Updates
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Jim Spizzo ’74
was recently awarded first place and a cash prize in the architecture category in the 2021 juried exhibit sponsored by the Midwest Center for Photography in Wichita, Kansas, for his photo “Infinity: The Way Out.” Jim has also received honorable mentions by juries for his photography in the annual Minimalist Photography Awards, as well as in other exhibits at the Midwest Center for Photography. In the past few years, Jim’s photos have been selected by juries for inclusion in a dozen exhibits in Chicago; Wichita; Scottsdale, Arizona; and online. He was invited to do a show at the Pharmacy Gallery in Springfield as a guest artist in September.
In Memoriam
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Conrad Damsgaard ’57
was a dedicated, active alumnus who had a vision for raising the profile of the institution. He and his late wife, Patricia Carlson Damsgaard ’53, remained active supporters of the College throughout their lives. Over the years, Conrad Damsgaard served on the Board of Trustees and as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. In 1987, he was honored with a distinguished service award “for his devotion to ¶¶Ňőpro as evidenced by thoughtful alumni involvement.” The Damsgaards’ philanthropy made them members of the Julian Monson Sturtevant Society and the ¶¶Ňőpro Society.
As a student, Damsgaard was elected student body president and was an active member and leader in Phi Alpha. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, economics club, the Hilltoppers dramatic organization, student forum, social committee and intersociety board.
He was first sergeant of the Army Reserve unit on campus and served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He started his career in sales with Shell Oil Company and went on to have a long career in sales and marketing management at Shell, Swank Motion Pictures and Psychological Associates.
The Damsgaards had three daughters, Susan Damsgaard-Brand ’81, Kristine Damsgaard and Beth Damsgaard Rodriguez. Susan and their granddaughter, Rachel Brand ’18, carried on the family’s legacy as IC alumni. He was 88 when he died March 23, 2022.
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Lanie Cooper Kepler ’12, Brady Kepler ’12 and Bailey Cooper ’18
founded the KASE Project. It is a central Illinois non-profit dedicated to supporting the autism community. They installed a playground communication board at Southwind Park in Springfield for children with limited verbal speech to enjoy the park with their peers.
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Chandler Polyte ’14
was promoted to financial advisor, PBM underwriting and pricing strategy at CVS Health.
Marriages
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Taylor Molandro Koksie ’14
married Eric Koksie in Chicago on September 4, 2021.
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Nate Kohler ’14
started a new position as agency success manager at Branch insurance.
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Elizabeth (Katie) Bernardi ’14
started a new position as account supervisor at Laughlin Constable.
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Samir Adrissi ’14
has been promoted to Director at Michael Page Chicago. This is his seventh promotion in six years at the company.
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Derek Ade ’14
has been named the Pana Community Hospital Foundation’s executive director.
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Cory Washington ’13
has accepted the role of assistant director of admission for Saint Louis University School of Law.
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Megan Rabe ’13
is lead developer for the 2020 Census Race and Ethnic Diversity dissemination tool.
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Ryan Blesse ’13
started a new position as project manager on the Brand and Content Management Team at Country Financial.
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Vivian Obey-Fabiyi ’12
started a new position as people partner at connectRN.
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Lanie Cooper Kepler ’12
has been named the new IPHA AmeriCorps director.
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Meagan Wright Duncan ’12
has been promoted to associate financial representative at Northwestern Mutual.
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Rachel Macon ’11
has been promoted to manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
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Kayla Graven ’11
has been named the new executive director of Downtown Springfield, Inc.
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Rebecca Gerecke ’10
married Alan Grant Wilson, Jr. on November 13, 2021, in Barry, Illinois. She works as a Certified Child Life Specialist at MercyOne Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
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Alex Spalding ’10
joined Presbyterian Medical Services as a licensed professional clinical counselor in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Peter Jennings ’07
is now the head football coach at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
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Eduard Faith ’07
was promoted to strategy director at Sparks & Honey.
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Casey Grant ’06
was ordained into full-time ministry on July 11, 2021. He has served as the campus pastor for The Crossing in Monmouth since September of 2018.
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Dr. Rebecca Vortman ’05
was elected to serve on the AORN Board.