’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.
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