate department head for the Department of Population Health Nursing Science at University of Illinois Chicago.
Rebecca Vortman has been promoted as the manager of perioperative education at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Ill. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in nursing administration through the University of Illinois at Chicago. She plans to graduate this December.
was elected to serve on the AORN Board.
was recently named one of the “100 St. Louisans to Know to Succeed in Business” by Small Business Monthly. He also joined the board of directors at University City Children's Center.
was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education Award.
Matt Marcum is an environmental loan project manager with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Amy Parnell Hozian earned a doctorate in business administration with a specialization in management information systems from North Central University in May 2017. She is a senior systems analyst with Memorial Health System in Springfield, Ill.
Kate Russell has been promoted to senior production assistant, wholesale property at Ironshore Insurance Services LLC in St. Louis, Mo.
Reg Gabriel is president of the recently purchased Central Illinois Coatings in Decatur, Illinois.
Tiffaney Rains is the new Quincy High School head volleyball coach. A behavioral health therapist with Quincy Medical Group, she served as assistant volleyball coach at QHS from 2009 to 2013.
Jared Lively is a business development analyst for Archer Daniels Midland in Minneapolis, Minn.
launched a new interior design website at margaretofyork.com. The site features York’s design portfolio from her several years working professionally in the field and a blog. Visitors can also shop a collection of her favorite pieces.
Tara Davis-Augspurger teaches Spanish at Illinois State University and completed her Ph.D. coursework in higher education administration in December 2018.
Alicia Allen Maloy is an infrastructure analyst for the Public Utility Commission of Texas in Austin, Texas.
was named partner at Young Law Partners, P.C., a family law firm in Springfield.
is an office medical specialist in the Psychology Clinic at Western Illinois University.
Daniel Sauerwein is a reference specialist in the North Dakota State Archives in Bismarck, N.D.
is exhibitions and collections manager at Elmhurst Art Museum.
earned her Master of Arts in Education from McKendree University in December 2018. She is currently employed as an elementary physical education teacher at C.A. Henning Elementary School in Troy.
earned a Doctorate of Educational Leadership in May 2022. Her dissertation was titled, “Pre-K and Kindergarten Teachers Perceptions of Kindergarten Readiness.”
Donathan Brown is director of faculty diversity and development at Ithaca College’s School of Humanities and Sciences in Ithaca, N.Y.
Leah Borrowman Wombacher is a seed service advisor supporting the Stone Seed brand at Monsanto in St. Louis, Mo.
has served as campus minister for The Crossing Monmouth church since October 2019.
was ordained into full-time ministry on July 11, 2021. He has served as the campus pastor for The Crossing in Monmouth since September of 2018.
Dr. Ashley Kort Morhardt is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She uses an array of techniques to investigate the function and evolution of craniofacial anatomy in dinosaurs and their extant relatives. Ashley earned a Master of Science degree in biology from Western Illinois University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Ohio University.
is working as an assistant professor of anatomy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
has been elected as the mayor of Mt. Zion, Illinois.
is a social studies teacher for the Excel Center through MERS Goodwill.
is the associate athletic director at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri, as of June 2019.
is vice president at family business Perma-Bound Books in South Jacksonville. She has been married since 2009 and has four children.
is office manager for the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.
was named CEO of ADDMAN Engineering earlier this month. Based in St. Louis, the company supports manufactured products and manufacturing services. Joseph graduated Illinois College with honors in physics and was awarded the George W. Horton, Sr. Prize in Physics.
Peter Jennings is the new offensive coordinator for Rhodes College football in Memphis, Tenn.
accepted a new position as a federal on-scene coordinator for the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
John and Rachel Smith Rohn purchased the former Northridge Hills Golf Course in Jacksonville, Ill., in March. The renovated course and clubhouse re-opened this spring as K’s Creek Golf Club and Wine Bar.
Britta Thornton is a solo attorney providing low bono and legalistic representation to low-income clients in the areas of family law, landlord-tenant and housing law, municipal defense and small claims appeals. She is also an adjunct professor of English at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Mo.
was promoted to partner-elect at Crowe LLP: Accounting, Consulting, & Technology.
is a commercial lines underwriter for Auto-Owners Insurance in Montgomery, Alabama.
started a new teaching position at Lincoln Community High School. She is also currently working toward her Certified Lay Speaker License in the United Methodist Church and often speaks as a guest speaker in churches in central Illinois.
has been named principal of Triopia High School beginning July 1, 2019.
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.
started a new position as a senior staff accountant at Caterpillar.
Lacey Howe Remington received a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Illinois University in Macomb.
recently got a new job at Great Rivers Bank as the Controller.
was promoted to strategy director at Sparks & Honey.
Stephanie Smith Warren is teaching fourth grade at Carrollton CUSD #1 in Carrollton, Ill.
Mallory Thuente Bendorf offered a 10-week art and sensory class for young children and their parents this spring titled “Miss Mallory’s Art and Sensory Class.” The class, which was based in Jacksonville, Ill., allowed children to explore and discover various materials.
Sarah Brewster is a database and communications manager for Austin Waldorf School in Austin, Texas.
Dr. Julia Ossler is an assistant professor of science at Lincoln College in Lincoln, Ill.
recently became the chief of security for City Water, Light & Power. He served the Springfield Police Dept for seven years.
Luke Scroggins is a staff accountant for Zumbahlen, Eyth, Surratt, Foote & Flynn Ltd. in Jacksonville, Ill.
joined Family Service Center as the director of finance in August 2022.
Katie Lewis is the store manager for Famous Footwear in Jacksonville, Ill.
was promoted to accounting manager at ADM.
started as an account manager with Electric Power Engineers.
successfully defended his Ph.D. at the Chicago Botanic Garden in May. The committee commented on the quality and significance of his research findings, a majority of which was conducted on Ghost Orchids in the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.
graduated from University of Indiana Kelly Online Business School in May.
Lauren Dwyer is a sales and marketing assistant at Bound to Stay Bound Books in Jacksonville, Ill. Sarah Hicks earned a master’s degree in sociology from Lindenwood University this May.
is a guidance counselor at Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Illinois.
Ryne Fiorito was named Young Engineer of the Year by the Capital Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers. Ryne is a civil engineer at Hanson Professional Services Inc. in Springfield, Ill.
Justin Stewart is a client relationship manager for Market Track LLC in Chicago, Ill.
Wes Joseph is an associate insurance broker at AmWINS Group in Chicago, Ill.
Aaron Taft is a commercial manager for Archer Daniels Midland in Quincy, Ill.
Laura Masko Worsell earned a Master of Advanced Study degree in American media and popular culture from Arizona State University.
In Memoriam
February 27, 2017
March 30, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
May 10, 2022.
January 6, 2019
February 11, 2017
May 15, 2017
August 15, 2019
Births
a son, Jacob Andrew, October 3, 2016.
welcomed their first child, Charlotte Anne Maurer, on November 21, 2020.
and her husband, Matthew, welcomed a son, Matthew John Manicke Jr., on Aug. 29, 2021.
Kobe M. December 12, 2019.
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother, Mary Jo Releford Zumstein ’65, on December 15, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of her father, John G. Langdon ’76, on December 19, 2020, and to his brother, Greg Langdon ’80.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother, Peggy Ryder, on Sept. 16, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother, Diane Moore Tenhouse ’78, on December 2, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his mother Susan Calmese on Nov. 17, 2022. The Susan L. Calmese Memorial Scholarship Fund has been created in her honor.
Illinois College extends its sympathies to Megan Trimpe Whitaker on the death of her mother, Lynda Stewart Trimpe ’79, on January 20, 2018.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his father, James “Jimmy” Waltrip ’78 on Aug. 4, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to Chris Rourke on the death of his grandmother Lenore Rourke on February 23.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his great uncle, Lester “Joe” Harrell ’57, on December 29, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to him on the death of his father, George Douglas Foster ’71, on September 10, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to them on the death of their mother, Tracy Wallbaum Orr ’83, on September 13, 2020.
Marriages
February 2, 2020.
and Jamie Boudewyn, July 23, 2022.
April 11, 2019.
November 3, 2018.
February 10, 2018. Jason is a teacher for Kenosha Unified School District, and Darcy is an initial assessment worker for Racine County Human Services. They live in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
and Lauren Eurales on October 24, 2020.
and Josh Cox at Morton Arboretum in Lisle on March 27, 2021.
April 28, 2017. Jeremy is a forensic toxicologist at the Great Lakes Naval Base and Allison is a quality analyst for Avalign: German Specialty Instruments in Schaumburg, Ill.
September 1, 2018. Matthew is self employed as a CPA and Sarah is employed by Accenture.
August 26, 2017. Amber is currently self employed as a digital marketing consultant.
is principal of Keokuk High School in Keokuk, Iowa.
Jamie Huber-Ward has accepted a position as the associate director of extension services for the National Center for Women and Information Technology.
2010s
Marriages
and Mark Hoffman on August 22, 2020, in Quincy, Illinois.
October 15, 2016. David is a client solutions executive for AT&T small business solutions in Champaign, Ill.
and Arend Hinrichs on August 8, 2020.
October 28, 2017. John is an environmental inspector for St. Louis County and Annamarie is a first-year resident of internal medicine at Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
July 14, 2018. Dan is a teacher and Lisa is a school counselor for Nokomis school district. They reside in Nokomis, Illinois.
May 21, 2017. Alyssa is a doctoral candidate at Baylor University in Waco and Joe is an attorney at Carlson Law Firm in Killeen, Texas.
July 1, 2016. Nicole is a senior material handling associate for General Dynamic Mission Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz.
December 15, 2018. Megan finished her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis in 2018 and is an account executive for Spectrum Scientific Communications. Aaron is a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150
August 5, 2017.
and Adenike Adeleke, May 17, 2021.
July 30, 2016. Amanda teaches first grade at Our Saviour School in Jacksonville, Ill.
and Aaron Merriman on August 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Illinois.
on October 2, 2020.
July 2021.
Births
a girl, Ruth Mae, May 2, 2016.
a son, Vincenzo Michael, October 7, 2016
a daughter, Abigail Iliana, December 2, 2019.
and Timothy Lo welcomed twin boys, Henry and Oliver, in December 2020.
and Rolando Velazquez welcomed their first child, Rosa Marie, on February 9, 2021.
a son, Sutter, June 6, 2019.
and Adenike Adeleke welcomed a son on Dec. 23, 2021.
a son, Owen Carter, June 19, 2019.
and wife, Kailynn, welcomed a son, Aspen Beau, on April 16, 2020.
Updates
joined Presbyterian Medical Services as a licensed professional clinical counselor in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
has been promoted to district director for community and specialty pharmacy at AmerisourceBergen.
Bill Murphy is teaching eighth grade social studies at Old Quarry Middle School in Lemont, Ill.
Joseph Calmese is vice president at Mark Andy Inc. in St. Louis, Mo.
received the Joseph M. Dagnese Memorial Award for Excellence in Service to the Libraries at Purdue University.
married Alan Grant Wilson, Jr. on November 13, 2021, in Barry, Illinois. She works as a Certified Child Life Specialist at MercyOne Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
Andrew Perkins is deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs in the State of Illinois Governor’s Office of Management and Budget.
Denise Pachlhofer Klemm is a behavioral health consultant for Memorial Physicians Services in Springfield, Ill. Denise became a licensed clinical social worker in December.
was recently named head of visual content at The Players' Tribune. She has been with the company for nearly six years and was previously deputy visual director.
J.J. Sadler is the associate director of the Office of the Undergraduate Research at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
Megan Kruse is the new principal at PORTA Jr. High School in Petersburg, Ill.
Ashley Johns earned a master’s degree in global sustainability from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo. She is currently an administrative assistant for the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
completed postdoctoral training to receive his diploma from the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. He is currently an assistant professor of allied health at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
started with Alpha Controls on January 2, 2019.
joined the board of education for the city of Chicago as assistant general counsel in the federal litigation unit.
Kaitlin Salisbury is a third-year law student at Loyola University Chicago. She is a law clerk at Daley and Georges in Chicago.
was promoted to quality and environmental systems specialist for U.S. Paint in June 2019.
Jared Thoele was named Young Engineer of the Year by the Capital Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers in February. Jared recognized with the award based on his engineering achievements; professional and technical society activities; civic, humanitarian and social activities; and continuing professional competence. He is a structural engineer at Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Springfield, Ill., headquarters.
Daniel Hackett began a new position as demand analyst at H.D. Smith in Springfield, Ill.
started a new position as a career development coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in January.
Kate VonDeBur earned a juris doctorate from Valparaiso University in May 2017. She began working at the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office as an assistant state’s attorney in October 2017.
Luke McQuillan voiced a character and sang in an episode of Cartoon Network’s “The Amazing World of Gumball” in January.
Julie Harding Dargatz is Sensi project lead at Emerson Climate Technologies in St. Louis, Mo.
Amanda Savage Stewart is a human resources personnel assistant III for DynCorp International LLC in Melbourne, Fla.
has been elected to be the 91st president of the Illinois Jaycees.
passed the Certified Technology Specialist exam with AVIXA.
Terry Grant is the branch and regional manager of Prairie State Bank and Trust in Jacksonville, Ill.
Jennifer Yeoward is enrolled full-time in the doctorate program in counseling and psychology at the University of Memphis.
obtained a new professional certification, SHRM-CP.
began working as a therapist at SIU School of Medicine in the Department of Development and Behavioral Pediatrics in August 2018. She previously spent five years as a therapist at Memorial Behavioral Health.
has been named the new executive director of Downtown Springfield, Inc.
was elected programming vice president of the Illinois Jaycees for 2020.
has been promoted to manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Amber Furness is a land protection specialist for Tax Credit Connection in Longmont, Colo.
Mathilda Edge placed third at the Central Region Finals of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions held at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston last November. The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music student will perform in the Schwabacher Summer Concert in the title role in Massenet’s “Thaïs” at the Merola Opera Program this summer in San Francisco, Calif.
started as a pediatric clinic nurse in November 2019.
graduated from pediatric hematology and oncology fellowship from Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis Children’s Hospital with a master’s degree in clinical investigation in June 2021. She started as a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in August 2021.
is celebrating four years at Downtown Springfield, Inc.
Eric Hiatt is a resource and policy analyst in the Office of Planning and Budget at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
Katie O’Brien is the school support manager at Easterseals Academy in Rockford, Ill.
began a year-long internship at Indiana University in July, after which she will earn her Ph.D. in counseling psychology.
Christopher Waters is a field chemist for Heritage Environmental Services in Wood River, Ill.
Amber Armstrong Kleckler is a pediatric ICU nurse at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.
Clare Zimmerman has accepted a pediatrics fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Clare will begin her fellowship focusing on pediatric hemotology and oncology in July.
John Zimmerman is employed by the City of Springfield as corporate counsel and legal advisor to the Springfield Police Department.
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.
Darcy Holloway O’Connor was recently recognized as 2018 Educator of the Year in the Classroom Teacher category by Illinois Computing Educators. The award is designed to honor ICE members from throughout the state of Illinois who are exemplary educators and leaders at the school or district level, and who have made significant contributions leading to the integration of technology into the educational process. Darcy is a fourth-grade teacher at New Holland-Middletown Elementary School in Middletown, Ill.
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.
began a Ph.D. program in nuclear engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
is assistant director of academic advising for biological sciences at DePaul University in Chicago as of May. She hosted a webinar panel discussion in May sponsored by the National Academic Advising Association, entitled “Maximizing our Minimal Time: Perspectives and Successes with Advisor Collaboration.” She was recently asked to serve as Common Reading Chair on the Conference Planning Committee for the 2020 NACADA Region 5 Conference in Milwaukee and selected as a presenter at the 2019 Illinois Academic Advising Association Drive-In Conference.
started a new position as senior performance assurance specialist at Argonne National Laboratory.
has been promoted to associate financial representative at Northwestern Mutual.
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.
has been named the new IPHA AmeriCorps director.
was elected as the 2018-2020 chair of the Small Colleges & Universities Advising Community within the National Academic Advising Association. She also serves as the vice president and webmaster of the Merrill’s Marauders Proud Descendants Association honoring WWII veterans.
started a new position as people partner at connectRN.
graduated from the University of Florida with her Ph.D. in entomology and nematology. She is currently employed as a teaching assistant at the University of Florida and plans to pursue a professor position
is lead developer for the 2020 Census Race and Ethnic Diversity dissemination tool.
graduated from University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and is a veterinarian at the Danville Small Animal Clinic in Tilton, Illinois.
Megan Jagodzinski-Joergens received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Ind. Megan is an outpatient mental health therapist for the Lawrence County Health Department-Behavior Health in Lawrenceville, Ind., and is studying to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
started a new position as associate director, Smith Career Center, career advisor for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Bradley University.
has accepted the role of assistant director of admission for Saint Louis University School of Law.
Brendan Kimble is a manufacturing/process engineer at Brady in the Buffalo/Niagra area of New York.
Cory Washington will complete a master’s degree in college student personnel administration in the summer of 2018 from Illinois State University.
Carmen Kremitzki is assistant director of the Smith Career Center at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. She primarily works as a career advisor for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Ryan Blesse is a marketing compliance specialist at COUNTRY Financial in Bloomington, Ill.
won the MWACE Diversity Advancement Founders Award for her advocacy and work for first generation students at Bradley University.
Nicole Rush Lama is a senior material handling associate for General Dynamics Mission Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz.
wrapped up his professional certificate in Google Project Management.
Lakyn Richard is assistant director of admission and systems coordinator in the Illinois College Office of Admission.
started a new position as dean of enrollment management at City Colleges of Chicago, Kennedy-King College.
Cory Washington is a financial aid specialist at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill.
Willie Barefield is an admission counselor at DePaul University in Chicago, Ill.
recently became a licensed clinical social worker, one of the highest licensure for social workers. She completed three years at the Lawrence County Health Department and one year as a mental health professional at the Illinois Department of Corrections as a mental health professional.
started a new position as consulting analyst at Huron.
Ross Barker is an agronomy account manager for Landmark Services Cooperative headquartered in Cottage IC mentors serve as reference for ethical legal practice Grove, Wis. Ross will maintain a territory near Evansville and Juda, Wis., and Warren, Ill., where he will sell, order and deliver seed, fertilizer, crop protection and other services.
was promoted to instructor at Saint Louis University.
became a licensed customs broker in January of 2021. He is an import broker with STIHL USA in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
started a new position as project manager on the Brand and Content Management Team at Country Financial.
started a new position as district director of enrollment planning and external partnerships at City Colleges of Chicago.
is a retail banker at Woodforest National Bank in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Ross Barker is the branch manager for Insight FS in Brodhead, Wis.
Spencer Campbell was promoted to commercial lender with Prairie State Bank & Trust in Champaign, Ill.
was promoted to senior researcher at Impact Justice.
began a new position as IA scientist at Dallas Tissue Research.
Spencer Campbell is a loan officer at FCB Banks in the metro East St. Louis, Ill., area.
Madeline Ericson is the director of marketing for Llywelyn’s Pub in St. Louis, Mo.
graduated from Pittsburg State University in May with a master’s degree in human resource development.
began a new role as life/health underwriter for State Farm.
Logan Giesing works full time as a shift manager at Starbucks while assistant directing a dinner theatre group and performing at Comedy City Sports Improv in Kansas City, Mo.
has been named the Pana Community Hospital Foundation’s executive director.
began a new position as director of development at Central Illinois Foodbank.
is a senior account executive at VMLY&R Commerce.
has been promoted to Director at Michael Page Chicago. This is his seventh promotion in six years at the company.
transitioned into a new role as director of North America after six years with Arrow Electronics.
Spencer Campbell is an associate district sales manager at Dot Foods in Chesterfield, Mo.
recently completed the Young African Leaders Initiative through the United States Department of State. The program aims to invest in the next generation of African leaders and is sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development, Mastercard Foundation and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
started a new position as account supervisor at Laughlin Constable.
after completing the Nigerian Law School program, has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She has also joined the well-respected and award-winning firm of Banwo & Ighodalo as an associate in the corporate, securities and finance group.
Allie Little Lewis is a training and communication coordinator for H. D. Smith in Springfield, Ill.
has been promoted to director of consumer
started a new position as director of corporate ticket sales at Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
started a new position as agency success manager at Branch insurance.
is the director of basketball operations for UNC Asheville Women's Basketball.
started a new position as senior manager for health plan PBM underwriting and pricing strategy at CVS Health.
Josephine Oshiafi is a law clerk at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP in New York, N.Y.
started a new position as manager of account management with Roundel Media, re-imagined by Target.
graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and was successfully admitted to the Bar of Minnesota.
Taylor Molandro is a regional marketing manager for Strategic FUSE in Chicago, Ill.
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.
was promoted to financial advisor, PBM underwriting and pricing strategy at CVS Health.
started a new position as first-gen program specialist at Georgia Southern University.
was promoted to K-12 college and career manager at Fort Wayne Community Schools.
started a new position as director for FS Agronomy at GROWMARK.
was appointed the new head football coach at New Berlin.
embarked on a journey to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
started a new position as staff accountant at National Mortgage Insurance Corporation, also called National MI.
started a new position as a system analyst at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Ryan Flynn has been selected a Trinity Fellow at Marquette College in Milwaukee, Wis., where he will major in public service with a specialization in nonprofit administration. The Trinity Fellows Program is a graduate public fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice.
was promoted to part owner at Brynolf Manufacturing, Inc.
accepted an adjunct faculty position at Daytona State College with the School of Nursing (ASN Program).
Sarah Adcock is enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program at the Sam Fox School at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
Allen Miggins is a student affairs specialist at Harrison College in Fort Wayne, Ind.
started a new position as Staff Accountant at National Mortgage Insurance Corporation.
Megan Kuchar earned a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in business process management from the University of Illinois Springfield in May 2017. She is a principal consultant with the Illinois State Board of Education in Springfield, Ill.
Renee Price is a behavioral health technician at Wexford Health Sources in Springfield, Ill.
started a new position as outpatient nursing supervisor at Amita Health Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital.
accepted a clinical nurse position at Central Dupage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois, and recently earned her psychiatric and mental health nursing board certification.
is now staff auditor at Harrington Group CPAs and is a licensed CPA in Michigan.
Zac Schopp is an operations manager for Motion Industries in Bloomington, Ill.
began a new job at Litchfield National Bank in August and is training to become a loan officer.
started a new position as research analyst at Safer Foundation.
started a new position as manager for audience acquisition at Forrester.
Matt Jagodzinski is the new sports information director for Lyon College in Batesville, Ark.
started a new position as front end lead at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
started a new position as summer associate at Polsinelli.
Alex Gardner is currently in his second year of medical school at St. Louis University on the Health Professions Scholarship Program through the United States Army.
Renata Gray is the shift lead at Walgreens in Oak Lawn, Ill.
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.
are engaged to be wed in March. Both are teachers who also coach for their school district.
is the recipient of the Lawrence E. Schrader & Elfriede Massier Plant Physiology Fellowship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
is an admission counselor at Illinois College. He began this position in April 2021. He also graduated from Illinois State University with a master’s degree in communications studies where he taught public speaking and interpersonal communication.
graduated from Florida Institute of Ultrasound in Pensacola, Florida, and currently works for HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, as a cardiac sonographer.
Dan Lewis was hired as field director for Betsy Dirksen Londrigan’s campaign for United States Congress in February. He was also elected president of the Westside Democratic Club, a political organization in Sangamon County, Ill. He still continues working for United States Senator Dick Durbin.
Brianna Klein is a senior business analyst for H.D. Smith in Springfield, Ill.
John Love is enrolled in The Second City Conservatory Program at the renowned improvisation and sketch comedy school in Chicago, Ill.
started a new position as the development communications coordinator for the Goodman Theatre in downtown Chicago.
was promoted to director of ticket sales at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
started a new position with DHS as a disability claims adjudicator.
was promoted to senior program analyst at General Dynamics Information Technology.
Jordan Washington is the traffic editor at SafeSpeed Inc. in Chicago, Ill. She also holds an internship with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra in Park Forest, Ill.
Brooke Kuchefski is an office assistant for United Way of Danville Area in Danville, Ill.
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.
started a new position as digital assets and content manager at Illinois College.
was promoted to director of legislative affairs at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Brianna Klein is a pricing and finance analyst at AmerisourceBergen in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Brianna Pohlman is an intermediate biologist at Monsanto in St. Louis, Mo. She was also accepted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she will pursue a Master of Science degree in agronomy with a focus in crop physiology and production, and minor in entomology.
Parker Murray is an environmental health and safety systems specialist at Glanbia Performance Nutrition in Aurora, Ill.
recently completed a service year as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Campus Compact Illinois.
began law school at Saint Louis University Law School in St. Louis, Missouri, and plans on focusing on litigation and corporate law.
had her first peer-reviewed article published in The Latin Americanist.
started a new position as a judicial law clerk at US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was also named the recipient of the Illinois Corn Marketing Growers Fellowship. Finally, his publication, an assessment of two statistical approaches for variance genome-wide association studies in plants, has been selected as Editor's Choice in Heredity.
Matthew Murphy has been accepted to the University of Illinois to earn his Ph.D. in crop science through the J.C. Hackleman Fellowship.
Lindsey Birdsell recently opened LB Beauty in Jacksonville, Ill. She began her business, which offers full body waxing, facials and makeup, after a year of offering freelance makeup for clients throughout central Illinois.
Jovanny Nava has accepted a new position as case manager in the Lakeland, Fla., office of Morgan & Morgan personal injury law firm.
Garrett Barr is a programmer analyst at Dot Foods in Mt. Sterling, Ill.
is earning his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and was recently awarded the Hackleman Fellowship in the Department of Crop Sciences.
was promoted to associate editor and communications director of Not Even Past, a digital magazine focused on public history at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently earning her Ph.D and is a historian of Latin America, with a focus on 20th-century Argentine history.
started a new position as contract administrator at General Dynamics Information Technology.
started a new position as research chemist at Arkema-ArrMaz.
started a new position as vehicle dynamics engineer at Rivian.
recently was offered a VISTA position with Illinois Campus Contract. In February, she began in a new role as communications coordinator.
Sonya Boykin is a patient care technician at Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Surgical Stepdown unit in Nashville, Tenn. She has traveled to Haiti, Costa Rica, Viet Nam and Kenya to assist in rare surgeries and volunteer in clinics.
Justine Pfaff is a staff accountant in the legal entity purchasing area for Caterpillar in Morton, Ill.
Brody Pogue was promoted to offensive line coach for the St. Ambrose University football team in Davenport, Iowa. Brody is also pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership at St. Ambrose.
recently began a new role as a social services career trainee with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. She is training to become a human services caseworker.
started a new position as advisor in the Office of the Director at Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Taylor Coad is currently living in Pensacola, Fla., pursuing a certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at the Florida Institute of Ultrasound.
Marlee Jo Bradshaw Schultz is an IT recruiting support specialist at Dot Foods in Mt. Sterling, Ill.
will begin law school in the fall of 2020 at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.
accepted a position with Polsinelli as a 2022 Summer Associate.
is now a senior analyst Learning Employee Engagement at the Kraft Heinz Company.
started a new position as project manager consultant at Valorem Reply, delivering value to clients and improving skills and expertise in project and product management.
Marissa DeLong teaches English at Rosetta Stone Learning Center in Osaka, Japan. She also works as a model at GRAM Model Management in Osaka.
Abigail Bruner is enrolled in the doctor of physical therapy program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in St. Augustine, Fla.
Carlie Sides is a mental health counselor at Cass County Mental Health Association in Beardstown, Ill.
got engaged in June 2019.
graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in December 2020.
was promoted to procurement agent II at Boeing.
was accepted into the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science program at Rutgers University.
Samuel Welbourne is a supply chain analyst for Dot Foods in Mt. Sterling, Ill.
Jovanna Chavez is an admission counselor in the Illinois College Office of Admission.
started a new position as lean leader at Dot Foods.
Brandon Coniglio is a sales associate for Pacific Sunwear in Schaumburg, Ill.
was named the interim executive director of the Jacksonville Symphony Society in October. She has been a member of the symphony for six years.
began the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Governors State University in University Park, Illinois.
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.
is the life enrichment director at Cedarhurst of Springfield.
Scott Pantier is employed by Illinois College as an arborist and facilities manager at Starhill Forest Arboretum.
earned a master’s degree in forensic science from Michigan State University and is a forensic chemist with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Mesfin Lenth is a budget analyst for the State of Illinois Governor’s Office of Management and Budget in Springfield, Ill.
Drew Szabados was sworn in as a police officer with the Springfield Police Department in Springfield, Ill., in April.
started at Boeing as a procurement agent in December 2019.
Kayla Matthews is a management assistant for Enterprise Holdings at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
earned a Master of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Iowa.
started a new position as the south/central IRAP coordinator.
started a new position as assistant director of marketing at University of Illinois Springfield.
graduated with a master’s degree in forensic accounting from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She is internal auditor at Huntington National Bank in Columbus, Ohio.
Lauren Mense is an account executive for football and baseball at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Lauren will focus on season ticket sales, renewals and group sales.
graduated cum laude from Vincennes University in their physical therapist assistant program and has accepted a job at ATI Physical Therapy in Bloomington, Indiana, and Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.
started a new position as an actor at Fairytale Entertainment.
started a new position as corporate healthcare attorney at Holland & Hart LLP.
started a new position as associate video producer at Riot Games.
Ashley Murphy is a benefits solutions expert for Aflac in Seattle, Wash.
started a new position as communications analyst for the Illinois House of Representatives.
is studying at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He will be earning a master of global policy studies, with a specialization in Latin American regional politics as part of the D.C. concentration. He will be taking classes in Austin and then working on a policy apprenticeship with a non-profit or government organization in Washington D.C.
started a new position as missionary with Fellowship of Catholic University Students.
started in the role of legislative director for Representative Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) in January 2021.
is enrolled in a master’s program for music in vocal performance at North Park University Chicago.
began a new position as resident physician at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
received her Masters from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and recently accepted a job at Human Kinetics as a Higher Ed Academic Sales Manager.
started a new position as the executive director of the Congressional Western Caucus. He is looking forward to growing the caucus in order to keep advocating for rural and western ways of life.
is in a master’s program and will start an internship in the fall.
began a position as a K-12 music teacher for the Western Community School District in Barry, Illinois. She and Jacob August Kaufmann-Jamieson '18 are engaged.
is legislative assistant for representative Mike Bost handling the Ag Committee and his education portfolio.
is a music teacher and director of bands for kindergarten through second grade at North Mac Elementary School in Girard, Illinois.
started a new position as after school program lead at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois.
started a new position as revenue tax specialist trainee at Illinois Department of Revenue.
started a new position as high school counselor at Taylorville High School.
graduated with a master of science degree in counseling from Eastern Illinois University.
graduated with a masters degree in public health from the University of Illinois Springfield May 2021. She obtained the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification from the National Health Education Credentialing (NHEC).
started a new position at University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis.
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.
started a new position as director of communications at Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants.
a senior math major pursuing licensure to teach secondary mathematics, was awarded a 2018 Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics Scholarship. Nine IC students have been awarded this scholarship since 2005.
was promoted to revenue tax specialist at the Illinois Department of Revenue.
started a new position as business unit manager at Mercy Health Wisconsin and Illinois.
is an admissions counselor at Illinois College.
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy to him and his wife, Taylor McDermott Leontios ’11, on the death of his father, Thomas Leontios, on June 15, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to her following the death of her mother Barbara Jagodzinski on January 28, 2020.
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of their grandfather and grandfather-in-law, Charles Porter, on April 21, 2021.
Illinois College extends its sympathy to him following the death of his mother Barbara Jagodzinski on January 28, 2020.
(Alpha Phi Omega), December 22, 2019.
graduated from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences with Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She started job at Passavant Area Hospital as a Physical Therapist.
In Memoriam
(Phi Alpha) December 2, 2016
June 3, 2020.
June 25, 2020.
Faculty & Staff
In Memoriam
October 29, 2021.
Linda worked in the dining hall for 18 years. May 9, 2019
January 23, 2020.
September 14, 2023
emeritus professor of sociology, died on March 2, 2018. Cross is remembered for positive impact he made on generations of IC students. He served the U.S. Merchant Marines, and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Valparaiso University, a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Chicago in 1951, a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago in 1954 and a Ph.D. in sociology from South Dakota State University in 1971. Cross enjoyed a 33-year tenure at Illinois College, teaching, advising and mentoring countless Illinois College students. He was named the Pixley Professor of Social Science in 1982 and held that title of distinction until his retirement in 2005. A charter member of the Illinois College Society, Cross and his late wife, Ruth, were ardent supporters of Illinois College directing their generous gifts to the IC Fund, improvements to campus facilities and student scholarships. The couple had two sons, Paul Cross ’79, and John Cross ’82, both of whom graduated from Illinois College.
Andy served the Illinois College Campus Services for 8 years as a custodian. June 27, 2019
January 27, 2019. Martha Church was a lifelong champion of liberal arts education. She is remembered as an energetic world traveler who brought boundless energy, curiosity and compassion to her many endeavors. Church served as interim president for Illinois College during the 2002-2003 academic year. Beyond her work at IC, she enjoyed a distinguished career, most notably serving as the first female president of Hood College for 20 years, from 1975 to 1995, as chair of the board of trustees from 2006 to 2008, and being named trustee Emerita in 2009. Including Illinois College, ten institutions of higher education awarded her an honorary degree. Church was 88 when she died on Jan. 27, 2019.
Retired Professor of Mathematics, March 4, 2020.
September 14, 2022
administrative assistant for IC’s Center for Academic Excellence and TRIO Student Support Services from 2011 to 2017, passed away on February 23. Hayes touched the lives of many students, faculty and staff during her time at Illinois College. Known for her big hair and her even bigger smile, she had a friendly greeting and a word of encouragement for everyone she encountered. Hayes contributed greatly to the welcoming and supportive environment in the Center for Academic Excellence, and she will be missed by many.
Jerry was the food service director at Illinois College. July 6, 2019
January 19, 2020.
April 13, 2022.
passed away on September 27, 2017. He led a distinguished 33-year career at Illinois College. In 1952, he earned a teaching certificate at the College and later served as Hitchcock Professor of Mathematics, Emeritus. In addition to spending most of his professional career at IC, a number of his family members have attended or taught at the college. His father, George W. Horton Sr., was professor of physics at IC from 1947 to 1962. The Horton family requested that memorial donations be made to the physics prize in his name. All three of Bill and wife Johanna Horton’s children, Beth Horton Hilleke ’83, Geoffrey Horton ’86 and Sarah Horton ’89, are Phi Beta Kappa graduates of Illinois College. His brother, Edward Horton ’53, his late wife, Charlotte Dietz Horton ’53, their daughter, Ann Horton Busenitz ’81, and Bill’s father-in-law, Walter B. Meyer ’35, are all also proud IC graduates.
Pat was “mom” to hundreds of students as a resident director at Illinois College for over 30 years. She retired
in 2012. August 27, 2019
who died on February 9, 2018, made a lasting impact on the Illinois College community in his 30 years as a faculty member in the Department of English. He helped his students develop an appreciation for classical and Renaissance literature, and helped many young poets craft their work. The accomplished poet and author of over 60 poems and several works of fiction will also be remembered for his sense of humor and appreciation for classical music, Italy and Renaissance art.
August 4, 2020. She taught at Illinois College, Chapin and Concord Elementary Schools and at Triopia High School.
78, passed away surrounded by family on April 27, 2018. Richard attended the University of Hawaii, served in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967 and earned his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. While in South Dakota, he met his wife of 46 years, Sue Ellen Moriearty. During his 35-year tenure as a professor of psychology, Dr. Rogal taught, advised and mentored countless Illinois College students. He was also a mentor to many faculty colleagues. He served as department chair and as a member of a numerous committees throughout his tenure at Illinois College.The current chair, Dr. Elizabeth Rellinger Zettler, shared that "Richard was truly an amazing man who inspired our students and shaped a strong psychology department."
August 27, 2019.
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of Almut’s mother, Helga Grützner-Könnecke, and to her grandsons, Eckhart Spalding ’07 and Alex Spalding ’10.
(Head Athletic Trainer), Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his wife, Jenny Stremlau Geirnaeirt ’93, on June 12, 2020.
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.
Friends of the College
In Memoriam
September 20, 2017
December 25, 2017
April 11, 2022.
February 9, 2018
June 2, 2020.
May 24, 2022.
March 2, 2018
September 27, 2017
Chairperson of Illinois College McGaw Fine Arts Series Board, received 1999 Friend of Illinois College award, 1993 Illinois College McGaw Fine Arts Series Citation, October 10, 2018.
December 19, 2019.
February 9, 2018
Dean of Students and professor of English and communication for 45 years, August 4, 2018.
February 16, 2019
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.
July 26, 2021.
March 15, 2018
Illinois College Residential Life staff for 27 years, October 10, 2018.
August 4, 2019
September 16, 2021.
April 27, 2018
Assistant to the president of Illinois College for 32 years, October 13, 2018
August 8, 2019
January 18, 2019
February 23, 2018
January 2, 2020, Member of the Julian Monson Sturtevant Society.
2020s
Updates
started a new position as associate functional consultant at Sikich.
started a new position as an accountant at Caterpillar.
is assistant store manager for Sherwin-Williams in Urbana, Illinois.
has accepted a position with the North Dakota Farmers Union as a legislative specialist.
is an agronomist and sales person at AgriBio Systems.
started a new position as front-end developer at Ernst & Young Global Consulting Services.
accepted a new role with Sunrise FS as the agronomy marketing assistant and social media coordinator.
is a traffic safety data analyst at the Illinois Department of Transportation.
is an AGRIntelligence technician at Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC.
started working at BKD.
is an engineer in training (EIT) in civil engineering.
was recently hired as an editorial assistant for GW Publishers in Tinley Park, Illinois.
started a new position as TRIO academic coach and student engagement coordinator at Illinois College.
started a new position at FORVIS.
was promoted to Software Engineer II at Mastercard.
is the owner of Bolt’s Candy, Cones and Corn, a sweet-tooth-indulgent store in Jacksonville. He opened the store in August.
started a new position as revenue tax specialist trainee at the Illinois Department of Revenue.
started a new position as third golf assistant at Illini Country Club.
a navy veteran, wrote his first book "Destruction: How the Democratic Party & RINOs Almost Destroyed America." It was published by Defiance Press & Publishing and released in December.
started a new position as operations coordinator at Stifel Financial Corp.
was accepted to join the Our Girls, Our Future (OGOF) 2023 fellowship program. She will have the opportunity to connect with and empower fellow Black women in STEM.
started a new position as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Millikin University.
started a new position as the new membership manager at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.
started a new position as a LTL pricing analyst at TA Services.
was recognized by the Springfield Fire Department for helping to save a man’s life at Colony West Swim Club Pool, where she was a lifeguard. Abby and two others received the department’s Protecting Our Neighbors awards for their efforts after a man went into full cardiac arrest at the pool.
of Worrell Land Services, LLC, has earned the State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser license, the highest rank of appraisal licensing in the state. The license required two years of extensive education and testing.
started a new position as admission services specialist at Knox College.
started a new position as employer services auditor at the Teacher's Retirement System of the State of Illinois.
started a new role as a public relations information officer at Orange County Convention Center.
a staff member in Illinois College’s IT department, won a MODO 2022 Appademy Award for “Best Student-Driven” App under the category of “Best App for Design and Experience.” The annual competition recognizes universities and colleges for outstanding app development in innovation, design, UX and student engagement.
started a new position as loan officer at Pilot Grove Savings Bank.
started a new position as a manager at Anheuser-Busch Inbev.
has accepted a position as a communication specialist for the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus.
was promoted to IC Store manager at Illinois College.
started a new position as private equity analyst at Mesirow.
started a new position as a currency analyst at Mesirow.
has accepted a position at Waverly School District as a junior- and senior-high school math teacher.
In Memoriam
November 29, 2020 (Alpha Phi Omega).
September 29, 2022
Marriages
and Kayle Crawford Nov. 20, 2021.
Births
Sympathy
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the death of his brother, Roberto “Robbie” Lopez ’20, on November 29, 2020.