illinois college quarterly summer 2014

Summer 2014

CLASS OF 2014 highest in class giving

ILLINOIS COLLEGE

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCEand inspiring achievement

180th COMMENCEMENT a day of firsts

Illinois College Quarterly2

Upcoming Events

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 Illinois State Fair Tent Party for Alumni, Parents and Friends, 5 to 8 p.m., Director’s Lawn, Illinois State Fairgrounds

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 Welcome Week begins with the arrival of first-year and new students.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Opening Celebration, 4 p.m., Rammelkamp Chapel

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Fall semester classes begin

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 Alumni Wine and Cheese

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 Homecoming activities including Alumni Reunions for the classes of 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Phi Alpha Lecture with Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States and Dr. Khalaf Al Habtoor

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 Family Day. Call the Center for Student Involvement at 217.245.3094 for more information.

2015FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Founders’ Circle Dinner and Alumni Association Awards Ceremony

FRIDAY, MAY 15 Golden Club Alumni Mixer for the Classes of 1940, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960 and 1965 as special guests. Osage Orange Festival, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 16 50th Reunion Luncheon for Class of 1965, 3rd Annual All-Society Pre-Love Feast Social, Illinois College Walkway, and Literary Society Love Feasts

SUNDAY, MAY 17 Baccalaureate Service and the 181st Commencement Exercise

William S. Johnson Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations

Stephanie Elpers Chipman Vice President for Enrollment Management and College Marketing

MaryEllen Roy Director of Marketing and Communication

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cheryl Lamont Boehmke ’64 Kristin Van Aken Jamison ’99 Bryan Leonard Todd Spann Matt Wing ’05

CONTRIBUTORS Susie Engelbrecht Robyn Maher Dana Mallett Melissa Lamb Pantier ’84 Judy Sager Marcia K. Short ’86 Julie Surratt Wilkinson ’05

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Steven Varble

PHOTOGRAPHY Taylor Brien ’15John Casey Kara Hoover Evans ’16Darren Iozia Kayla Kolis ’15 Tom Roster Steve Warmowski

The Illinois College Quarterly is published by Illinois College and is distributed free of charge to all graduates, donors, former students and parents of current students. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Change of address: Clip the mailing label from the back cover and send it, with changes, to: Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Illinois College, 1101 West College Avenue, Jacksonville, Illinois 62650; or email to [email protected].

Photography used in this publication may have been digitally altered for aesthetics and editorial clarification.

In response to violations by some of its coaches of the NCAA’s ban on sending text messages to prospective student-athletes and the College’s insufficient monitoring of compliance with this rule during the time it was in force, Illinois College has been placed on probation with regard to the sports of football/men’s golf/men’s swimming until August 24, 2015.

SUMMER 2014 VOLUME 91, NUMBER 2

The Illinois College Mission Statement True to its founding vision in 1829, Illinois College is a community committed to the highest standards of scholarship and integrity in the liberal arts. The College develops in its students qualities of mind and character needed for fulfilling lives of leadership and service.

Summer 2014 1

Table of Contents

[page 25][page 11] [page 14]

Features

14 The 180th Illinois College CommencementIllinois College conferred degrees on 221 graduates in May on the Historic Upper Quad. President Barbara Farley presided over her first commencement, and Illinois College graduated its first class of master degree students.

20 A year in review President Barbara Farley has completed her first year

on the Hilltop. Her inaugural year took her across the country as she enthusiastically met IC alumni, friends of the College, IC students, and their parents and siblings covering over 56,866 miles. On campus, President Farley attended sporting events and academic lectures; she met with members of the local community; and she even started a Facebook page.

Departments 2 From the President’s Desk

3 Campus News

10 True Scholarship: Faculty Digest

12 True Victories: Athletic Digest

22 True Vision: Founders’ Circle and Alumni Awards

26 True Moments: Osage Orange Festival, Alumni Reunions, Senior Wine and Cheese Gathering

31 True Connections: Class Notes, Marriages, Births, In Memoriam

40 As IC It

ON THE COVER Phuong Hoang Nguyen ’14, a double major in communication and rhetorical studies, and economics, of Thai Binh, Vietnam, rises from the crowd to catch a glimpse of the ceremonial moments during Illinois College’s 180th commencement exercise on May 10. Nguyen was president of the Coalition for Ethnic Awareness and coordinated the Illinois College 2nd Annual Diversity Week. She was public relations chair for the Rambler and IC Feminists, served on Student Forum and was an IC Connections Leader. This year she was awarded the Student Lincoln Academy Medallion and therefore became a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and was inducted into the Illinois College Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.


From the President’s Desk

do. Just go to the IC Web page at www.ic.edu, click “Follow President Farley,” and then click “Like.” Please write a message to tell me your own IC story. It will appear on my page for others to share.

After calling my Inaugural Address An Invitation, I have been deeply grateful to the IC community for accepting this invitation to make Illinois College an even stronger institution. We are already building on an enviable foundation. This is what I am seeing:

• Faculty are engaging students in undergraduate research on and off campus that is preparing them for success in graduate and professional schools.

• Staff are embracing new approaches in their fields to adapt to the rapid rate of change in higher education.

• Trustees are offering their wisdom, their talents and their gifts to create a strong financial future.

• Jacksonville leaders are offering a shared vision for a city where education, business and the arts will thrive.

• Alumni are serving as mentors, offering internships, opening doors to job opportunities and investing in the IC Fund. They are making IC a place where future generations of students can succeed.

In my closing invitation on Inauguration Day, looking with joy at the hundreds of Illinois College students in Sherman Gymnasium dressed in True Blue t-shirts, I said: “Our mission lives in you, in your achievement and in the inspiring lives you will lead as graduates. IC needs you to engage fully in your education, to work hard, to open yourselves to new experiences and to be ambassadors for Illinois College wherever you go.” It is an inestimable privilege to witness our students taking this challenge seriously. I am proud to be an honorary member of the Class of 2017 – this photo was taken after the Opening Celebration last August.

Each member of the Illinois College community has a responsibility to believe in our students’ dreams. We will work alongside them as they strive to achieve a richness in learning and life they might never imagined possible on the day they first stepped foot on the campus. I ask you to be a steadfast champion for the success of Illinois College students. I promise to do the same.

With great hopes for the future of Illinois College,

Barbara A. Farley, Ph.D. President

During my first year in Jacksonville, I quickly appreciated what a vibrant and energetic college I had joined. From the beginning, I was happily immersed in Move-in Day, theatre productions, concerts, athletic contests, literary society productions, alumni events, student presentations, Convocations and, of course, Commencement Weekend in May. With our students, faculty, staff and alumni, I enjoyed Inauguration Week festivities, Homecoming, the Celebration of Excellence, Jacksonville community events and entertaining at beautiful Barnes House. During my 14-city Presidential Tour, Board of Trustees meetings, faculty meetings, Town Hall sessions to discuss strategic planning with the entire campus community and many wonderful conversations with students, I have come to know lots of good news about Illinois College, its history, its alumni and its students. It was an amazing year!

I was so struck by what I heard during my first few weeks as President that I started a Facebook page to share the inspirations I received from all these activities. Now I am delighted to report that over 1,550 people, who live in all corners of the world, follow this Facebook page. If you become a new “Follower,” you too can become part of IC’s unfolding story. Even for a computer novice, this is easy to

Illinois College has captured my heart. Thank you for welcoming me into this very special community.

Summer 2014 3

Campus News

CAMPUSnews [January 2014 - July 2014]

2014 Celebration of ExcellenceIllinois College recognized academic achievement during the fourth annual Celebration of Excellence on Friday, April 25. The daylong celebration allowed students and faculty to take part in activities that commend academic excellence, a hallmark of the College since its founding in 1829.

The Honors Convocation, the ceremonial portion of the day’s activities, was held in Rammelkamp Chapel. Elizabeth Tobin, dean of the College, offered remarks on the subject of excellence, after which five major awards for academic excellence, service and teaching were awarded to Illinois College students and faculty. The student marshals for the 2014-15 academic year were named, graduates slated for induction into Phi Beta Kappa were recognized, and the Julian Monson Sturtevant Campus Leadership Award winners were announced. The Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award and the Don P. Filson Faculty Award for Vision for the Future were also presented.

Brielle Jones ’15 of De Land, Ill., and Aaron Traum ’15 of Rockford, Ill., were chosen as student marshals for the next academic year. The marshals who were chosen based on demonstrated academic excellence and campus leadership will lead academic processionals held on campus throughout the year. This designation is considered one of the highest honors a member of the incoming senior class can receive.

Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s oldest and most distinguished honor society. One of only 11 colleges in the state to offer membership into this distinguished society, the Illinois College Epsilon chapter was founded by Charles Rammelkamp in 1931. Those inducted into Phi Beta Kappa include Brandon Berry ’14 of Olney, Ill., Sovit Chalise ’14 of Kathmandu, Nepal, Abigail Dodd ’14 of Springfield, Ill., Audrey Knight ’14 of St. Louis, Elizabeth Manary ’14 of Moline, Ill., Kelly McCormick ’14 of Godfrey, Ill., Melissa Mennenga ’14 of Freeport, Ill., Paige Meyer ’14 of Beardstown, Ill., Phuong Nguyen ’14 of Thai Bihn, Vietnam, Clay Nordsiek ’14 of Arenzville, Ill., Hannah Oak ’14 of Taylor Ridge, Ill., Josephine Oshiafi ’14 of Lagos, Nigeria, Dustin Shea ’14 of Jacksonville, Ill., Mariah Sisson ’14 of Virden, Ill., Amibeth Thompson ’14 of Manchster, Mo., Lacey Wilson ’14 of Algonquin, Ill., and Jacob Dander ’15 of Genoa, Ill.

The Julian M. Sturtevant Campus Leadership and Service Award calls attention to a select group of students who demonstrate active campus service and leadership throughout their college careers. Presenting the awards were special guest Steven Tillery ’72 and Malinda Carlson, dean of students. Those honored were Jasper Brown ’14 of Canton, Ill., Ira Dawson ’14 of Griggsville, Ill., Leslieann Harris ’14 of Chicago Heights, Ill., Andrew Schultz ’14 of Heyworth, Ill., Kathryn Stroud ’14 of Shalimar, Fla.; and Nguyen and Mennenga.

Jeff Garland, associate professor of art, was presented the Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award during the convocation. This prize is considered the greatest honor bestowed upon an Illinois College faculty member. A student committee, with oversight from the dean of the College, selects the recipient each academic year.

The Don P. Filson Faculty Award for Vision for the Future was awarded to Steven Gardner, professor of modern languages – Spanish. This honor is awarded to the faculty member who sees beyond the scope of the status quo to further develop or implement a vision which can move the College forward. This faculty award was established by Illinois College graduate Darlene Nelson ’70 in memory of her husband’s vision which was for Illinois College to have a computer science department.

The Celebration of Excellence featured more than 50 students presenting recent research efforts during presentations and poster sessions in various locations on campus. Presentation and poster subjects covered all areas of the liberal arts curriculum.

2014 Phi Beta Kappa inductees


Coach Mike Brooks retiresLongtime Illinois College Track and Field, and Cross Country Coach Mike Brooks announced his retirement after 13 years at the school on May 2. Brooks, who had also previously served on Illinois College’s football coaching staff, finished out the school year as head coach before officially retiring on June 1.

Brooks retires after having led the men’s and women’s cross country,

and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams to unprecedented heights, virtually rewriting the Illinois College record books.

“I have enjoyed my 13 years at Illinois College. My days were busy having coached football and track for the first six years, and cross country and track for the past seven,” Brooks said. “I have had the opportunity to work with several outstanding coaches here at IC and so many great young athletes that I cannot even count them all.”

Brooks counted a 42-41 win over St. Norbert College’s football team in 2001 and coaching Dillon Binkley ’11 and Missy Norville ’13 to national championships in track and field among his favorite memories.

“It has been a very tough decision for my wife, Peggy, and me to leave Illinois College,” Brooks said. “However, we are excited about moving closer to our daughter, Toni, her husband, Steve, and our grandchildren.”

“I thank Illinois College for the opportunity to work with such a fine staff and wonderful students.”

Smithsonian taps Illinois College to lead the way in orchid conservationThe North American Orchid Conservation Center, based at the Smithsonian Institution’s Environmental Research Center, engaged Illinois College and its Orchid Recovery Program to lead the way in conserving orchids in North America.

“Illinois College is now looked upon as a leading facility on the continent for orchid conservation,” Larry Zettler, professor of biology, says. “What the NAOCC and the Smithsonian are trying to do is to have IC and our students have a much bigger role in the propagation and the growing of these orchids.”

Having the Smithsonian linked to Illinois College speaks volumes about the work that is produced inside a small corner of the Parker Science Building. “We’re on the map now,” Zettler says. “This is a huge responsibility, and it is also a huge opportunity.”

Zettler’s lab door has always been open to students – they do projects, publish papers and even get to take orchids to various locations around the globe. “The Smithsonian has noticed this,” Zettler says. “What I see happening in the next five to 10 years is that students here at IC will continue to do what they have been doing since 1996, except on a more expanded scale.”

Expanding the role that IC will have in orchid conservation is not as simple as increasing the workload. This expansion requires a plan, and Zettler has worked with Elizabeth Tobin, dean of the College, on a strategy that will make this opportunity successful. “Having the support of Dean Tobin,

Campus News

Binkley

Norville

Ana Flores ’15 and Mike Brooks

Summer 2014 5

along with President Farley, has been very helpful throughout the process,” Zettler says.

Part of Zettler’s strategy is to connect with leading botanical gardens throughout North America.

“Students will be able to travel, maybe have internships in places like the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., the Chicago Botanic Garden, places like that,” Zettler says. “So we will be under the umbrella of the Smithsonian, but we are actually going to be the working pieces of the machinery that get these orchids to grow, and the students will be taking these plants to various places to help grow them.”

About the NAOCC

The NAOCC is a coalition of organizations dedicated to conserving the diverse orchid heritage of the U.S. and Canada. Based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, it also includes the National Zoological Park, the National Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian Gardens. The U.S. Botanic Garden is the other founding partner. The initial group of public and private organizations that support the NAOCC have joined forces with a common goal: to ensure the survival of native orchids for future generations. To this end, the NAOCC’s collaborators are working to preserve habitats, creating and maintaining national collections of seeds and orchid mycorrhizal fungi, and supporting research on orchid ecology, conservation and restoration. An important goal of the NAOCC is to provide the public with opportunities to join in the effort to conserve native orchids.

Johnson named vice presidentEarlier this year William S. Johnson joined Illinois College as the vice president of development and alumni relations. Johnson brings 25 years of development and fundraising expertise from various institutions throughout the Midwest.

Johnson’s development and alumni relations experience includes work in all facets of fundraising operations including

annual fund, major gifts, campaign planning, planned giving and gift stewardship.

As an avid supporter of the liberal arts, Johnson has been a senior-level administrator at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio, DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., and most recently, Gustavus Adolphus College in Minneapolis, Minn. Johnson is an alumnus of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University where he completed his M.B.A.

Johnson and his wife, Sandy, have two children, Chelsea and Evan, both Lawrence University graduates.

Luce Foundation grant allows Illinois College to expand relationship with JapanThe Henry Luce Foundation awarded Illinois College a $50,000 exploratory grant last year as part of the foundation’s Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment (LIASE). These funds are allowing the College to expand its 25-year partnership with Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto.

The activities funded through the LIASE Explorations grant have increased awareness and knowledge of environmental issues in Japan among Illinois College faculty and students.Through this initiative, 32 faculty members and five staff members have studied Japan and the environment, and several faculty members have traveled to Japan to meet with colleagues there and plan future research collaborations.

Associate professor of biology Laura Corey and associate professor of modern languages Reiko Itoh, who are leading the initiative, and economics professor Kevin Klein, a participating faculty member, also met with colleagues from other liberal arts colleges across the country that have successfully developed programs that combine Asian and environmental studies.

During the 2013-14 academic year, Corey and Itoh led Japan study groups with faculty throughout the fall semester, and with faculty and students during the spring semester. “We explored environmental issues, along with food and resource issues,” Corey said.

In March Illinois College hosted the International Symposium on Science, Sustainability and Teaching that was made possible through this exploratory grant from the Luce Foundation. The purpose of the symposium was to bring

Johnson

Faculty and students from Ritsumeikan University and Illinois College


Campus News

together faculty and students from Ritsumeikan University and Illinois College who are researching areas related to the environment and issues of sustainability.

Symposium lecturers included James Godde, professor and chair of the biology department at Monmouth College; Darrin Magee, associate professor of environmental studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges; Motoki Kubo, professor of biotechnology and chair of life sciences at Ritsumeikan University; Larry Zettler, professor and chair of the biology department at Illinois College; Jun Nakajima, director of the research center for sustainability science at Ritsumeikan University; and Andrew Moore, associate professor of geology at Earlham College. Moore provided the closing lecture on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011 and resulted in the nuclear disaster at Fukushima.

Student poster sessions and presentations from Klein’s environmental economics course addressed topics including whaling, fishing, the Fukushima ice wall containment project and the role of women in Japan’s environmental movement. Magee, the symposium evaluator, said the students’ work “evidenced the high caliber of work that undergraduates in a liberal arts setting as far from Asia as is physically possible are capable of doing, and the important points of departure for further study of Asia those projects could represent.”

This summer, additional grant-funded workshops will take place to facilitate faculty development of course materials that will integrate Japanese environmental issues into existing Illinois College courses. “Through these workshops we want to have a concrete way to bring these issues to a broader group of students,” Corey said.

Instead of creating brand new courses that allow 10 to 20 students to focus on these issues, Corey said they plan to reach more students by incorporating these issues within established courses.

“For example, BIO 110 has multiple sections that reach 150 students a year,” Corey said. “By helping faculty embed these issues into existing courses, more students become aware of these connections so that if they later decide they want to go on a Japan BreakAway, or if they want to take one of our dedicated Japanese courses, they have that little taste to get them in the door.”

The College plans to submit a proposal to the Luce Foundation in September for an implementation grant. If successful, this grant would allow the College to build international faculty-student research collaborations and further integrate Japan and environmental studies into the Illinois College curriculum.

Alumni elect Mattingly to join Board of TrusteesBill Mattingly ’75 of Oregon, Ill., a 35-year veteran of education, has been chosen by fellow alumni to a five-year term on the Illinois College Board of Trustees.

Mattingly, now retired, spent the majority of his years as a school superintendent in four districts – most recently in the Oregon School District. All four districts under his leadership realized notable improvements in financial stability, student discipline, academic performance, graduation and attendance rates, and a reduction in truancy. He played a key role in the six-district consolidation of Bureau Valley Schools, the construction/renovation of a $35 million high school in Streator and a $5 million middle school addition for the Oregon School District.

After completion of a term on the Illinois College Alumni Association, Mattingly was appointed as a special consultant during the acquisition of the Alumni House. He is active as an interim school superintendent, recently finishing stints in Bushnell and Rushville. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from IC, a master’s in education administration from the University of Illinois Springfield, and a doctorate in curriculum and supervision from Northern Illinois University. Mattingly is a member of the IC Varsity Club, and he enjoys returning to the Hilltop annually to speak to students about leadership.

The newly elected Alumni Association Board of Directors will serve five-year terms on the board and include Jane Jondro Brownback ’72 of Ashland, Ill., Rick Daniel ’85 of Freeburg, Ill., Charlene Childers Kornoski-DuVall ’70 of Chicago, Ill., Dan Layzell ’85 of Baton Rouge, La., and Marge Ewert Puck ’65 of Meredosia.

Mattingly Brownback Daniel

Kornoski-Duvall Layzell Puck

Summer 2014 7

Brownback is a retired educator from Pleasant Plains High School; Daniel is an executive client director of GE Healthcare; Kornoski-DuVall is a retired educator and administrator from West Aurora School District #129; Layzell is vice president of finance and administration at Louisiana State University; and Puck is a homemaker.

Snyder named director of athletics

Mike Snyder was named Illinois College’s director of athletics, President Barbara A. Farley announced on May 15. Snyder started work at the College on July 14.

“Illinois College is a truly special place, and I’m excited to join the community,” Snyder said. “The multitude of recent accomplishments in the department coupled with the

outstanding facilities on a gorgeous campus make us primed for landmark successes in the near future.”

Snyder comes to Illinois College from Oberlin College, a member of the North Coast Athletic Conference, located in

Snyder

Oberlin, Ohio. Snyder has served in a variety of progressive leadership roles, most recently as associate director of athletics for internal operations. During his time at Oberlin, Snyder supervised and coordinated capital facility projects, negotiated sponsorships, hired and supervised coaches, and managed a multi-million dollar budget across 22 varsity programs and 10 administrative departments. He has previously served as Oberlin’s assistant athletic director for internal operations and director of facilities.

“Mike’s breadth of Division III experience makes him the ideal leader for Illinois College as we look toward the next phase of success in athletics,” Farley said.

Snyder is an active member of several professional organizations including the Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association where he sits on the board of directors and is the second vice president. He is also active in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators.

Prior to his time at Oberlin, Snyder served as operations manager and events supervisor for Southeast Missouri State University’s Show Me Center.

Snyder earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Southeast Missouri State. IC

Illinois College lost a longtime friend on July 14 as the iconic century-old Sturtevant Oak tree was cut down due to safety concerns. President Barbara Farley said a new tree will be planted in place of the oak tree, and some of the Sturtevant Oak’s wood will be saved for future use and study.

Guy Sternberg of Starhill Forest Arboretum said the tree had been dying for a number of years, but since the tree meant so much to the College family they did all they could to try to save it. “The reason it didn’t come down a long time ago was because it was such a famous tree to people on campus,” Sternberg said.

The tree had deteriorated significantly over the years and due to its proximity to the historic Sturtevant Hall, as well as the danger it posed to pedestrians, experts, including Sternberg, determined that the tree should be cut down.

The Sturtevant Swing will be stored at the Alumni House until a new location can be identified.

For more photos visit the Office of Alumni and Development’s Facebook page and to share your swing memories and photos.

Thanks for the memories


Campus News

New Greek alumni council establishedThe Office of Student Affairs established the Literary, Leadership and Service Alumni Council during the 2013-14 academic year. The Council is comprised of Illinois College alumni who represent each of the seven literary societies and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. The group seeks to gain a deeper connection with the Greek system on campus, and assist and support in programming and educational opportunities associated with these organizations.

During Council meetings, active members from each Greek organization report on activities, productions, service projects and information they would like to share. Literary society students have presented several literary productions, and Alpha Phi Omega brothers have shared information regarding service endeavors. The Council meetings have also covered topics including alumni outreach, recruitment and fundraising ideas. Each organization has three representatives on the Council, with each member serving a one- or two-year term. The Council members include:

Alpha Phi Omega Tamara Kerkemeyer ’10

Darcy O’Connor ’12 Phil Sallee ’82

Chi Beta Karen McCormick Havlin ’62

Trish Reynolds ’85 Kaylin West ’08

Gamma Delta Melissa Nath Franzen ’03 Katie Habecker Kenny ’86 Sandy Rogers Marshall ’79

Gamma Nu Gerald Brockhouse ’64

Steve Myers ’96 Carlton Washburn ’02

Phi Alpha Jim Bateman ’68

Conrad Damsgaard ’57 Stephen Hopper ’71

Pi Pi Rho Bill Curry ’71

Patrick Kennedy ’67 Rick Verticchio ’75

Sigma Phi Epsilon Jennifer DeGroot Corbridge ’89

Ann Burford Merchlewitz ’80 Leslie Ritchie Musch ’74

Sigma Pi Donald Kensell ’75 Winston Rogers ’82 Edward Stanfield ’68

Theron Baldwin Service AwardChi Beta

Martin Hahn Critic’s AwardAlec Bartz ’15

Gertrude Hahn Vice President ’s AwardTaylor Smith ’15

The Love CupSigma Phi Epsilon

The Dean’s Cup for Literary ExcellencePhi Alpha

Love Feast Awards

President Farley and Taylor Smith

Summer 2014 9

Literary SocietiesPre-Love Feast Social includes annual society awardsLiterary society alumni, active members and their families were invited to the second annual Pre-Love Feast Social on Saturday, May 10, as part of Commencement Weekend activities. The reception held on the Steuer Walkway included complimentary hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment by Jeff Newman and Stan Robinson, and featured the Dean of Students’ presentation of the annual literary society awards.

Each year the best overall men’s critic recognizing outstanding literary accomplishment is awarded the Martin Hahn Critic’s Award. This year’s winner was Alec Bartz ’15 of Pi Pi Rho Literary Society. Sigma Phi Epsilon active Taylor Smith ’15 was recognized with the Gertrude Hahn Vice President’s Award for her work during the semester which focused on the theme, “The Secret of Making Dreams Come True.”

Chi Beta won the Theron Baldwin Service Award for their volunteerism with the Mia Ware Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation and St. John’s Hospital. The women’s literary society also provided service on the Hilltop participating in President Farley’s inauguration, Relay for the Life and Sandy Hook Promise activities. Sigma Phi Epsilon was named the winner of the Love Cup earning the best scores among the three women’s societies during the 2013-14 production season. The women examined the ideas of curiosity, courage, constancy and confidence. The Dean’s Cup for Literary Excellence was presented to Phi Alpha this year. Recognized for discussing a variety of topics including internship experiences, the American education system and the price of freedom, Phi Alpha’s productions scored the highest among the four men’s societies.

Chi Beta

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Phi Alpha

10 Illinois College Quarterly

True Scholarship

FACULTYdigest

Anyone who has ever traveled a long distance with another person knows that common experiences help bind people together. The theory behind those ties that bind led to the development of Learning Communities for first-year students at Illinois College.

The same cohort of students take two different courses that share a common theme – First-Year Seminar paired with a writing or public speaking course. By taking two classes together, students build a Learning Community built on a variety of experiences through intense writing assignments, research projects, presentations and service that help forge the bonds shared through a common experience. And if that weren’t enough, spending at least eight hours a week with the same group of people certainly helps to breed familiarity. As part of year two of the program, 17 different Learning Communities were offered to first-year students last fall. Following are just a few examples of the subjects studied and professors that made the most out of their faculty partnerships.

Theatre and the Pursuit of JusticeWhen Nick Capo, professor of English, and Nancy Taylor Porter, professor of theatre, were developing the theme for their Learning Community, the proposed idea, according to Capo, was that artists play useful functions within their communities, and each class spent a fair amount of time discussing how the creative arts are beneficial to individuals, communities and civilizations as a whole. Part of their discussions were based on two common readings, “The Caucasian Chalk Circle” and “Lysistrata,” but their community theme took on a new level of learning when the students in Taylor Porter’s First-Year Seminar participated in a unique act of service.

“When I was considering how to incorporate service into this year’s seminar, I thought what if I researched a group within the community that wasn’t often heard and had the students be part of that process, and together we could write a play that would give a voice to that group that is often marginalized.” They decided to focus their efforts on the homeless population of Jacksonville and worked with a local shelter, New Directions, to conduct interviews and uncover individual stories. After researching common causes of homelessness, the class collectively wrote, cast and performed the play at the end of the fall semester to tell the stories they had learned.

Food, Faith and Justice in AutobiographiesWhat started as a common interest in food between friends proved to be an effective Learning Community taught this past year by Caryn Riswold, professor of religion, and Betsy Hall, instructor in English.

Their Learning Community explored the role food plays in culture, religion, society and justice. Student assignments included reading contemporary religious autobiographies and books like Marion Nestle’s book, “Food Politics” and Barbara Kingsolver’s book, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life.” Students were asked to write a food memoir and participate in an extended service learning project. Over the period of a month, class members were asked to provide

Common experiences in Learning Communities benefit first-year students

Porter and Capo

Summer 2014 11

service to three area organizations that help provide food to the needy – the Jacksonville Area Food Bank, New Directions and the Congregational Church Sack Lunch Program. Students also researched each organization, provided a presentation to the class and wrote a reflection paper on their experience.

Art and Oratory“In our community we really wanted to explore how art can be rhetorical, and rhetoric can be artistic,” says Chris Oldenburg, assistant professor of communication and rhetorical studies. Oldenburg teamed up with Jeff Garland, associate professor of art, to explore the connections between art, communication and expression as they studied with their students the world’s great works of art and speech.

Some of the course assignments created by Garland and Oldenburg are as follows:

The Art of Me – Students are asked to select a work of art, maybe a favorite work or something they have created, and

“They’re able to take what they have learned and

experienced from one class to another, to realize they now

have a point of entry to a subject, a basis for knowledge.

That’s really what the liberal arts is all about.”

explain during a five-minute speech how the piece represents and resonates with the student.

In a joint juxtaposition assignment, students analyze and compare artist Andres Serrano’s controversial photograph, “Piss Christ,” with Fredrick Douglas’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” – both pieces being a commentary on society based in irony.

Students also have to develop an interpretive thesis for a piece of art they are assigned and then make an argument to support their theory.

“I think students in Learning Communities are given a unique opportunity to bond with others from their cohort, especially when asked to do a public speaking assignment or share another common experience. But in the spirit of the liberal arts, I think students really start to see the connections. They’re able to take what they have learned and experienced from one class to another, to realize they now have a point of entry to a subject, a basis for knowledge. That’s really what the liberal arts is all about,” said Oldenburg. IC

Hall and Riswold

Oldenburg and Garland


McGinnis named MWC Player of the YearHannah McGinnis ’15 of Tunnel Hill, Ill., was named the Midwest Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Year and a First Team All-Conference selection on March 5.

McGinnis led the Midwest Conference in both scoring and rebounding while setting a pair of Illinois College single-game records during the 2013-14 season. McGinnis posted averages of 20.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, both of which led the league. She ranked fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (53.0 percent) while playing the ninth-most minutes (29.9 per game) among league players.

“It is a great honor to have been selected. When coach called to tell me, I was very happy and surprised,” McGinnis said. “I have to give credit to our entire coaching staff for believing in me and never allowing me to settle. My teammates also deserve a lot of acknowledgment for pushing me to be better every day at practice, and in turn, helping me perform at a higher level in games.”

McGinnis set Illinois College single-game records for points scored (44 vs. Knox College on February 19) and rebounds (24 vs. MacMurray College on November 20). She will enter the 2014-15 season with 909 career points, needing just 91 more to become the 12th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark.

“Hannah had an incredible season this year, and I am thrilled that her efforts have been recognized by the coaches of the Midwest Conference. This award is a testament to her work ethic and competitiveness, as well as to her teammates that pushed her every day in practice,” said Illinois College head coach Lora Westling. “Hannah is one of the most coachable athletes I have ever had a chance to work with, and I know that her best basketball is still ahead of her.”

Hamilton, Sheikh hired to lead IC soccer programsIllinois College announced Linda Hamilton as head women’s soccer coach and Tyler Sheikh as head men’s soccer coach on February 24.

“We are very excited to add Linda Hamilton and Tyler Sheikh to the Illinois College athletic staff,” said interim Director of Athletics Frank Williams. “Both coaches have proven track records, and Illinois College is very fortunate to have found coaches of their caliber to lead its soccer programs.”

Hamilton brings a wealth of experience to Illinois College’s women’s soccer program, both as a player and coach. She played collegiately at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina, earning All-America status and all-conference honors all four years. She was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 1988. Hamilton went on to play for the United States National Team where she played in 82 international matches. She helped the team to a World Cup gold medal in 1991 and bronze in 1995.

Hamilton got her start in coaching at Old Dominion University as the team’s head coach from 1993 to 1995. She later served as an assistant at Hofstra University (2006-2007) and most recently served as head coach at the University of North Florida (2007-2013).

“I can’t wait to begin a new era of Lady Blues soccer and create a culture of competitiveness while fostering the team environment,” Hamilton said. “I felt immediately welcome

True Victories

ATHLETICdigest

McGinnis

Hamilton

Sheikh

Summer 2014 13

NotesIllinois College placed a division-high, five baseball players

on the Midwest Conference’s South Division First Team as

T.J. Albers ’14, Nick Dalfonso ’15, Josh Krumwiede ’14,

Matthew Pardo ’14 and Nick Visconti ’14 earned

all-conference honors. The Blueboys posted a record of

19-16 this spring. � Paige Cullison ’14 earned all-conference

honors for the third year in a row as a member of the IC

softball team. Cullison and the Lady Blues posted a 12-20

record. � John Piper ’17, Chandler Polyte ’14 and Ofuma

Eze-Echesi ’14 won titles at the Midwest Conference

Indoor Track and Field Championships February 28-March

1 at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. � Brittney

Burgess ’14, Eze-Echesi and Piper won individual titles at

the MWC Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 9-10

at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. � The Illinois College

women’s basketball team compiled an overall record of

12-11. In addition to Hannah McGinnis ’15 being named

the league’s Player of the Year, Burgess was a Second Team

All-Conference pick. � The men’s basketball team was 13-10

overall. Brandon Berry ’14 and Nathan Kohler ’14 were

all-conference selections. � The Illinois College men’s

swimming team took eighth place, and the women’s team

took ninth at the Midwest Conference Championships at

Grinnell College February 14-16. � The men’s golf team

placed sixth at the Midwest Conference Championships May

1-3 at Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford. � The men’s tennis team

took 10th at the Midwest Conference Championships April

26-27 in Madison, Wis.

and at home during the interview process, and I am looking forward to getting started with the current players and assuring any future players that Illinois College women’s soccer is a program to keep an eye on as we look to be competitive in the Midwest Conference and beyond.”

Sheikh comes to Illinois College after successful coaching stints at the high school, club and collegiate levels. Sheikh played for the semi-professional team and academy, Palm Beach Pumas, before playing at Quinnipiac University.

Sheikh most recently served as head coach of the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Mt. Aloysius College (2012-2013) where he was named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year in 2013.

“When I visited IC for my interview, it was clear that everyone has a heavily vested interest in the student-athletes, from the administration to my new colleagues on the coaching staff. There was a welcoming sense of family that made me feel Illinois College is a special place,” Sheikh said. “After meeting with some team leaders and team members, the goal for the men’s soccer program is a Midwest Conference championship, and I want to be a part of that process.”

Eze-Echesi, Burgess earn All-America statusOfuma Eze-Echesi ’14 and Brittney Burgess ’14 both earned All-America honors during the 2014 track and field season. Eze-Echesi was an All-American in both the indoor and outdoor seasons while Burgess earned the honor at the conclusion of the outdoor campaign only.

Eze-Echesi took eighth place in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 15 at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Neb. She took seventh in the 400-meter dash at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 24 at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.

Burgess took sixth in the javelin throw at the Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 15. IC Dalfonso Krumwiede

Cullison BerryEze-Echesi Burgess

Feature

at the 180th Commencement

Ceremony

First ThingsFirst

14 Illinois College Quarterly

Summer 2014 15

FirstPresident Barbara Farley participated in her first commencement,

Illinois College graduated its first class of master degree students, and for the first time in the history of the College the diploma was

signed by four women – President Farley, Dean Elizabeth Tobin, Joy French Becker ’67, chair of the Board of Trustees,

and Susan Pratt ’80, secretary of the Board of Trustees.

On a warm, mostly sunny afternoon, Illinois College conferred degrees on 221 graduates. Valedictorians were Josephine Oshiafi ’14 of Lagos, Nigeria, and Elizabeth Manary ’14 of

Moline, Ill. An honorary bachelor of arts degree was also bestowed on IC Trustee Joan Mitchell DeBoer.

Associate professor of art Jeff Garland gave the commencement address. Garland was chosen to be the commencement speaker

after he was named the Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award recipient for 2014 at the Celebration of Excellence.

Garland told the graduates to work hard and to create their own opportunities. “Expect none to be created for you,” he said. “And if

they are, I want you to make the most of them and expect nothing.”

He talked about having no expectations because they just get in the way. Garland asked, “Let’s say you reach your expected goal. Do

you stop? Or if it doesn’t turn out like you decided, was it worth it?”

Since life is full of the unexpected, Garland told the graduating class to surround themselves with people who understand what they care about and to enjoy the time spent with them. “Do not

expect more, and if you get more, cherish it,” he said. “They will help you make the right decisions, even if it’s not what you expect.”

It was a day of firsts at the 180th Illinois College Commencement Ceremony on the College’s

Historic Upper Quadrangle this past May.


IC graduates first class from M.A.Ed. programAmong those to graduate were the first 13 students from the Illinois College Master of Arts in Education program.

“This graduation class of masters students demonstrates what can happen when IC and teachers from the surrounding school districts partner together,” Todd Oberg, director of the Teacher Preparation Program, says. “What these students have learned is having a positive impact in classrooms across the area.”

Erica Caruso Helmich ’95, M’14, kindergarten teacher at Murrayville-Woodson Elementary School, says that she has already applied many of the ideas and techniques that she learned through the master’s program into her classroom. “I feel my degree has already helped me in my career by having more current and up-to-date information about the education field.”

Mallory Thuente Bendorf ’07, M’14 plans to put her master’s degree to work by developing an art and sensory class for children under three. “What I am imagining is a parent and child experience, in eight- or 10-week sessions, for children to engage in developmentally appropriate and enriching experiences.”

Bendorf says she could potentially use these experiences with the children and their families to develop a process-based art and sensory curriculum that will be marketable to early childhood programs.

Making a differenceSovit Chalise ’14 of Kathmandu, Nepal, knew when he arrived at Illinois College that he was going to study biology and mathematics. “Both were subjects that I was determined to study, even in high school. I was good with numbers and fascinated with biological systems so I decided I wanted to do something that would incorporate both.” Chalise is headed to Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, to pursue a master’s in computational biology and to participate in a nationwide research project mapping antimicrobial resistance across Canada.

Chalise credits Illinois College in preparing him for his graduate studies.

“As a smaller college, IC gave me the opportunity to interact with highly qualified faculty on a personal level. Both the biology and mathematics departments are very strong, and doing research with Dr. Laura Corey prepared me academically and gave me the lab experience that I need to further my studies while the mathematics department taught concepts that I can apply to various real world problems.”

After graduate school, Chalise plans to gain some experience in his field and has considered going on to get an M.B.A. with the idea that one day he might start his own company in Nepal.

Antimicrobial-resistant germs do not respond to one or more antibiotics. Patients who acquire infections from these germs have longer hospital stays, an increased risk of death, and their care is more expensive. In Canada the number of antimicrobial-resistant germs appears to be increasing, but further information is required so researchers and healthcare experts can better understand which germs are becoming total resistant. Chalise will participate in research to analyze data from Canadian hospitals to understand how quickly total resistance is increasing year to year compared between hospitals and geographic regions.

The 180th graduating class is full of talented individuals ready to take the next step. For some, that step will take them to graduate school or to their first “real” job, and for others it means putting their new master’s degree to good use.

Summer 2014 17

Passion and a successful internship lead to job offer before graduationAndrew Schultz ’14, who majored in accounting, and management and organizational leadership, saw a great opportunity in Whitetail Properties, one of the nation’s largest rural hunting, ranch and farm land real estate companies located in Pittsfield, Ill. What he didn’t know was that his eventual internship would lead to a job offer.

“My initial interest in interning with Whitetail Properties started because of my passion for the outdoors. At the time, I knew I wanted my career to be related to business, and I also wanted to work in the outdoor industry. Whitetail Properties was literally the first company that came to mind when I thought about a company that would allow me to combine my passion for the outdoors with my academic background.”

Following a summer internship before his senior year, Whitetail Properties was so impressed with his work that they offered him a full-time job.

“I made a great impression on my supervisors, and after seeing my work ethic and the way I meshed within the company, I was actually offered the opportunity to come work full time immediately following my summer internship, but decided I needed to first complete my studies and experience at IC.”

Schultz started working part time with the company in January and started his full-time position immediately following graduation in May. As a marketing specialist, he works directly with over 100 company agents (land specialists) located in 20 states. With each agent he helps develop a marketing plan in each territory based on need and helps agents effectively utilize their marketing budgets to produce the best sales results.

Said Schultz, “I absolutely loved my experience at Illinois College, and it prepared me in every way for a career I love.”

Melissa Mennenga lands job with Dot FoodsMelissa Mennenga ’14, of Freeport, Ill., was gearing up for her new job with Dot Foods in Chesterfield, Mo., well before she put on her cap and gown for the Illinois College Commencement Ceremony.

“I can thank the Office of Career Services for helping me land a full-time job after graduation,” Mennenga said. “They first helped me find an internship with Dot Foods in Mt. Sterling, and that ultimately led to this full-time position.

“Participating in my internship allowed me to directly relate the information I learned in the classroom to the business and professional world.”

At Dot Foods, Mennenga is a district sales manager trainee with the goal of being promoted to a district sales manager at the end of the yearlong training program.

“Being so involved at IC has definitely given me a leg up, and I feel very prepared, not only to take on my new tasks, but to succeed at them as well.” She specifically credits her time as president of the Illinois College Student Activities Board during her junior year for preparing her for the future.

“I was able to learn so much and develop skills like time management and risk management, and I was able to act as a liaison between students and the staff,” Mennenga said. “It was just a really great experience.”

Mennenga, a management and organizational leadership, and communications and rhetorical studies double major, also credits her unique learning experience that she could only get with a liberal arts degree.

“The liberal arts taught me how to be a lifelong learner. It has taught me critical thinking and how to process information that I might not have been officially trained in,” Mennenga said. “I will take that with me for the rest of my life.”

IC


True Legacy

Jessica Bartlett ’14 with brother Kyle Bartlett ’16

Tom Farmer ’14 with uncle Jay Anders ’79, aunt Susan Pratt ’80, mother Sarah Pratt ’82, brother David Farmer ’16, cousin Clare Zimmerman ’11 and cousin John Zimmerman ’12

Mallory Thuente Bendorf ’07, M’14 with husband Michael Bendorf ’04

Katie Bernardi ’14 with mother Carrie Fairbanks Bernardi ’87

Carter Cox ’14 and Caleb Cox ’14 with father Steve Cox ’86 and mother Kerry Grubb Cox ’86 Abigail Dodd ’14 with grandfather John Cavitt ’62

Brianne Gerecke ’10, M’14 with sister Rebecca Gerecke ’10

Cathy Ware Gibson M’14 and husband Bill Gibson ’89

Deanna Harman ’14 with sister April Harman ’11

Quinton Hatfill ’14 with brother Clayton Hatfill ’12

John Hoefert ’14 with brother Philip Hoefert ’07

Ryan Jefferson ’14 with sister Emily Jefferson Swanson ’04

Josh Krumwiede ’14 with father Jeff Krumwiede ’85

Selina Krueger M’14 with sister Joana Ramsey ’98

Summer 2014 19

Legacy Graduates

Kyle Lucca ’14 with brother Tony Lucca ’10

Valerie Love-Graham ’10, M’14 with cousin Emily Langheim ’15, husband Nate Graham ’08, future brother-in-law Brett Lurkins ’13 and sister Kathleen Love ’13

Amanda Maaser ’14 with father Kurt Maaser ’80

Melissa Nieves ’14 with cousins Mari Flores Rodriguez ’03 and Natacha Mantilla ’04 Hannah Oak with brother-in-law Zach Hopkins ’09 Josephine Oshiafi ’14 with sister Maryann Oshiafi ’16

Alexis Palumbo ’14 with father Tony Palumbo ’90 Brothers Matthew ’14 and David Pardo ’14

Jessica Reynolds ’14 with uncle Jim Proffitt ’70

Amy Ross ’14 with sister April Ross Holmes ’11

Molly Siebert ’14 with brother Gunnar Siebert ’16

Bret Thixton ’14 with sister Hana Thixton ’15

Chelsea Vabro ’14 with brother Josh Vabro ’11

Allye Wuest ’14 with uncle Mark Siever ’86


Feature

WORLDWIDE TRAVEL SPREADING THE IC STORY AS THE 14th PRESIDENT!The job of a college president is to be a leader on and off campus. Evenings and weekends are frequently filled with functions such as fundraisers, out-of-town meetings or receptions with numerous visitors.

President Farley has enthusiastically spent the first year of her leadership meeting alumni across the decades and their families, current and prospective students, members of the faculty and friends of the College. She has met with the Student Senate, attended literary productions, student/faculty presentations, and says, “I have been provided fantastic opportunities during my first year as president.”

JACKSONVILLE

SPRINGFIELD

CHICAGO

BLOOMINGTON

56,866Total Miles Traveled

LOMBARD

20Cities Visited

32Jacksonville Events

107Travel Days

14-City Presidential Tour ... and more!

364Facebook Posts

826Photos Posted

198 Posts Highlighting

Student Events and Achievements

8Posts

about meeting elected officials

This breaks down to:

37IC T-shirts

and Spiritwear Collected

President Farley sees alumni involvement as an important part of Illinois College’s success. In October she began a Presidential

Tour with the goal of meeting alumni, parents and friends

in and around their home communities.

Like every first-year student at Illinois College,

you have to get the right gear to show your pride! As president, you have quite a few more

events to attend looking good in IC Blue, so the

collection has grown quite large. Her collection has become one of the most impressive on campus ...

just shy of the campus bookstore.

Be sure to be Dr. Farley’s friend on Facebook to get all the ongoing updates.

September 6, 2013

First Burgooin Arenzville, Ill.

FARLEY’S FIRST YEAR ON THE HILLTOP

S P


EDWARDSVILLE

Go to www.ic.edu, click Follow President Farley

PEORIA

WASHINGTON, D.C.

NEW YORK CITY

Summer 2014 21

50 Barnes House

Events Welcoming1,900 People

On average, Dr. Farleyhosted an event in her

home every week. That’s a lot of company to host, drinks to serve and salty

snacks to provide. Events included:

Pilot Club Home TourFirst-Year Class Dinners

Faculty Strategy SessionsMidnight Dessert BreakRitsumeikan Reception

Inauguration PartyLunch with Campus Staff

Cabinet ReceptionHoliday Parties

Convocation ReceptionsSenior Dinners

Parent Council ReceptionPost-Symphony PartyTrustee Shcolarships

Commencement

When your back yard is a college campus, there is

never a lack of things to do! Dr. Farley attended

an on-campus event about 2-3 times each week

– often with additional events every weekend.

Events included:

Welcome Week ActivitiesTheatreWorks Plays

Softball GamesLiterary Society ProductionsCelebration of Excellence

True-Blue-PaloozaBlack History Events

Fine Arts SeriesFootball Games

Move-In DayMulticultural Events

Honor AwardsStudent Phonathon

Siblings Overnight CookoutEmployee Appreciation

Alumni ReceptionsAll College Holiday Dinner

ICVC Gatherings

163 On-Campus

Events

WORLDWIDE TRAVEL SPREADING THE IC STORY AS THE 14th PRESIDENT!Inspiring Achievement

In her inaugural address President Farley told the Illinois College community, “We will need each other and every good

idea, as we address the reality of higher education’s current complexities. I am

more convinced than ever that we need to embrace our strengths and move

forward boldly with quality at the core of everything we do. This will require strategic

investments that drive desired results and attention

to creating a culture that emphasizes higher

performance expectations.”

Strategic planning work for the future will build on

the successes of Realizing the Vision and will be

aimed at identifying and implementing strategies

that will position the College to meet the needs of our students as they pursue

21st century careers.

ST. LOUISBOSTON

NAPLES

SEATTLE1,700On-Campus Meetings

32Jacksonville Events

107Travel Days

2212014 Graduates

You know you’ve become a true midwesterner after you’ve attended your first Cardinal game at Busch Stadium and paid over

$10 for a hot dog & drink. Next stop: Wrigley Field!

JUNE 3, 2014

Attended firstCardinals game

in St. Louis

Summer 2014 21

DALLAS

FARLEY’S FIRST YEAR ON THE HILLTOP

CAMBRIDGESCOTTSDALE

TUSCON

PHOENIXEDWARDSVILLE

DUBAI

HOUSTON


True Vision

HILLTOPphilanthropyFounders’ Circle celebrates loyal campus supporters“The world needs private colleges like Illinois College more than ever because we have a special role to play in developing the qualities of mind and character essential for success in the 21st Century,” explained President Barbara Farley during her inaugural address last September. Philanthropic support is changing Illinois College students’ lives in important ways, making it possible for them to achieve their dreams.

Members of the Founders’ Circle make gifts of $1,000 or more to the College during a fiscal year. The College hosted a dinner on February 21 at Hamilton’s 110 North East in downtown Jacksonville to celebrate this group of the College’s most loyal supporters. Entertainment was provided by the Illinois College Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Christian Secrist, and the keynote address was given by President Farley.

For the second year in a row, the annual Alumni Association Awards Ceremony was held in conjunction with the Founders’ Circle Dinner. The Alumni Association recognized six individuals for their dedication and outstanding service to the College, their local communities and the nation.

John G. Stremsterfer ’96 was presented with the Young Alumnus award. As president and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln (CFLL), Stremsterfer

oversees the development, expansion and leadership activities of the organization that seeks to increase philanthropy and impact the quality of life in Central Illinois. Stremsterfer came to CFLL from the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) where he served as the director of major gift development. Prior to UIS, he was director of institutional advancement for Ursuline Academy in Springfield and also spent two years working in the Illinois Governor’s Office.

Megan Badasch ’99 was presented with the Young Alumna award. Badasch is a political consultant who provides training, operational recommendations and strategic planning guidance to candidates and political parties abroad and in the United States. With nearly 15 years of experience from working on Capitol Hill, three Republican Presidential campaigns, two national party conventions and numerous grassroots campaigns, Badasch focuses her work on the Middle East and North Africa in support of emerging parties and training first-time candidates, particularly youth and women in Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan and most recently in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Jeremy G. Turner ’95 was presented with the Faculty Ambassador award. Turner graduated with a degree in psychology from Illinois College in 1995 and received his Ph.D. in psychology/behavioral neuroscience in 1999 from Northern Illinois University. He taught at the University of Tennessee at Martin before coming to Southern Illinois

Summer 2014 23

University (SIU) School of Medicine in Springfield as a research professor in the department of surgery, conducting hearing and tinnitus research.

Turner joined the Illinois College faculty in 2006 and has maintained his research laboratory at SIU. He teaches courses on the brain, research methodology and statistics, and regularly engages Illinois College students in student/faculty research and at SIU School of Medicine. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and is currently funded by the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research and the Tinnitus Research Consortium. He has published 34 scientific journal articles on hearing and tinnitus, and holds a device patent for measuring tinnitus in animals and humans.

Professor Emeritus James Davis was presented with the Friend of the College award. Davis began teaching history and geography at Illinois College in 1971, and he taught his last class in the spring of 2011. During his tenure, Davis developed internships in the early 1980s at the Illinois State Historical Library (now the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library), the Illinois State Museum, the Illinois State Archives, and by 1999, Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site. In addition, IC funded students to travel to the Soviet Union; Washington, D.C.; Civil War battlefields; and the French Country of Illinois and Missouri. Davis lives in Dexter, Mich., with his wife, Joanna.

Hans Gallas ’71 was presented with the Distinguished Service award. Gallas was born in Berlin, Germany, and immigrated with his family in 1953 to Springfield. After graduating from Illinois College with a major in German, he taught high school in Chatham before attending Illinois State

University where he received an M.A. in theatre. For eight years Gallas was on the staff of the Illinois Arts Council in Chicago serving as the council’s first grants officer and interim executive director. Gallas moved to St. Paul, Minn., where he taught at the Minnesota Museum of Art. While in Minnesota, he and his partner, Vishwa Marwah, founded TATTOO, a business strategy consultancy. Two years later the company relocated to San Francisco, Calif., where he currently resides. Gallas is TATTOO’s director of creative services.

Stephen R. Hopper ’71 was presented with the Distinguished Service award. Hopper is retired after serving as president/CEO of McDonough District Hospital in Macomb for 26 years. Following graduation from IC in 1971 with majors in business and economics, Hopper earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota. Hopper is currently a director of MidAmerica National Bank, Illinois College Alumni Association Board and Spoon River College Foundation Board. In May 2012 he led a Rotary Group Study Exchange Team to Sweden, and in 2015 he will serve as a Rotary District Governor. IC

Founders’ Circle Giving SocietiesBeecher Club - gifts of $10,000 or more annually

The Yale Band - gifts of $5,000 to $9,999

Ellis Club - gifts of $2,500 to $4,999

Lippincott Club - gifts of $1,000 to $2,499


Founders’ CircleTrue Vision

Shelley Smith Wessler ’81, Gerry Beard ’78, Mary Ann Beard and Jay Wessler ’81 President Farley, Rick ’85 and Rina Daniel, and Chuck Gulledge ’85

Karen Dean, and Jack and Marilyn Haynes Mann ’74 Martha Bryan Schmitt ’73 and Hank Schmitt ’73President Farley and Betty Fisherkeller Pine ’53

John Williamson ’78, Dean Emeritus Donald Eldred, President Farley and Steve Bordner ’77

Julie Surratt Wilkinson ’05, Megan Badasch ’99, President Farley, Jenny Faith Carrell ’99, Meredith Vogel Durall ’01 and Missi Rigsby Cundari ’00

Summer 2014 25

Alumni Association Awards

Martha Bryan Schmitt ’73 and Hank Schmitt ’73

Young Alumna award recipient Megan Badasch ’99 Joanna Davis and Friend of the College award recipient Jim Davis

Faculty Ambassador award recipient Jeremy Turner ’95

Distinguished Service Award recipient Hans Gallas ’71

Janet Waddill Hopper ’72, Nathan Hopper and Distinguished Service Award recipient Steve Hopper ’71

Dean and Ileana Stremsterfer, Young Alumnus award recipient John Stremsterfer ’96 and President Farley


True Moments

Networking

Keynote address by Heather Miller Thompson ’10

Jovanna Chavez ’17, Keith Bradbury ’73 and Chandra Palmer ’07

Napoleon Karnley ’15, Samir Adrissi ’14 and Bruce Kinnett ’76Mattie Edge ’11 and Christine Fortney ’15

Rich Aston ’82, Kelsey Tucker ’15, Kayla Kolis ’15 and Kelsey Davis ’15

Students network with alumni during Celebration of Excellence“I didn’t learn how to do, I learned how to think,” Heather Miller Thompson ’10 explained of her Illinois College experience in a keynote address to the students, faculty and staff in Kirby Learning Center. Her talk, “8 Steps to Career Success,” was given prior to the Second Annual Alumni/Student Networking Reception held in conjunction with Illinois College’s Celebration of Excellence on April 25.

Sixteen alumni returned to the Hilltop to talk with students about their journey from Illinois College student to graduate student or career professional during a reception at the Alumni House. The alumni represented diverse careers from police officer to bank president to actress and represented graduate schools and employers including Indiana University, Caterpillar, MasterCard and Rotary International.

Heather Miller Thompson ’10

Summer 2014 27

Alumni Mixer

Napoleon Karnley ’15, Samir Adrissi ’14 and Bruce Kinnett ’76

Golden Club reunionsIllinois College alumni from the classes of 1939, 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959 and 1964 were invited to the Alumni House to celebrate their class reunions during a Golden Club Alumni Mixer on May 9. The Alumni Association sponsored the event to kick off Commencement Weekend.

A Golden Club Luncheon was held on May 10 to celebrate the Class of 1964’s 50th Reunion. Gerald Brockhouse ’64 helped welcome his classmates to the event and remembered those classmates who are no longer living. President Barbara Farley and Alumni Association President Mae Marie Noll ’96 presented 50-year diplomas to those who attended the luncheon at the Jacksonville Country Club.

May 10, Class of 1964 50th Reunion, Jacksonville Country Club – Seated (l to r): Mary Mort Davison ’64, Bob Berry ’64, Marianne Williams Stowers ’64, Dennie Miller ’64, Charlyn March Scott ’64, Ceanne Hoskins Short ’64 and Ron Short ’64. Standing: Kim Caton ’64, John Stone ’64, Doug Sutton ’64, Bob Nicolet ’64, Cheryl Lamont Boehmke ’64, Kathleen Curtis Brennan ’64, Judy Schauerte Martin ’64, Gerald Brockhouse ’64 and Michael Kehart ’64.

May 9, Golden Club Class Reunions and Alumni Mixer, Alumni House – Charlie Bellatti ’49 and DeVone Eurales ’05

May 9, Golden Club Class Reunions and Alumni Mixer, Alumni House – Judy Schauerte Martin ’64

May 9, Golden Club Class Reunions and Alumni Mixer, Alumni House – Helen Sellers Brooks ’54, Ed Brooks, Lois Smith Rust ’50, Paul Rust ’49, John Hill ’59 and Carol Jones Wright ’64

March 11, Class of 1964 Mini-Reunion, Punta Gorda, Fla. – Al Drummond ’64, Dee Olson Krugler ’64 and John Krugler ’64


Alumni EventsTrue Moments

Record number of alumni and friends celebrate St. Patrick’s DayYoung alumni families and loyal alumni and friends lined East State Street in downtown Jacksonville to watch the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15. In its sixth year, a record crowd of near 200 watched the parade and then enjoyed hot dogs, face painting and one another’s company at KJB’s Pint Haus.

President Farley addresses Osage Orange attendees on the Steuer Walkway

Cory Washington ’13 “The Harmans” bluegrass band Jaxon Brown, Jessica Bartlett Brown ’05, Jason Brown and Jace Brown

Osage Orange dates back to 1882Open to the Illinois College family and the Jacksonville community, the Osage Orange Festival, held on May 9, featured remarks from President Barbara Farley and live music from Southern Illinois bluegrass band, “The Harmans.” The time-honored tradition on the Hilltop dates back to 1882 when students and faculty took a break from their studies to trim the Osage hedge that surrounded campus. This year’s event served as the final stop on President Farley’s nationwide tour.

IC alumni and friends on the parade route

Lisa Taylor Horton ’07, Kyle Horton ’07 and Lux Horton Ty Phillips, Jennifer Grant, Naylani Grant and Terry Grant ’11

Brian Baptist, Jenny Stevens Baptist ’97, Daxton Baptist and Makenna Baptist

Summer 2014 29

Senior Wine and CheeseSeniors celebrate year of record givingOver 120 students in the Class of 2014 were honored by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations during the Senior Wine and Cheese Reception at the Alumni House on May 6 as a part of Senior Week activities.

The reception also served as a final opportunity for graduating students to support their class gift. Led by Class President Bret Thixton ’14, 106 members of the Class of 2014 made a donation to benefit the Hilltop community through gifts to the IC Fund recognizing various academic departments, staff offices, student organizations and athletic teams. The 53 percent donor participation by this year’s graduating class is the highest in modern history, eclipsing the Class of 2013’s participation of nearly 48 percent.

May 11, Rammelkamp Chapel - Class of 2014 donors

Britany DeWitt and Amanda Maaser

Kevin Fuller, Brandon Berry President Farley, and Zeke Light

Kelly McCormick, Taylor Thomas, Amy Ross, Danae James, President Farley, Kathryn Stroud and Deanna Harman

Ashley Southerlan, Alexandria Gabriel, President Farley, Holly Wohltman and Haylee Althoff

Adam Varvil, Spencer Campbell and Quinton Hatfill

Cori Garthaus, Ruth “Shefi” Nelson, Jessica Porter, Logan Giesing, Schinequa Brazier, Melissa Nieves and Katie Bernardi

Elizabeth Farrell, Molly Siebert, Kristopher Evans, Brandon Fisher and Hannah Oak

Anna Jacobs, Paige Meyer and Paige Cullison

Ty Phillips, Jennifer Grant, Naylani Grant and Terry Grant ’11

2010

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Giving Levelsof Graduating

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Varsity ClubTrue Moments

Alumni and Varsity Club members gather on campusVarsity Club members are invited to a number of events during the academic year on the Hilltop. Funds raised through Varsity Club memberships support the College’s general operating budget and help provide valuable experiences to student-athletes in the classroom and on the playing field.

The first-ever co-ed alumni basketball game was held on January 25 preceding Midwest Conference match-ups with Lake Forest’s men’s and women’s teams. A private reception for alumni and Varsity Club members in Bruner’s Rieken Room included refreshments and live streaming of the games. The annual Alumni Classic Track Meet held on February 21 gave track and cross country alumni the opportunity to connect and, in some cases, compete in their favorite events. Armed with hot chocolate, softball alumni and Varsity Club members braved a cold double-header against Lake Forest at Kamp Softball Field on March 29.

March 29, Alumni Softball Game and Varsity Club Reception – Megan Jagodzinski ’13, Kelly Rehr ’13 and Amy Wilson ’93.

February 21, Alumni Classic Track Meet – Kneeling (l to r): Jason Haynes ’09, Josiah Norville ’12, Missy Norville ’13, Jen Yeoward ’11, Amber Armstrong ’11, Mandy Armstrong ’11 and Ryan Bishop ’10. Middle row standing: Brian Johnson ’15, Matt Villicana ’07, Greg Tanner ’07, Mark Ryan ’09, Jake Lord ’13, Lauren Reece ’12, Amelia Jones ’12, Emma Hudspath ’13, Toni Brooks Goetten ’07 and Assistant Coach Peg Brooks. Back row standing: Justin O’Brien ’13, John Rohn ’07, Joe Heidbreder ’11, Jeremy Schmieder ’12, Matt Harrison ’10, Joe Hogan ’12, Zach Hopkins ’09, Ron Summers ’74, Aaron Taft ’09, Scott Marshall ’94, Mike Kralik ’07, Brett Miller ’11, Joe Gaines ’13 and Rachel Smith Rohn ’07.

January 25, Alumni Basketball Game – (l to r): Clay Shoufler ’98, Ada Dickerson Range ’03, Brad Johnson ’09, Isaac Grapperhaus ’13, Jessica Foote ’09, Devin Gilman ’11, Janelle Kuhn Pfeiffer ’09 and Craig Bals ’12

January 25, Varsity Club Reception – Morgan Braucht ’00, Coach Mike Worrell, Dillon Binkley ’11, Devin Gilman ’11, Steve Coyle ’11 and Charlie Bellatti ’49

January 25, Varsity Club Reception – Andy Ezard and Roger Ezard ’58

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Class Notes

Paul Findley donated his congressional papers and other artifacts from his career to Illinois College. The former congressman served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1961 to 1983. Last year the town of Pittsfield broke ground on a new senior housing project naming it the Findley Place Apartments.

June Burkhardt Moberly retired after serving 20 years as the executive director of Business Improvement District #10 in Milwaukee, Wis., and its contractual partner, Avenues West Association, a central-city neighborhood revitalization nonprofit organization.

Judge Richard Mills gave the Veterans Day Convocation at Blackburn College last November.

Charles Craig retired in August of 2012 from the English department at Alabama State University.

William Jacob sold his Dandy Diaper Service in 2013 to enjoy complete retirement.

Jay and Diane Poole Baker ’64 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a Baltic cruise. Diane attends Senior University classes in Georgetown, Texas.

Donnah Hart Avolt was elected to replace her husband, Dr. Martin Avolt ’64, as coroner of Tippecanoe County in Lafayette, Ind. Illinois College extends its sympathy to Donnah on the death of her husband, Martin, on August 16, 2012. � Curt Benanti is a retired principal who owns a painting business. � Illinois College extends its sympathy to Rebecca Barr Evers on the death of her husband, David A. Evers, on October 22, 2013. � Ron Schoof retired from Caterpillar as international trade compliance manager. He was elected mayor of Lacon in April 2013.

Christine Paton Lambert retired from BMO Harris Bank as the construction loan administrator. Illinois College extends its sympathy to Christine on the death of her husband, John, on December 12, 2012.

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Richard Hildner was appointed deputy mayor of Whitefish, Mont., in January.

Carol Morris Blackfelner and her sister, Jennifer Morris Beal ’73, were presented the Outstanding Service Award at the October 12, 2013, Spoon River College Alumni Association Awards Reception in Canton. They have chaired the Spoon River Records program for seven years. � Valerie Blane retired on July 1, 2013, from teaching special education after 42 years. Fifteen of those were with deafblind children in a classroom, one year with multihandicapped deaf children with behavior problems in a classroom, two were as a multihandicapped itinerant, 15 were as a deaf and hard-of-hearing itinerant, and nine were as a dual disability itinerant with deafblind children who were mainstreamed, three of these were deaf braille students. � Jonathan Hildner currently serves as political chair for the San Gorgonio Chapter of the Sierra Club in Palm Springs, Calif. � Jim Proffitt has published his book, “Fever Run: A Novel Based On a True Story.” Jim describes the book as a compelling fictional story based on carefully researched fact and a tribute to John T. Alexander, an Illinois stockman the New York Times once dubbed the “Great Cattle King of the Mississippi Valley.” � Daniel Ryan was honored by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce in Delmar, N.Y., as Citizen of the Year for his volunteer work with the Lions Club, the Lions Eye Institute and local churches. � Gordon Walker has retired after 43 years with Pekin Insurance. He officially retired as chief executive officer at the Annual Subscribers Meeting of The Farmers Automobile Insurance Association in February 2014. He will remain chairman of the board. � Dale Wolf received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Charleston Chamber of Commerce at their annual dinner in January 2014. He also served as a part-time admission consultant at Eastern Illinois University from November 2013 until April 2014 during their search for a new admission director. � Tom Wylder retired in 2011 after working almost 40 years with children and families as a juvenile probation officer with the

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Class Notes

Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. � Peter Zimmerman retired after 22 years as an optometrist in Festus, Mo., in May 2014. He worked as staff photographer at Washington University for 10 years prior to studying optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Keith Bradbury and his wife, Nancy Utter Bradbury ’75, have purchased the Consortium Publishing Company which specializes in elementary, junior high and high school speech materials and plays. � Janis Wright Meyers retired in 2012 after 30 years as publications specialist in the marketing and public relations department at Carl Sandburg College.

Carol Webb Birch has retired as an Administrative Nurse II at Western Illinois University in Macomb.

Patrick Gibbons has retired as president of PRG Services Inc. He is presently writing a novel about the Trojan War entitled “Achilles’ Lock.”

Susan Slocum Pecaro has been promoted to senior counsel in the Securities and Exchange Commission Division in Washington, D.C.

Tom Killam and Robbin Boulch Killam both retired in January 2014. Tom retired from the Central Illinois Foodbank, and Robbin retired from Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. � Elaine Manning Kuhn retired June 6, 2014, after 35 years in education, the last 20 at Springfield High School in Springfield. � Mark Mason has been working at the FedEx Memphis World Hub for 14 years. He recently retired from Pinnacle Airlines after 12 years. Illinois College extends its sympathy to Mark on the death of his wife, Cheryl Bodry Mason, on March 26, 2014. � Deb Baker Wellman has been named one of 31 fellows for the 2014-15 academic year by the American Council on Education. Established in 1965, the ACE Fellow Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing emerging leaders for senior positions in college and university administration.

Peter Simoncelli has been promoted to general manager at the Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

John Baker wrote and published the song, “The Girl From Haleiwa.” The song can be purchased

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on iTunes. � Rob Buchanan is now the director of accounting services at Fiducial/Federated Funeral Directors of America in Springfield. � Cheri Callahan Bustos was inducted into the Samuel K. Grove Illinois Legislative Internship Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Laurie Black was recently recognized by Western Illinois University for 25 years of continuous service.

Scot Atwood was elected A-C Central Unit School District 262 school board president.

Paula Eschelbach Rawlings completed her first 70.3-mile triathlon in Branson last summer.

Kelly Menard Gross is an account manager at Grojean Agency in Jacksonville. � Mark Person is a licensed realtor at First Weber Realtors in the greater Milwaukee, Wis., area.

Leslie Smith DeFrates has returned to the Hilltop to serve as the executive assistant to President Barbara A. Farley. She manages special projects and the Office of the President, works with the Cabinet and serves as assistant secretary to the Board of Trustees.

Mike Keenan is the principal owner of Infinity Professional Services Inc. Headquartered in Springfield, Infinity specializes in nationwide public records filing, research, retrieval services and registered agent services for law firms and corporations.

Darrin Burnett is the new director of development for Pleasant Hill Village in Girard. Previously, he worked for six years with Special Olympics Illinois Area 17.

Emily Berry was recently featured in a national Geico insurance commercial. She has appeared in television shows including “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Neighbors,” as well as several local/regional commercials and films.

William Cunningham graduated from Columbus State University with a master’s degree in educational leadership. He was selected as Educational Leadership Student of the Year in 2013, inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and is currently an instructor at the U.S. Army’s Recruiting and Retention School at Ft. Jackson, S.C.

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Kevin Sadaj recently received certification in Sütterlin script from the Sütterlin-Club der Urania-Bildungsgesellschaft Eichsfeld e.V. in Germany. Sütterlin script is the last widely used form of “Kurrent,” the historical form of German handwriting that evolved alongside German blackletter (most notably ”Fraktur”) typefaces. This handwriting scheme gradually replaced the older cursive scripts that had developed in the 16th century at the same time that bookletters developed into Fraktur. � Joel Zarnstorff was recently promoted to vice president in the commercial lending department at First Midwest Bank in McHenry. He has worked for Midwest Bank for over 15 years.

Sarah Buck was elected president of the Illinois Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in November 2013. She is currently an associate professor in the Department of Secondary Education, Professional Studies and Recreation at Chicago State University. � Chad Heltzel earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). He is a 12th-grade literature and college English instructor at UIC College Prep High School where he is also the Reading

Department chair. � Jackie Fortado Kesselring was inducted into the Magruder High School Athletic Hall of Fame in Olney, Md., last fall because of her outstanding soccer and academic accomplishments as a student. She led her high school team to the winningest season in its history. Jackie teaches middle school social studies in A-C Central Community Unit School District. � Ryan McDevitt was an assistant football coach for the Stillman Valley Cardinals, the 2013 Class 3A State Football Champions. � Rob Ribbe is assistant vice president in management liability at Torus Insurance in Chicago.

Julienne LaCroix Davison was recognized as one of the top 100 of over 40,000 consultants of Stampin’ Up in both 2012 and 2013. She has been an independent demonstrator for the company since 2002. � Michelle Shaw Higginbotham is the associate publisher for the Springfield Business Journal.

Beaux Cole completed a fellowship in anti-aging and regenerative medicine and is now considered a diplomat in anti-aging and regenerative medicine. � Mark Galligan received his Ed.D. in education from Northeastern

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Jim Evans ’99, vice president of sales and marketing with Entertainment Cruises in Chicago, has joined the Chicago Executive Board of Spark, a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing apprenticeships to youth in underserved communities across the United States.

Evans graduated from Illinois College with a degree in economics and business administration, and earned an M.B.A. in strategic and financial management from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2007. Evans was matched with Spark through a unique University of Chicago program that links nonprofit organizations to alumni based on interests and skill sets.

Since joining the Spark board in December 2013, Evans has begun helping to answer strategic questions including how to scale the organization and how to use data and metrics to make their case for funding support. He credits his interest in youth programming and mentorship to his parents and wife Lisa who are educators.

Since its founding in 2004, Spark’s positive outcomes have garnered national attention, allowing the organization to expand to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, Calif., as well as Chicago, Ill., and Philadelphia, Pa.

As a student, Evans can be credited with helping start the BreakAway Program at IC. Along with his twin brother, John Evans ’99, and Aaron Ruckman ’99, Evans approached Dean Carole Ann McNamara Ryan ’59 about conducting research on business practices in France and Germany during Winter Break. The dean approved the request and obtained funding to aid their travel. Today, an average of four BreakAway trips is offered annually, involving over 50 students and professors.

Alumnus sparks change through board role

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University in Boston, Mass., in February 2014 after successfully defending his thesis, “Debating the study of history: A historical analysis of American history curriculum and instruction from 1890-1920.” He currently serves as the K-12 director of humanities curriculum for the Stoughton, Mass., public schools. � Amanda Williams was admitted into the Illinois Bar Association last fall. She has been practicing law for nine years and is currently employed by the Department of Social Services Administrative Hearing Unit in St. Louis.

Glenn Fernetti is a Level 1 strategist for the Keokuk School District in Keokuk, Iowa. He works primarily with freshman special education students and is a varsity assistant football coach and seventh-grade basketball coach for the school district. � Alban Haxhinasto has been named to the Passavant Foundation Board of Trustees in Jacksonville by the hospital’s board of directors. � Michael Lowe received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in May 2013 and has been promoted to the pharmacist in charge position for CVS in Dunkirk, Ind. � Elizabeth Jenkins Morgan is a medical social worker for Advocate Healthcare Home Health and Hospice. She also operates a private practice in psychotherapy and clinical supervision in Bloomington. � Scott Stewart is the conservatory manager at the Park District of Oak Park.

Michael Ziri is now the chief of legislative affairs at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in Springfield. He previously served as the legislative liaison at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Graham Gazdziak received his Master of Arts degree in educational technology from Concordia

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University Chicago in December 2013. � Leslie Rusch-Bayer is a registered dietitian at the Couri Center for Gynecology and Women’s Health in Peoria. � Teresa Floyd Smith is the director of human services for the Ball-Chatham School District in Chatham. � Elizabeth Postlewait Warford is a senior treasury analyst at Express Scripts Inc. in St. Louis. She also earned certification as a Certified Public Accountant.

Tara Davis Augspurger earned a master’s degree in languages, literatures and cultures with a focus in Spanish pedagogy and Teachers of English and Speakers of Other Languages from Illinois State University (ISU). She also accepted a position as a full-time instructor at ISU’s English Language Institute. � Donathan Brown recently published a book he co-authored with Syracuse University Professor Amardo Rodriguez. “When Race and Policy Collide: Contemporary Immigration Debates” explores the misguided role race plays within political and judicial deliberations pertaining to immigration reform. � Jim Cowgill is financial associate at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in the Bloomington-Normal area. � Joy Heafner graduated with a Master of Arts degree in human development and family studies specializing in marriage and family therapy from the University of Connecticut on May 10, 2014. She is currently pursuing a doctorate.

Cindy Arnold accepted the position of math department chair and began the pilot year of Advanced Placement Calculus AB at Jacksonville High School. � Joseph Calmese is the director of business development at Mark Andy Inc. in Chesterfield, Mo. � Brian Hartsock is a staff accountant at Springfield Clinic. � Amy Lenhardt Pigulski is an adjunct faculty member for Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge, Va. � Frank Pigulski is a legislative aide for U.S. Representative Daniel W. Lipinksi in Washington, D.C. � Laura Weber Rheinecker was recently promoted to marketing specialist at Ortman Fluid Power in Quincy. � Tracie Rebbe Sampson is the owner of New Salem Children’s Center in Petersburg. After owning the business for over six years, she has had to add classrooms due to increasing enrollment. � Angela Sanders is the vice president of Talented Hands Educational Services in New Haven, Conn. She received

Class Notes

Like Illinois College Alumni Community on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ILCollegeAlumni.

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Have news to share? Submit alumni news at www.ic.edu/submitnews

Summer 2014 35

an educational specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University in 2012. � Christine Schowengerdt is an assistant buy planner at Nordstrom in Seattle, Wash.

Angela Rice Valuck is the director of human resources at Illinois College.

Amber Berman, program assistant in the Lincoln Land Community College Student Life Office, was named the Campus Advisor of the Year. The announcement was made at the same time United Way Worldwide recognized the Lincoln Land Community College Student United Way organization with one of nine national 2014 Student United Way Awards. � Wes Joseph is a claims specialist with Liberty Mutual Insurance in Hoffman Estates. � Mallory Kelly graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford in May 2014. She was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, as well. Mallory will complete an internal medicine/pediatric residency at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. � Dieh Teng successfully defended her thesis and earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in May 2014. Dieh is working as a process engineer for KBR Engineering in Houston, Texas.

Kelly Boucher graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry with a Doctor of Optometry degree. She will be completing a one-year residency in family practice and disease at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. � Laura Kidd is the human resource generalist at Mel-O-Cream International in Springfield. � Cassandra Ramel graduated in May from Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy in Downers Grove with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. � Andy Whitehead is the marketing manager at Foundry Park Inn and Spa in Athens, Ga. � Megan Wilson received her Master of Entomology from University of Wyoming in August 2013. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at University of Wyoming. Megan recently presented a poster of her master’s research at the Entomological Society of America’s Annual Meeting.

Kathryn Hoodenpyle obtained a Master of Science in forensic science with a concentration in criminalistics from the University of New Haven

in May 2013. She works at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory Division as a Criminalist I in DNA casework. � Chelsea Boente Kermicle is a history teacher at East Richland High School in Olney.

Keith Kermicle is working on his family farm in Olney. � Jaimie Engle Newby received her Master of Science degree in academic advising administration in May from Kansas State University and is an admissions counselor at MacMurray College in Jacksonville. � Steve Newby was transferred and promoted to manager of the Sherwin-Williams store in Jacksonville. � Andrea Schultz graduated from Indiana State University with a Master of Arts degree in history in May.

Rebecca Dunlap received the Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award from the Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. She is a teacher at South Jacksonville Elementary School. � Jami-Di Gearhart is a community builder at Camperoo in Houston, Texas. � Kathryn Long is the educational program assistant at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Washington, D.C. � Jacob Lord is employed by Caterpillar as a database administrator.

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The Illinois College Alumni Association established the Legacy Scholarship in 2011 to encourage and support those children of alumni to enroll and continue their education at Illinois College so as to build the family legacy on the Hilltop.

The fourth recipient of the Legacy Scholarship is Rachel Brand ’18. Rachel is the daughter of Susan Damsgaard-Brand ’81, and the

granddaughter of Conrad ’57 and Pat Carlson Damsgaard ’53. She recently graduated from Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Mo.

Legacy Scholarship recipient


Marriages

’92 Jeremy Kelley and Kendra Fudge, November 29, 2013.

Ethan Caldwell and Jeri Soulak Amos-Caldwell, October 27, 2012. Jeri is a special education teacher at Plainfield Community School in Plainfield, Ind. [1]

Nicholas Soer and Kathryn Collins ’06, November 30, 2013. Nic is employed by BNSF as a train master, and Katie is a school guidance counselor. [2]

Matthew Coryell and Stacey Clinton ’04, November 23, 2013. Matt teaches honors modern world history to sophomores at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis. Stacey teaches seventh- and eighth-grade U.S. history and eighth-grade English at St. Clare of Assisi School in Ellisville, Mo. [3] � Jacob Warford and Elizabeth Postlewait, October 13, 2012. Elizabeth is a senior treasury analyst at Express Scripts Inc. in St. Louis. [4]

Casey Augspurger and Tara Davis, October 12, 2013. Tara is a full-time instructor at Illinois State University English Language Institute in Normal. [5] � Carl Fesser and Helen Bailie, November 2, 2013. Helen works for Horace Mann as a licensed support specialist in Springfield. [6]� Christopher Howard and Rachel Barnstable, June 10, 2013. Rachel is a first-grade teacher at Harmony Science Academy in Austin, Texas. [7]

Frank Pigulski and Amy Lenhardt, May 11, 2013. Frank is a legislative aide for Representative Daniel W. Lipinksi in Washington, D.C., and Amy is an adjunct faculty member at Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge, Va. [8]

Chuck Taylor and Janette Spenny, February 28, 2014. Chuck is banquet server at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Schaumburg, and Janette is a community life manager at Victory Centre of Riverwoods in Melrose. [9]

Lawrence Horon and Marie Bonner ’10, April 5, 2014. Larry is a technical associate for biotherapuetic research and development at Pfizer. Marie earned her master’s degree from University of Illinois Springfield. [10]

Adam Chapman and Samantha Howland, January 4, 2014. Adam is the sales and marketing manager at Westermeyer Industries Inc. � Nathanael Hand and Jaclyn Smith, October 26,

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2013. Jaclyn works at Southern Illinois Healthcare in Carbondale. � Kyle Koestner and Amanda Gyure, July 27, 2013. Amanda works at her family’s business, Starfleet Lock & Safe Inc. [11] � Brett Long and Elizabeth Kroner, September 28, 2013. Elizabeth is a kindergarten teacher at Little Flower Catholic School in Springfield. [12]

Keith Kermicle and Chelsea Boente ’11, August 2, 2013. Keith is working on the family farm in Olney, and Chelsea is a history teacher at East Richland High School. [13] � Stephen Newby and Jaimie Engle, September 21, 2013. Steve is the manager of the Sherwin-Williams store in Jacksonville, and Jaimie is an admissions counselor at MacMurray College. [14]

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Births

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Drew and Heather Henn Jones, a daughter, Mary Siena, June 1, 2013. She joins sister Alexandria, 12 and brothers Spencer, 8 and Luke, 3. [1]

Alex and Jennifer Cowell Deterding, a son, Blake Robert, November 7, 2013. He joins sisters Claire, 5 and Ava, 3. [2]

Chad and Stacey Bonacorsi, a daughter, Isabella Kathleen, January 26, 2014. [3] � Ryan and Michele McDevitt, a daughter, Creszenthia Ann, August 16, 2013. She joins brother Kaenan, 8. [4]

Zach and Kylie Maher, a son, James-Robert Timothy Maher, March 21, 2014. [5] � Ryan and Jill Pulver, a daughter, Cecelia Louise, December 12, 2013. � Jason and Amy Scott Wheeler, a son, Adam Jaxon, September 21, 2013. He joins brother Nolan, 4 and sister Mia, 3. [6]

Jacob and Victoria Asher Crow, a daughter, Layla Rose, February 26, 2014. She joins brothers Tristan, 5, Silas, 3 and sister Bianca, 1. [7] � Andy and Emily Winkelman Lawson, a daughter, Rory May, May 6, 2013. She joins brothers Noah, 6 and Kaden, 3. [8]

Adam ’05 and Ada Dickerson Range, a daughter, Autumn Eloise, September 9, 2013. She joins sister Alivia, 3. [9]

Carl and Helen White Backstrom ’06, a son, Erik Stanley, August 6, 2013. [10] � Chad and

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Elizabeth Weisner Savage, a daughter, Anna Marie, August 31, 2013.

Jeremy and Jennifer Ingram Cook, a son, Hudson Edward, July 26, 2013. [11]

Jared and Marissa Link Giuffre, a daughter, Veronica Wynn, July 6, 2013. [12] � Shane and Jolene Dodge Patton ’08, a son, Sawyer James, September 9, 2013. [13] � J.D. and Holly Duvendack Saxer, a son, Owen Randal, April 4, 2014. He joins brothers Quin, 9 and Griffin, 2. [14] � Matt and Beth Fearday Sturgeon, a daughter, Ella Grace, May 13, 2013.

Jason and Mckenzi Davidson Dunn ’09, a son, Lleyton Allen, February 4, 2014. [15] � Brian and Katrina Porter Hartsock, a son, Evan Craig, January 19, 2014. He joins sister Ava Marie, 3. [16] � Brett and Megan Valek Kitterman, a son, Colton Brett, June 3, 2013. He joins sister Addison, 4. [17] � Jason and Audrey Prewitt Wardell, a daughter, Jorja Eve, June 4, 2013. She joins sister Jera, 5.

Grant and Logan Hymes Noland, a daughter, Elizabeth Maye, October 3, 2013. She joins brother Hudson, 1. [18] � Peter and Erin Vaughn, a daughter, Katelyn Marie, December 16, 2013. [19]

Stephen and Sara Rose Maxwell, a son, Benjamin Andrew, January 1, 2014. [20]

Wes and Emily Boston Howerton, a son, Kale Daniel, February 14, 2014. [21]

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In Memoriam

MM denotes a fully funded memorial membership in a special endowment fund. The alumnus will be listed in perpetuity on the Annual Fund rolls. FM denotes an incomplete funded memorial membership. denotes family has suggested memorial gifts be made to Illinois College.

Mary M. Franz, January 5, 2014

John W. Hinde, January 26, 2014*

Gordon M. Jensen, March 25, 2014

Marietta Hall Turner (Chi Beta)February 24, 2014 MM

T. Joe Doyle (Gamma Nu)December 17, 2013

Harold C. Gordy (Sigma Pi)February 5, 2014

Helen “Becky” Beck Gordy (Sigma Phi Epsilon)February 11, 2014

Robert G. Schmidt (Sigma Pi)April 21, 2014

Helen Dawson Wahler (Sigma Phi Epsilon)February 2014

Leo F. Heneghan (Phi Alpha)January 19, 2014

Mary Robinson Strawn October 28, 2013

Norman W. Touchette (Phi Alpha)December 3, 2013 MM

Hazel Vogt Vanderhorst (Gamma Delta)March 24, 2014

Edward J. Morthole October 24, 2013

David O. Pelham (Gamma Nu)December 28, 2013

Edwin L. Smith February 3, 2014

Ruth Kirchner Walls (Gamma Delta)January 14, 2014

John C. Lentz October 18, 2013

Howard H.S. Chao June 29, 2012

Frances Samoore Omundson November 23, 2013

Edwin L. Varble (Sigma Pi)February 11, 2014

James P. Branca (Gamma Nu)October 14, 2013

Richard A. Hollis March 31, 2014

Howard L. Timmons March 18, 2014

Richard G. Norris January 10, 2014

Ronnie L. Ranson March 28, 2014

Mary Lou Hubbard Hallock January 9, 2014

John Clark III (Gamma Nu)March 15, 2014

Richard S. Wiley January 19, 2014

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Friends of the College

Alumni

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Heneghan remembered for generous support

Illinois College graduate Leo Heneghan ’46 will be remembered for his love of the College and his generous gifts to support students pursuing degrees and professions in chemistry.

During his time at Illinois College, Heneghan was a dean’s list student. He won the Levenworth Prize in Chemistry, was president of his senior class and Phi Alpha

Literary Society, co-editor of the Rambler newspaper, editor of the “Rig Veda” and was a member of the men’s basketball team. After graduating with an A.B. in chemistry in 1946, Leo earned a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Illinois and went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career as a research chemist and director of research and development with Merck and Company Inc. in Rahway, N.J. Heneghan held memberships in the American Chemical Society and Alpha Chi Sigma.

An ardent supporter of Illinois College, Heneghan was intent on providing opportunities for IC students. In 1997 he and his wife, Lorraine, funded a prize to encourage and assist chemistry majors who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in the subject, naming it the Leo F. and Lorraine O. Heneghan Chemistry Prize. In 1999 the couple continued their generosity by establishing an endowed scholarship to provide tuition assistance to a nonresidential student from Jacksonville. Heneghan also donated to fund the Leo Heneghan Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Room in the Parker Science Building and was recognized by the Illinois College Alumni Association with a Distinguished Service Citation in 2005.

Heneghan is survived by his wife, Lorraine, four children, David, Doug, Ann and Elizabeth, and 10 grandchildren. He passed away January 19, 2014.

NOTICE

Illinois College is seeking comments from the public about the College in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The College will host a visit March 23-24, 2015, with a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Illinois College has been accredited by the Commission since 1913. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet

the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the College:

Public Comment on Illinois College The Higher Learning Commission

230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500Chicago, IL 60604-1411

The public may also submit comments on the Commission’s website at www.ncahlc.org.Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or

its academic programs. Comments must be in writing.

All comments must be received by February 23, 2015.


As ItIC

When I arrived at Illinois College to move into Colonial Inn, IC felt familiar, but this was my own big, new adventure. My dad and aunt were IC students in the early 1930s, my older brother, Robert Lamont ’61, was a senior, and my younger brother, Bruce Lamont ’66, would follow two years later. Today we would be called a legacy family. In 1960 this small, private, church-related institution was “our family college.” On one of several

visits in the late 1950s, we saw my brother, Rob, performing in “Shakuntala” on the Ames Woodland Stage. There is one step from the stage remaining on campus near Beecher Hall.

As you would expect, there were challenges. As a young person, I was terrified of public speaking, but Darrell Reagan led us along a path of increasing confidence in Speech 101. My first speech was so painful all I could say was my name and hometown; I froze and wanted to disappear into the stage at Jones Hall. My comfort speaking publicly grew. Now my challenge is to be concise. Thanks, Darrell.

During my freshman year, after an introductory course with Mrs. Eleanor Miller at Whipple Hall, I decided to major in psychology. Whipple Hall is beautiful today; it used to be old and creaky. All the courses in psych were taught by Mrs. Miller who was a one-woman department and an inspiration. Her influence led me to pursue a career in “personnel work.”

At the end of my junior year, I was married and transferred to The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. It was in that year on a campus of 40,000 students that the quality of my IC education became crystal clear. The confidence I had in this new and huge campus environment with many classes to choose from came from only three years at IC. Fortunately, all my credits transferred so that I could receive an Illinois College diploma.

After college my first job was as a “personnel technician,” thanks to Mrs. Miller. Then after only a year, I began an 11-year career hiatus to raise my children. Knowing I would always “go back to work,” I eagerly volunteered in the community. During those years, I honed skills and talent

nurtured earlier through Hilltoppers, Sigma Phi Epsilon Literary Society, Student Forum and more.

When I embarked upon a full-time career again, it was in nonprofit management and fundraising. Experience and knowledge led to professional success and achievement. I was analytical, creative and enthusiastic finding satisfaction working for causes I believed in. Perhaps weekly-required chapel and convocation had stirred my altruism.

I hadn’t been back to campus to visit until about 10 years ago. My former roommate, Carol Jones Wright ’64, and I learned that the owners of Colonial Inn, now a private residence, were hosting an open house. We had to see it! That weekend felt like coming home. Time changes everything, but the IC spirit remains the same.

This was the beginning of several visits to campus. The most emotional and fulfilling visit came at my 50th Class Reunion weekend this past May. Seeing the new Alumni House, former classmates and meeting our new president were all special. But for the first time – I walked in the commencement procession! Since I was unable to participate in my original commencement exercises in 1964, this was “it” for me.

The moment that took me back 50 years in an instant was at the beginning of the baccalaureate service when my brother and sister-in-law surprised me, showing up to share my “graduation” experience. All I could say was wow, wow and wow through the tears in my eyes. Some of the staff knew they were coming and kept the secret. Thank you, IC staff, for all you continue to do and thank you, family, for sharing my joy.

For most years since 1964, I have donated to IC. As a professional fundraiser, I know how important regular annual gifts are. It’s also an easy decision for me to give to IC because somebody helped me when I was a student. What better gift than to give to “our family college” to acknowledge a meaningful, productive and rewarding life?

According to Marvin Krislov and Steven S. Volk of Oberlin College, “It is the responsibility of all colleges and universities not just to teach their students calculus and U.S. history, but to help them answer the question of what kind of life might be meaningful, productive and rewarding.” Illinois College did that for me.

Now that I am getting older, I am pondering what legacy I might leave to Illinois College myself. It’s not done yet, but neither am I.

Reminiscing on 50 Yearsby Cheryl Lamont Boehmke ’64

IC

To discuss creating your legacy at Illinois College, contact Julie Surratt Wilkinson ’05, director of development,

at 217.473.7511 or [email protected].

Legacy gifts to Illinois College inspire student achievement, provide for transformative experiences and help make an IC education more attainable. Many legacy giving options are available.Illinois College alumni, parents and friends have found fulfillment through a named endowment. The earnings from a named endowed faculty award or student scholarship are distributed annually according to an agreement we create together. The principal – and your legacy – go on in perpetuity.

Planning for a gift after your lifetime qualifies you for membership in the Julian Monson Sturtevant Society. Through a simple bequest in your will or estate plan, you direct all or a portion of your assets to IC to support a program, establish a named endowment or benefit the areas of greatest need. A bequest has no cost during your lifetime and provides the satisfaction of supporting future generations on the Hilltop.

Other creative planned giving techniques allow you to receive income, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable trust, while gifts through a retirement fund can help offset income and estate taxes. Doris Broehl Hopper ’41 presents

the Doris B. Hopper Award for outstanding female athlete to Missy Norville ’13.

Establish Your Legacy, Forever Make a DifferenceLegacy: lěg -se, noun1. A gift passed down from one

generation to the next.2. A source of opportunity for

Illinois College students.

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Dubbed “Uncle Sam’s only woman chemist,” Margaret Dorothy “Dot” Foster ’18 is pictured working in a chemistry lab in 1919. Dr. Foster was the first woman chemist to work for the United States Geological Survey, starting in 1918, just three days after receiving her A.B. from Illinois College. Dr. Foster’s studies primarily focused on the analysis of natural waters. Her work on the Manhattan Project resulted in two new quantitative methods of analysis, one for uranium and one for thorium. She retired after serving 46 years with the agency. Dr. Foster earned a Master of Science degree from George Washington University in 1923 and a Ph.D. from American University in 1936.Illinois College bestowed upon Dr. Foster an honorary Doctorate of Science degree in 1956 and a Distinguished Service Citation in 1962.This fall Illinois College will launch the Dorothy Foster Society to promote experiential learning. Incoming first-year students were selected to participate through an interview process at Trustee Scholarship Weekend.

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illinois college quarterly summer 2014

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