In Memoriam

Charlotte J. Berg ’47 on Oct. 12, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona

Edith L. Hartwig ’48 on May 11, 2020, in Dearborn, Michigan

Warren E. Jenks M.S.Ed. ’49 on Aug. 23, 2020, in Olympia, Washington

Josephine Main ’49 on May 30, 2020, in Lisle, Illinois

Anthony L. Manne ’49 on Oct. 8, 2020, in La Quinta, California

Richard H. Boos ’50 on July 23, 2020, in Portland, Oregon

Patricia Laird ’50 on Nov. 10, 2020, in Elgin, Illinois

Robert G. Willrett ’50 on June 11, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Thomas H. Olbricht ’51 on Aug. 21, 2020, in Exeter, New Hampshire

Mario E. Tessicini ‘51 on June 1, 2020, in Chicago Heights, Illinois

Kenneth Woodman ’51 on June 10, 2020, in Westmont, Illinois

Ernest J. Wickstrom ’52, M.S.Ed. ’59 on June 26, 2020, in Palatine, Illinois

Ethel M. Wolf ’52 on Aug. 31, 2020, in Belvidere, Illinois

Ronald T. Zimmerman ’52, M.S.Ed. ’55 on July 7, 2020, in Elgin, Illinois

Virginia E. Lovering, M.S. ’53 on June 23, 2020, in Sycamore, Illinois

Donald W. Truckenbrod ’53 on July 21, 2020, in McHenry, Illinois

Donald F. Hackel ’54 on March 16, 2020, in Sarasota, Florida

Lillian M. Lombardi ’54 in March 2020, in Arlington Heights, Illinois

Marvin W. Howe ’55 on Aug. 27, 2020, in Sycamore, Illinois

John F. MacIsaac ’56 on Aug. 28, 2020, in Waukegan, Illinois

Doris J. Tortorici ’56 on March 31, 2020, in Palos Heights, Illinois

Gerhard A. Scholz, Jr. ’57 on Sept. 7, 2020, in Ventura, California

Bernard M. Zavada ’57 on April 1, 2020, in Libertyville, Illinois

Thomas F. Kuehne, Sr. ’58, M.A. ’63 on May 26, 2020, in Mount Prospect, Illinois

Arnold J. Ounapu ’58, M.B.A. ’61 on June 7, 2020, in Muncie, Indiana

Richard G. Paszotta ’58 on Sept. 24, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Jeanne Spear ’58, M.S.Ed. ’68 on Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Illinois

Carol J. Grenchik ’59 on October 10, 2020, in Portage, Indiana

Dorothy L. Kerner ’59 on Aug. 31, 2020, in West Chicago, Illinois

Jeanine M. Price ’59 on April 7, 2020, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Leonard J. Kouba ’60, M.S.’63 on July 15, 2020, in Sycamore, Illinois

Lillian K. Sargeant ’60 on Aug. 30, 2020, in Naperville, Illinois

Diane M. Binnie ’61 on July 13, 2020, in West Lafayette, Indiana

James Davidson ’61, M.S.Ed. ’69, J.D.’84 on July 17, 2020, in Aurora, Illinois

Robert G. Funston M.S.Ed. ’61 on Sept. 20, 2020, in Naperville, Illinois

Stanley G. Hallaron ’61, M.A. ’73 on July 21, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Leonard W. Kozoman ’61, M.B.A. ’71 on Aug. 30, 2020, in Punta Gorda, Florida

John E. Livingston ’61 on Aug. 16, 2020, in Eugene, Oregon

John G. McDougal ’61 on July 6, 2020, in Roscoe, Illinois

Judith Bukowski ’62 on Sept. 18, 2020, in Elk Grove, California

George Lingel ’62 on Oct. 28, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Mary A. Stompanato ’62 on July 2, 2020, in Woodstock, Illinois

James D. Allen ’63 on July 25, 2020, in Palos Heights, Illinois

Kenneth L. Lay ’63 on June 24, 2020, in Mount Dora, Florida

Ila Pavesic ’63, M.S.Ed. ’65 on Oct. 22, 2020, in Tucson, Arizona

Barry L. Schrader ’63 on June 30, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Marilyn L. Truckenbrod ’63 on June 20, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Zylphia J. Collen ’63 on Oct. 12, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Gail D. Brito ’64 on Aug. 22, 2020, in Grayslake, Illinois

James W. McIntosh ’64, M.S.Ed. ’71 on Oct. 25, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Rosalie McLaughlin M.S.Ed. ’64 on Aug. 4, 2020, in Mendota, Illinois

Gerald O. Olson M.S.Ed. ’64 on Oct. 31, 2020, in Cambridge, Wisconsin

Mary L. Baswell ’65, M.S.Ed. ’75 on July 3, 2020, in Naperville, Illinois

Leona H. Chapman ’65 on March 29, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

James E. Hughston M.M. ’65 on April 14, 2020, in Schenectady, New York.

David l. Miner ’65, M.S.Ed. ’68 on July 13, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Lenny P. O’Connor ’65 on Aug. 24, 2020, in Westminster, California

Charles L. Sears M.S.Ed. ’65, Ed.D. ’78 on Nov. 7, 2020, in Aurora, Illinois

George McVey ’66 on Oct. 17, 2020, in Edelstein, Illinois

Marguerite A. Morgan ’66 on July 23, 2020, in Goodland, Indiana

Robert M. VanDyke ’66, M.S.Ed. ’67 on March 6, 2020, in Flossmoor, Illinois

Frances M. Abbott M.S.Ed. ’67 on Oct. 20, 2020, in Libertyville, Illinois

Dale H. Aleckson M.B.A. ’67 on Oct. 2, 2020, in Weston, Minnesota

Marion E. Bracken M.S. ’67 on July 13, 2020, in Corvallis, Oregon

Nicole Mackanos ’67 on Sept. 19, 2020, in Franklin, Tennessee

Julia A. Orr ’67 on Oct. 15, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Albert H. Suomi ’67, M.S.Ed. ’69 on May 24, 2020, in Panama City, Florida

Mary A. Tegeler ’67, M.S.Ed. ’73 on Oct. 21, 2020, in Dowagiac, Michigan

James J. Baranski ’68 on May 30, 2020, in Crete, Illinois

Robert D. Blackard ’68 on Oct. 20, 2020, in Brooklyn, Connecticut

Jeffrey D. Emmons ’68 on Nov. 4, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona

James R. Grabek ’68, M.S.Ed. ’69 on May 2, 2020, in Edina, Minnesota

John J. Irwin M.S.Ed. ’68 on July 7, 2020, in Green Valley, Arizona

Mary E. Nash M.S.Ed. ’68 on Nov. 9, 2020, in Streator, Illinois

Dennis P. Pravidic ’68 on April 10, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Paul A. Yohnka M.F.A. ’68 on Oct. 26, 2020, in Kankakee, Illinois

John Andrzejewski M.S. ’69 on Nov. 8, 2020, in St. Charles, Illinois

Charlotte A. Christian M.S.Ed. ’69 on Aug. 24, 2020, in Somonauk, Illinois

Roger F. Ewert M.S.Ed. ’69 on Aug. 3, 2020, in Harlan, Iowa

Everett G. McLean M.S. ’69 on June 26, 2020, in Woodman, Wisconsin

Patrick A. Toole ’69 on March 23, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois

James Veruchi ’69 on Sept. 10, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Richard D. Williams ’69 on Aug. 31, 2020, in Monument, Colorado

Janet K. Cross M.S.Ed. ’70 on Sept. 23, 2020, in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Monica E. Garofalo ’70 on July 1, 2020, in Hampshire, Illinois

Homer E. Grady, Jr. ’70 on June 10, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Steven G. Leonard ’70 on May 4, 2020, in Melbourne, Florida

Mary Ellen Murphy ’70 on Sept. 29, 2020, in Camdenton, Missouri

Kingston Barbara Raycraft ’70 on Aug. 31, 2020, in Mesa, Arizona

Margery J. Saksa ’70 on March 30, 2020, in Deer Park, Illinois

John L. Schaefer M.S.Ed. ’70 on July 6, 2020, in Sarasota, Florida

Paul E. Seils ’70 on June 25, 2020, in Arlington Heights, Illinois

Barbara J. Zimmerman ’70, M.S.Ed. ’75 on April 4, 2020, in Elgin, Illinois

Barbara A. DeRoo ’71 on Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wisconsin

Ellen Edgar ’71 on Feb. 26, 2020, in Northbrook, Illinois

David W. Kylen M.A. ’71 on Oct. 19, 2020, in Malaga, Spain

Kenneth A. Olson M.S.Ed. ’71 on Sept. 24, 2020, in Birchwood, Wisconsin

Diane M. Palombi-Tegard ’71 on March 10, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois.

William H. Zuehlke M.S.Ed. ’71 on Sept. 13, 2020, in Sun City Center, Florida

Jacquelyn D. Costello ’72, M.S.Ed. ’79 on Sept. 19, 2020, in Naperville, Illinois

Raymond de Fiebre ’72 on March 29, 2020, in Naples, Florida

Kenneth W. Inman M.A. ’72 on Sept. 18, 2020, in Ottawa, Illinois

Eugene Linder ’72 on March 7, 2020, in The Villages, Florida

William H. Metz M.S.Ed. ’72, Ed.D. ’78 on Oct. 1, 2020, in Monte Vista, Colorado

Miriam R. Mitchell ’72, M.A. ’10 on July 8, 2020, in Athens, Ohio

Suzanne J. Renton ’72 on Sept. 4, 2020, in Jefferson, Georgia

Daniel C. Shaw ’72, M.A. ’75 on March 3, 2020, in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania

Gregory J. Sladek ’72 on Sept. 21, 2020, in Deerfield Beach, Florida

Gordon J Virgo ’72 on Oct. 11, 2020, in Peoria, Illinois

Richard B. Davis ’73 on June 15, 2020, in Springfield, Illinois

David R. Donovan ’73 on July 16, 2020, in Geneva, Illinois

Glen P. Ericksen ’73, M.M. ’76 on June 5, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Raymond G. Fuhr M.S.Ed. ’73 on Aug. 8, 2020, in Georgetown, Texas

Theresa Klocke M.S.Ed. ’73 on April 12, 2020, in Sterling, Illinois

Michael J. Mulcrone, Jr. ’73 on March 27, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois

John J. Nokes ’73 on July 19, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois

Gerald K. Rogers M.S.Ed. ’73 on July 4, 2020, in Naperville, Illinois

Margery H. Sauer M.S.Ed. ’73, Ed.D. ’84 on Sept. 20, 2020, in Oakland Park, Florida

Charles R. Seidel M.S.Ed. ’73 on July 28, 2020, in Estero, Florida

Marian F. Bereiter ’74, M.B.A. ’76 on June 4, 2020, in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin

James E. Bishop ’74 on May 23, 2020, in Fort Myers, Florida

Mark W. Curtis ’74 on June 3, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Therese Dvorak ‘74 on Oct. 12, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Noreen A. Evensen ’74 on July 15, 2020, in Barberton, Ohio

Randal W. Saltzman ’74 on May 16, 2020, in Mesquite, Nevada

Dean R. Showalter ’74 on July 9, 2020, in Geneva, Illinois

Norma Masters Wolens ’74, M.P.A. ’80 on March 30, 2020, in Sterling, Illinois

John L. Quane ’74, M.S.Ed. ’80 on Sept. 22, 2020, in Oak Pak, Illinois

Mary M. Berendt M.S.Ed. ’75 on June 11, 2020, in Joliet, Illinois

Virginia M. Brainerd ’75 on July 24, 2020, in Sterling, Illinois

John Hassett ’75, M.B.A. ’84 on Aug. 27, in Manteno, Illinois

Richard D. Hranac ’75, M.S. ’79 on Nov. 3, 2020, in Carpentersville, Illinois

John F. Latko ’75 on Feb. 21, 2020, in Wayne, Illinois

Robert Minehart ’75 on March 18, 2020, in Elgin, Illinois.

Janet Shelver Ed.D. ’75 on June 25, 2020, in Sioux Falls, North Dakota

Sister Mary B. Bole M.A.’76 on Oct. 2, 2020, in Dallas, Texas

John R. DeGraf ’76 on June 18, 2020, in Loves Park, Illinois

Judith L. Hill ’76 on April 8, 2020, in Dixon, Illinois

Phillip R. Johnson M.S.Ed. ’76 in August 2020, in Machesney Park, Illinois

Michael J. Smiddy ’76 on July 22, 2020, in Frankfort, Illinois

William D. Burke ’77 on July 1, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Phyllis J. Habeck M.S. ’77 on Sept.15, 2020, in Shawano, Wisconsin

Tom F. Green M.S.Ed. ’77 on Aug. 18, 2020, in Algonquin, Illinois

Richard Pribyl, Jr. M.B.A. ’77 on March 23, 2020, in Bettendorf, Iowa

James S. Schmidt M.B.A. ’77 on Feb. 20, 2020, in Palm City Florida

Daniel R. Winter ’77 on Sept. 1, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Daniel D. Willrett ’78 on March 23, 2020, in New Port Richey, Florida

Charles D. Coventry M.B.A. ’79 on May 25, 2020, in Trout Valley, Illinois

Neal E. Farr J.D. ’79 on Sept. 28, 2020, in Miami, Florida

David J. Gessner ’79 on March 24, 2020, in Lemont, Illinois

Marilyn K. Kunard M.P.A. ’79 on Nov. 3, 2020, in Elgin, Illinois

Thomas M. Freeman ’80 on Oct. 2, 2020, in St. Peter, Minnesota

Carl W. Gates C.A.S. ’80, Ed.D. ’83 on Feb. 29, 2020, in Sterling, Illinois

Heidi Kluga ’80, M.A. ’95 on June 29, 2020, in Sycamore, Illinois

Linda C. Lawrence ’80 on July 2, 2020, in Sycamore, Illinois

John J. Noreiko ’80 on Oct. 26, 2020, in Winfield, Illinois

Lisa A. Lee ’81 on July 17, 2020, in Naperville, Illinois

Kay N. Orr M.S. ’81 on May 17, 2020, in Acworth, Georgia

Stephen G. Politowicz M.P.A. ’81 on May 27, 2020, in Fitchburg, Wisconsin

Alexander Wenner M.A ’81, on March 12, 2020, in Boonsboro, Maryland

Nancy A. Foss M.S.Ed. ’82 on Aug. 16, 2020, in Oscoda, Michigan

Susan A. Kelly ’82 on July 26, 2020, in Danville, Illinois

Curtis G. Smith ’82 on Sept. 23, 2020, in Carbondale, Illinois

Margaret A. Ferguson ’83 on Oct. 5, 2020, in Davenport, Iowa

Earlynn A. Mullins, M.S.Ed. ’83 on Oct. 4, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Beniti C. Pulley M.S.Ed. ’83 on Aug. 15, 2020, in Tonica, Illinois

Terry W. Carter M.S.Ed. ’84 on June 21, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Donna Meyer-Steele M.S.Ed. ’84 on Aug. 12, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Bruce R. Randolph ’85, M.S.Ed. ’92 on Sept. 6, 2020, in Woodstock, Illinois

Michael K. Nowak J.D. ’85 on June 2, 2020, in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Judith Dinelli M.S.Ed. ’86 on April 4, 2020, in Joliet, Illinois

Stephen P. Byrd ’87 on Oct. 4, 2020, in Joliet, Illinois

Michael J. Coyle M.S.Ed. ’87 on Oct. 20, 2020, in Janesville, Wisconsin

Nancy A. Fister M.S.Ed. ’87, Ed.D. ’91 on April 15, 2020, in Dwight, Illinois

Mary A. Graham M.S.Ed. ’88 on July 1, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Timothy A. Clark J.D. ’89 on Aug. 15, 2020, in New Lenox, Illinois

Robert W. Thurow ’89 on Sept. 9, 2020 in Woodstock, Illinois

Ronald P. Bebar ’90 on Sept. 4, 2020, in Shorewood, Illinois

Judith R. Hadala M.S.Ed. ’90 on June 29, 2020, in Joliet, Illinois

Jack D. Lupei M.B.A. ’90 on July 31, 2020, in Aurora, Illinois

John P. Ivanic ’91 on July 27, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio

Mary L. Collins ’92 on Aug. 6, 2020, in Richmond, Indiana

Danette L. Molidor ’92, M.A. ’94 on Oct. 16, 2020, in Quincy, Illinois

Carole A. Ritter ’92 on Sept. 1, 2020, in Mt. Morris, Illinois

John Schellpfeffer J.D. ’92 on Aug. 7, 2020, in Merrill, Wisconsin

Marianna H. Bailey M.A. ’93 on Aug. 9, 2020, in Asheville, North Carolina

Scott L. Bjorklund ’94 on Sept. 4, 2020, in Libertyville, Illinois

Vaughn McClure ’94 on Oct. 15, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia

Andrea D. Orsinger-Anderson ’95 on July 27, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Beverly Patton ’95 on Oct. 30, 2020, in Sycamore, Illinois

Mary Pecilunas ’95 on June 16, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Jean L. Fischer M.S. ’98 on March 20, 2020, in Evergreen, Colorado

Kevin L. Corcoran M.S.Ed. ’99 on Nov. 1, 2020, in Ottawa, Illinois

Jody Jungerberg M.B.A. ’02 on June 23, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Susan E. Poterek M.S.Ed. ’06 on June 10, 2020, in Mundelein, Illinois

Amber D. Cashman Remsen ’07 on June 15, 2020, in Sherwood, Oregon

Scott S. Potter ’11 on July 8, 2020, in Naperville, Illinois

David A. Schmidt ’13 on Aug. 29, 2020, in Elburn, Illinois

Leonard R. Nelson M.B.A. ’14 on Sept. 23, 2020, in Burbank, Illinois

Joann L. Gill ’17 on September 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Michael D. Maloney ’17 on May 21, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

 

Faculty, Staff & Friends

Susan Adducci on Oct. 24, 2020, in Safety Harbor, Florida

Jan M. Bach on Oct. 30, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Joann Barry on June 18, 2020, in Sycamore, Illinois

Gary Bauer on Sept. 12, 2020, in Oregon, Illinois

Charlotte Brewe on Aug. 10, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Thelma A. Coles on June 20, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

James E. Cooley on Sept. 24, 2020, in Peoria, Illinois

Phyllis J. Fitzgerald on Sept. 24, 2020, in Avon, Indiana

Boyd M. Folgate on Oct. 13, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Donald E. Fouts on Aug. 12, 2020, in Springfield, Illinois

Mary Elizabeth Floyd on Oct. 25, 2020, in Winston Salem, North Carolina

Cheri N. Greenlee on Oct. 6, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Edward S. Grosek on March 4, 2020, in Johnson City, New York

Virgil Grzywa on July 5, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona

Katherine M. Iliff on March 3, 2020, in Topeka, Kansas

Walter A. Jiles on Aug. 31, 2020, in Geneseo, Illinois

John H. Kuhn on Oct. 16, 2020, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

David W. Krans on April 8, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Linda L. Lahey on Oct. 10, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Barbara J. Lawson on Aug. 27, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Walter Owens on Sept. 20, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Gail Parker on Oct. 17, 2020, in Galena, Illinois

Rosalie Pearson on Oct. 8, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Gene K. Peisker on Sept. 6, 2020, in Ottawa, Illinois

Lawrence R. Poncinie on June 20, 2020, in Lockport, Illinois

Janan E. Rieff on March 12, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Vicky M. Rippberger on June 29, 2020, in Genoa, Illinois

Robert H. Rodine on May 11, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

James E. Roof on Oct. 15, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois

Janice E. Royalty on March 21, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Inavi Saghu on Oct. 16, 2020, in Roscoe, Illinois

William L. Sanders on Oct. 21, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Donald D. Scriven on Sept. 5, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

William M. Shearer on Nov. 4, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Robert Stearnes on March 28, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Dennis K. Stelling on Aug. 14, 2020, in DeKalb, Illinois

Darlene Vogeler on April 11, 2020, in Joplin, Missouri

Cynthia R. Whatley on July 2, 2020, in Tucson, Arizona

Maria L. Winclawski on March 5, 2020, in Sycamore, Illinois

Class Notes

’66

Don Melander, has retired from his 51-year teaching career at New England College.

Paul V. Olczak, M.A. ’69, Ph.D. ’72, was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for many years of experience in his professional network of clinical psychology and academia.

’70

Gary E. Kerr, has published the book entitled WWII: My Father’s Journey.  The story is based on information from tape recordings his father left behind and a lifetime of storytelling.

’72

Susan Uehara Rakstang, a retired architect and prominent citizen of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, recently penned a memoir about her life, career and friendship with famed Chicago pastry chef Margaret Lastick. Cooking for Her Eyes: Transcription of a Sonata explores Susan’s connection to music, food, love and death throughout her life while also utilizing a unique writing style that mimics the rises and falls of Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8.

Wendy L. Simpson, CEO and chairman of the REIT’s board, received the 2020 McKnight’s Long Term Care Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award.

’73

Garry Kvistad, Grammy Award-winning founder and owner of Woodstock Chimes, has been elected to the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, Class of 2020.

’74

Kenneth C. Mundy, was named posthumously by The Sycamore Education Foundation as a 2020 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award of Sycamore High School.  Ken was the former mayor of the City of Sycamore.

’77

Ted Kulawiak, published his first book, 21 Lessons Learned in Sales Management.

’78

Philip M. Tatarowicz, J.D. Of Counsel, joins the Tax, Benefits, and Private Client group and the National State and Local Tax practice, with the firm of Blank Rome, LLP., in the Washington, D.C., office.

’79

John Clay Bruner, M.S., authored and published his book, Type Specimens of Fossil Fishes: Catalogue of the University of Alberta Laboratory for Vertebrate Paleontology, published by CRC Press in Boca Raton, Florida.

Roxane Chan, has been re-elected to the board of directors of the American Holistic Nurses Association and will determine the vision, direction and guidance nationally and internationally.

James M. Crowley, partner of Plunkett Cooney, was recently named the managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office.

’80

Trisha K. Wehrle, M.S., by her pen name, Trisha O’Keefe, has published her 11th book, a mystery thriller, Quicksilver Man, about a serial killer in the 1980s.

’81

Karla Clark, authored You Be Mommy, a children’s book about a tired mommy who lets her daughter have a turn being the parent at bedtime.

Marisel Vera, wrote the heart-wrenching novel The Taste of Sugar, which garnered rave reviews in The New Yorker, Washington Post, and was named a summer must-read in O, The Oprah Magazine. An extraordinary intergenerational family saga, The Taste of Sugar is a deeply memorable portrait of Puerto Rico at the turn of the 20th century, and of one family who will do anything to keep its small coffee farm afloat.

’82

William F. Tate, IV, now serves as the provost and executive vice president of academic affairs at the University of South Carolina.

Michael G.  Mansbridge, has been named president of Sensi Media Group LLC, based in Denver, Colorado.

’83

Keith A. Bartholomew, has been promoted to full professor at the University of Utah College of Architecture & Planning.

’84

Mark J. Fucinato, J.D. has been named chief credit officer of Byline Bancorp and Byline Bank.

Lori Moore, former managing director at Deloitte, has been named as Bayer vice president, head of pharmaceutical communications in the United States.

’86

Col. Rodney Boyd, of Naperville, Illinois, has been selected as the next general officer in the Illinois Army National Guard. Boyd was appointed as the assistant chief of staff, joint logistics (wartime) for U.S. Forces Korea and will be promoted to brigadier general.

’89

Tracey Gee McChargue, has been hired as a hospice social worker for HoriSun Hospice.

Dan S. Klefstad, M.A. ’93, radio host/newscaster at NPR station WNIJ, has released his latest novel, Fiona’s Guardians. UK-based Burton Mayers Books has published its first U.S. author with his work.

Verleaner R. Lane, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois.

Lisa M. Nyuli, J.D., named president of the Illinois Bar Foundation.

’91

Christopher Hennessy, has been named co-chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation, Employment & Labor Relations Law Committee for the 2020-21 bar year. He previously served as the committee’s newsletter editor.

David W. Viola, has been appointed to chief executive officer of The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials ( IAPMO), by the IAMPMO Board of Directors, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

’95

Michael Gobber, designated manager broker and partner of Century 21 Affiliated in Westchester, Illinois, has been installed as 2021 treasurer of Illinois Realtors.

’96

Lisa E. Katzenberger-Barstad, has published a picture book, National Regular Average Ordinary Day, by Penguin Workshop.

’98

Julie Rodriguez, M.S., will serve on Illinois’ Adult Use Cannabis Health Advisory Committee. Rodriguez is vice president of Association House of Chicago. Rodriguez has held multiple roles within the organization, including as the behavioral health division director.

Elizabeth Titus
, Ph.D. ’99, retired from a 20-year career at New Mexico State University on Oct. 1. Titus joined NMSU as dean of the library in July 2000.

’99

Peter G. Clifford, M.B.A., has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of Cantel Medical Corp, and will be based in Little Falls, New Jersey.

Todd Schmidt, M.P.A., was elected president of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities by his peers from cities and villages across the state at the League’s 122nd Annual Conference Business Meeting held in in October.

’00

William L. Spaulding, M.B.A., has been named president of Rust-Oleum in Vernon Hills, Illinois, effective Aug. 31, 2020.

’02

Matthew S. Grubbs, M.S.Ed., has been inducted into the prestigious “Who’s Who” for his more than 20 years of experience in education and his position as principal of Coventry Elementary School in Crystal Lake, Illinois, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in his field.

Christopher R. Schueler, has been named Simeio Solutions chief executive officer and member of the company’s board of directors.

’03

Christopher S. Grode, Ed.S., has been hired as superintendent of Columbia School District 4 in Columbia, Illinois.

’04

Alesia O. Hawkins Jones, M.A., Ph.D. ’07, has been appointed by the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford as interim assistant dean for diversity and inclusion.

’05

Kevin D. Baldus, M.S.Ed., has been named the interim special education director at Riverside-Brookfield High School.

Jennifer E. Garden, has been hired as the library director of Milledgeville Public Library in Milledgeville, Illinois.

Kristin Kranich, M.A.S. ’06, was promoted to partner of tax services at Crowe, a public accounting firm, based in the San Francisco office, covering the West region.

’06

Samantha Norris, was admitted to the Global Field Program at Miami University. In her “Earth Expeditions: Connected Conservation” course, Norris completed a conservation campaign project in which she and fellow graduate students created a series of infographics detailing Para La Tierra’s internship programs to be shared with university audiences and aiming to increase the pool of applicants to PLT’s internship program in Paraguay.  

’07

Jenna Dooley was elected as president of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA).

Lauren Krall Hartelius, M.S.Ed., was named behavioral support systems coordinator in Downers Grove Elementary District 58.

Cora E. Vasseur, released her live album, The WZRD & I on Aug. 20, 2020.  The folk-pop singer has previously released two singles.

’09

Tui Harned, was awarded a 2020 Golden Apple Teacher Award for her teaching at Nashold Elementary School in Rockford, Illinois. Golden Apple recipients are recognized for making a difference in their communities through their commitment to educational excellence. Mrs. Harned was surprised in her classroom by Golden Apple Foundation staff, board members and sponsors, her principal and district superintendent, family, and media representatives.

Michael D. Martinez, J.D. ’09, has joined the firm of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, as associate.

’10

Aubrey Ingmar Manson, was featured in the publication New American Paintings, issue #145 Pacific Coast, released in August 2020. This is an art publication with a prominent platform in the art world.

Joshua J. Boldt, M.P.A. ’18, a former DeKalb police officer, has been hired by the City of DeKalb as the assistant city manager.

’11

Macy Klumpp, M.S. ’16, was hired as an advanced practice registered nurse to the new FCA Family Health and Wellness Center in Belvidere, Illinois.

David J. Thomas, a reporter at American Lawyer, has been hired by Reuters to cover the business of law.

’12

Jordan Held, membership and digital marketing manager at Association Acumen, has received the Evolving Eagle Award from Association Acumen.  The award is presented to the individual who has grown the most professionally and has consistently demonstrated excellence in his/her position by making the most improvements to a specific client and to Association Acumen.

Peter R. Meismer, has been appointed as principal of Hunt Club Elementary School in Oswego, Illinois.

’13

Marsha B. Black Chen, Ed.D., contributed her piece, “Navigating Teacher Evaluation: Strive For Five,” contained in the published book, The New Teacher’s Guide to Ten Common Challenges.

Samuel J. Kurtz, M.S.Ed., was named principal of the Maple School in the Northbrook Glenview School District 30.

’18

Kathleen A. Plutz, has been named the first-ever combined assistant city manager/economic development director for the city of Centralia, Illinois.

’19

Jayce E. Eustice, joined the News Tribune’s editorial staff as a news reporter covering LaSalle and Peru, Illinois, government.

Dave Rich received the Advocate Sherman Hospital’s 2020 Nurse of the Year recognition in the direct caregiver category.

Shannon R. Vokac, Au.D., has joined the audiologic branch of health care services of the Ear, Nose & Throat Care Center.

Births

Brian Chandler, ’07, and Jillian Chandler, welcomed their son, Dean Zbigniew, on March 11, 2020, weighing 8 lbs., 8 oz.  He joins brother Walter, age 5, and sister Eleanor, age 3.

Ricardo Buitron and Vanessa Mendoza, ’08, welcomed their second son, Gael Buitron on Oct. 9, 2019.

Jessica L. Rydz Gray, ’10,  and Wyatt A. Gray, ’11, welcomed their second baby boy, Brooks Gray, born June 12, 2020, joining 3-year-old sibling Walker Gray.

Shane Rosenberry, ’13, and Jennifer Barnett Rosenberry, ’13, announce the birth of their daughter, Lucy Grace Rosenberry, or on May 12, 2020.

 

NIUAA Executive Director Letter

It is no secret, Huskies are making history.

Here at NIU, we have 125 years of rich history to celebrate. From our earliest origins as teaching college to our modern-day reputation as an engine for innovation, artistry and research, Huskies have been on the forefront of their respective fields and changing the world for the better.

This issue of the Northern Now is a tribute to more than a century of history-making achievements. Within this publication, we highlight some things that made this university stronger—the history of our athletics programs, a family of six Huskie siblings, and overcoming campus tensions in the Vietnam era.

We also touch on some of the history being made here and now—generous and visionary donors, like John and Anne Landgraf, our world-renowned steel band, and the $350 million microscope that has been awarded to the university for cross-college collaboration.

The year behind us was a different one—one that will go in the history books, certainly—but it uplifted the Huskie community’s ability to come together and overcome challenges. From our students and instructors, to our staff and community friends, we have shown that we are resilient. We never quit, and we are looking to the future.

Go Huskies!


Reggie Bustinza

NIUAA President Letter

Fellow Huskies,

Joseph Sener, ’93, M.S. ’10

WOW! What a crazy year it has been! We have learned to try to social distance, take care of our coworkers, work from home, specialized in Zoom, Teams, WebEx, and we still cannot say what the new normal will be.

I wanted to take some time to reflect on NIU’s 125th Anniversary. I have really enjoyed the articles prepared by our Celebration Committee, watching the evolution of our great Alma Mater and, in particular, our College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, over the years.

We can all think about our own experiences and how our lives have changed over the years with the backdrop of NIU’s changes. I have been involved with NIU for over 30 years, and I know many of you have been watching and growing with NIU for longer than that. (I was 40 years old when I completed my undergrad.)

As we continue through 2021, the Alumni Association is working to find more ways to add value to your experience as alumni. In the weeks ahead, we will start to share those efforts with you all and, as always, GO HUSKIES!


Joseph Sener, ’93, M.S. ’10

From $10 to $1 Million over 35 years: Donors Urge Alumni to Consistently Give What They Can

John and Anne Landgraf were a young couple with a family in 1984 when they made their first $10 gift to the NIU Foundation. Like most young families, money was tight, but for John and Anne, supporting their alma mater was a priority.

The Landgrafs have been loyal donors for over 35 years. As their wealth grew, so did their gifts—from $10, then $100, to larger gifts to fund a scholarship endowment.

The couple’s consistent pattern of giving paired with their resourceful use of a company match from John’s employer Abbott Laboratories has increased the Landgraf’s current total lifetime commitment to NIU of more than $1 million.

In the hopes of inspiring others to begin a philanthropic journey, the Landgrafs funded a new donor wall, the “Founders Forum Wall,” in Altgeld Hall. The wall honors members of the Founders Forum—donors who have given $50,000 or more over the course of a lifetime.

“Consistent giving really adds up,” said John, ’74, M.S. ’75. “You might think, ‘I could never give $50,000.’ But the idea of giving $2,000 over the course of a year seems much more manageable.”

The Landgrafs view the wall as a “living monument,” illustrating donors’ growth in philanthropy. Every donor, no matter how small their current gift, can build their total over time to one day secure their spot on the wall.

The Founders Forum is named for the University’s founding figures, who established the school in 1895. As NIU marks its 125th anniversary, dedicated donors are being celebrated as new founders, said Catherine Squires, President and CEO of the NIU Foundation.

“Northern Illinois University was established through the vision and leadership of our founders,” Squires said. “Much in the way that the founders helped launch NIU, the members of the Founders Forum have laid the foundation for the University’s future success.”

Education is the greatest gift

The Landgrafs’ most recent gift expands the reach of their unrestricted endowed scholarship fund, providing assistance to even more deserving Huskies.

“Scholarships matter,” John explained. “When we went to school in the 1970s, you could pay your tuition by working over the summer. Today, students are working multiple jobs and still taking on debt to pay for their education.”

Though the cost of tuition has risen dramatically since John and Anne were in school, the couple empathizes with today’s students. John went back to school for his M.B.A. after the couple had started a family, and they remember vividly the personal and financial sacrifices education requires.

“Education is the most important gift you can give to a young person,” said Anne, ’73. “Education is the key to so much—the key to a good start in life; to progress in health care, research, empathy, and everything we value as a society; the key to making the world a better place.”

Robert Carolan

The Landgraf scholarship helped to support Robert Carolan, ’20, while he completed an internship with the West African Network for Peacebuilding in Senegal. A student of Francophone studies and political science, Carolan hopes to pursue a career as a diplomat in West Africa and Eurasia.

“The support from the Landgrafs made my time at NIU unforgettably unique,” Carolan said.

He said he agrees completely with the Landgrafs’ philosophy of giving whatever you can and building your legacy over time.

“A common misconception about donating is you need to give a large sum right away,” Carolan said. “As John and Anne clearly exemplify, advocating for yourself and others is a step-by-step process. Donating to causes you believe in is something anyone can do, one day and one dollar at a time.”

Paying it Forward

John and Anne Landgraf met and fell in love while attending NIU. John was studying biology and Anne was studying history, but they shared a passion for education. John’s father was a teacher and Anne had grown up playing school to a classroom of dolls.

“Education is so important to society,” Anne said. “It affects so many important issues—the environment, research, health care, everything.”

John completed his master’s degree in microbiology in 1975. He went to work as a scientist at Inolex, developing diagnostic tests, while Anne taught science and history to middle school students.

Remembering the value they received from their NIU experience, each year the young couple scraped together the few dollars they could afford to donate, believing every gift makes a difference. Their early gifts were as little as $10 or $20.

Once their three children were born, Anne left the workforce to be a stay-at-home mother. She remained deeply engaged in education, teaching religious education at her church, leading parent-teacher organizations, and serving on district boards of education.

John went to work at Abbott Laboratories and began climbing the corporate ladder. Over the next 30-plus years, he worked his way up to executive vice president of Abbott Nutrition Worldwide. When he retired, John was the executive in charge of Abbott’s largest division, with 15,000 employees and $7 billion in sales worldwide.

As John advanced in his career, the family’s gifts to NIU grew in proportion. Because giving to the University was a priority, he and Anne made it a habit.

Throughout their decades of giving, the consistency of the gift remained as important to John as the size of the donation.

“Start giving early and keep giving consistently,” he said. “Consistent giving really adds up.”

NIU President Lisa Freeman praised the Landgrafs for their philanthropic vision.

“The mechanism they are creating to celebrate transformative contributors to NIU by recognizing them as ‘new founders’ is meaningful to NIU’s future,” she said. “These gifts keep NIU progressing and moving forward.”

In November, the Landgrafs’ generous giving provided inspiration during the NIU Foundation Thousands Strong campaign, which brought in more than $2 million to support NIU students.

Partnering for Principal Preparation

Talvi Bandele

NIU alumnus Talvi Bandele had spent his career teaching history in high schools.

Yet, the lure of administration offered an intellectual challenge.

“Even as a teacher, I’ve always been the type of person who always wants to be learning, to always be evolving, to seeing what works best,” says Bandele, dean of the Production and Service academies at Auburn High School in Rockford, Illinois.

“As a principal, I see it as a puzzle,” Bandele adds, “not in a sense that everything can be solved, per se, but that you have these things that come your way. And, I think that I have the creative side to work with others to figure things out: ‘What can I do? How can I help?’”

Bandele is now one of 20 participants in the new NIU Principal Residency Program.

Launched this fall by the College of Education and the Rockford Public Schools, the partnership will develop school leaders to improve academic and social-emotional learning outcomes and post-secondary success in every District 205 school led by a partnership-prepared principal.

Students earn two-year master’s degrees in educational administration that are grounded in exceptional curriculum, professional practice, and strong mentoring, including Illinois Principals Association coaching.

RPS 205 Superintendent and NIU alumnus Ehren Jarrett, M.S.Ed. ’04, Ed.S. ’06, Ed.D. ’09, believes that combination produces unparalleled results.

“School leadership is such a powerful force in school achievement,” Jarrett says. “By having people actively in practice as assistant principals while they are doing their coursework, and being mentored by outstanding principals, this is going to be the best way to develop our leadership talent and to drive student outcomes.”

NIU College of Education Dean Laurie Elish-Piper calls the program a “fabulous way” to extend the concept of homegrown teachers into the next realm of homegrown principals.

“I started my career as a middle school teacher, and I know firsthand the difference an amazing, effective principal makes,” Elish-Piper says. “Principals are truly the core of their schools. They’re the ones who create the context and the climate. They’re the ones who create the support teachers need to support their students.”

On that ground stands Bandele and 19 others chosen to enroll with tuition paid by RPS 205.

Bandele, who earned his NIU bachelor’s in history in 1998, his master’s in history in 2000 and a law degree in 2004, said, “I try to hold myself to a very high standard, even higher than what people might expect of me.”

Alyssa Lazzerini, ’15: Channeling a Passion for Public Health Service

Alyssa Lazzerini started on a different path before earning her bachelor’s degree in public health.

Alyssa Lazzerini, ’15

“I initially went to another college to get a degree in nursing, but I wasn’t very passionate about it,” Lazzerini said.

With an interest in working with the community, she started looking into public health—the promotion and protection of the health of populations—and found her passion. She researched public health programs and found her home at NIU.

“I transferred to NIU because of their public health program,” Lazzerini said. “It had so much to offer, and I could actually see myself thriving in this field, almost like I belonged there.”

Public health is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels through NIU’s College of Health and Human Sciences. The college is home to the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, School of Health Studies, School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions, School of Nursing, and the Department of Military Sciences.

For Lazzerini, getting her start in the School of Health Studies checked all the boxes.

“NIU offered a great track and a variety of classes that sparked my interest in many facets of health,” Lazzerini said. “They offered public health electives, and I felt myself gravitating to those topics.”

In addition, Lazzerini said the practicum class and internship component gave her an advantage when it came time to search for a job.

“I felt like I received a very well-rounded experience in this field,” Lazzerini said. “That was very important to me because it gave me the confidence and ability to connect with other resources in public health and the community sector.”

Today, Lazzerini is the program director for the Boone County Drug Prevention Coalition in Belvidere, Illinois, a nonprofit organization comprised of local law enforcement, government agencies, youth-serving organizations, businesses, churches, parents and youth. The coalition is an evidence-based program that focuses on youth ages 11-18 and their families and has a mission of promoting a lifestyle free from the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Lazzerini manages the day-to-day operations of the coalition and makes decisions about how its grant funds are allocated to create effective programs and strategies.

She also is a preceptor for her alma mater, sharing her time and talents with NIU students in the field of public health.

“I love helping others get excited about doing this kind of work,” Lazzerini said. “The students are eager to get started on projects; it’s cool to watch them as they immerse themselves in the workplace and make connections with everyone around them.”

Lazzerini said there is a strong Huskie presence in the field of public health, and it’s not unusual to meet up with alumni.

“Two of my best girl friends are NIU grads that I met in the program, and I’ve also met many NIU grads after college,” Lazzerini said. “It’s great to reconnect with them and to see some of us working in the same field and finding the same passions.”

Go to public health to learn more.

CLAS and CEET Collaborate on Grant to Acquire $350,000 Microscope

As a collaboration among two colleges, researchers will soon acquire a $350,000 high-tech microscope that will allow them to observe dynamic processes in living specimens.

The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant to NIU through its Major Research Instrumentation Program that will bolster University research and academic programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. The funds will be used to purchase a Zeiss LSM 900 with Airyscan 2 Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM).

The CLSM will also allow researchers to track interaction among molecules and capture multiple two-dimensional images at different depths, enabling users to create three-dimensional high-resolution images. Academic programs that will benefit from this microscope include biology, physics, chemistry, psychology and engineering.

Shared use was the focus of the grant application headed by Biological Sciences Professor Linda Yasui and co-primary investigators Donald Peterson, dean of the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (biomedical engineering), Olivier Devergne (biological sciences), Elizabeth Gaillard (chemistry and biochemistry) and Tao Li (chemistry and biochemistry).

The microscope is expected to generate new knowledge that will expand our understanding of life processes.

In this image, captured with a similar microscope, radiation produced DNA damage is identified as green spots in sections through a human cell nucleus.

The microscope, which will be available during the Spring 2021 semester, will support many opportunities for research and education for graduate and undergraduate students. NIU faculty plan to apply the new technology to a wide array of studies, including cancer and cancer treatment, developmental defects, antibiotic development, regenerative medicine, nanomedicine, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, the study and prevention of aneurysms, the effects of stress on the brain, and the formation of new neurons in the brain.

The microscope will also provide educational experiences to train the next generation of STEM scientists with annual training for undergraduate and graduate students to prepare them for professional positions or graduate education.

“We’re hoping to inspire the next generation of researchers and to close the gap between disadvantaged and advantaged students,” Yasui said. “Undergraduates exposed to research benefit from the experience in the form of improved grades and retention. This is particularly true of underrepresented groups and first-generation students.”

The Evolution of Huskie Athletics

When John A. Keith called a meeting of the 25 young men enrolled at Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1899, it is hard to say if even Keith could have foreseen what that one meeting would eventually grow into. As was stated in the 1900 Norther, Keith brought them together “for the purpose of exercising and (to) incidentally learn a few things about foot-ball,” but it became so much more.

The formation of that squad spawned a program that now consists of more than 400 current student-athletes and 16 sports programs. The Northern Illinois University Athletics Department has grown into more than just a way for students to stay physically fit. It has helped bring national attention to the University and bring the campus community together.

When you dig into the archives and page through yearbooks, you see a rich history of accomplishments by NIU student-athletes too numerous to list. National championships, NCAA appearances, a BCS berth, a Heisman Trophy finalist, and national awards, just to name a few.

You also find men and women who gave their hearts and souls as coaches and administrators to the Athletics Department so that student-athletes had an enriching collegiate experience. Men like Dr. Robert Brigham and women like Mary M. Bell coached multiple sports at the same time before serving as administrators and caretakers of what they helped build.

Sport programs have come and gone. As the times changed, NIU’s Athletics Department had to change with it. While doors may have closed for some student-athletes, opportunities were opened to others. In addition to adjusting its sport lineup to better serve the campus community, the Athletics Department had to adjust to serve its student-athletes.

The football team moved from its modest surroundings of Glidden Field, a plot of land donated by a prominent farmer in the area—Joseph Glidden—to its current home at Huskie Stadium, in 1965. When the Northern Field House, now known as Chick Evans Field House, opened in 1957, who could’ve imagined that one day Huskie teams would be competing in a venue like the Convocation Center?

Throughout its history, NIU Athletics has served as an integral component of campus life and the history of the University. It has been a source of pride for alumni who saw the men’s basketball team defeat No. 5 Indiana in 1972 at Chick Evans Field House or the football team beat, not one, but two ranked opponents in 2003.

It is amazing to see how the NIU Athletics Department has evolved over time. As the University moves forward, NIU Athletics and its student-athletes will continue to reach new heights and represent the Cardinal and Black nationally, while making an impact locally.

“It is often said that a Normal school cannot get up and support a foot-ball team, but we feel safe in predicting that so long as foot-ball is conducted in a businesslike way that it was during the first year of our school, it will continue to the principal game of the N.I.S.N.S.”

– 1900 Norther