WESTERN The magazine for Alumni of Western Illinois University | SUMMER 2018
Ray, Western’s newest mascot, and Rocky, who retired in Summer 2018 after eight years as WIU’s mascot Managing Editor Alisha Barnett Looney MA ’13 Letter from the President Dear WIU Alumni and Friends, Magazine Designer Shanee Sullivan ‘01 Our faculty, staff, students and alumni make this University a world-class institution, and we continue to achieve outstanding Contributing Writers accolades. This issue is dedicated to just a few of the stories Brad Bainter ’79 MS ’83 featuring the incredible successes and accomplishments of our Kathy Nichols ’89 MA ’94 faculty, staff, students and alumni. Jodi Pospeschil MA ’15 Wonderful things continue to take place at Western Illinois University. As you will Darcie Dyer-Shinberger ’89 MS ’98 read within these pages, Western’s graduates boasted the state’s highest CPA exam pass Amanda Shoemaker MS ’11 rate of any Illinois public university in 2017, and our School of Nursing students have Amy Spelman MS ’98 a 100 percent National Nursing Licensure Exam Pass Rate. Our broadcasting students continue to win regional, state and national awards, and our theatre students capture Director of Alumni Programs prestigious acting competition honors. Amy Spelman MS ’98 For 13 consecutive years, Western has been recognized as a “Best Midwestern University” by U.S. News and World Report, and for 14 consecutive years, WIU was Assistant Vice President for named a “Best Midwestern College” by The Princeton Review. We have also been Advancement and Public Services named as a “Best Bang for the Buck” Midwestern school and as one of the top master’s Darcie Shinberger ’89 MS ’98 degree granting institutions in the nation by Washington Monthly. Western has earned Vice President for Advancement and the distinction as a “Best for Vets College” by Military Times EDGE magazine and ranks Public Services in the top 20 percent of all colleges and universities in the nation serving veterans and service members. Brad Bainter ’79 MS ’83 The list of the many accomplishments and achievements coming from Western is Western Illinois University President lengthy, and I could not be more proud. To our faculty, staff, students and alumni, I Jack Thomas commend you for working hard to achieve your dreams and bringing great recognition to Western Illinois University. Your accomplishments are many and are noteworthy, and we are honored to share your successes. Sincerely, Western Magazine Summer 2018, Vol. 70, No. 3
Western Magazine (USPS 679-980) Jack Thomas, President is published quarterly by University Relations, 1 University Circle, Greetings from Western Illinois University! Macomb, IL 61455-1390. During my 35 years at Western, I have had the privilege of being a Periodicals postage paid at part of an institution that provides opportunities and experiences Macomb, IL, and at additional mailing for students, faculty and staff to achieve greatness. However, in offices. Distributed to WIU alumni. my many years at Western, I have not encountered so much good news generated by our students and faculty in such a short amount Postmaster: Please send of time. During the final weeks of the Spring 2018 semester, our address changes to students presented some incredible achievements. It is with great WIU Alumni Association, pride and honor that we share a few of these noteworthy events in 1 University Circle, our Western alumni magazine. I think you will also be excited and proud of these recent Macomb, IL 61455-1390. accomplishments. Need to update your address? As proud alumni of Western Illinois University, I ask that you share this news with wiu.edu/alumni your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. If you are an educator or school Tel (309) 298-1914 administrator, please share with your students and colleagues. If you own a business, Fax (309) 298-2914 please display this with pride in a prominent place so your customers can see all the great things happening at Western. Printed by the authority of the Let it be known far and wide that in spite of an incredibly challenging environment for State of Illinois higher education, your alma mater—Western Illinois University—continues to provide 18134 outstanding opportunities for students to achieve their goals and dreams. 7/2018 • xxx,xxx • xxx,xxx Thank you and best wishes. Go Leathernecks!
Brad Bainter ‘79 MS ‘83 Vice President, Advancement and Public Services WESTERN SUMMER 2018 Features 9 Introducing Col. Rock IV Col. Rock IV, aka Ray, will debut as WIU’s newest live mascot in Fall 2018. 14 Center Stage “Avenue Q” came to Western and brought with it a unique collaboration across disciplines. 16 Kennedy Center National Honor Junior theatre major Nissi Smith took home a first place win in a national Kennedy Center competition. 22 A Family Affair WIU alumnus Charlie Carey ’75 is the third generation to serve at the helm of the Chicago Board of Trade. 28 Broadcasting: Preparing for Great 16 Things Broadcasting students are graduating with impressive resumés, with an increasing number of regional, state and national awards. 31 All in the Family Western alumna Kim Parker ’08 MBA ’11 continues to carry on her family’s baseball legacy. 32 Compassionate Perfection Nursing students boast a 100% NCLEX exam pass rate. 34 Heirloom Research Tomatoes are at the center of a research collaboration between two WIU departments studying cancer prevention. Departments 2 University News 6 What I Know Now 8 Giving Back to Western 10 Blast From the Past 22 20 Straight From a Student 36 Athletics facebook.com/WesternIlUniv 38 Student Spotlight 40 Alumni Calendar instagram.com/WesternILUniv 41 Alumni Class Notes twitter.com/WesternILUniv
Have tips, questions or comments for snapchat.com/add/WesternIlUniv the Western Illinois University Alumni Magazine? Email [email protected]. bit.ly/WIULinkedIn To send us your news, see pg. 45. University News Ag Students Place High in Commodity Trading Competition
By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15
A group of Western Illinois going to happen. This is wonderful University agriculture students practice for the real world trading. have turned classroom lessons into This way students are also learning an 18th place finish in a national there is a wider array of commodities commodity trading competition. trading than just agriculture.” The team of four WIU students Franken teaches an advanced is made up of Caleb Dowell, a agriculture economics class, which senior agriculture major from includes discussions of product Stronghurst, IL; Keely Egelhoff marketing and commodity trading ’18, a senior agriculture major lessons. While he did not require from Medora, IL; Nathaniel Kerr students to become a part of the ’18, a senior agriculture major CME team as part of the class, he “There were some mistakes from Warsaw, IL; and Corey said three of his students volunteered. made when we first started, but we Norton ’18, a senior agriculture Egelhoff joined the team after prevailed as a team to advance to the major from Mason City, IL. The completing one of Franken’s classes final round,” he said. “This has been students survived the first round of and competing in the CME Challenge a learning experience for all of us. I the Chicago Mercantile Exchange during a previous semester. did this challenge so I could see how (CME) Group Trading Challenge to “The class teaches the same CQG volatile the markets could be on a daily qualify for the final round. trading software used in the CME basis and learn more about how the Only 53 of the 600 participating challenge,” Franken said. “This markets worked.” teams advanced to the final round, competition really gives students Kerr said he set up a “short with WIU placing 38th in the a healthy respect for how quickly position in soybeans so every cent preliminary round. Each round markets can change.” the price went down, our team would lasted roughly two weeks. The entire competition is online earn $1,000.” He said he wanted to WIU Associate Professor of with students accessing the CQG participate to gain the experience. Agriculture Jason Franken, who software on their computers and on “I was more interested in trading served as club advisor, said the apps on their cell phones. Franken with risk-free, synthetic money and students were given a fictitious said sometimes the students traded saw the competition as a great way $100,000 to invest in commodities as a team, and sometimes team to practice making trades from a during the first round, which they members placed trades on their own. speculative stance instead of hedging,” finished with a balance of $132,625. Franken said he has helped teams he said. “It was good practice, and During the second round, the of WIU students enroll in the CME coming out near the top of the pack students turned an initial balance of Challenge since 2014, but this is the was a satisfying feeling, as well.” $250,000 into a balance of $259,000. highest a team has placed in the final The challenge included 240 higher Commodities traded included oils, round. He added that he believes the education institutions in 35 countries. metals and agricultural products. competition is an added educational Trading was completed between Feb. In the initial round, Franken benefit for WIU students. 20-March 1 in the initial round and said, students took a risk on an oil “They have shown they can be March 5-16 in the final round. investment just before the release successful in the futures market,” he After the competition, the team was of an industry report. The results said. “It’s not just getting a good grade invited to the CME Group in Chicago of the report made the investment on a test—I was pleased with how they in April for an educational opportunity increase to help the students reacted after they made it to the final and chance to interact with industry advance to the next round. round and they got more into it.” leaders. Kerr took part in that event. “It really made a difference in Norton said students weren’t For more information about the terms of money,” said Franken. “They sure what to expect in terms of the challenge, visit bit.ly/2FWDLcd. guessed right in terms of what was challenge as they initially began. •
2 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 Calculating Success
By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15
The Master of Accountancy program in Western Illinois University’s College of Business and Technology (CBT) is preparing CPA exam during the final semester of Alternative Investment Partnership students to take the Certified Public their master’s degree coursework. Tax Compliance. Accountant (CPA) exam. Western Western’s Department of Ellison credits his career successes graduates boasted the state’s highest Accounting and Finance initiated and ability to sit for the CPA exam to exam pass rate of any Illinois public and secured the Illinois Board of WIU’s curriculum and hands-on focus university in 2017. Examiners’ support to expand the provided by faculty. The statistics, compiled by the provisional testing window in Illinois “Retired CPA exam questions Illinois Board of Examiners, show to 150 days. Subsequently, the Board of were implemented into coursework WIU students passed the CPA exam at Examiners secured the state’s approval as early as the first Intermediate a rate of 70.67 percent. The pass rate in November 2017. Financial Accounting course, which is the highest among WIU students The CPA Project will be boosted was my sophomore year at WIU,” since 2012. The average 2017 pass rate by a grant from the Diversity Pipeline said Ellison. “I distinctly remember among students from Illinois colleges Project of the American Institute of being intimidated by those questions and universities was 49.73 percent. Certified Public Accountants, which at first solely because of the letters CBT Interim Dean John Elfrink pays for up to three CPA Project ‘C-P-A’ appearing in the book next said the CPA exam is one of the most Scholars, selected based on merit. to the retired exam questions and rigorous professional tests, requiring Students from historically black colleges thinking I wasn’t prepared for that a “solid educational background for and universities, universities historically level yet. Learning how to break down success.” serving Hispanic students and and comprehend what complex exam “In addition, it also tests skills universities historically serving Native questions are asking and what steps to needed in the accounting profession, American students are encouraged to take to apply the appropriate concepts such as communications, problem apply for the WIU program. and theories learned were things taught solving and computer and research “Our role is simply to act as very early.” abilities,” said Elfrink. “On an facilitators and provide guidance to our While Ellison was a WIU individual level, hard work and students,” said Elfrink. “The Master sophomore, he said the CPA exams feel perseverance is key to scoring well. of Accountancy program—with an like a lifetime away. With those factors in mind, we are very emphasis in public accounting—and “Looking back now, it feels like proud of our graduates. They deserve preparation for the Certified Public just yesterday that the professors were the credit for the superior pass rates our Accountants exam support our going above and beyond to show us accounting program has experienced mission. While we do not utilize the how obtainable anything is when over a long period of time.” pass rate as the sole criteria of success you put the appropriate time and Elfrink said the department’s in our program, we do celebrate effort in,” he said. “I can remember curriculum adheres to guidelines our students’ success with the CPA Gregg Woodruff emphasizing in his recommended to the University by the exam. We are most grateful that our tax course how it’s not just about CPA profession and members of the alumni compliment the accounting flying through each testlet before your department’s advisory board. program through their contributions to allotted time runs out; it’s about using In an effort to further increase the the accounting profession.” every second of your allotted time to number of students who take and pass WIU alumnus Joe Ellison ’13 had understand every question and answer the CPA exam at the end of the WIU been a senior associate with RSM to the best of your abilities. That’s Master of Accountancy program, (formerly known as McGladrey) in something that stuck with me through the Department of Accounting and Chicago for just over one year when every practice exam I took during my Finance has implemented the CPA he decided to “get serious” about Becker CPA review coursework.” Project. The application process for the pursuing certification in January For more information about WIU’s first cohort of program scholars is now 2017. Shortly after passing the Master of Accountancy program, open and classes will begin for the Fall CPA exams, Ellison left RSM for or to apply, visit bit.ly/2FLTplM. To 2018 semester. The cohort will prepare a manager position with LICCAR see the CPA exam pass rates of all for the CPA exam over their entire Certified Public Accountants in Illinois colleges and universities, program and sit for all parts of the Chicago, where he focuses on visit bit.ly/2HVzkv8. •
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 3 WIU Professor Returns Home At the same time Professor Fetene “I submitted my application and The service mission of Rotary Gebrewold is teaching his Western was asked for an interview in Quincy,” International includes supporting Illinois University students about the he said “A week later, I learned I had education and alleviating poverty impact of poverty on health conditions received the grant and I was being around the world. With that in mind, around the world, he is putting his sponsored by the Bushnell Rotary the fundraising campaign was started lessons into practice to improve the Club.” about six months ago with a $300,000 health and learning conditions for a As Gebrewold traveled throughout goal. The campaign was kicked off crumbling elementary school nearly Ethiopia to teach the seminars and with a $5,000 donation by WIU 8,000 miles from Macomb. check on interns working throughout alumni Brian ’86 and Kathleen ’86 Gebrewold has undertaken an the country, he came upon the school (De Caire) Aden of Mudelein (IL). extensive fundraising project, with the and was offered a tour. The conditions Gebrewold said the initial help of the Bushnell (IL) Rotary Club, he encountered, which included campaign is to raise funds for basic to benefit an impoverished grade school classrooms that flood during heavy classroom necessities, such as desks in Ethiopia, his native country. The rains, startled him. Many of the people and chalkboards. The plan to drill a Harewa/Lele Elementary School has living in the region serviced by the well and bring running water to the nearly 1,500 students, but it lacks basic school are subsistent farmers. The area site has hit several snags, including necessities such as electricity, running is remote, and the school serves many the region’s terrain and the distance water, desks and educational supplies. villages. the water would have to run to reach “I am originally from that region, “There is no electricity, or services the school, but it is still part of the so I consider myself a product of two such as clinics or hospitals,” said long-range plan. worlds—developing and developed,” Gebrewold. “People do a lot of A network has also been created he said. “These students have no walking to find water, or they use cattle between the elementary school and transportation and some walk two or donkeys for transportation. Most of Haramaya University in an effort to miles to school each way. There are the students attending the school come handle the logistics of translating also sanitation issues and problems from peasant backgrounds, lacking the donated funds into action at the with water contamination. There are adequate nutrition, personal hygiene school, including seeking bids for the waterborne diseases, so mortality and and immunizations.” classroom additions. morbidity before age 5 is common.” The water source closest to the The objectives of the plan also The realization of the school’s many school is about two miles away and is include: issues first came when Gebrewold contaminated. • increase the working condition of traveled to his home country on After seeing the regional conditions the school community by reducing sabbatical several years ago to spend firsthand, Gebrewold said he was driven the average time spent to haul a semester teaching at Haramaya to do something. When he returned water; University in Harar. More recently, his to Illinois, he made a presentation to • build three classrooms; work with the Ethiopian university has the Bushnell Rotary Club about his • improve health conditions by resulted in an agreement with WIU to time in Ethiopia and the conditions providing clean water and allow the study exchange of students he encountered. Bushnell Rotary Club • decrease the burden on women and faculty and encourage research President Judge Patricia Walton said and children (who are called upon collaborations in academic areas, such the photographs Gebrewold shared to haul the water) and decrease as health sciences and nursing. impacted the club’s membership. mortality and morbidity from His work in Ethiopia has also been “Our club members cannot even waterborne-related diseases. aided by a Rotary International grant fathom sending one’s children to school Gebrewold last visited the region. to help conduct public health seminars in a place without a safe structure, no in July 2017 and said school officials and presentations on key health issues desks and no educational supplies,” she are grateful for his fundraising efforts. affecting emerging nations at Haramaya said. “If we can raise enough money He hopes the project can have a University and in community health to provide desks and educational positive impact on the school and its clinics. The grant program seeks materials, then the children can students. ambassadors to teach health education concentrate on learning and bettering For more information about the in developing countries, and Gebrewold themselves—and as a result, bettering project, or to make a donation.
By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15 MA Jodi Pospeschil By applied after a flyer hanging up on the their families.” visit gofundme.com/harewa-school- WIU campus caught his eye. waterclassroom-build. •
4 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 Beautiful Music As the Western Illinois University Herb said it was the prestigious School of Music strives to graduate instruments the company produced that the world’s finest musicians, an made the investment more interesting ongoing fundraiser is seeking to than the return on the investment. provide them with the world’s finest “Approximately five years ago, a Steinway & Sons pianos as they study. majority of the shareholders decided In 2017, the School of Music to sell the company,” he said. “Rather began a fundraising campaign to than take the proceeds from the sale, make WIU an All-Steinway School. we transferred our shares to the WIU The designation is a symbol of Foundation, with the proceeds to be excellence that shows exclusive use of held in trust for the future benefit of Herb and Nancy Strong the Steinway brand at the University. Western students. What we didn’t School of Music Director Tammie realize at the time was how much stage of the COFAC Recital Hall so Walker said the hope is to eventually pleasure we had received from owning students and faculty can begin using it. have a total of 40 Steinway pianos at a small piece of this great company.” During the Celebration Concert, Western. About 200 institutions have Herb added that the decision to School of Music faculty performed achieved the All-Steinway School use the money to buy a Steinway piano pieces that showcased the distinction, but Western would be Concert Grand for the WIU School of capabilities of the piano. the first public university in Illinois to Music was easy and was made more Since the fundraising campaign for reach the benchmark. Achieving the special by sharing the process with the All-Steinway School distinction distinction would also identify WIU as the couple’s three daughters. A plaque began last year, enough donations a regional, cultural hub and help with will be placed on the piano that reads: have come in to allow the School of school accreditation requirements. “May the sound of its music penetrate Music to purchase six new pianos. “This designation is not only a the hearts of the audience” – Herbert Walker said this is an “incredible statement about the level of excellence and Nancy Strong and daughters achievement,” especially in light of in the School of Music, but a statement Maghan, Brekin and Brittany. the state’s historic budget crisis. about the importance of the arts in The Strong family traveled to “Our students (current and former) west central Illinois,” said Walker. the Steinway & Sons factory in need something to believe in,” she The first Steinway was donated Queens, NY, in November 2017 said. “Our faculty need reassurance of in 2014 by Herb and Nancy Strong, with Walker; Associate Professor of our excellence. Our community needs of Macomb, to be placed in the Piano Jeff Brown; College of Fine a reminder that anything is possible planned Center for Performing Arts Arts and Communication Director when we work together. Becoming at WIU. Because of the company’s of Development Julie Baker ’05 and an All-Steinway School will be a reputation for excellence, the couple Certified Piano Consultant at West statement of excellence for Western purchased its stock many years Music Quad Cities (Moline, IL) Patrick Illinois University for generations.” ago. Herb ‘72 received the Alumni Downing ’09 to choose the piano. The project is donor funded, with Achievement Award in 2009, and he The group toured the facility, where a goal of about $770,000. and Nancy have been involved with Model D Steinways are produced by COFAC Dean Billy Clow said the Performing Arts Society (PAS) hand. There were five of the pianos in becoming an All Steinway School for many years. Herb served as PAS a selection room, and the team spent will allow WIU to provide the best president in 2007 and 2008. about four hours selecting the piano instruments in the world for students. “In 1997, Nancy and I started that was the best fit for Western. “It is a reflection of the commitment buying stock in this small American The team’s choice was unveiled to excellence and the quality of the company, which had this long history during a Celebration Concert April program, students and faculty at WIU, of making the world’s finest piano,” 8 in the COFAC Recital Hall. The and its another reason the School of said Herb. “The company had just chosen Steinway & Sons piano will Music is such a special part of Western been made available to the public eventually be placed on the stage of Illinois University being ‘The Arts after a much larger company made the Center for Performing Arts. The Destination’ in the state.” the decision to no longer keep it Center for Performing Arts will include For more information about in its portfolio of assets. Its family a 1,400-seat proscenium theatre the Steinway Schools distinction, tradition of making superior musical auditorium with two balconies, a 250- visit steinway.com/community/ instruments, and the fact that it had a seat thrust stage and a 150-seat studio institutions/all-steinway-schools. For limited number of shareholders, made theatre. Until the center is constructed, more information about WIU’s School By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15 MA Jodi Pospeschil By an intriguing investment.” the new piano will be placed on the of Music, visit wiu.edu/music. •
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 5 What I Know Now Carin Stutz ‘78: Restaurant Executive, Mentor for Women Leaders, Red Robin COO
Time flies . . . Speaking of math and money, a person here who thinks you want I never thought about that when debt is your enemy . . . to be promoted.’ Wow, that was a I was at WIU or when I thought a As I am writing this, I am sporting turning point for me. Keeping your tough class would never end. Now, a pair of $9 Costco jeans. Perhaps head down, getting great results and I’m astonished when I look at the because I grew up with loving parents thinking surely someone will notice calendar and often say, ‘How can it be but not much money, I continue to is not how the game is played. You June already? The year just started.’ be unapologetically frugal today. I MUST be an advocate for yourself Guess that means I truly am having spend money on experiences, concerts and speak up about your career goals. fun! Make every day count! and grandbabies (okay…and wine), have saved every bonus check I have You get more from a mentoring Take the high road… received and never paid interest on relationship than you give . . . In my 20s, I learned an early a credit card. I have no regrets not Yes, we get to share wisdom and lesson with a group of colleagues buying things that wouldn’t matter life experiences, gossiping about our boss. It was a in six months that I’d still be paying but I leave game of one-upmanship; who could off. Invest in you and your bank each top the last story. A new colleague account first. You don’t have to joined the group, listened for a few impress anyone with material minutes and simply said, ‘I wonder things. how we would handle it if we were in their shoes? It must be challenging Be an advocate for to have that responsibility and please yourself . . . everyone.’ I felt ashamed and small. I was passed over for Now, with every conversation, I think a job seven times. The about how can I add value, take the seventh time, as I arrived at high road and bring the conversation the office, my boss met me to a better place. at the door and said, ‘I have some good news.’ Of course, Math matters . . . I was thinking, this is it! I’m After spending an entire career going to get that promotion. in the hospitality business (or any I was leading the company in business), I have learned operating every possible metric. Instead he skills and being able to execute the said, ‘there is someone here I want plan are critical to being successful. you to meet. I’m asking you However, if you want a seat in the to train him and when he’s C-suite, you must learn financial done, he will be your new skills. You need to know how your boss.’ Of course, I should company makes money, invests have said something capital and delivers a return on those kind and welcoming, investments, to name a few. I often see but the frustration got women shy away from this, but once to me and I said, ‘Are they commit, they learn easily. Jump you kidding me; when is in! This opened doors for me. it going to be my turn?’ He said to me: ‘Are you kidding me? There is not
6 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 session more confident in the next Buddies, would still be dear friends responders, military and health care generation with good insights on today. We live across the USA, but workers who often see us when we keeping our business relevant for find time to meet every summer. are not at our best. It’s too easy today years to come. And I feel about 10 This group of friends is my lifeline. to be negative and find fault, when years younger and much more hip We celebrate successes, children the reality is the people who serve than I really am. and grandchildren, and we can talk you are hardworking and incredibly politics, religion or current events with generous people, who truly care. Don’t take life and those you love many points of view, but we value Start and end with kindness. We have for granted . . . and respect our different opinions. We total control. My mother reminds me daily of can be vulnerable, and we lift each the regret she has for taking my dad other up. The crazy number of text Practice optimism for granted before we lost him to messages make me laugh every day. I I am an optimist. From an early cancer. I am not good at this either. mention this because I have watched age, if we said anything negative Work can consume me. My husband, my mother-in-law thrive after losing about someone or something, my Rodger ‘78, is a role model at this. my father-in-law way too young. This mother insisted we immediately He gives you his complete attention is due to her amazing network of follow that with two positive things. in every conversation. He doesn’t friends. Don’t be too busy to cement That is rather hard for a child, but it pick up his phone and is 100 percent important friendships. Cheers to stuck with me. A side benefit was I present. Be like Rodger. lifetime friends. learned to see the world from various points of view. I learned that I may You’ve got to have friends . . . Be kind . . . especially to those not agree with you, but I can still My first year at WIU was on who serve . . . value and respect you. Optimism Bennett 4, followed by Thompson After 40 years in the restaurant allows me to wake up every day 6 and then the Tri-Sigma sorority. business, I’ve seen it all. Working with hope, confidence and joy. Little did I know then that those in hospitality, I am grateful for our Unfortunately, it hasn’t made me nine women, nicknamed the Bennett service providers, teachers, first want to exercise. • Bennett Buddies
Top L to R: Debbie Torrence Stevens ‘77, Suzette Thompson Harper ‘77, Bette Beemsterboer Rogers ‘77, Cathy Stokes Buckley ‘77, Kim Schoemer Hinrichs, Linda Saxton Geskie ‘78, Diane Smith Sommers ‘77. Front L to R: Carin Horne Stutz ‘78, Polly Miller Davis ‘78, Sharon Horne Dolan ‘78.
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 7 Giving Back to Western Western Challenge Purple & Gold Day
By Alisha Looney MA ‘13
The results are in! Leatherneck faculty and staff. We cannot thank “I want to also give a heartfelt thank pride was in full force April 24, as the 851 individuals enough for their you to Jim Miner for supporting our Western Illinois University hosted incredible generosity and support,” efforts with his gift of $25,000 to the annual Western Challenge on said Annual Fund Director Tim establish an endowed scholarship in Purple & Gold Day. The 24-hour Hallinan ’95. honor and memory of his wife, Suzi online giving event set a record, This year’s challenge also (’72 MS ’73).” raising $153,679 with 851 donors. included the kick off to the “This year’s Western Challenge The gifts surpassed last year’s total fundraiser for the Alumni Plaza demonstrates to our current and by $19,697. project, which will pay tribute to future students that Western is a Gifts rolled in for a variety of WIU’s live mascot, Colonel Rock. place with people who truly care departments, programs, resources, “I would like to thank everyone about their success,” Hallinan scholarships and a special projects, who donated or participated in said. from the wee hours of the morning Purple & Gold Day, as well as The • to the evening’s end. Western Challenge. We raised over “The Western Challenge is $150,000 and had a terrific turnout indicative of the type of support for the Alumni Plaza project,” said the University receives far and wide Vice President for Advancement and from alumni, students, friends, Public Services Brad Bainter ’79 ’83.
8 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 Col. Rock IV (“Ray”) IntroducingThere’s a new dog in town and he’s bone-a-fide.
Darcie Dyer-Shinberger ’89 MS ’98
Col. Rock IV—aka Ray, after year (though he will probably make dogs, who really are members of our Western Illinois University’s some appearances before his official family,” Roselieb said. “Ketra and I legendary longtime coach and athletic debut). couldn’t be more proud to have this director Ray “Rock” Hanson—arrived Much like how his older cousin responsibility, and to ensure that the in Macomb from the Siess Ranch came to Western, the generosity of WIU live mascot program continues in Kansas, where his “cousin,” Col. the Siess family, the WIU Foundation to be a success.” Rock III, was born eight years ago. and a few private donors brought the Col. Rock III and Col. Rock IV are Rocky’s and Ray’s caretaker and 16-week-old Ray to the University. AKC-certified English bulldogs who owner, Joe Roselieb ’07 MS ’09, Col. Rock III became a member were donated to Western by Richard director of residential and auxiliary of the Leatherneck family in May and Beth Siess of the Siess Ranch in facilities and a WIU alumnus, road- 2010 as a 10-week-old pup. Roselieb Seneca, KS. Dr. Karen Blakeley of tripped to Kansas to pick up Western’s was selected as Rocky’s person (and Macomb’s All Pets Veterinary Clinic newest live mascot. trainer and chauffeur), and for eight and the WIU School of Agriculture, Col. Rock III (Rocky), who turned years, Roselieb has overseen every along with other University and 8 on March 3, recently “announced” aspect of Rocky’s care, from providing community organizations and his retirement. Roselieb, along with him with a loving home to teaching individuals, make sure that Rocky’s Ketra Russell ’09 MBA ’11 director the “old” dog new tricks to making and Ray’s needs are tended to. of auxiliary finances/contracts and sure he’s healthy to taking him to “It takes a village to ensure this WIU alumna, will house and train numerous WIU and community program’s success, and we have a (and chauffeur) Ray, while Rocky events each year. terrific village at WIU and in our “supervises” the training and makes “It is an honor to serve as the community, along with a fantastic, occasional guest appearances. caretaker and trainer for Western’s ethical breeder in the Siess Ranch,” An official retirement celebration live mascots. Rocky was our test Roselieb said. “We’re looking forward will be held for Rocky in Fall 2018, run to reinstate the program, and to introducing the newest member of while a meet-and-greet “paw-ty” with I have loved every minute of it. It the Leatherneck family to everyone in Col. Rock IV will also be scheduled is humbling that we are entrusted the very near future.” after the start of the new academic with the care of these very special •
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 9
Blast From the Past
A History of the Early Years at Western
By Kathy Nichols ‘89 MA ‘94, WIU Archives
With 2018 being the Bicentennial those days students attended schools which pertain to a common school of Illinois, it’s an ideal time for us in their hometowns or nearby. In education, and such other studies as to look into our past. Our first local “First Century,” John Hallwas ’67 the board of trustees may from time institution of higher learning was MA ’68 said, “The effort to establish to time prescribe.” McDonough College, which opened one in that part of the state originated It was this statement that attracted its doors in 1837, just six years after in Macomb, chiefly because local the attention of the legislators and Macomb was laid out. WIU doesn’t leaders felt their community would be ensured they would react positively. In have a history that reaches back to chosen as the location.” those days, teachers in the common pioneer times, although it is 119 years On April 24, 1899, the state schools, who taught grades one old. Even so, it has a fascinating legislature passed the bill that through eight, dealt with tremendous history, which deserves to be provided for the establishment of disadvantages. They performed their remembered and appreciated. a Western Illinois State Normal work in settings that were frequently At the time Western was School. That bill, most likely written overcrowded, in poor repair and ill chartered, Illinois did not need by Macomb lawyer J. C. Thompson, equipped. They oftentimes found another state-supported teacher- stated in part, “The object of the themselves staying up well into the training institution. It already had said Western Illinois State Normal night to prepare lessons and grade several in Bloomington, Carbondale, School shall be to qualify teachers papers for students in all eight grades. Charleston and DeKalb. However, it for the common schools of this state And, in some cases, they were called didn’t have one focused on the needs by imparting instruction in the art of the people of western Illinois. In of teaching in all branches of study
10 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 upon to cope with unruly students near their own age and larger in stature than they were. The quality of public school teaching in Illinois at the turn of the century was deplorable. Commonly, students graduated from the eighth grade in the spring and took up teaching the following fall. At the turn of the past century, Alfred E. Bayliss was the state superintendent of public instruction. Well educated, highly experienced and in touch with top educators throughout the nation, he approved of the unique mission of the institution and made his opinion known. Board of Trustees The bill creating Western avoided naming a particular site for the school but instead stated that the board of trustees should arrange to receive proposals for the donation of a suitable location and other valuable considerations and should select a place that was as near the center of the Military Tract as possible, which was an area in western Illinois roughly from Rock Island County to Calhoun County and between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Towns competing for the new normal school were Aledo, LaHarpe, Macomb, Monmouth, Oquawka, Quincy and Rushville. After examining the potential locations and the financial inducements offered by each town, the board voted—597 times. Each trustee was a regional resident and naturally was committed to the site nearest his home. Finally, Governor John Tanner countered the deadlock by appointing a board composed of members from Bayliss outside the region. On August 14, 1900, after hearing a convincing argument by Illinois General Assembly leader and Speaker of the House L. Y. Sherman, the new board chose Macomb. Macomb was nearly dead center in the Military Tract. Also, it had offered a site with 30 acres (soon to be enlarged to 60 acres), located a mile northeast of the square on a hilltop in the gently rolling countryside, previously the site of the Henry Chase brickyard. In addition to providing the site, valued at $8,958, Bayliss the city offered the state $70,000 and agreed to clear the old brickyard grounds; lay pavement from Lafayette Street; create sidewalks to campus and provide sewer, water, gas and electricity to the site. Town leaders realized the positive impact the school could have on Macomb and the surrounding area. According to “Macomb Journal” editor Henninger W. H. Hainline, when the telegraph message arrived from Springfield, saying, “Macomb won on the first ballot,” pandemonium broke loose, despite the late hour (10 p.m.): “The cannon was fired, bells were rung, whistles were blown, and everyone within miles knew that the normal school had been located in Macomb.” The board of trustees immediately set about choosing Sherman a president for the new school. The state superintendent of public instruction, Alfred E. Bayliss, wanted the position and he had Sherman’s support, but on Oct. 18, at a meeting in Chicago, the trustees selected John W. Henninger, who was Bayliss’s assistant. Political Hursch leader Richard Yates, who would soon be governor, had favored Henninger, who was from his home town of Jacksonville, and he had swayed the board. Construction on the normal school building, later called Sherman Hall, began during the first week of November 1900, and on Dec. 21, the cornerstone was Burns laid. The day before, the “Macomb Journal” published a detailed description of the event, including the parade that would be held. In late morning on Dec. 21, Governor Tanner arrived by train and met with local officials at the Chandler Hotel. Morgan Hamilton
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 11 At 2 p.m., his carriage and those of most of the trees. From 1903-05, he other dignitaries followed marching supervised the planting of 500 trees of militia groups from Galesburg, Quincy various kinds, as well as many shrubs. and Peoria, as well as a military band In the spring of 1903, biology teacher from Canton, in the long parade to the Homer Roberts developed vegetable school site. Several thousand people and flower gardens to provide his turned out on the cloudy, chilly day to students with experience cultivating watch the cornerstone be put into place and making observations related to and to listen to speeches by Board of plants. Trustees President Charles J. Searle During Western’s early years, and the governor. The following day, there were many fine teachers and Hainline devoted the entire front page administrators associated with the of the newspaper to the cornerstone school, who can be credited with ceremony and the school. setting the course. One of those was While the Western Illinois State James C. Burns, who was assigned Normal School building was being the job of recruiting and registering constructed, President Henninger students, in addition to teaching his supervised the purchase of materials classes. He also brought the first and assembled a faculty. Henninger minority students to Western in hired nine teachers for the normal 1905—six Philippine students. At that school, a librarian and three critic time, a number of American colleges teachers for the teacher training and universities were taking similar school. action in an effort to provide deserving Creating the campus was a gradual young people from the war-torn process. The day Western finally Philippine Islands with much-needed opened, Monday, Sept. 23, 1902, higher education. All six of those who the exterior of the main building came to Western were good students. was completed and the layout of the The most outstanding, however, was interior was apparent, even though Camilo Osias, who distinguished the construction was still underway on school as a result of his outstanding all of the floors. As one early student performance in oratorical competitions recalled years later, “Through one and who, back in his own country long, weary session we sat beneath became a beloved and eventually interminable pounding; our teachers famous leader in the fields of were under necessity of shouting if education and politics. they wished to be heard; our heads The first English teacher at Western buzzed from continual confusion ...” was Samuel Hursh. Like several other The terraced lawn in front of the early teachers, Hursh pursued his building was made with earth from education as circumstances permitted. the excavation, but it had no shrubs He was born on a farm in 1848 in Welsh or flowers, nor did any other part of Run, Pennsylvania. His father had died the grounds. Rather, it was composed in 1853, and because Hursh’s older of rutted bare earth. There were no brothers were out West or in the war, driveways, and the only sidewalk was he took charge of the family farm at made of planks. As “First Century” the age of 14. He came to Illinois with tells us, “The landscape was designed his mother in 1866 and worked in the by Thomas Hawkes of Chicago, blacksmith shop of his brother-in-law and while the building was under at Lanark for four years. In 1870, at the construction, shrubbery plans were age of 21, he attended a rural school developed by Chase Brothers and in order to complete his eighth grade Company of Rochester, NY. Professor education. He then taught in Shannon John Van Ness Standish of Galesburg, and Spring Valley for some years, while a multi-talented educator who was the attending Illinois State Normal School. former president of Lombard College With his degree, Hursh was soon and a noted horticulturist, selected hired to teach and serve as principal at
12 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 Mt. Carroll. After five years there, he In September of that year, the led schools at Woodstock, Mt. Sterling, Board of Trustees promoted John and Streator. Then, in 1902, he was McGilvrey from supervisor of the hired to create the English program training school to acting president. and teach at Western Illinois State In March, 1912, he hired Walter P. Normal School. “Daddy” Hursh was Morgan to fill the post he had vacated. loved by Western students. He was also A few months later, on June 17, 1912, Brickyard much focused on their inner growth, as Morgan was selected as Western’s the underlying purpose of their studies. third president. During the 1905-06 academic year, he Morgan proved to be a talented served as acting president. administrator, bringing national Another member of the original attention to Western. From 1926- faculty at Western was Cora Hamilton. 1928 he served as secretary-treasurer Born in Connecticut in 1861, Cora did of the American Association of not attend school until she was 8 years Teacher’s Colleges, which ranked its old, chiefly because her family moved 145 member institutions, so he knew around so much. However, her father, exactly what a good teacher’s college Sherman Hall Board Walk a mechanical engineer, was committed should be and how to represent it to education, so she was taught to read to examiners from the outside. It’s at home and, as she later recalled, “she not surprising, then, that in 1928 was raised in a background of worship Western ranked among the top 20 for learning.” of those schools. In that same year During the late 1860s, her family Morgan was elected president of the moved to Galesburg, where Cora organization—an honor that reflected attended both grade school and enormous credit on Western. The high school. In 1878, she acquired a next year he was elected president Early Faculty teaching certificate and soon taught in of the North Central Association of a country school near Chatsworth. Secondary Schools and Colleges, an Before coming to Western in influential accrediting organization. 1902, she taught teaching methods at In 1930, President Hoover appointed Pontiac High School and also became him to an educational board of a primary school supervisor, first in consultants within the Department Joliet and then in Bloomington. At of the Interior, which conducted a Western, she was the first principal of nationwide study of teacher training the training school, and as such, she at the onset of the Depression. developed the school’s course of study. In addition, Morgan directed the Chandler Hotel After Western opened, she supervised growth of Western from a two-year and coached many would-be teachers teacher training school with a limited over the years, becoming the most focus and curriculum to a four-year beloved member of the early faculty. teacher training college, offering for In July, 1905, John Henninger the first time the opportunity to major resigned and Alfred Bayliss was offered in specific areas of academic interest. the presidency of the Western Illinois In 1927 Western had 666 students State Normal School. Bayliss achieved enrolled in its college-level program much, including raising the caliber and 210 in its training school. Sherman Hall Construction of the faculty, initiating a summer Western had dealt with the term of study, and establishing a challenges presented by World War Model Country School, on West I and emerged with the broadened Cornerstone Adams Street, which brought Western focus that would enable it to prepare national attention. Unfortunately, the young people for life in an increasingly promising administration of Alfred complex modern world. Of course, this Bayliss came to a premature end when paved the way for even greater changes, the educator was killed in a horseback in the 1950s and 1960s, as Western riding accident at his farm in Iowa became a multi-faceted university with during the summer of 1911. thousands of students. •
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 13 Center‘Avenue Q’ Brings a Unique CollaborationStage Between Fine
Arts Course and Theatre Production By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15
A unique, musical puppet show, each week. The class made dyed, “When ‘Avenue Q’ was chosen performed on the stage of Western fleece puppets for the performances. for the season, the faculty agreed that Illinois University’s Hainline Theatre “It was a large class, so we needed puppet design, puppet creation, as in April, offered students not only the to make sure everyone was on the well as puppeteering should be topics chance to act on stage, but to handle same page, with all of their questions we addressed in the classroom prior to nearly every aspect of the production answered the best I could,” she said. ever stepping on stage,” she said. and to work with one of the partici- “I wanted them to understand the Killian added that bringing Lyon pants from the show’s Broadway run. basics first and have more time to to campus helped inspire the students “Avenue Q” is a two-act play that grasp the concepts.” in their rehearsals. tells the story of a recent college After the puppets were completed, “With his work on ‘Avenue graduate named “Princeton,” who WIU’s College of Fine Arts and Q’ on Broadway, Rick Lyon has moves into a shabby New York Communication (COFAC) invited made a permanent contribution apartment on Avenue Q. Together, he Broadway puppeteer Rick Lyon, of that has enriched so many people and his new friends struggle to find New York City, to campus in mid- from audience members to artists jobs, dates and their purpose in life. February to work with the “Avenue who wish to learn from him,” said The national run of the show, which Q” cast. Killian. “Having his distinguished has been called an “adult version of “Being able to learn how a puppet presence visiting us on campus— ‘Sesame Street,’” won multiple Tony comes to life from the creator of in our rehearsals, classrooms awards. the original puppets for ‘Avenue and in open forums—energized The show, directed by WIU Q,’ not to mention a well-known students, challenged faculty and has Theatre and Dance Professor D.C. and respected puppeteer, was an immeasurably enhanced the creative Wright, included three live actors and experience that none of them will endeavors of our team.” numerous character puppets, operated soon forget,” said Mickelson. “Rick Killian said the show was not only by WIU students dressed in black, Lyon taught them how to make a box office success, but an artistic some taking more than one person to puppets walk, talk, sing and breathe, one, as well. make it functional. In its four-day run, which they learned wasn’t as easy as “The process of starting from the the show opened to record audiences. it appeared. I feel, overall, it was a basics of puppet design, working our In addition to the WIU students great experience for anyone who had way through the creation process, being chosen as actors and a chance to meet and learn from him, instructed in puppeteering by a master puppeteers for the musical, even if they only listened to him talk teacher and then experiencing the students and faculty created about his career.” process of rehearsal and performance the show’s intricate set, and a Lyon, who worked with Jim is an academic success story,” she said. Fall 2017 fine arts class of 11 Henson and on the “Muppet Show,” “We are making our goals and giving students created the more than 25 spent several days showing the cast the students in theatre and dance the hand and rod puppets needed for how their puppets should move and best educational experience possible.” the show. The puppet class was enhancing their understanding of the taught by WIU Costume Shop production. He also led a number of The Cast Manager Rebel Mickelson. networking discussions and question For the student actors Mickelson began the class and answer sessions with students. in “Avenue Q,” the entire teaching how to create a WIU Department of Theatre and production was an experience simple puppet, then built on Dance Chair Tammy Killian said one that added value to their what students learned in of the goals of WIU’s educational education at WIU. class, which met for theatre program is to “synthesize Annie Etchison, a one hour, three times course work and production work.” senior musical theatre
14 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 major from Dixon, IL, who played dedicated and incredibly talented workshop-style aspect how to “Kate Monster,” said the show individuals,” he said. “The work ethic maneuver the complexities of working enhanced her WIU experience in a of everyone was astounding, and I with puppets. We became a family variety of ways. never worked so hard, but also had so very early on and took care of one “From having Broadway much fun, working on a production.” another. We knew the show would be performer Rick Lyon come to teach Holling said the theatrical demanding, and we had to put forth us puppetry, to working together as environment allowed the cast to create, a strong performance, which we did an ensemble, to pushing ourselves as play and learn from each other, which thanks to the hard work of the actors hard as we could to be the best we was beneficial to everyone involved involved, our design team and constant could, this experience taught me so in the production. “We all truly tuned support of our department and families. much and is truly unforgettable,” said into the characters we were portraying, I am extremely proud of this production Etchison. “I will always remember and, over several weeks, became them and glad to know all the individuals it as a major part of my growth and in a way,” he said. “It was amazing involved. If asked to do it again, I would education at Western.” to have Rick Lyon, who originated reply, ‘When do we get started?’” The production’s boisterous puppet, three of the roles in the show, worked For more information about “Trekkie Monster,” was played by on Sesame Street for over 15 years the WIU Department of Theatre WIU junior recreation, park and and was in the original and Dance, visit wiu.edu/theatre. tourism administration (RPTA) major Broadway cast, For a list of upcoming theatrical Chris Holling, of East Dundee, IL. come teach us in a productions, visit wiu.edu/cofac. He called being part of the production • “truly an out of body experience.” “I couldn’t believe I was given the opportunity to work with so many
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 15 WIU Musical Theatre Student Captures Kennedy Center National Honor
By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15
For Western Illinois University “Jeff [Whiting] recorded a clip of because the 10 competitors had so junior Nissi Smith, the desire to me singing at the Kennedy Center and much fun together and she feels become a professional stage performer posted it on his personal social media winning the award wasn’t the most began in her sophomore year of high account and on the one for the Open valuable thing she took away from the school, when she played the role of a Jar Institute,” said Smith. “After I weekend. salt shaker in the musical “Beauty and returned to campus, I started getting “Everyone who I was participating the Beast.” emails from a casting company in in this ‘competition’ with, and Fast forward a handful of years, New York inviting me to submit a I use that word lightly, was just and Smith was back on stage in April video audition for a tour of ‘Dear phenomenal,” said Smith. “It was 2018, but this time to accept the top Evan Hansen.’” such a humbling experience working prize in the musical theatre intensive with fellow artists. The real award was category at the national Kennedy meeting the people I met, learning Center collegiate competition. from them and knowing that I found a The road between salt shaker and tribe of like-minded people.” national award winner has been full A highlight of the Kennedy of theatrical experiences that have Center event for Smith was having shaped her path as a singer and her parents, Darence and Cathedral dancer and as a WIU musical theatre Smith, and grandmother, Betty student. Cleveland, drive to Washington, D.C. The national award provides from her hometown of Chicago. Smith with a unique opportunity this “My parents have seen me perform summer at the Open Jar Institute in many times, but they usually get to see New York City, where she will attend me do fluffy things,” she said. “They a week of theatrical workshops, hadn’t seen me in my element before.” meet theatre industry representatives A second audition request Before her summer experience and attend numerous Broadway came for a national tour of “Les at the Open Jar Institute, Smith is productions. Open Jar Artistic Miserables.” Smith is still amazed at scheduled to perform as the characters Director Jeff Whiting served as judge the national audition offers coming in. Lil’ Inez/Shayna in the musical for the Kennedy Center competition “These are opportunities I would “Hairspray” through July 29 at the and chose the winner. not have been presented with if the Crossroads Repertory Theatre in During the Kennedy Center Kennedy Center had not happened,” Terra Haute, IN. The performance competition, Smith performed “I’m she said. “I have one year of school is directed by WIU Theatre and Here” from “The Color Purple.” She left, so if these were to come through, Dance Professor Bill Kincaid. Also said she’s not sure she even heard the I would have to make some decisions participating in the production is announcer call her name as the winner. about my future.” WIU Theatre and Dance Instructor “I remember everyone looking With all of the excitement the Brett Olson ’17, who, along with WIU at me like ‘go’ as the announcement spring semester has brought Smith, alumnus Jeff Young ’17, was a finalist came,” she said. “I think I rolled my she also played the character “Gary last year for the Kennedy Center’s ankle sprinting out to the stage.” Coleman” in the WIU Theatre and Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Since the Kennedy Center win, Dance production of “Avenue Q” and Smith said the faculty at WIU Smith’s life has become a whirlwind choreographed a dance in 25th annual and her fellow students have been so of trying to finish her junior year Spring Gala Dance Concert. excited and supportive of her success, of college, while fielding numerous While singing at the Kennedy as have her family and friends and her requests from national casting Center, Smith said she never felt like church family in her hometown. companies to submit audition videos. it was a competition for something
16 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 “I have such a great support said the experience had a powerful Smith said she is thankful to system and that has helped me a lot emotional impact on her. the faculty at Western who have in the last few weeks,” Smith said. “I was crying, I was overwhelmed encouraged her to focus on doing “When you have people behind you with joy and inspiration; it was so what she loves. it keeps you humble. I couldn’t do magical,” she said. “It was an entire “It’s becoming clear that I can what I do without my faith. It molds African American cast being amazing have a career I love,” she said. “Doors everything together.” and telling a story. I want to make seem to be opening, rather it be small When Smith was a young girl, she someone feel the way I was feeling or large. This is literally a miracle knew she wanted to be an entertainer … like I could fight a tornado and from the Lord.” and “be in front of people in some survive.” Musical theatre is one of Western’s sort of way.” As she grew up, she had Signature Academic Programs, no formal vocal training, but instead known for its comprehensive, was more involved in athletics, such professional training. WIU as track, softball and cheerleading. In Department of Theatre and Dance fifth grade, Smith thought she would Chair Tammy Killian said one of the be a fashion designer, an effort she program’s main goals is to prepare said she has folded into her stage students to work professionally, and performances with her personal style. 90 percent of graduates are currently As an African American woman, employed. Smith said a goal of her stage “When you look at Nissi, and performances is to advocate for people all our WIU Theatre and Dance of color. students, you see what is at the “Growing up, there weren’t a lot heart of our program: discipline, of people like me doing this,” she said accountability, perseverance, problem of stage performances. solving, communication, creativity, While in Washington, D.C. for the humility, respect and vision,” she said. Kennedy Center competition, Smith Killian added that Smith came was able to attend a performance of Smith with the nine other competitors into Western’s program as a “wide- “The Wiz” at Ford’s Theatre. She in the Kennedy competition. eyed girl with passion and a drive to
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 17 subtleties within the work and the Department of Theatre and Dance purpose behind playwright’s words. could not be prouder of her work in She works tirelessly in production our program and her representation and in classes to create, develop and of us at KC/ACTF. We are proud of discover her own artistic identity. She and grateful to Nissi for representing has synthesized work in her dance, WIU and all we stand for in such a acting, voice and musical theatre graceful and beautiful way.” courses to hone audition packages College of Fine Arts and and the pieces she performed at the Communication Dean Billy Clow calls Kennedy Center.” Smith a “wonderful success story.” When called upon to speak about “Her talent is undeniable,” he the craft of acting, Killian said Smith said. As part of the Signature Musical speaks clearly and eloquently and Theatre Program, she is another responds to questions in a thoughtful example of the excellence to which we way. hold all our programs in the College Smith at the Kennedy competition. “She is an insightful, sensitive of Fine Arts and Communication. and self-aware individual driven to I cannot wait to see what Nissi can work hard and make it in this difficult explore the arts, and through them a accomplish as a senior, but I guarantee career path.” deeper understanding of the human it will be something special.” “She is extremely talented and has condition,” said Killian. “She has For more information about benefited greatly from the training grabbed hold of the individual, WIU’s Department of Musical she has received—she soaks it up,” holistic approach to the art of Theatre, visit wiu.edu/cofac/theatre/ said Killian. “She considers the theatre we offer in the classroom and BFA.php. production and has embodied it. The •
18 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 19 STRAIGHT FROM A STuden Katie Storm, graduate student in Community and Economic Development
If I told you that I went to the found the program to be filled with and otherwise. That inspired me to French Pastry School program in sociological implications that went attend the French Pastry School in Chicago and that I used to work beyond its economic focus. It felt like Chicago, IL, and earn my certificate for a Parisian pastry chef, would a good fit for me. in Baking and Pastry Arts. During you believe me when I say that I My interest in the way that local my time in the six-month program, have found a way to connect those communities develop began during I learned the art of French pastry, experiences with what I’ve learned my undergraduate studies in English making croissants and other breakfast from work with the Illinois Institute at Augustana College. There, I had pastries and breads from scratch, for Rural Affairs (IIRA)? a professor who was interested in and completing courses in ice cream a variety of environmental topics, making, sugar showpiece sculpting, which permeated his lectures. wedding cakes and tarts, as well. After college, I taught English in So, how did I connect French France for a while. I love meeting pastry to community development? people from different backgrounds, After training for nearly a year learning about other cultures and under a Parisian pastry chef in exploring our similarities and Evanston (IL), I returned to the Quad differences. After my time in France, Cities, first to work as the pastry chef I spent a year teaching English in a at the Hotel Blackhawk and then later German kindergarten. Eventually at Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie. Those I realized that teaching wasn’t my positions gave me perspective on the passion—small children require a successes and struggles that people LOT of energy! So, I came home to in service jobs and small businesses live with my parents for a while and encounter every day. began working at a local French café I was still interested in how as the bakery and restaurant manager. communities develop, and I wanted I got to know the people in the to become more involved, especially pastry department there. They made in championing small businesses. everything from scratch. The French Through my own experiences in the focus of the restaurant appealed to small business world, I got to know a I first became interested in me, having reveled in the artisanal lot of customers by name and made the Community and Economic bakery culture during the time I spent a point of building relationships Development (CED) program at living in Europe. I realized that people with them. I saw how a sense of WIU-QC after speaking with Chris everywhere commune over food, community often develops when Merrett, IIRA director. The program and I grew to deeply appreciate the sharing food. I realized that it’s not resonated with me—as a person way in which sharing good food can just about food that tastes good, who is interested in helping others. I bridge gaps between us, culturally but also about creating a sense of
20 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 minority business owners start and promote their own businesses. The program at I’ve always wanted to give back to my local community, but I felt I WIU-QC has given could do more than merely serve them pastries and fresh baked goods. me a sociological The program at WIU-QC has given me a sociological and philosophical and philosophical foundation upon which to construct Storm working with WIU Business Advisor Ann Friederichs as part of her graduate assistantship some concrete goals for further foundation. ways that I can contribute to my community. I hope to work to build stronger communities, focus on local businesses and find ways to help belonging in a “third place,” where them grow. I’m excited to say that, people feel at home. as I wrap up my graduate studies I enrolled in the CED master’s in CED, I have accepted a position program at WIU-QC in the Fall in Denver (CO) working for Comal of 2017 and was able to secure a Heritage Food Incubator, a non- graduate assistantship with the Illinois profit restaurant that works with Small Business Development Center entrepreneurial immigrant women (SBDC). I have had the opportunity to to assist them in building their skills attend the Community Development in culinary arts and business. With a Institute sponsored by the IIRA. As focus on small business creation and the graduate assistant in the SBDC, local economic development, this new I’ve organized educational sessions job is an exciting way to combine all that help Illinois residents, as well as of my interests and studies. •
Storm with French chef Patrice Caillot
Storm with WIU-QC graduate student Jennifer Evans
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 21 A Family Affair: From the Football Field of WIU to the Floor of the Chicago Board of Trade By Amanda Shoemaker MS ’11 and Brad Bainter ’79 MS ’83
To say that working at—and career as a clerk at a trading firm, was planning to go to WIU to play ultimately leading—the Chicago which led to a job as a grain trader, football. He heard of the business Board of Trade is a family that then allowed him to purchase school’s good reputation, so Carey affair for the Carey family is an his membership at the Chicago figured it would be a good place to understatement. While it has Board of Trade in 1910. He briefly attend college and pursue a business merged with the Chicago Mercantile left due to price controls but came degree. Exchange (CME) and gone public, back to the Board as trading was “The campus was growing; they WIU alumnus Charles Carey ‘75 was making a comeback after World War were adding classes and growing the the third generation of Careys to serve I. That was a tumultuous time for physical plant to meet the needs of at its helm. Carey has spent the last 40 the markets as the Great Depression the students,” Carey said. years in the trading business … a job hit. And when the stock markets Carey’s lessons weren’t just in the he was destined to have. collapsed, that dramatically affected classroom. As a member of the WIU The Carey legacy began Board of Trade memberships. Carey football team, he soaked up as much more than a century said that a membership in 1929 was as he could from his coaches, Pete ago. Carey’s great around $64,000, “which was a lot Rodriguez and Darrell Mudra. grandfather of money back then.” In 1933, seats From learning about leadership immigrated to could be purchased for as low as to communication, Carey’s time on the United States $3,000. the football team was just as valuable from Ireland The next generation saw two as the time he spent in his business and worked as Careys at the Chicago Board of classes, especially when it came to a blacksmith. It Trade—Carey’s father was a grain Coach Brodie Westen. was his son who trader who joined the Board in 1948, “Any time I go to Macomb, I try started the Carey and his uncle also had a seat and to see Brodie,” said Carey. “It’s nice legacy at the would follow in Carey’s grandfather’s because he is family, and it’s like Chicago Board of footsteps by serving as chair of the having my own family there. He’s Trade. He started Board in the 1960s. Charles Carey the guy we went to war with every his started trading in January 1976 for Saturday. He saw the highs and the MidAmerica Commodity, a mere few lows, and the relationship was so months after he left WIU. He joined strong, particularly with his offensive the Chicago Board of Trade in April linemen, but his players, they all loved 1978, where he remains a member Brodie. There’s no doubt about it. today. He has accomplished a lot And he made a difference in people’s over the past four decades, and lives. He had that strong positive attributes much of that success to influence that you remember. He was his alma mater. a hard driver and a winner, and that’s An Illinois native, Carey what young men need and respect.” grew up on the south side of Along with his football Chicago and graduated from involvement, Carey also pledged Oak Park River Forest high the Phi Sig fraternity. With football school. He first heard of WIU practice, weight training and fraternity from John Passananti ’75, who activities, he kept a busy schedule.
22 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 He paid his bills by working at the was coming out of school and going Tennessee Tap and for Denny Moon into this industry, it really was the One of the biggest at Walt’s Office, but Carey said his beginning of the golden age of trading. academics were always a priority and The world just got smaller due to reasons I am proud of left a big mark on him. technology. The satellites, technology, “You remember some of the communications—who would have Western is how many teachers, and some of the corny stuff thought you could trade from a cell they would say stuck with me and phone halfway around the world. alumni have been makes more sense now that I’m as And now we are all virtually equal old as I am,” Carey said. “I had some because we can sit here and trade successful in business great teachers. I remember Norm electronically, and the speeds are so Walzer, an economics teacher, and Ed fast with fiber optics and microwaves. or whatever field they Sims … Potter. I can’t remember the We’re connected all over the world; name of the professor I took statistics there’s no big disadvantage.” chose. with, but he made it understandable. After graduating from WIU, Carey He was a good teacher.” took a job at a construction company One particular assignment sticks in Chicago and started saving money combination of that and the guidance out in Carey’s mind. He remembers to purchase his own seat at the Board. from his family that set him on the writing a paper on The Chicago In 1978, he started his first trading path for success as a trader. Board of Options Exchange, which job at MidAmerica and made that “ I learned from my father who opened in 1973 when he was a purchase. was a trader, and I learned from other student. “I had no idea when I was leaving traders and by being exposed to it,” “I remember doing a paper on it Macomb that August that I’d be in this Carey added. “The formal education for one of my classes on standardized industry 40 years later,” shared Carey. was helpful, but stepping into this options and how revolutionary it was And while his education prepared world, it was completely different. at the time,” Carey recalled. “When I him for the work world, it was a You can’t really prepare somebody.”
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 23 24 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 A little over 20 years into his You had to be down there with a “I approached it strictly from trading career, Carey was first elected laptop in your hand. It used to be, you a business standpoint. I was never to the Board of Directors at the stood in the crowd and you did your emotional about it. This is business. Chicago Board of Trade in 1990. trade and I do miss that. You miss the And I took my business classes at He ran for chair in 1994 and lost. camaraderie, the people,” he said. Western, so I knew what business After a short hiatus from the Board, The Chicago Board of Trade was was,” said Carey. “It’s amazing he again ran for a seat on the Board a member-owned organization for 155 how you see bad decisions come and was elected. At that time, he was years, and Carey was at the helm when it from what are supposed to be smart nominated to be the vice chair at a went public. He said that it all came about people. We sowed the seeds of this time he called “very contentious.” due to a contentious battle with their own type of situation in the 90s because That did not scare him from serving clearinghouse that had lost control and we didn’t control our own platform. in a leadership position, and in 2003, had a different agenda from the Board, We kind of fought off electronic he was elected chair of the Chicago which was their only customer. trading; we didn’t embrace it, and Board of Trade, a position he held “This should be a business class we didn’t control our clearing through two terms until it became a study for current Western students,” corporation and they went hostile public company in 2005. he laughed. on us. Those were the biggest things During his tenure, he saw the The Chicago Board of Trade that led me to believe that a merger industry change completely. What left after the clearinghouse went would be the best thing.” once was done by traders standing on rogue, which was the first step of the When the two entities merged, the floor day in and day out can now merger between the Chicago Board Carey became the vice chair of the be done with the click of a button on of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile combined group, serving for three a computer or mobile device. Exchange, Carey explained. years. He remains on the board today, “Back in the old days, everybody When he started as chair of the and his job entails not only a lot more who made a living that way did so Chicago Board of Trade, membership technology, but a lot more interaction in person … standing there all day. was around $300,000. At the end of with global partners. Carey frequently It was a young man’s game. At my his term, some seats were worth up to travels to Brazil for business and has age, I could probably go down and $8 million. ventured to Russia as they provided do some trading—and I did, until we In October 2005, they went public, the CME with their electronic trading started side-by-side trading in 2006. which was a big change for Carey, platform. By 2008 or 2009, the screen had kind whose family had been a part of the Aside from work, Carey and his of taken over most of the business. Chicago Board of Trade since 1903. wife, Linda, have three sons. Their
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 25 oldest decided to follow in his dad’s footsteps and now works in Brazil for a smaller cash grain broker. When his son told him that he wanted to be in the business, Carey told him the business had undergone a lot of change with computers and computer science. “Algorithmic trading has kind of taken over what we did,” Carey explained. “We used to do that face-to-face, but that has all changed. I told him Brazil and China, over the next 50 years— that’s where your growth opportunity is. They were growing 40-50 million tons of soybeans in 2004, when I first visited Brazil. Today, I think they’ll grow 117 million tons. The U.S. will always be a force in agriculture, but with the amount of land and the opportunity for expansion, those are key areas.” Away from work and his family, Carey has been recognized for his civic and professional success. In 2007, he received the WIU Distinguished Alumni Award for his business Purple & Gold Edition and professional accomplishments. He has also been awarded the Rerum Novarum Award from St. Joseph College Seminary, Ellis Island HOMECOMING 2018 Medal of Honor from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation, Inc. LeathernecksWin It All and the Gold Medallion Award from the International Visitors Center of Chicago. He also serves as president of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. Despite a busy calendar, Carey still finds time to return to his alma mater. He attributes much of his success to Western, adding a number of people from his era accomplished just as much as him, both personally and professionally. “We’ve had some great success stories … John Passananti, Dave Lumley ’76 and Bob Nardelli ’71 … just to name a few,” Carey said. “These guys found the right opportunity, and they came in and realized they were just as competent as anybody from the Ivy League—anybody from any big school. That’s probably one of the biggest reasons I am proud of Western … of how many alumni have been successful in business and whatever field they chose. Western has to take some of that credit because they spent some time there.” •
26 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY HOMECOMING wiu.edu/homecoming September 28-29, 2018 Friday, Sept. 28 2 p.m. Reunion registration starts; it continues throughout the weekend. Registration will take place at the Alumni House. 5-9 p.m. All-Alumni Social, Alumni House (Complimentary food, beer, wine and soda; cash bar available) Chown Golf Learning Center Dedication (New Harry Mussatto Golf Course Club House); Time: TBA
Purple & Gold Edition Saturday, Sept. 29 7-7:45 a.m. Old Stompin' Ground Runaround Registration, Alumni House
HOMECOMING 2018 8 a.m. Old Stompin' Ground Runaround: 5K Run/1.5 mile walk 8:30 a.m. Reunion Recognition Brunch & Social, Alumni House LeathernecksWin It All9:30 a.m. All-Alumni Breakfast, Alumni House (Complimentary coffee and donuts) 10:30 a.m. Homecoming Parade Noon-3 p.m. Alumni Cookout at "The Right Place" tent - in Q LOT (Menu: Hot dogs, cheese burgers and hamburgers, veggie burgers, potato chips, bottled water, canned soda and coffee) 3 p.m. Leathernecks Football Game vs. Youngstown State - Hanson Field
Tickets will not be mailed. The Homecoming football ticket sales are final. Therefore, all tickets purchased through the WIU Alumni Association are non-refundable.
OLD STOMPIN’ GROUNDSaturday, Sept. 29 RUNAROUND Registration: 7-7:45 a.m. ersity Ho niv mec is U om Race Start: 8 a.m. no i lli n I g rn e This year’s race will include chip t New This Year: s e timing technology with live results streamed online W and displayed near the finish line. Finisher photos OUND will also be available. All participants will receive a OLD STOMPIN’ GR commemorative Old Stompin’ Ground Runaround 5K moisture wicking/dry fit t-shirt. lk wa mile Fun Run|1.5 RunarRunar2018 undund Come home and run/walk with us down memory lane! Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 27 Broadcasting Preparing for Great Things
By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15
When Western Illinois University • National Academy of Television matter the size or reputation. The Department of Broadcasting and Arts and Sciences (NATAS) BCJ faculty are providing our Journalism (BCJ) Chair William Mid-America: Crystal Pillar students with an education that truly “Buzz” Hoon ’86 MA ’91 takes awards for Outstanding prepares them for their futures.” potential new students on a tour of the Newscast, Outstanding Serious Hoon said awards are just one third floor of Sallee Hall, he asks them News and Outstanding Light aspect of skill measurement in if they are “ready to do great things.” News (2017), and Justin broadcasting, and the fact that so On that same tour, they see Fitzpatrick, a junior broadcasting many students move on to prestigious current WIU students producing and major, from O’Fallon, MO, won for internships and jobs is the “key part.” anchoring their own newscasts in the best Short Form—Non-Fiction As part of promoting student the campus production studios. The entry, “More Than a Number: success, Hoon recently tasked hallways are lined with photographs Sam Pryor’s Story,” and senior WIU Broadcasting and Journalism of program alumni who are working broadcasting major John Benedeck, Instructor Jasmine Crighton with in industry jobs and progressing in of McHenry, IL, was awarded an guiding students in sending their their careers. honorable mention award in the campus work to state and national As broadcasting students advance Long Form—Non-Fiction category competitions. through their academic careers at for “Hidden Pearl: The WIU Scuba “They are gaining experience, but Western, the program is accumulating Project.” (2018) the awards show they’re getting the an increasing number of regional, experience and they’re applying it,” state and national awards. Students • Intercollegiate Broadcasting she said. “We work in a very visual are also graduating with impressive System (IBS): 10 national medium, so it translates well.” resumés that help them find careers in nominations Hoon said encouraging students media markets, both large and small. to compete against their peers at • National Broadcasting Society The program offers students the other higher education institutions (NBS): 14 national nominations opportunity to study sports and news shows them that someone outside broadcasting, and the WIU program • Broadcast Education the program recognizes their continues to evolve by offering Association (BEA) Festival of achievement level and what skills cutting-edge technology and unique Arts: Award of Excellence they’ve gathered as part of their opportunities to students beginning education. • Illinois College Press their freshman year. College of Fine Arts and Association (ICPA): Three “We are looking for new students Communication (COFAC) awards to come into the program and have Dean Billy Clow called WIU’s their own successes,” said Hoon. • Students in Illinois News Broadcasting and Journalism “Students are motivated by seeing Broadcasters Association program “nothing short of other students succeed, and they want (SINBA): Nine awards spectacular.” to be a part of that. This business is “Year after year, they bring a competitive one, so we are teaching “State, regional and national home regional, state and national students to build resources and awards and accolades are just honors and awards, topping all other portfolios so they understand the one representation of success,” programs around,” he said. “It is competition part.” said Hoon. “But this continued a credit to our exceptional faculty This year, the program tallied a achievement gives our young people and students working together to record number of nearly 40 award the confidence to compete against create news, sports, digital and radio nominations, including: graduates from any other school, no programming at the highest levels.”
28 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 Discover Western – The Next Generation When high school students visit campus to see the broadcasting and journalism program firsthand, Hoon said current students do a newscast demonstration to show what it’s like to be involved in the program. “We have students talk about their experiences and let them know what they would have the opportunity to do here,” he said. “Our students have a stake in this. They need to know there are good people coming into the program because they are going to be working with them.” In the department’s main office, there is a board of potential students who department faculty and staff stay in touch with to encourage them to attend WIU. Pictured, from left, are Director of Sports Broadcasting Quintin Parker ’08 MS ’12 “We have interest from across MS ’16, Broadcasting and Journalism Chair William “Buzz” Hoon ’86 MA ’91, the nation,” said Crighton. “But, it’s WIU student broadcasters Michael Harms, Michael Dion, Zachary Martin, William important to get more local people Turkington and Collin Miller, WIU President Jack Thomas and College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Dean Billy Clow. and those from the state of Illinois.” The program is also doing outreach work with local high schools, including said the program began with the a live newscast produced three times Illini West in nearby Carthage, IL. The broadcast of WIU women’s basketball each week during the academic classes are being taught by program games. semester, as well as create sports alumnus and current broadcasting and “I am very proud of the students, productions, which air on ESPN3. journalism instructor Casey Woodman faculty and staff of the Department The University also offers a campus- ’14 MS ’16. of Broadcasting and Journalism,” based FM radio station, WIUS-FM “Starting a partnership with Illini said Evans. “The broadcasting 88.3, aka “The Dog,” and the student- West High School, teaching a dual program has grown immensely in run newspaper, the Western Courier, enrollment course, is a huge benefit to terms of quality students and quality which is published three times each the Department of Broadcasting and programming.” week. Journalism,” said Woodman. “I am In February, sports broadcasting It was that opportunity, to extremely excited to focus on video students debuted a set of purple get involved immediately, that production with high school students blazers to be worn on camera during brought freshman Devin Brooks, who are still deciding on majors sports broadcasts. The purple blazers, of St. Louis, MO, to Western to and colleges that they might want to embroidered with the WIU sweep study broadcasting. Since coming attend. This course will allow them to logo, were purchased with money to Western, Brooks has won a receive a basic understanding of video raised by the department through scholarship and talks to visiting editing by producing content for WIU donations, including a price reduction high school classes about available and for their community.” offered by John Nelson ’82, owner opportunities. of Nelson’s Clothing in downtown “I wanted to get hands-on Anniversary Year Macomb. experience that will prepare me for This year marks the 30th Hoon brought the purple blazers my future,” he said of his decision anniversary of the University’s to WIU after seeing a similar idea to attend Western. “Every day, as I broadcasting program, and 2017 was used for students at Brother Rice High walk through the broadcasting and the 25th year for sports broadcasting. School in Chicago. journalism floor, the endless number One of the founders of sports of pictures along the walls featuring broadcasting, Sharon Evans, former Educational Opportunities all the alumni inspires me to be where associate dean of the College of Fine Students in the department have they are and gives me confidence on Arts and Communication (COFAC), the opportunity to work on NEWS3, my road to success.”
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 29 Alumni Successes from the camera operator to the As the history of the department graphics department, editors and begins to grow so do the successes photographers, to the person cutting of alumni who have seen progressive my paycheck are all important to the successes in their careers. final news product.” WIU alumnus Chris Lovingood “Western allowed me to fail ’14 credits the WIU Department within the confines of the academic of Broadcasting and Journalism world with professors willing to pick for helping him advance from a me up and guide me along the way, television reporter in Ft. Myers, FL, so I wouldn’t fail in the real world,” to a weekend anchor in Pittsburgh, said Baumann. “To me, that’s the PA, beginning this summer. Western advantage. Western taught “Working with Jasmine Crighton, me the work and life skills needed to Roger Sadler and Sam Edsall launch my producing career.” granted me the ability to learn Denise Hnytka ’06 is an anchor what I needed to know in order to and reporter for WQAD-TV in work in a competitive field such as the Quad Cities. She called WIU’s TV news,” he said. “Without the program “hands-on from the start.” support of a staff, who encouraged “I was writing scripts, shooting student involvement on the twice-a- video and anchoring newscasts from week newscast, I wouldn’t know the my freshman year on,” she said. foundation of being a news reporter. “Being allowed to explore all areas of I’m appreciative of everything broadcasting gave me a big advantage WIU taught me, and I look forward when it came time to look for to hearing what other success internships. Professor Roger Sadler stories come from the broadcasting encouraged me to try everything, and department.” be well-rounded. That advice still Brittany Baumann ’07 is currently works in the professional world.” a news producer at KSTP-TV in For more information about the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. She WIU Department of Broadcasting said the broadcasting faculty at and Journalism, visit wiu.edu/bcj. Western taught her that “everyone, •
30 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 All in the Family WIU Alumna Keeps Tradition Alive with the Burlington Bees By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15
When Western Illinois University few years back that he would like to working on negotiating a new one. alumna Kim Parker ’08 MBA ’11 retire from baseball—but, this was his She said her MBA degree helps her stepped on Community Field in life, so we didn’t take him seriously,” every day with the business side of Burlington, IA this spring as general she said. “He told me, ‘I would leading the Bees. manager of the Burlington Bees’ never leave if I didn’t know you were “WIU has a well-rounded baseball team, she not only became extremely capable.’” curriculum, and the required classes the first female in team history to in business basics really helped me,” do so, she also continued a family she said. baseball legacy started by her father Because the Bees’ organization is 18 years ago. quite small, Parker’s responsibilities Just as Burlington has a rich are vast, including managing office and history with minor league baseball, grounds keeping employees, setting the dating back to the late 1880s, Parker’s team’s budget, ordering merchandise, family history is bound to the team, advertising sales, maintaining the with her father, Chuck Brockett, team’s website and organizing game- recently retiring as the Bees’ general day staff and volunteers. manager. The Bees play a 140-game season Parker began her association each year, with 70 games at home with the team at age 15, when her and 70 on the road. father needed someone to sell 50/50 Parker is responsible creating tickets and programs on game days at several initiatives related to the team, Community Field. Through the years, including a program that brings and during her undergraduate and It has been difficult for Parker to players to live in the homes of area graduate student years at Western, come to work each morning knowing families during the season to reduce Parker continued her employment her father would not be in the office, players’ expenses. with the team and has worked as well. She drives to Burlington from “The program has 19 families, and in virtually every position in the Macomb each day, where she lives the players live rent-free and become ballpark. A few years ago, she became with her husband, Quintin Parker ’08 part of these families,” she said. the Bees’ assistant general manager MS ’12, ’16, an instructor in the WIU “There are pictures of these families “I graduated from WIU in 2008, Department of Broadcasting and at players’ weddings, and most and the state of the economy helped Journalism, and her daughter, Taryn. families participate in the program me make the decision to go to Parker received her bachelor’s every year. Some of our host families graduate school,” she said. “Then in degree in Spanish in 2008, with a never miss a game.” 2011, the position opened up with minor in international business. She WIU has a special place in the team, and I thought I would said her foreign language education Parker’s heart because it’s where she work here for a few years to get some at WIU has been important to her met her husband. She chose to come experience. I felt it was a good fit.” position with the Bees as more Latin to WIU initially because it was close In 2015, Parker was named the American players join the league. to home and she wanted to stay close Rawlings Female Executive of the “Players come here from high to her family. Year in the Midwest League. She school or college and from places “I liked WIU because it was took over as the team’s general like the Dominican Republic and a little smaller,” she said. “I was manager in March her father’s Venezuela,” she said. “It’s extremely planning to study Spanish, and I retirement. She is the first female helpful to be able to communicate.” liked that the class sizes were smaller; general manager in Bee’s history and The Burlington Bees are a Class A I paid attention to that. I also enjoyed the fifth in the history of the Midwest affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. getting to know my professors on a League. The team is nearing the end of a personal basis.” “Baseball is a long, grueling six-year development contract with For more information about the season, and my dad mentioned a the Angels, and Parker is currently Burlington Bees, visit GoBees.com. •
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 31 Compassionate Perfection WIU Nursing Students Achieve 100 Percent Pass Rate on Licensure Exam
By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15
When Western Illinois University hear back from employers that our program must maintain a 3.0 grade established its School of Nursing students are well-prepared and our point average to be eligible for one of nearly 10 years ago, it did so to nurses come out of orientation for those seats. address a nationwide shortage of new jobs quicker than those they are One hundred percent of the nurses and to provide advanced hired with. Agencies that work with students who graduated in 2017 educational opportunities in our students compliment their level of passed the National Council the region. As the program has professionalism and preparation.” Licensure Exam (NCLEX), which developed, it has evolved into a The School of Nursing also has exceeded the national average of respected program that, last year, multiple mentoring programs that 83.29 percent. Monahan said the posted a 100 percent pass rate on match juniors with seniors and faculty program’s accreditation agency the industry licensure exam, and members with students. demands an 80 percent pass rate, continues to grow in enrollment and As the program has grown, so have and the state of Illinois requires in academic opportunities. its class offerings and lab facilities, 75 percent. The test is taken by the In the department’s history, a including a set of simulation areas students after they complete their decade of nurses have graduated from that provide real-life scenarios for degree program. the program, with some going on to students to react to. The labs are set become physicians, nurse practitioners up like actual hospital rooms, with Alumni and Student Successes and physician’s assistants, or faculty watching the student responses WIU alumna Ashley Lynn, of continuing their education to obtain through a two-way mirror, and can Princeville, IL, graduated from the advanced degrees. simulate everything from a woman in RN-BSN Completion Program Lea Monahan, PhD, RN, was labor to wound care through the use in 2010, became a family nurse named the first director of the of simulators and computer programs. practitioner and is currently an program in 2007. Monahan designed “This helps with critical thinking instructor at Western. For Lynn, the program and wrote all of the and, in stressful situations, they Western was a way to exceed documents for the Illinois Board can call on that experience,” said expectations. of Higher Education approval, as Monahan. “I suspect many people are well as for approval from the Illinois surprised when they realize I am Department of Financial and High Standards Translate to High now a family nurse practitioner and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Test Scores professor,” she said. “I am a person Board of Nursing. She said the WIU has one of the highest who was not born with the best of standards set for the program in its requirements for clinical hours in the odds at being as successful as I am, early stages have helped WIU School state, which Monahan said translates yet I am in an exceedingly awesome of Nursing faculty prepare students to hands-on training in clinical field and helping shape the future of with the well-rounded skills and facilities, senior living facilities and healthcare every day.” knowledge they need to enter the correctional facilities in the region. She said WIU was the key that medical field. The result has been “We place students in schools, unlocked doors for her and she medical facilities reaching out to settings with older adults, mental praised the School of Nursing’s Western for employees because of its health facilities and obstetrics; they mentoring program, saying it was the reputation of providing well-trained get experience in every single area,” key to fulfilling her dreams. nurses. said Monahan. “Because we are a “To call the faculty at WIU “Our faculty is really good, and rural program, we do a lot with the mentors is an understatement,” said they go above and beyond,” she community and community nursing.” Lynn. “They saw potential in me, said. “We work well together, and Each cohort of juniors and seniors and while they did not have to help everyone is concerned with the has 48 open seats, and freshmen me see that potential for myself, they students and their successes. We and sophomores in the pre-nursing did. They did it because that is what
32 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 WIU School of Nursing professors with the first full-semester coursework do. They see the greatness in you and coming in Fall 2018 at the University want you to become all that you can.” College of Dublin in Ireland. Current nursing senior Monica “We have three students going,” Brooks ’18, of Carman, IL, said said Monahan. “We are the only the program has exceeded the public university in Illinois with a expectations she had when she first semester-long program. We also enrolled. have a robust summer program that “The many hours spent in lecture, prepares these students to go overseas clinicals, simulations and skills lab so they can still graduate with their prepared me with the necessities to be peers or lighten their load during the a successful member of the nursing year. Our summer classes are always profession,” she said. full and typically fill up within five It was the variety of clinical minutes after registration opens.” experiences that helped senior Kailyn The school already offers short- Morrell ’18, of Geneseo, IL, decide term healthcare-related trips to areas which areas of nursing to pursue such as England, Ireland, Haiti and more in-depth, and senior Brandi Ecuador. Crockford ’18, of London Mills, IL, said the program challenged her Where to Now? to become a better communicator, Monahan said it is important for advocate and caregiver. those interested in nursing to set a “I am a firm believer that it is not goal of having a baccalaureate degree where you come from, it is where you from a four-year college or University. are going,” she said. “With the support “That’s where the majority of from the WIU nursing staff, I have the research and the new aspects of confidence that I will be successful in nursing are being taught,” she said. my career as a registered nurse.” In the next five years, Monahan said, one-third to one-half of the What Makes WIU’s Nursing faculty trained to teach in nursing Program Unique? schools will be retiring and there are WIU’s School of Nursing is one of not enough replacements in place. only a few in the nation that accepts “It is going to start getting tight for students on athletic scholarships. faculty and educators,” she said. “Not Next year, nine WIU nursing students many programs are making the effort will also have spots on Leatherneck to offer the educational foundation athletic teams. and methodology for teaching The school also allows military students,” she said. veterans or those in the University’s In terms of future goals, Monahan ROTC program to enroll, provided said she would like to see the WIU they meet the grade requirements. School of Nursing grow further to Monahan is retired from the Army offer a graduate program, so students Nurse Corps, where she served for six could continue their education at years. Western. “She has intimate knowledge of Since the program began, it the military and nursing,” said School has been honored for quality and of Nursing Office Manager Carmen affordability. In 2017, College Choice Pittman ’87. recognized the WIU School of WIU also now offers an RN to Nursing as a Best Online RN to BSN BSN program completely online, Degree Program and was among two which makes it more accessible for public universities in Illinois with working nurses. The program has nursing programs ranked in the top 50 enrollment from across the country in the nation. and some international students. For more information about The nursing school is also WIU’s School of Nursing, visit developing a study abroad component, wiu.edu/cas/nursing. •
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 33 Heirloom
Research By Jodi Pospeschil MA ‘15 Seven varieties of tomatoes are at “The heirloom tomatoes have and continue to produce tomatoes as the center of a research collaboration health benefits, and we are looking long as “the weather is conducive.” crossing two Western Illinois at plant pigments; the more highly “I used to have a two-year-old University departments and providing pigmented they are, the more indeterminate tomato I grew for academic opportunities for students antioxidants they tend to have,” said demonstration purposes,” he said. to study cancer prevention in campus Henning. “We are looking at the “They never stop growing and can laboratories. antioxidant connection to cancer produce four to five pounds of The project, which is in its prevention.” tomatoes per plant per month. Many beginning stages, was sparked by a commercial growers plant hydroponic Center for Innovation in Teaching crops during the winter months, and Research (CITR) initiative so they can market locally-grown to match University faculty in a and fresh product at a time when mentoring relationship. The program traditional field producers cannot. paired WIU Assistant Professor of Those who get to the market earliest Chemistry Mette Soendergaard with can set the prices.” Assistant Professor of Agriculture In the new WIU greenhouse Shelby Henning, who came to the facility, the tomato plants are University in Fall 2017. automatically fed fertilizer solution “After we began talking about our for one minute each half-hour. The research, we found we had common plantings include a “green zebra” research interests—we had both done variety that doesn’t turn red when research involving vegetables before,” ripe, which Henning said was thrown said Soendergaard. in to test pigment theories. The common interest sparked Henning checks on the plants at the idea to study tomatoes and the least once each day. antioxidants they contain in terms of cancer prevention, and to look further Part of the research involves In the Laboratory into whether heirloom tomatoes have grafting heirloom varieties to several Beginning in March, the tomatoes different disease prevention qualities different rootstocks in an effort to were harvested from the greenhouse than more commonly encountered, improve plant health and yield. and were turned over to Soendergaard commercially grown varieties. The plantings start at about eight and her students. The laboratory Henning planted and grew the seven inches tall and can grow into vines testing portion of the study is headed types of tomatoes in Western’s new of up to 30 feet. The varieties are by WIU chemistry graduate student greenhouse facilities on the north end characterized as “indeterminate,” Jamie Greathouse, of Macomb, and of campus, and Soendergaard and her which Henning said means they grow involves students Rebecca Kielminski, students took the harvested products a senior pre-pharmacy major from to the laboratory for testing. Villa Park, IL; Sean Pollock, a senior pre-pharmacy major from Peoria, IL; Tomato Production Henning grew the tomatoes hydroponically, in volcanic rock, instead of soil. He added a trellis system to a portion of one of the new School of Agriculture greenhouses in December 2017 and began the plantings.
34 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 and Mallory Burg, a junior pre-med undergraduate research requirement. scale of the project. The grant will major from Macomb. He has been freeze-drying the tomato hopefully be awarded this fall. The students cut the tomatoes slices and said the practical experience “We would like to look at more into slices, freeze dry them and grind he has gained has helped him with combinations of grafting rootstocks,” the result into a powder. The powder laboratory procedures, which will be said Henning. “There are hundreds extractions are then tested with valuable with his future career goals more highly pigmented tomatoes. various solvents, a process which is in nutrition. We hope to identify novel pigments just beginning. “I have been doing things like and look at them for anti-cancer “We are interested in the changing the oil in the vacuum and compounds.” antioxidants in terms of cancer prepping the tomatoes,” he said. “I It is expected that the research prevention and whether heirloom have learned it’s the little jobs that project could last several years and tomatoes are different than those add up. I know what it’s like to be one include additional students in the that are commercially grown,” said small cog in a big research project.” processes. Soendergaard. “We are trying to see For Kielminski, the experience has In terms of the CITR program, whether we can grow the heirloom given her the research skills she needs which provides professional tomatoes efficiently and how it for classroom requirements, and for development opportunities for the impacts the health benefits.” her pharmacy career goals. WIU community, the mentoring Soendergaard said the heirloom “We have more freedom to figure program is just one aspect of faculty varieties were chosen because they out the best way of doing things,” she support. have not been bred or crossbred to be said of her laboratory time. “ It’s a “We have done the mentoring commercialized for taste and color. good stepping stone.” program for several years,” said CITR “These aren’t pretty tomatoes,” she Burg said the laboratory Director Roger Runquist ’92 MS ’94. said. “But we hope to see if grafting experience she has gained this “This is the first time we have split the to rootstocks produces maintainable semester has made her a more well- faculty up like this, giving as many as health benefits.” rounded student. three experienced faculty to each new Greathouse signed on to lead “I can apply what I’ve learned in faculty member. While some mentors the student research as part of her the classroom and in the lab to real- serve in multiple capacities, these master’s thesis. world problems, such as preventing mentors were assigned in each of the “I was talking to Mette about cancer and heart disease,” she said. primary areas of teaching, research upcoming research and I was and service.” interested in this project because I What’s Next For more information on WIU’s have a background in nutrition,” she While the project is in its College of Arts and Sciences said. “This whole process also helps exploratory phase, Henning and programming, visit wiu.edu/cas, me start to trust myself more in the Soendergaard have applied for an and for more information on WIU’s lab.” Illinois Department of Agriculture School of Agriculture, visit Pollock is working in Specialty Crop grant to expand the wiu.edu/ag. the laboratory as part of his •
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 35 Leatherneck Athletics Leathernecks Boast Second-Highest Departmental GPA in Spring Courtesy of WIU Athletics
In a pool of 338 student-athletes, athletic director for Academics and the highest GPA on the men’s side 218 earned a 3.0 or higher, 116 Student-Athlete Development. “We with a 3.331. achieved a 3.6 or above and 43 were excited to see each team continue The top three GPAs on the boasted a perfect 4.0. to achieve and exceed the academic women’s side included basketball Committed to a student-first goals they had set for this semester.” (3.794) and golf (3.716), and the men’s lifestyle, Western Illinois Athletics For the 22nd consecutive semester, field was rounded out by basketball announced its spring grade report, Leatherneck student-athletes recorded (3.21) and cross country (3.141). and Leatherneck student-athletes a GPA higher • finished their spring semester with a than the general 3.17 grade point average, the second student body’s highest in department history. (3.068). “Our coaches and student-athletes Women’s have once again met the challenge tennis recorded of the University’s core value of the highest academic excellence. This was one term GPA of the best academic semesters we with a 3.816, have had, which shows the dedication improving and commitment to that core value upon a 3.774 in by our student-athletes, coaches and the fall, while academic support staff,” said Holly soccer tallied Van Vlymen ‘00 MS-Ed ‘08, assistant
36 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 Surprenant Hitting the Ground Running as Interim Athletic Director
Courtesy of WIU Athletics
It has only been a few weeks, but said. “Our student-athletes had the Western Illinois interim Athletic second-highest GPA that we’ve had, Director Danielle Surprenant is and so academically we’ve had a lot growing into her new role. of stories and success.” Since taking the job, Surprenant “My goal has been to build has quickly realized that while the on that, to continue to excel in summer is the offseason for athletes the classroom, to continue to be and teams, the season does not let up successful on the court in the for her. competition area and really providing “It has been really busy over the the best experience for our student- last month; a lot of people think it athletes,” she said. slows down in the summer, but it’s a When it comes to longer-ranging different kind of busy,” Surprenant goals, Surprenant is hoping to said. “I really feel like the last month see WIU grab more gains in the I’ve hit the ground running. We have classroom and on the field. students who have reported back for “Academically, for student- summer school; teams are on campus athletes, the student role comes getting ready for the upcoming year; first, so we need to make sure we’re we had our golf fundraiser; we’re meeting our academic goals in terms getting ready for our Purple and Gold of exceeding a 3.0 grade point average Auction; and then we’ve got some as a department, which is what we personnel hires that we’re moving strive for each semester,” she said. forward with, so we have a lot going “We also need to graduate our student on, but it’s really exciting.” athletes; that’s a priority. As for short-term goals, “For athletics, we talk about Surprenant wants to continue the football playoffs, the women’s path Western is on, whether it is in basketball team going to the the classroom or behind the scenes postseason again, women’s tennis cosmetic upgrades. making the conference tournament. “I think the foundation was We need to build on the successes really laid; we’re coming off a really we’ve had to get to the next level. great year both academically and Also, we’re in constant conversation athletically last year,” Surprenant on how we can improve the experience and well- being for our student- athletes, whether that’s facilities, experience or resources. Last year, we set the bar high; we had a tremendous year, but we have to build from there,” Surprenant added. •
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 37
Student Spotlight ENOCH PINK Senior Business Management Major
My name is of your time can be hard to handle assistant (RA) Enoch Pink. I initially, and it doesn’t get easier with in Corbin/ I am a am a senior at time; you just get stronger shoulders. Olson. My Western Illinois However, I put my best foot forward path is one that University, academically, socially and through I do not travel proud majoring extracurricular activities and it paid alone, but in business off. I persisted through to the first instead with Leatherneck. management, lap, and my year culminated with many others and I am a proud Leatherneck. receiving the IHC Recognition who are like- Journeying the path of a Award, as well as one of two minded and Leatherneck has been monumental– pendants given by the president of trying to reach learning, facing challenges and IHC to two outstanding newcomers. the same goal. overcoming hurdles have been my Recently, my focus has been My experience as an RA continues road through this collegiate story. illuminating the path of others in to give me valuable leadership skills Along that path, I have always tried the hopes of making their journey that I can use long after I graduate. to examine what trail am I leaving easier to navigate. My presence in the My role in BMAN allows me to behind. classroom is felt by every professor remember that it is not enough to do My first year as a Leatherneck in each class I sit in. Participating as well, you must help others throughout gave me an influx of enthusiasm. an attentive and active student is the the process. And my experience in I ran for president of Tanner Hall, runner’s high that propels me forward. W1GS encourages me to always give joined Inter-Hall Council (IHC) and My outside involvement extends voice to those who are overlooked. met mentors who served as helping wide as co-president of Western’s The path of a Leatherneck is not hands whenever I needed a boost of First-Generation Students (W1GS), a easy, comfortable or quick, but it is energy to carry on through the race. member of the leadership cabinet of a path that I have found solace in The first year came with challenges, the Black Male Achievement Network traveling and serves as guidance for as well. Being in complete control (BMAN) initiative and a resident others to come. •
38 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 EmBARK on an adventure with the WIU Alumni Association
Sparkling South Barcelona: Art, Stunning Scenery of Holiday Markets Pacific Culture, People Alaska Cruise Jan. 21-31, 2019 May 11-19, 2019 June 12-19, 2019 Nov. 27- Dec. 5, 2019 Explore French Polynesia, Barcelona’s reputation Experience the natural Visit holiday markets in renowned for its vivid was built on its avant- wonder of awe-inspiring France, Germany and colors, serene beaches, garde architecture, landscapes and Switzerland during a and laid-back lifestyle as delectable cuisine spectacular wildlife on seven-night Rhine River Oceania Cruises’ elegant & more! Discover its this seven-night voyage cruise. Personalize your Marina takes you on an essence on an active aboard Oceania Cruises’ journey with a choice impressive ten-night 7-night journey. elegant Regatta. of included excursions voyage. in many ports. All meals Greece 75th Anniversary of are included. Wine, beer and soft drinks Southern Grandeur Oct. 24-Nov. 1, 2019 D-Day are complimentary with April 7-15, 2019 Discover ancient Aug. 30-Sept. 7, 2019 lunches and all dinners Relax into the history treasures and island From its rolling hills to aboard the ship. No and hospitality of the life on an exciting, the sea, Normandy is a single supplement! Southern Mississippi on weeklong journey to trove of unforgettable **Please note all trip this week-long riverboat Greece. Gaze upon the history and experiences. dates are subject to experience aboard great Parthenon, visit Explore Omaha and change. the stately American the ancient theater in Utah beaches and other Queen. From Civil War Epidaurus, and explore D-Day sites during this We offer insurance battlefields to hoppin’ Hydra, Nafplio and 75th anniversary year blues bars, Southern Mycenae. Enjoy first- for all types of travel. of the battle. Taste Whether you decide culture is on display as class accommodations in the local cuisine, visit you cruise from Memphis Athens and on the island to travel with WIU or extraordinary Mont- even for trips you take to New Orleans. of Poros and an extensive Saint-Michel and take on your own, the WIU meal plan featuring wine in Normandy’s unique Alumni Association offers Sketches of Sicily with dinner. heritage. insurance for all types of April 1-10, 2019 Journey Along the trips. Feel free to check Delve into Sicily’s epic Timeless Cuba out our Travel Insurance past while staying in the Elbe Oct. 23-30, 2019 Program. island’s western, central May 19-30, 2019 Uncover Santiago de Visit wiu.edu/alumni/ and eastern regions. Cruise through Cuba’s rich heritage, travel.php for more Admire the architectural enchanting scenery be enchanted by information, or call legacy of Gothic, and centuries of history Cienfuego’s French spirit, (800) 937-1387. Moorish and Norman on the Elbe and Vltava and experience Havana’s conquerors. Discover rivers. The MS Elbe old-fashioned aesthetic. the baroque flair of Princesse transports Caltagirone. Marvel you into the heart of at the mosaics of an cities in Germany and ancient Roman villa, and the Czech Republic. See stand among the Greek the highlights of Berlin, monuments in Taormina Potsdam, Prague and and Syracuse. more, plus marvel at the grand Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 39 JULY 11-19 Alumni Travel Abroad— Cruise the Rhine River 21 Cubby Bear Alumni & Friends Social and Baseball Game Watch Party in Chicago for Cubs vs. Cardinals AUGUST 1 Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Downtown Chicago 5 Niabi Zoo Alumni & Friends Social and Zoo Visit in Coal Valley (IL) 8 Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Pregame Social & Baseball Game 16-27 Alumni Travel Abroad—Majestic Frontiers of Alaska SEPTEMBER 5 Quad Cities Western Wednesdays After-Hours 8 WIU vs. U of I Pregame Social and Football Game 20 Celebrating Town & Gown in Macomb 21 Paint the Paws 28-29 Homecoming 28-29 2018 Reunion OCTOBER 3 Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Chicago Suburb 4 Warsaw (IL) Alumni & Friends Social 6 WIU vs. ISU Pregame Social & Football Game 11 Monmouth Alumni & Friends Social and Wine Tasting at Market Alley Wines 16-27 Alumni Travel Abroad—Coastal Vignettes 28-Nov. 5 Alumni Travel Abroad—Cuba: Art, Culture & People NOVEMBER 7 Quad Cities Western Wednesdays After-Hours Alumni & Friends DECEMBER 5 Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Downtown Chicago 14-15 Graduation/Alumni Achievement Awards EVENTS To view all previous event photos, visit FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/WIUALUMNI. 40 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 For all upcoming events, visit: WIU.EDU/ALUMNI/EVENTS. Class Notes John Harris ’63, Cookeville, Jean McArthur ’74, Frankfort, Jacqueline Skinner Michelle Ault Barr ’85, TN, is retired after 49 years is retired from Joliet Junior Jackson ’80 MS ’87 Ph.D Leland, NC, is the office of service as a faculty College as the department ’98, Silver Spring, MD, is the manager at Brent Brooks member for Tennessee Tech chair of mathematics after 27 VP for Student Affairs and Agency in Wilmington. University. years of service. Institutional Effectiveness at Robert Baxter ’85, Harford Community College Hugh Anderson ’67, Sun Duncan Rarity ’74, Estes Tennessee, was the 2017 City West, AZ, is retired and Park, CO, is retired. in Bel Air. Hancock County Officer of works part-time as a Starter E. the year. Sharon Peisner Rarity ’74, Dale Sabo ’80 MBA ’83, at Corte Bella Golf Club. Peoria, is the VP and claims Estes Park, CO, is retired. Gregory Cermak ’85, manager, Illinois branch with Don Handy ’69, DuQuoin, is Portland, OR, is retired as Theodore Twardy ’74, co-publisher of Pioneers in Erie Insurance. a software engineer and Green Valley, AZ, retired from Illinois History. also taught for 20 years with the City of Aurora, IL. George Buenik ’81, Sugarland, TX, is the the NASA/Jet Propulsion John Waters ’70, Kent, James Jacobs MS-ED ’75, WA, retired from The Boeing Homeland Security Chief for Laboratory Solar System Galesburg, is an author of No Company as an engineer the City of Houston. Ambassador program. Ordinary Season. after 32 years. Edward Sweeney ’81, N. John Graves ’85, Carla Meister ’75, Green Aurora, is a real estate Bartonville, works in Jacque Shulmistras Dywan Valley, AZ, is retired from Marco Island, FL, is broker for Coldwell Banker maintenance at Bradley ’71, West Aurora School Dist. retired from Lake Central The Real Estate Group in University. # 129 in Illinois. Aurora. School. Don Schaeffer MBA ’85, Gregory Grant ’76, Powell, Susan Potter Bunting ’82, Taylorville, is a pharmacy Robert Breckenridge ’72, OH, has retired after a 40 year Damariscotta, ME, is retired Sarasota, FL, is the senior manager at Taylorville marketing and communications from public school teaching division manager at RAI Memorial Hospital. career in the utility and and is a lecturer for Global Trade Mktg. , financial services industries. Steven Tracy ’87 Ministries/UCC & Disciples. Michelle Friedlund ’82, Hainesville, has retired from He is serving in Zambia Russell Crull ’77, Byron, is Lafayette, IN, is the case the Park Ridge Police Dept. teaching church history and retired. manager for Wabash Valley after 30 years of service and is research for the Theology Lawrence Lord ’77, Omaha, Alliance. currently writing for PoliceOne. and Religion Dept. of the com, Shooting Illustrated, and NE, is a customer service Jean Blew Sproles ’82, United Church of Zambia agent for Southwest Airlines Bloomington, is retired RevolverGuy.com. University. and received his master’s in from State Farm Insurance, Laura BonDurant ’88, Bonnie Jansen Kuehl ’72, history from the University of Corporate Headquarters. Washington, DC, is a senior Temple, TX, is retired from Nebraska-Omaha. associate dean for academic W. Craig Fishburn ’83, Killeen Independent School Tom Hamilton ’78, Crested Indianapolis, IN, has retired administration at American Dist. Butte, CO, is retired. from the Indianapolis University. Charlie Barber ’73 MS-ED Lesley Tucker ’78, Snellville, Metropolitan Police Dept. Joseph Muchow ’88, Willow ’76 ED SP ’82, Rockford, GA, is retired. after 34 years with the Springs, has retired as is retired from Illinois public agency. President of the E.L. Foust schools. Arla Nelson Bywater Co. Inc. in Elmhurst. ’79, Arlington, TX, has Patricia Hallbick ’84, Richard Ertmann ’73, New retired from Grand Prairie Webster, TX, is a senior Janice Mary Haungs Vernon, NJ, is the President Independent School Dist. software engineer at SGT, Novello MS-ED ’88 ED SP of Alpha Assembly Solutions Inc., a NASA contractor at ’95, Lakewood Ranch, FL, in Somerset. Carol Nothnagel Clausen Johnson Space Center. was the Florida Science ’79, Deforest, WI, has retired Teacher of the Year for 2017. Les Hansen ’74, Alvin, TX, after 31 years as a research Patrick McManus ’84, is retired after 35+ years microbiologist for the USDA Columbia, has retired after a William Jarchow ’89, as the owner of Precision Forest Service. 33+ year career with National Whitestown, IN, is the digital Management Group. Geospatial-Intelligence sales manager at Tribune. Agency in St. Louis, MO. Soutchay Boualavong ’90, Quincy, has retired from Swift Ecker.
wiu.edu/alumni facebook.com/WIUAlumni [email protected]
Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 41 Brian Jallas ’91, Larry Estep II ’98 MBA Kirsten Vining Lee ’07, Margaritta Fultz ’10, Chandlerville, is the CFO ’10, Sahuarita, AZ, is a Batavia, is a CV tech at Macomb, is the assistant of Prairieland FS, Inc. in commercial manager at Northwestern Medicine- director of the Knox Fund: Jacksonville. Caterpillar, Inc. Central DuPage Hospital in Student Philanthropy and Winfield. Young at Knox College in Cecilia Diaz ’92, Chicago, Darcey Forbes ’98, Long Galesburg. is an urban planner, a Beach, CA, is the VP of sales Antonietta Marella ’07, member of the Army Reserve development and strategy for Chicago, is the global head Sean Kennedy ’10, Chicago, with the rank of Lieutenant Modern Message in Dallas, TX. of learning operations for is an assistant principal at Colonel, and was selected as Kraft Heinz. Sauganash School. Jamie Frank ’98, Palm Battalion Commander for the Harbor, FL, is the forestry Cornelius Stanley ’07, Denver Murphy ’10, 3rd Battalion, 334th Regiment, st th operations manager Galesburg, is the restaurant Ramstein, Germany, is a staff 1 Brigade, 95 Training for Pinellas County in management instructor sergeant, regional band in Division at Milwaukee, WI. Clearwater. at Kewanee Life Skills the U.S. Air Force. Costa Correctional Center. Sarah Green ’93, Michael Tuley ’98, Wausau, Jamin Thein ’10, Hilton Mesa, CA, is the owner of WI, is a police officer at David Berousek, Jr., Head Island, SC, is a history Dancing in Harmony, Inc. Lincoln County Sheriff’s office ’08, Chicago, is the tour teacher at Beaufort County Steven Hills ’93, Suffolk, VA, in Merrill. coordinator at REDFIN. School Dist. and received his is a certified peer recovery master’s in education, history Steven Beck ’00 MS ’11, David Lane ’08 MS ’10, cognate and teaching from specialist at Chesapeake Lewisville, TX, is the general Liberty, is an assistant scout Liberty University. Integrated Behavioral manager at RATP Dev. executive/COO for the Boy Healthcare. Scouts of America. Victoria Van Meighem Ward Julie Pulse Warner ’00, ’10 MA ’12, Eldridge, IA, is Susan Wilson Turner ’95, Galesburg, is the CFO of Peter McCann ’08, New a claims adjuster for Sentry Seattle, WA, is the founder of Digital Copy Systems in Lenox, is a probation officer Insurance. Inherent Knowledge. Peoria. for Cook County. Manpreet Kaur Sidhu MBA William “Lee” Baird ’96, Wai Ling Ho MS ’01 MS ’08, Kim Brockett Parker Queen Creek, AZ, is the ’11, San Diego, CA, is a Macomb, is a CTRS. ’08 MBA ’11, Macomb, senior BA for Illumina Inc. western US region manager is the general manager for CareDox, Inc. Lacey Allaman Roderick for the Burlington Bees in Victoria Boateng ’12, ’03, Stafford, VA, is a MAGTF Burlington, IA. Chicago, is a musician at Adam Bielawski ’96, N. deputy division head for the Riverside, is a technology Ayodele Drum and Dance. Marine Corps Operational Mark Bomya ’09, specialist for the American Bar Test & Evaluation Activity in Milwaukee, WI, is an IT Vanessa Haberman ’12, Association in Chicago and Quantico. desktop support specialist for Bettendorf, IA, is a licensed is also a professional concert EPSI in Franksville. engineer in the State of Iowa. and celebrity photographer. Todd Lindgren ’04, Glen Ellyn, is the regional director Christopher Meier ’09, Morgan West Lovely ’12, Carolyn Feller ’96, Chicago, of recruiting at LPL Financial. Macomb, is a teacher at Corpus Christi, TX, is the is the director of admissions Macomb Jr. High School. lead teacher at Kinder Care. at UIC College of Dentistry. Stephanie Redfield Bravieri ’05, Janesville, WI, Emily Jacob Rudesill ’09, Crystal Sewell ’12, Dunlap, Peggy Johnson ’96, Quincy, is an associate attorney at Tremont, is the president/ is a communications has retired after 36+ years Brennan Steil S.C. owner of Foster-Jacob, Inc. coordinator at Morton working as a registered in Peoria. Chamber of Commerce. medical assistant in the Tara Young ’05, E. Peoria, electronic health records as is a lab technician for the Holly Gier Thorpe ’09, Alycia Owens Helling ’13 the lead scanner for Quincy American Red Cross in Silvis, is a nutritional health MS ’15, Havana, is a speech Medical Group. Peoria. coach at Natural Grocers. and language pathologist at Mason Dist. Hospital. Kimberly Krubsack John Sax ’06, New York, Erin Greenslaugh Walton Stenerson MA ’96, NY, is the executive director ’09, Aurora, is a customer Meredith Frost O’Brien PB- Pardeeville, WI, is a of development programs project manager for Eagle CER ’13, Chesapeake, VA, is managing member for No and services at Columbia Flexible Packaging. a configuration management University. specialist at J2E Technology Worries, LLC in Madison. Joe Fiori ’10, Chicago, is LLC at SPAWAR Systems Kevin Schwartz ’06, an investment management Charles Choate ’97, Santa Pacific Center. Barbara, CA, is a retired U.S. Belgrade, MT, is the owner of consultant at AssetMark. Windermere Real Estate in Navy Commander. William Fowler ’10, S. Padre Bozeman and Butte. Island, TX, is the fire chief for the City of S. Padre Island. wiu.edu/alumni facebook.com/WIUAlumni [email protected]
42 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 Allen Rudicil ’13 MS ’15, Alexis Phares ’17, Miranda Edler Jones Michael G. DeWitt, Warsaw, MO, is a civil Kissimmee, FL, is a high ’06 MS ’08 and Michael Abingdon, Dec. 19, 2016. engineer technician for the school English teacher at , a son, Duke Jones MS ’12 Cerece I. Hasten, Phoenix, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Osceola County School Dist. Maxwell, Feb. 11, 2018. AZ, Apr. 10, 2018. Jessica Cortes Jefferson Justin Rinaldi ’17, Amber Bedee Josephson Oliver P. “Phil” Heaton, ’14, DeKalb, is an associate Richmond, VA, is the MS ’14 and John, a son, Rushville, Apr. 9, 2018. HR generalist at Smithfield communications manager Westin Edward, Mar. 3, 2018. Foods Inc. at the American Council of John H. Herbster, Rushville, Russell Krug ’11 and Alyssa Engineering Companies of Apr. 16, 2018. Jacob Baumgardner ’15, Hardy Krug ’11, a daughter, Virginia. Galesburg, is a correctional Adelaide, May 4, 2017. Mary E. Elander officer for the State of Illinois Hoisington, Silverton, OR, Beth Harmison Lane ’08 Dept. of Corrections at Hill Marriages & Oct. 23, 2017. PB-CER ’12 and David Lane Correctional Center. Civil Unions ’08 MS ’10, a daughter, Riley Jeffrey L. Hoyer, Santa Stephanie Ackermann Lea DeMartelaere ’17 and Elizabeth, Nov. 27, 2017. Barbara, CA, Jan. 26, 2016. , Smithshire, is the Hilten ’15 Wesley Dodds, Mar. 10, Brad Mason ’13 and Sandy, Christopher A. Izzo, Baton director of advancement at 2018. a son, Wade Steven, Mar. Rouge, LA, Mar. 19, 2018. Carl Sandburg College in 19, 2018. Galesburg. Page Holland MS ’17 and Mary L. Larson Jelks, Jacob Leonard, Aug. 5, 2017. Sarah Murphy ’09 PB-CER Panama City, FL, Mar. 27, Anthony Killion ’15, Orion, Anthony Killion ’15 and ’11 and Rusty Melhouse, a 2018. is a park ranger at National daughter, Maueve, Mar. 2, Park Service. Jillian Ross ’17, Apr. 22, Geneva A. Keithley, 2018. 2018. Macomb, Mar. 10, 2018. Samantha Tucker ’15, Jessica Leimbach ’16 and Jayne Wadsworth May ’09 Norma L. Wade McDonald, Hilton Head Island, SC, is and Jeremy, a son, James, a catering coordinator for Kyle Janiak ’16, Oct. 28, Macomb, Feb. 2, 2018. 2018. Sept. 17, 2017. Sonesta Resorts. Michael McLaughlin, and Jessica Ball Mueller ’09 Jenny Boualavong ’16, William Stephens ’70 Evansville, IN, Feb. 7, 2018. Sharon Conner Trone, Oct. MS ’11 and Brandon, a son, Quincy, works at SeneGence Harold Q. Morrow, Macomb, 13, 2017. Michael Joseph Martin, Mar. International in sales and 3, 2018. Mar. 16, 2018. marketing. Lesley Tucker ’78 and Marybeth R. Reedy Murphy, Steven Crawford, Apr. 1, Katie Postman Scott ’01 Manoj Jamarkattel MS ’16, and Jim, a daughter, Effie Quincy, Mar. 20, 2018. Toledo, OH, is a research 2018. Mae, Nov. 21, 2017. Laura E. “Betsy” Kindred assistant for University of Nicholson, Macomb, Mar. Toledo. Births & Joe Stevens ’04 and Kim, a daughter, Kaiulani Grace, 29, 2018. Jessica Leimbach Janiak Adoptions Apr. 19, 2018. James W. Prange, ’16, Granville, is a QC lab Jacob Baumgardner ’15 Sigourney, IA, Feb. 24, 2018. technician at Flint Hills and Brittany, a son, Jenson Shelli Brockhouse White Resources. Ray, Aug. 15, 2017. ’98 and Jamie, adopted a Wilma J. Geltmacher Ren, son on Dec. 22, 2017, Colton Good Hope, Apr. 9, 2018. Anthony Vitello ’16, Caitlin Lohman Berkley ’11 Drake, Dec. 6, 2017. St. Louis, MO, works for and Dave, a son, Hudson Janet D. Ryan, Macomb, Murphy Company as a union Wayne, Jan. 26, 2018. Shelli Brockhouse White Apr. 22, 2018. ’98 and Jamie, became legal construction plumber, is the John H. “Hank” Sather, Nathan Brunnelson MBA guardians on Jan. 29, 2018, owner of Vitello’s Auto Detail Boise, ID, Apr. 14, 2018. & Customization, and the ’17 and Emily, a daughter, Josey Ester, Sept. 29, 2005. President of STL Fusion Car Madelyn Hannah, Mar. 13, Dorothy C. Shay, Iowa City, Club. 2018. Deaths IA, June 26, 2017. Lea DeMartelaere Dodds Hayley John Dobson ’03 Florence E. Hannel Acree, Herman D. Tow, Jr., ’17, Colchester, is a tax and Michael, a daughter, Springfield, Feb. 4, 2018. Gainesville, FL, Jan.12, preparer at Liberty Tax Tatym Rae, Sept. 26, 2017. 2018. Roger L. Barclay, Quincy, Service. Stephanie Ackermann Apr. 3, 2018. Russell A. Wagy, Aaron Edwards ’17, Hilten ’15 and Samuel Blandinsville, Mar. 4, 2018. Hilten ’15, a son, Calvin David P. Bigelow, Liberty, Davenport, IA, is a cost Sarah J. “Jane” Westen, Thomas, Jan. 30, 2018. Mar. 16, 2018. analyst for Dohrn Transfer. Macomb, Mar. 15, 2018. Paul R. “Dick” Cowan, Euclid, OH, Mar. 29, 2017.
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Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 43 William Y. Wieck, Marshall, 1954 Janice Sohrbeck 1964 Bruce R. Smith, 1970 David A. Trainor, Feb. 6, 2015. Frowein MS-ED ’67, Elmhurst, Feb. 2, 2018. Kewanee, Nov. 30, 2016. Macomb, Mar. 28, 2018. 1935 Ruby L. Johnson, 1965 David M. “Mark” 1971 Stephen G. Brown, Monmouth, Sept. 18, 2017. 1955 Verliet L. Burrell, Abernathy, Bakersfield, CA, Green Valley, AZ, Feb. 1, Lafayette, IN, Feb. 24, 2018. Jan. 27, 2018. 2018. 1939 Jack A. Schulz, Lakewood, CO, Sept. 12, 1955 Bruce B. White, 1966 Louise A. Hofsess 1971 Kenneth R. Fullerton 2017. Parrish, FL, Mar. 16, 2018. Huseman, Versailles, Oct. 3, MS ’73, Ingelside, July 11, 2017. 2017. 1941 Elizabeth A. Watson 1957 Kenneth A. Kleffman, Reakes, Rock Island, Aug. Middleburg, KY, June 23, 1966 John Mahoney MA 1971 Eugene F. Gowdy, 25, 2017. 2016. ’76, Oak Park, Feb. 4, 2018. Sanford, CA, Dec. 29, 2017. 1942 Martha E. Ruebush 1957 Mildred L. McCallister 1966 Charles W. Slentz 1971 Duane M. Kovacek, Lanham, Walla Walla, WA, Wendorff, Pittsfield, Mar. 20, MSE ’74, Moline, Jan. 27, Gurnee, Apr. 22, 2018. Oct. 30, 2017. 2017. 2017. 1971 Maurice G. Meyer, 1942 Velma E. Sharrow 1958 Paul S. Culp, 1966 Earl L. “Skip” Strupp Witt, Dec. 26, 2017. Springfield, Scottsdale, AZ, Jan. 11, Rock Island, Apr. 23, Rodgers ’48, III, 1971 Karen S. Camps Jan. 29, 2014. 2018. 2018. Nielsen, Gonvick, MN, Feb. 1945 Barbara R. Reed 1958 Donald E. Kramer, Ft. 1967 Jim E. Gager MS-ED 2, 2018. Sterling, Mar. 3, Wayne, IN, Feb. 22, 2018. Moline, Nov. Osborn, ’78, ED SP ’81, 1971 Carol J. Bailey 2018. 24, 2017. 1958 Roger L. Scriven MS- Simpson MS-ED ’74, 1945 Betty B. Byers Viar, ED ’62, Knoxville, Mar. 23, 1968 Michael A. “Mick” Galesburg, Feb. 13, 2018. Raleigh, NC, Jan. 29, 2018. 2018. DeLand, FL, Oct. 2, Aleno, 1972 Patricia M. Hull Fulton 2017. 1947 Alfred L. “Buck” 1958 Donald G. Smith, MA, E. Moline, Apr. 19, 2018. Macomb, Apr. 12, Macomb, Apr. 16, 2018. Knowles, 1968 Phillip M. Daniele, 1972 Susan E. Stambaugh 2018. Springfield, May 26, 2017. 1959 Arthur K. Hall MS-ED Miner MA ’73, Macomb, Mar. 1951 William K. Griffith, ’64, Burlington, IA, Apr. 4, 1968 Robert A. 6, 2018. Lima, OH, Mar. 27, 2018. 2018. Hendrickson MS ’88, 1972 Robert E. Poska, Galesburg, Feb. 1, 2018. 1951 Margery M. 1959 Richard A. Morris, Round Lake, Nov. 12, 2016. Deerfield Erie, Mar. 22, 2018. Kirkpatrick Laster, 1968 Roger A. Hoerr, 1972 Larry G. Shelts, Beach, FL, Jan. 4, 2018. Peoria, Aug. 1, 2016. 1960 Donna R. Walker Camden, Apr. 7, 2018. Savoy, Dec. 19, 1951 Bonnie L. Scott Kuhlman, 1968 Ronald J. Walter MS, 1973 Denise M. Chapman- Watseka, Feb. 17, 2017. Edgerton, WI, Jan. 29, 2018. Lynch, Nelson, Aurora, Mar. 12, 2018. 1960 Curtis R. LeGrand, 1969 Dean H. Hess, 2018. Bettendorf, IA, Feb. 18, 2018. Jacksonville, Feb. 5, 2018. 1951 Norma J. Power 1973 Judith K. Morgan Palm Desert, CA, Marshall, 1960 Harold M. Powers, 1969 William J. Traynor, Flesher, Littleton, CO, Nov. Apr. 12, 2018. San Antonio, TX, Mar. 25, Pleasant Prairie, WI, Sept. 7, 2017. 2018. 17, 2017. 1951 Betty J. Williamson 1973 Carol M. Logos Waverly, Feb. 16, Vrooman, 1961 David W. Welch, Sugar 1970 William H. Tooley, Joliet, Feb. 18, 2018. 2017. Grove, Feb. 18, 2018. Chapel Hill, Allenbaugh, 1973 Terry E. Weber, Ft. Oct. 31, 2016. 1952 Pauline F. Fullerton 1962 Richard C. Bumba, Worth, TX, Mar. 29, 2017. Monticello, Mar. 3, Foran, Bloomington, Feb. 13, 2018. 1970 Raymond R. “Rick” 2018. 1974 Debra A. Bohlmann Alm, Hutchinson, KS, Feb. 1962 Michael S. “Mick” Bettermann, Crescent City, 16, 2017. 1952 Kathryn J. Madison, Sr., Springfield, Mar. 6, 2018. Hendrickson Riley, Jan. 21, 2018. 1970 Terry E. Frye, 1974 Thomas G. Brady, Stronghurst, Apr. 19, 2018. Petersburg, Mar. 5, 2017. 1962 Philip P. Sailer, Rock Pekin, Feb. 9, 2018. 1953 Leslie D. Renner, Island, Jan. 31, 2018. 1970 Robert T. Matson MS- Walnut, Dec. 8, 2016. 1974 Anita J. Koenig ED, Mason City, IA, Feb. 8, 1963 William R. “Dick” Murrens MS-ED ED SP ’81, 2018. 1953 Marcia J. Young Brusnighan MS-Ed ’65, Vernon Hills, Feb. 27, 2018. Roseville, Feb. Simonson, Weslaco, TX, Feb. 3, 2018. 1970 Michael P. Reger MS 24, 2018. 1974 Jackie W. Thompson, ’72, Brookings, SD, Jan. 27, 1963 Wayne A. Hall, Dallas, Pekin, Oct. 8, 2017. 2017. TX, Feb. 9, 2018. wiu.edu/alumni facebook.com/WIUAlumni [email protected]
44 Western Magazine | Summer 2018 1975 Gregory V. Baros, 1979 Ruth E. Carwile MS- 1989 Michael A. Connell 1998 Marjorie A. Jackson Mokena, Dec. 16, 2016. ED, Monmouth, Mar. 9, 2018. MS-ED, Quincy, May 31, Blythe, Vandalia, Mar. 6, 2015. 2015. 1975 Brian R. Horton, 1979 Elizabeth A. Rust Washington, Apr. 18, 2018. Doolin MS-ED, Jacksonville, 1989 David L. Kronick, 1998 Joseph D. Kane, Little June 1, 2017. Urbandale, IA, Jan. 4, 2018. York, Mar. 14, 2018. 1975 Rick G. Keim, Pittsfield, Apr. 3, 2018. 1979 James L. Gordon, 1990 Delores J. Greim 1998 Janet K. Scharfenberg Macomb, Mar. 8, 2018. Duffy, Rockford, Mar. 31, MS-ED, Carlinville, May 9, 1975 Patrick M. McGinley 2017. 2017. ED SP, Quincy, Feb. 21, 1980 Billie C. Bullock 2017. Embree MS-ED, Quincy, 1990 David W. Lawver, 2001 Ryan S. Wright ’02 MS Dec. 16, 2017. Lewistown, Mar. 30, 2018. ’02, Iowa City, IA, Mar. 31, 1976 Donald C. Capps, 2018. Quincy, Mar. 30, 2017. 1981 James A. Hackbarth, 1990 Theodore D. Lynn, Macomb, Jan. 27, 2018. Kissimmee, FL, Oct. 16, 2003 Jason W. Pohren, 1976 Wilbert R. Ruck ED 2017. Hamilton, Mar. 19, 2018. SP, Peoria, Sept. 30, 2017. 1981 Joan M. Bartlett Hieatt, New Castle, KY, Mar. 1990 Louis L. Melton, 2005 Beth E. Redenius, 1976 James D. Van Doren, 22, 2018. Rockford, Sept. 30, 2016. Carthage, Jan. 25, 2018. Jr. ’76, Tampa, FL, Jan. 2, 2017. 1981 Paul W. Lee, Plymouth, 1991 David J. Hoefler, 2008 Jonathan R. Valadez, Mar. 8, 2018 Dublin, OH, Feb. 15, 2017. Cary, Jan. 29, 2018. 1977 Patrick E. Brokaw, Stronghurst, Mar. 15, 2018. 1982 James D. Cload, 1992 Nancy S. Wilson, 2009 Courtney J. Mullin Longwood, FL, Oct. 19, Kalamazoo, MI, Dec. 22, Ryan, Davenport, IA, Feb. 1977 Dennis D. Douglass, 2016. 2016. 19, 2018. Superior, CO, Oct. 17, 2016. 1982 Robert R. Renken, 1994 Novella M. 2010 Sarah E. Russell 1977 Louise C. Conlon Alhambra, Oct. 7, 2016. Baderscher Luter, Mann, Carbondale, Apr. 1, Hrabak MA, Terra Haute, IN, Machesney Park, Sept. 28, 2018. Feb. 21, 2018. 1983 William D. Breeden, 2017. Bourbonnais, Feb. 11, 2018. 1977 Eloise N. Dickens 1994 Gloria J. Smith- Hughey, Robins, IA, Feb. 18, 1983 Teresa A. Marley Durant, Kewanee, May 6, 2018. Knobloch, Ohlman, Jan. 14, 2017. 2017. 1977 Joseph M. Maggio, 1995 Cortez R. Madison, Rockford, Dec. 25, 2017. 1983 Ettajane Jones Pullen Montgomery, Mar. 1, 2015. MS-ED, Monmouth, Oct. 26, 1977 Gerald E. Randecker, 2016. New Braunfels, TX, Nov. 13, 1995 Richard L. Stodd MA, Moline, Sept. 21, 2016. 2017. 1985 Louis J. Bervid, Jr. MA, Crestwood, Nov. 14, 1996 Mary C. Pickard 1978 James E. 2016. “Carolyn” Handy MA ’01, Cumberworth, Jr., Bismark, ND, Dec. 2, 2017. Davenport, IA, Feb. 16, 2018. 1985 Carol A. Meyers MS- ED, Dexter, MI, Apr. 3, 2018. 1996 Roman J. “Ray” 1978 Frank C. Dodero II, Narconis, Jr., Edwardsville, Naperville, Apr. 4, 2018. 1987 Robert O. “Otis” Jan. 25, 2017. Haines, Colchester, Mar. 15, 1978 Alan W. Hull, Tucson, 2018. AZ, Sept. 21, 2017. 1996 Vincent L. Roberts, Burlington, IA, Jan. 16, 2017. 1987 Anne S. May Hall MS- 1978 Mary B. Kinsella- ED, Roseville, Mar. 18, 2018. Topping, Monmouth, Jan. 17, 2017. 1988 Gary W. Cobb, Peoria, Feb. 15, 2018. 1978 Peggy A. Schodtler Visit wiu.edu/alumni and select the “Update Us” Knight, McHenry, Feb. 14, 1988 John V. Lupo, Omaha, button. 2018. NE, Aug. 17, 2017. 1978 Carol J. Kuebler 1988 Thomas C. “Colin” Email your news to [email protected]. Lineback MS-ED, Iowa City, Quinn, Wichita, KS, Jan. 18, IA, June 2, 2017. 2018. Mail your update to WIU Alumni Association, 1 1978 Donna S. White 1988 Patricia E. Sutterman University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Please Osbourne ED SP ’83, Vietti MS-ED, Peoria, Nov. include your graduation year, major, maiden Geneseo, Mar. 5, 2018. 27, 2017. name if applicable and phone number.
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Summer 2018 | Western Magazine 45 Western Illinois University Alumni Association 1 University Circle Macomb, il 61455-1390
Col. Rock IV (“Ray”)