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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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Melissa Mennenga Stricklin ’14
started a new position as business development manager at Dot Foods.
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Derek Ade ’14
started a new position as Assistant Vice President at First National Bank of Pana.
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Hannah Neuendorf ’13
started a new position as human resources director at Spoon River College.
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Lakyn Richard Miller ’13
started a new position as senior talent acquisition consultant at Horace Mann.
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Phillip Smith ’11
started a new job at Emkay Inc. as a vehicle licensing specialist.
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Geela Smithers Ruckman ’10
started a new position as hospital medicine acute care NP with Vituity at St. John’s Hospital.
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Mitch Neally ’09
was named Illinois Athletic Directors Association State Division New Athletic Director of the Year.
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Courtney Mann ’08
started her own senior move management business in April 2024 called Compassionate Moving Solutions.
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Amanda Flemmer ’08
has a Salesforce AI Specialist certification from Salesforce.
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Katie Bliss Wenzel ’02
received the Award of Special Recognition in the Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel Awards.
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Amanda Shoemaker ’01
graduated from the University of Iowa with a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies.
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Joe Heafner ’99
was named the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Inspector of the Year.
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Andrea Moore ’98
was promoted to commercial project manager within Shell Energy Americas.
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Ray Kauling ’97
was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
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James Huffman ’90
was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
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Neal Taylor ’87
was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
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Gina Gillmore Wolter ’86
is the president of the New Salem Lincoln League and leads advocacy and legislative initiatives for the preservation of Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site.
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Marcus Renken ’84
is now an associate financial advisor at Edward Jones.
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Keith Laughary ’76
was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
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Jim Spizzo ’74
had his photo, “Munich Anticipation,” juried into the online exhibition, Beyond the Mirror, sponsored by the Decagon Gallery in Brooklyn, NY.
