Fall 2009 Vol.1, No. 2
Elmhurst College
ALUMNI NEWS
It’s Brain Surgery Dr. John Grollmus ’61 gave Elmhurst pre-med students a first-hand look at the life of a neurosurgeon
FYI IN THIS ISSUE
WHAT’S NEW ON CAMPUS Pomp, Circumstance and Beyond | 2 Excerpts from a Commencement address, an inside look at the Alumni Association, and more news from campus and beyond.
FIRST PERSON STORY A Surgeon’s Life | 6 Dr. John Grollmus ’61 talks about hosting Elmhurst pre-med students for week-long glimpses into the life of a physician.
HEARD ON THE MALL Alumni Q&A | 8 At a career networking event, alumni talk about Elmhurst’s influence on their lives and careers.
SPORTS A Season to Watch | 10 Wrestler Jake Oster won a national championship. What’s next? Plus previews of next season’s volleyball, football, soccer, and basketball teams.
CLASS NOTES Catching Up | 12 Get the inside scoop on your classmates— where they are, what they’re up to, and more.
FACULTY Q&A Time to Fly | 20 Susan Moninger, director of the College’s acclaimed choral groups and its vocal jazz ensemble, reflects on 20 years of teaching at Elmhurst.
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Welcome! Fellow Alumni and Alumnae, Alumni Association President Shaheen Wolff ’87
I hope this issue of FYI finds you enjoying the end of summer with your family and friends. Though many of our students went home for the summer, the Elmhurst College campus still bustled with activity, from Summer Extravaganza to sports camps to alumni networking events.
Members of the Board Brittany Ashcroft ’05 Sara (Douglass) Born ’02 Sarah Clarin ’04 Tom DuFore ’04 Mike Durnil ’71 David Jensen ’00, MPA ’02
As you know, the College is eager to incorporate your input on strengthening our alumni relations efforts. Our first step was to increase our communications with alumni, launching this publication and our e-newsletter and developing a presence on social networking sites. Our next step is to make it easy for you to get involved at Elmhurst College, whether you live a few blocks away or across the country.
Lynda Nadkarni ’87, ’92 Cheryl Tiede ’74 Frank Tuozzo ’72 Rick Veenstra ’00 Director of Alumni Relations Beth VanDeWoestyne Assistant Directors of Alumni Relations Kristen Greenstreet
In that spirit, this issue of FYI highlights a wide range of opportunities to get involved. From hosting a recruitment event to sponsoring an internship to serving on the Alumni Association Board, there’s a volunteer opportunity for everyone. Finally, I’d like to remind you that the benefits of an Elmhurst education extend far beyond graduation. From discounted apparel and event tickets to career services and the use of campus facilities, the College encourages alumni to stay active and involved.
Samantha Kiley Office of Alumni Relations Secretary Stephanie Christian
Enjoy this issue of FYI. I hope it helps you connect with Elmhurst College and your fellow alumni and alumnae. Sincerely,
(630) 617-3600 alumni@elmhurst.edu Editor Jim Winters Managing Editor
Shaheen Wolff ’87 President Elmhurst College Alumni Association
Margaret Currie Design Director Marcel Maas
P.S. Mark your calendars now for Homecoming 2009! This year’s event takes place October 9–11 and features a full lineup of reunions, reconnections, and fun.
ALUMNI NEWS
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What’s New AT ELMHURST
Pomp, Circumstance and Beyond This spring, the College bid adieu to its largest-ever graduating class at Commencement 2009. In all, 658 students walked across the College Mall, receiving their diplomas and gaining instant membership in the Elmhurst College Alumni Association. Here are excerpts from a Commencement address, other news from campus, and an inside look at the Alumni Association.
Honoring the Poor’s Prophetic Voice
Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez (above) will receive the College’s highest honor, the Niebuhr Medal, on September 20. Eboo Patel (below), a leader in the interfaith youth movement, spoke at this year’s Spring Commencement.
Elmhurst College will present its highest honor, the Niebuhr Medal, to Gustavo Gutiérrez, a Catholic priest, public intellectual, and prophetic voice for the poorest of the poor. A native of Peru and a professor at Notre Dame, Father Gutiérrez is the acknowledged “Father of Liberation Theology,” an influential set of ideas founded in biblical scholarship and a powerful social force in the Third World. “Real material poverty—this less-than-human situation in which most human beings live today—is a challenge which no Christian is free to overlook,” he insists. The College will present the Niebuhr Medal to Father Gutiérrez at a ceremony on September 20. “Father Gutiérrez is an exponent of the Niebuhr tradition, in that he holds society responsible for the well being of the least of its members, and he does so from the perspective of a biblical faith,” says President S. Alan Ray. “He has helped a generation understand what the Christian Gospels say about our obligation to stand with the poor and to understand and alleviate the causes of poverty.”
Commencement: ‘Jumping into the Deep End’ Eboo Patel, Ph.D., is founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based non-profit that promotes interfaith communication. On May 31, Patel spoke at the College’s Commencement ceremony and received an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Here is an excerpt from his address. Life is about two things: the risks you take, and who you bring with you to the edge of the pool. When I first had the idea of the Interfaith Youth Core, I surrounded myself with people whose basic message was: “Dream it. Dream it. Dream it. And when things go wrong, I’m here.” Elmhurst College prides itself on providing an environment that nurtures the same in its students. That you are graduating means you chose both your risks and your community well. And both you and this gathering of faculty, friends, and family should be very proud. And now everything changes. You’re at the edge of a whole new body of water. And you’re going to meet a whole 2
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Greece, the destination for next year’s Alumni Association tour, offers breathtaking beauty, ancient history, and Mediterranean sunshine.
new world of people. Choose wisely where you jump in. Choose wisely who you bring with. And know this: these decisions affect more than just your own life. When you build a community of support around you, when you play a role in somebody else’s community, you create a model for how the human community should be.
Some Perks of Being Elmhurst Alumni The perks and rewards of an Elmhurst education don’t end on graduation day. As an alumnus or alumna of the College, you’ll enjoy exclusive programs, events, services, and opportunities for years to come. For instance, you’ll have lifelong access to career services. From interview workshops and networking events to résumé assistance and career counseling, our programs and events will help you advance your career. You also have access to a range of campus facilities, including the A.C. Buehler Library and campus computer labs. You’ll even get special pricing when you rent our facilities for your special event! And that’s just the beginning. Other perks include discounted tickets for Bluejay events and Elmhurst College Theatre, opportunities to travel abroad with your classmates, and a lot more. Find out more about the lifelong benefits of your Elmhurst education by going online to www.elmhurst.edu/alumni or by contacting (630) 617-3600.
Elmhurst Is Going to Greece! From Athens to Mykonos to Delphi, Greece and its magical islands offer a breathtaking journey into ancient history and timeless beauty. It’s a place to explore the mystical beginnings of civilization—and to soak up some Mediterranean sun. In April 2010, join the Elmhurst Alumni Association for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to these magical lands. The two-week tour begins on April 18, in the historic city of Athens, and also encompasses Thermopylae, Mykonos, Santorini, Kalambaka, Delphi, and more. Interested? Contact Stephanie Christian at (630) 617-3600.
Land of Bluejays It’s official—the State of Illinois has agreed to issue Elmhurst College license plates! In response to petitions from Elmhurst alumni and friends, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office will soon begin producing plates that show your allegiance to your college and fund scholarships for current students. For more information, check for updates at www.elmhurst.edu/alumni.
Your Elmhurst College Family Needs You! Whether you graduated from the College last year or last century, you’ll always be an important part of the Elmhurst family. And there are many ways to maintain your connection and help the next generation of Elmhurst students. As an admission volunteer, you might spread the word about Elmhurst College by hosting a reception, making phone calls, referring a promising student to the College, or hosting a summer send-off. If you prefer to work directly with today’s students, sign up with the Alumni in the Classroom program to speak to a class or serve on an alumni panel. Or contact the Center for Professional Excellence to mentor a student, hire a student intern, host a shadowing experience, or present a workshop. If you’re ready to step up to a leadership role, consider getting involved with the Alumni Association Board, the governing body responsible for alumni program development, strategic planning, and outreach. Opportunities include serving on the Association’s board or a committee; serving as a representative of your class, region, or affinity group; or volunteering for a special event such as Homecoming. Contact the Office of Alumni Relations to learn more about these and many more opportunities, or submit the volunteer application online at www.elmhurst.edu/alumni. We look forward to working with you!
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What’s New AT ELMHURST
Meet the Board Sara (Douglass) Born ’02 Board member since 2002
Brittany Ashcroft ’05 Board member since 2007
“I love giving my time and my ideas to Elmhurst—and I love to find ways to connect other alumni back to the College. I’m proud that the board and the College have worked together to support some great new ideas and see them blossom. Board members come from a wide range of decades and interests, but we all share a common love of this institution and we work closely together to make great things happen.”
“As a student at Elmhurst, I was involved in a lot of different activities. I worked on The Leader, I was involved with Greek life and a couple of honor societies, and I did an internship. All those experiences played a huge role in shaping who I am. Serving on the Alumni Association Board is one way for me to show my appreciation. And I love working with my fellow board members who are just as passionate about Elmhurst as I am.”
Sara (Douglass) Born of Des Plaines, Illinois, teaches at Washington Elementary School, Park Ridge, and is vice president of recognition and awards for the Alumni Association Board.
Schaumburg, Illinois, resident Brittany Ashcroft is managing editor for West Suburban Living magazine.
Tom DuFore ’04 Board member since 2006
Cheryl Tiede ’74 Board member since 1998
“Serving on the board is a great way to stay involved.There’s always something happening on campus, and I love keeping up with what’s new. It’s also a great way to attend events and to donate my time. And I appreciate the opportunity to connect with my fellow alumni, benefit from one another’s knowledge and experience, and foster positive relationships between the College and its alumni.”
“The Alumni Association Board is like a college-level version of a PTA: a group of people looking out for the school’s students and teachers, raising money, and staying in touch with a place that’s special to them. Serving on the board has been a good way for me to keep up with the College and channel my interests and strengths to work for something very meaningful to me.”
Tom DuFore is an executive vice president of Francorp and resides in Woodridge, Illinois.
Cheryl Tiede of Woodridge, Illinois, recently retired from a career as an elementary school music teacher.
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David Jensen ’00, MPA ’02 Board member since 2001 “I’m grateful for my Elmhurst education. The combination of rigorous academics, strong ethics, and leadership opportunities gave me great experiences and helped me get where I am today. I was involved in a ton of activities as a student, so once I graduated it seemed natural to stay active with the College and start giving back.” David Jensen, CPA, is a member of Cahill & Jensen, LLC in Elmhurst and is vice president of programming for the Alumni Association. David resides in Lombard, Illinois.
Rick Veenstra ’00 Board member since 2005 “My education at Elmhurst prepared me well for the challenges I’ve faced in my career. I enjoy serving on the board and participating in the College’s continuing success. I’m proud of how the board has changed to serve a changing alumni base, and I’m looking forward to seeing what new things we can accomplish in the coming years.” Rick Veenstra, an attorney in private practice, lives in Addison, Illinois.
Your Alumni Association serves as a vital link between you and your alma mater. Meeting four times a year on the Elmhurst campus, the Association’s Board plans events, guides strategic decisions, and much more. Board members are alumni who represent a wide range of graduating classes, majors, and professions. Here, we invite you to “meet” the current members of the Alumni Association Board.
Sarah Clarin ’04 Board member since 2007
Shaheen Wolff ’87 Board member since 2000
Mike Durnil ’71 Board member since 2000
“I tell everyone I wouldn’t be where I am so early in my career if weren’t for Elmhurst College. The shadowing and mentoring experiences and internships I found at Elmhurst helped me figure out exactly what I wanted to do. After I graduated, I knew I wanted to help other students have the experience I had. It’s a huge honor to be part of the board and be able to give back some of what I’ve gotten from the College.”
“On a personal level, serving on the board gives me an opportunity to give back to the institution where I had such a positive experience, as well as a chance to develop new relationships as I work to re-connect alumni with one another and with the College. Professionally, it’s exciting to help guide the development of initiatives that meet the needs of alumni now and in the future.”
I worked while I attended Elmhurst and went to classes at night, so it took me 11 years to graduate. I like to say that I got my degree in persistence! It was such a joy to go to school there that I almost get tearyeyed when I think back on my Elmhurst experience. I enjoy serving on the board, where I can continue to make a contribution—and encourage others to participate, too.
Sarah Clarin of Roselle, Illinois, is a regional human resources manager at SunSource.
Shaheen Wolff, president of the Alumni Association Board, teaches in the College’s Center for Business and Economics. Shaheen lives in Elmhurst, Illinois.
Mike Durnil, a resident of Winfield, Illinois, worked in facilities management at GTE for 32 years and Elmhurst Memorial Hospital for 10 years before retiring in 2005.
Frank Tuozzo ’72 Board member since 2003 “I’ve always had a soft spot for Elmhurst. My professors there became my friends, and I’ve always liked what the College stands for. That’s why I used to go back to campus to talk to students about careers in chemistry, and it’s also why I joined the Alumni Association Board. Sure, it takes time to give back; but it feels great to do something to contribute to the College’s success.” Before retiring, Frank Tuozzo worked as a laboratory manager at UOP Inc. Frank lives in Henderson, Nevada.
Lynda Floros Nadkarni ’87, ’92 Board member since 1989 My Elmhurst College experience had a significant impact on who I am today—and I’m proud of who I’ve become. Serving on the board is a great way for me to help the alumni team do more. And I take pride in knowing that I’m helping the College grow the next generation of students into smarter, stronger members of their community. A resident of LaGrange Park, Lynda Floros Nadkarni teaches fine arts at Brook Park School in LaGrange Park. She also does extensive volunteer work for several local organizations. ALUMNI NEWS
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First Person STORY
A Surgeon’s Life
Dr. John Grollmus ’61 wants future doctors to know what a career in medicine is really like. For the past ten years, Grollmus, a neurosurgeon in California’s Bay Area, hosted Elmhurst pre-med students for weeklong peeks into the life of a physician. The students lived with Grollmus, joined him in patient consultations, scrubbed in for surgeries, even accompanied him on middle-of-the-night emergency calls. Grollmus, who retired in April, calls such experiences an important part of any medical education, “a chance to see things as they really happen.” In his own words...
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try to make sure students get the full picture of what physicians do. So, together, we go to the hospital early in the morning and visit with patients. We talk with them about their maladies, and the students listen and learn. We also go through surgical procedures where they put on scrub clothes and glove up and come into the operating room. They are right there with us, getting a close-up look at what we’re doing. At first, I tried not to be on call when students were visiting. But I soon decided that they need to see this, too. Now I make sure that I’m on call for several days that week, which means that in the middle of the night I might have to tap them on the shoulder, and off we go into the hospital or the emergency room. In some cases we have to go through operative procedures to take care of people. I think that’s an important part of the experience—to help students understand that we’re going to be working not just in the daylight but also in the middle of the night. I don’t pretend to cover all the bases. This is about letting students see things from the perspective of one physician. I don’t know that any of the students who have visited us have decided to become neurosurgeons, but a number of them
have gone on to medical school. I hope that what they saw and did with us helped them to make wise decisions about their futures. I never had an experience like this in the course of my education; though one day during my third year in medical school, a couple of residents picked me out and said, “Hey, you’re going to go in and help us with this surgery.” I thought it might be interesting to watch. As it turned out, they let me do much of the work, guiding me along the whole way. It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life, and I left there knowing that I was going to be a surgeon. It was a seminal thing. That’s what led me to invite students to come out and watch and learn. I thought that if students could come into an operating room and get even part of the experience I had back then, it would be wonderful. The most important thing students learn here is that practicing medicine is not a piece of cake. I don’t think enough people recognize how much time this takes. You have to want really badly to go into medicine, or you’ll be unhappy with your choice. I hope we help some of these students to make the right decision about what they’re going to do.
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Heard ON THE MALL
How has your Elmhurst experience influenced your life and your career? On May 13, some thirty Elmhurst graduates gathered at a pub in downtown Chicago for the second installment of the College’s popular professional networking series. In addition to networking opportunities, the event featured a panel discussion on how to be an invaluable employee. FYI spoke with a few alumni in attendance and asked about their Elmhurst experiences. Here’s some of what we heard. Rene Bernal ’07 After graduating from Elmhurst I spent two years in Iraq, where I was in charge of a platoon of 65 soldiers. I came home three months ago and was lucky enough to land a job as a personal banker at Chase, where I had planned to work before getting deployed. The time I spent at Elmhurst was pivotal for me: The professors gave so much of their time and patience, and everything I learned there made me want to learn more. Dave Pardun ’85 In my senior year as a business and accounting student at Elmhurst, one of the College’s trustees helped me get an internship in management consulting with A.T. Kearney. Then when I graduated, the company offered me a full-time job, and I’ve continued moving up from there. My Elmhurst education combined academic learning with practical learning to prepare me for the workplace.
Lisa Ippolito MA ’05 In the graduate program in industrial/organizational psychology, we did a lot of case studies where we went out and did actual analytical work for real companies. One of the projects I did turned out so well that I used it for a sample of my work when I was applying for jobs! Doing that kind of work helped us develop highly applicable skills and gave us a real edge in the job market. Angela Mock ’07 I chose Elmhurst because I didn’t want to be a nameless face in a 200-student lecture hall. At Elmhurst, the teachers show up early and stay late; they know the students and engage them in dialogue. The experience taught me how to interact with different kinds of people and see the big picture. That’s been invaluable in my current job at a packaging company, where I work with creative people as well as business people.
Laura Fontela ’05, MBA ’07 I’m an assistant brand manager for a subsidiary of H.B. Fuller, doing product launches and promotions for $150-million brands. My Elmhurst background helps me in a ton of ways. For instance, the professors I met came directly from industry, so they were able to share their real-life experiences. We did real-world projects for actual companies, too. Even in my current job I find myself reflecting back on some of those experiences and learning from them.
Gary Wendel ’02 At Elmhurst, I took advantage of a lot of different opportunities. I started an organization for students interested in human resources, for example, which helped me establish networking contacts as a young person as well as developing my skills in negotiation and conflict resolution. I also was a resident adviser and the coordinator for the Student Ambassador program, which helped me learn to speak in public. The bottom line: Elmhurst gave me the opportunity to have a wide range of unique experiences that correlate well with what I do today as a corporate trainer.
Dara Fitzpatrick ’05 I had three internships at Elmhurst. I worked as an events planner with the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce; I worked with the Diversity Project; and I was a program manager for affinity groups with the Heartland Institute. I also studied abroad in Spain, where I served as a team leader for ten other students. Together, those experiences gave me the experience I needed to advance in my field. Right now I’m pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration at Loyola University Chicago.
Antonietta Caldarella ’07 The classes at Elmhurst were small enough that the teachers were able to work one-to-one with each student. I saw my Elmhurst professors as leaders, helping me develop myself and achieve my goals in the classroom. Now that I’m in the working world, my managers at work take on the same leadership role that my professors had in school. My Elmhurst experience really prepared me for the professional world.
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Why I Give
Timothy W. Jans ’74 Elmhurst, Illinois “My family’s association with Elmhurst College goes back quite a way. My mother was a student at Elmhurst, and my parents met there. Then my sister attended Elmhurst, and a year later I followed her. “My parents always loved Elmhurst, so when my father passed away in 1990, we decided to honor him by establishing an endowed scholarship fund in his name. My mother supported the idea, and we added her name to the fund after she passed away in 2000.
“Money was tight in my family during my college years, and I feel lucky to have attended Elmhurst. Funding this scholarship is a nice way to give back—and to help some of today’s students get the same great opportunity that I had.” Timothy W. Jans is co-founder and executive vice president of Cook-DuPage Transportation, a company that provides transportation services to disabled people in the city of Chicago through the Chicago Transit Authority. Together with his wife and siblings, Mr. Jans established the Arthur and Anne Marie Jans Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of his parents.
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Sports GO BLUEJAYS!
A Season to Watch Wrestler Jake Oster won a national championship last season. So what does he do for an encore? Here are five Bluejay sports teams to watch in the coming year.
Wrestling: Top That! How do you improve on a perfect record—or top a national title? These are among the questions facing Elmhurst senior Jake Oster, who in 2009 became the first Bluejay wrestler to win an NCAA championship, compiling a 27-0 record along the way. That may sound like a dream season, but Oster has spent part of his offseason thinking about how he can do even better. “Last year, I won 17 matches by pin,” the senior says. “This year, I’ll be looking to pin everyone.” As wrestling coach Steve Marianetti will tell you, Oster’s work ethic matches his lofty goals. “Jake has a deep love for the sport and spends a lot of time in the offseason working on things, improving,” he says. Oster is not the only Bluejay wrestler looking forward to big things in the coming season. His teammate Mark Corsello will seek to avenge his loss in the national 285-pound final, and the team hopes to make a run at a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championship. “My goal, team-wise, is to win the conference, because we’ve taken second the last two years, and then get some more guys to nationals. If we can get a couple more, we can get into the top four and bring a trophy back,” Oster says. Those are no ordinary goals. But for the season ahead, Oster and his teammates have set their sights on the extraordinary.
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From left to right: Two-time all-conference and all-region soccer player Jon Brehm, all-conference and all-region volleyball player Caitlin O’Hara, all-conference and All-American football player Randy Wright, and all-conference and all-region women’s basketball player Lyndsie Long.
Football: Making an Impact
Women’s Basketball: Double Threat
Go ahead and call Randy Wright an impact player. It’s unlikely you’ll get an argument from opposing quarterbacks and ballcarriers. Wright was a key part of a Bluejay football team that put together its most successful season in more than two decades last year, leading the team in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. In fact, his 22.5 tackles for loss ranked third in the nation and set a single-season school record. Wright’s 2008 performance has already earned him pre-season AllAmerica honors for 2009 from several national publications. Wright will anchor a defense that hopes to help the Bluejays build on last year’s success. Under Coach Tim Lester, then in his first year, the Bluejays compiled a 7-3 record in 2008 and upset nationally ranked rival Wheaton College. Their seven wins were the most for a Bluejay team since 1985. Also returning to the defense are a pair of 2008 all-conference honorees: safety Jon Janus and defensive tackle Joe Stumpfoll. Like Wright, the Bluejays are looking to make an even bigger impact in the CCIW in 2009.
Lyndsie Long was a double threat for the women’s basketball team last year, leading the Bluejays in scoring (18.6 points per game) and rebounding (6.7 per game). But she seemed to turn her game up a notch in conference competition, where she led the league in scoring and was among the league-leaders in rebounding. All of which helped make her a unanimous first-team allCCIW selection and led the Bluejays to a 14-11 record. Long’s three-year total of 1,210 points places her fifth on the all-time Elmhurst scoring list. She and her teammates continue their assault on the record books and the CCIW standings in November.
Volleyball: Net Gains Elmhurst’s volleyball team looks to return to the top of the CCIW behind the leadership of senior middle hitter Caitlin O’Hara. She was a first-team all-conference and all-region selection last season, when she led the team in blocks, service aces, and kills per game. Also returning to a team that finished 22-14 last season is setter Emily Hilliker, an honorable mention all-CCIW choice.
Men’s Soccer: They Score! Opposing goalkeepers be warned: In 2009 the soccer Bluejays return their two leading scorers from last season, when the team compiled a 12-6-1 record. Junior midfielder Jon Brehm led the Bluejays and the CCIW in goals last season with 16, and earned all-region honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for the second consecutive year. Senior forward Jake Pahr added nine goals before being sidelined by an injury, and earned allconference honors. If their big guns keep filling the nets, the Bluejays figure to be tough to beat.
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Alumni CATCHING UP
Class Notes 1930s Betty (Roefer) Haude ’36 writes, “I enjoyed the photo of students on the steps of Irion Hall [featured in FYI Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 12]. My husband (William) Bill Haude ’34 was in that class—the first to admit women.” Carol M. (Long) Weise ’39 celebrated her 90th birthday on July 14, 2008. Carol remains an active member of the Elmhurst alumni community. 1940s Ruth (Marsh) Hamel ’42 tells FYI, “My husband and I moved to Regents Point in Irvine, California, in 1997. It was a good move as we’ve made wonderful friends, play a lot of bridge, take short trips and enjoy life. Over the years, I kept in touch with Betty (Whitaker) ’43 and Art McGovney ’42, Ann (Thompsen) ’42 and Robert ‘Bob’ Waite ’43, Judy (Cleland) Waite ’41, and Dorothy ‘Dottie’ (Davis) Dosier ’42. Two years ago, Betty, Art, and Ann all died within the same two weeks.” 1950s After 54 years in the ministry, Rev. Albert W. Kovacs ’51 retired from the pastorate on July 31, 2008. A ceremony and dinner were held in Rev. Kovacs’ honor on June 14 at the Hungarian Reformed Church in Woodbridge, N.J. A fellow Elmhurst alumnus, Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig ’68, the bishop of Calvin Synod, UCC, spoke at the ceremony, encouraging attendees to “aim higher than merely sustaining the status quo.” Albert and his wife have since moved to the Hungarian Reformed retirement community in Steeler Nation in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. An Elmhurst mini-reunion took place in Montreat, North Carolina, last October, when Ralph Abele ’54 and Mary E. (Pflug) Abele ’60, of Concord, New
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Let us hear from you! Send us a note to alumni@elmhurst.edu, or call us at (630) 617-3600. Better yet, stop by the Office of Alumni Relations on the first floor of Lehmann Hall.
Hampshire, caught up with Lynnea (Almquist) ’58 and Donald Mayer ’55, of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Richard Ellerbrake ’55 and his wife, Johann, from Lebanon, Illinois. “Dr. Ellerbrake was CEO of Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis, where we all lived while we were raising our children in the 1960s,” Mary told FYI recently. “After retiring as a United Church of Christ minister, Ralph is now a spiritual care volunteer for the Concord Visiting Nurse Association Hospice program, where he was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award in September. I retired from teaching at Boston University in 2001 and now work as a communication specialist for people with neurological differences such as Asperger’s syndrome.” Elmhurst native Jim Hudson ’55 writes that he and his wife are retired and have lived in “God’s Country,” southwestern Wisconsin, since 1964, when an unexpected stop in Richland Center led Jim to buy a 320-acre dairy farm and start a career in hospital administration. “We learned how to operate our own dairy farm, with the help of our neighbors, where our son and daughter grew up knowing a care-free and responsible life, working with the family farm. The children completed their college and university training in the UW systems and are now raising their families in Wisconsin and North Carolina.” Ray Hernandez ’57 writes that he and his wife, Fern, took part in a mini Elmhurst College reunion in May 28 at the Wisconsin Dells timeshare property of Bob ’56 and Delores (Bergdolt) ’59 Hedeman. Also attending were Alan ’59 and Carol (Kosanke) ’59 Hedeman, Jon ’59 and Rheda (Warming) ’58 Schultz, Larry ’60 and Marliane Becker. The friends celebrated the upcoming gold wedding anniversaries of Jon and Rheda and Al and Carol. Bob and Delores celebrated
50 years together in 2008, while the Beckers and Hernandezes will celebrate theirs in August 2012. Ray writes, “EC folk of the ’50s were lovingly remembered, and a good time was had by all.” The January 29 Tribune featured an article about Robert Hyde ’57, who has been creating miniature models of movie theatres since the age of 14. His first model, and four others, are currently on display at the Theatre Historical Society of America in Elmhurst. Robert, who lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with his wife, Laura Hyde ’71, taught history at York High School for years. Robert’s interest in movie theatres extends to films as well. “I have 1,340 films. They’re all on VHS. Every night after dinner, my wife or I will choose a film to see.” Robert has donated more than 1,100 movies to Elmhurst College’s A.C. Buehler Library. After returning home from her 50th Elmhurst reunion in the fall of 2008, Ina Waidmann ’58 underwent open-heart bypass surgery. Ina is now home and doing well, as she continues the long rehabilitation process. Sylvia Watson Baxter ’59, of Quincy, Illinois, provided FYI with an update: “Larry Watson ’59 and I were married the same summer we graduated from Elmhurst. He enrolled at Eden Seminary, and I taught school. In 1961, we had our first son, David Scott. After graduation from Eden, Larry received a call from St. Johns UCC in Fort Madison, Iowa. He was the minister there for five years. During that time we had our second son, Mark Gregory, and adopted a third son, Paul Arthur. From Iowa, we moved to Kirkwood, Missouri (1969). Larry carried on a very creative ministry, taking youth on mission trips, musical production trips, and whatever he could think of. In 1977, we moved
to Colorado, where Larry became the associate conference minister of the Mountain Conference. In 1980, we returned to our home town, Quincy, Illinois, where Larry became the associate administrator and a few years later the administrator of the Good Samaritan Home UCC. In 1989, Larry was diagnosed with cancer, and he died in 1990. In 1982, I became director-teacher of a preschool. In 2000, I met Ralph Baxter, and we married in 2001. We still enjoy living in a log home that Larry and my sons and friends built in 1980. I have four grandchildren and three fine sons. Ralph has three children, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Life is good!” Ray Bode ’57 and his wife, Patricia Holmes Schaaf ’59, of North Fort Myers, Florida, write, “I have been directing plays for the past 10 years in the retirement community in which I live. We do full-length plays from the professional licensing catalogues, with full sets, lighting, sound, costumes, properties, etc. My casts consist of non-professional actors who are a minimum of 65 years old. Usually the cast members are in their mid-’70s, and some in their mid-’80s. Most have never set foot on stage until they undertake this experience. We make no adjustments for the mental aspect of their participation; they commit all lines and blocking to memory. Their participation is enjoyed with verve and élan; we have no research grant.” 1960s Ron Koeppl ’61 a renowned local theatre director and retired English teacher, presented Beauty and the Beast at St. Charles East High School (Illinois) in April. Ron taught English for 34 years, starting at Schaumburg Junior High, where he directed his first play. Though he retired from teaching in 1994, Ron continues to shape the lives of young actors. Eva (Augustin) Rumpf ’61 published a memoir, reclamation: Memories from a New Orleans Girlhood, available at www.booklocker.com. The book, set in the 1940s and ’50s, chronicles the joys and struggles of a lower-middle–class adolescence in the Big Easy. Dorothy ‘Dot’ (Bratton) Busby ’62 has spent 10 years with Regional
Hospice in Ashland, Wisconsin. Her husband, Ken Busby ’66, recently received a 10-year award for his service as an EMT for Webb Lake/North Memorial Ambulance service near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Several members of the class of 1963 celebrated 50 years of friendship in April with a get-together in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Carol (Hostettler) Creech ’63, Jane (Radspieler) Batte ’63, Ellen (Rasche) Pecoul ’63, and Joann (Schneider) Oh ’63 met in South Hall during their freshman year at Elmhurst and have kept in touch ever since through letters, Christmas cards, email, and campus events. Between them, they have eight children and five grandchildren, and they love to share their memories of college life and marriages to Elmhurst men (William Batte ’63, John Pecoul ’61 and Han Soo Oh ’62). Jane Batte writes, “We all are very thankful for our Elmhurst College experience!” Ted Essebaggers ’63 writes, “My wife and I, who have lived in Oslo, Norway, since 1970, were in New York recently and took in To Be or not to Be, which was playing off-Broadway with David Rasche ’66 doing one of the lead parts. Really enjoyed it, and enjoyed meeting him afterwards and reminiscing a bit about Elmhurst.” Ted and his wife, Maja, were visiting Ted’s sisters, Mary (Essebaggers) Morris and Margaret (Essebaggers) Dopiak ’57, ’59. William A. Nelson ’68, M.Div., Ph.D., received the prestigious COMISS Medal in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to the scholarship, teaching and advocacy for the importance of health care ethics in the Department of Veterans Affairs.” Dr. Nelson received the award at the COMISS Network’s annual forum held on January 4, 2009 in Alexandria, Virginia. The organization’s highest honor, the comiss Medal has only been awarded five times since its inception in 1988. Dr. Nelson is currently an associate professor of Community and Family Medicine and Psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School. He has dedicated his career to developing organizational ethics programs that manage ethical challenges, subsequently enhancing the quality of health care.
Jacques Paul Klein ’61 Honored by Croatia Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, was recently presented the Order of King Ditmar Zvonimir award by Croatian President Stejpan Mesic. The award, named after the 11th-century king of Croatia, is presented to “Croats or foreigners in peace or in war for achievements benefiting the Croatian people and the Independent State of Croatia.” President Mesic said that the award was presented “to a man whose name shall be inseparably linked with the period when the Croatian state was established…and that you very much can take credit for the success of peaceful reintegration.”
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Alumni CATCHING UP
1970s Elizabeth “Betty” Pearson ’70 is a 70-year Elmhurst resident who taught both second and third grade at Salt Creek School in Elmhurst before retiring. Betty has authored two books of Christian poetry, Points to Ponder and Kids Can Know, both of which are included in the collections of the A.C. Buehler Library and the Elmhurst Library. Currently at work on her third book, Betty writes frequent “Letters to the Editor” in the Daily Herald and other local newspapers.
Don Smarto ’68 Wins Angel Award In February 2009, author Don Smarto won the Excellence in Media Award (Angel Award™) for his book, Mended by God: The Tony Pack Story. The book, Don’s ninth, is an inspirational account of a nearly fatal car accident and one family’s courage and faith in the face of tragedy. The Excellence in Media Award, established in 1980 by Mary Dorr, recognizes family values and quality in motion pictures, television, radio, and print. Entries are reviewed by judges representing the National Association of Broadcasters, American Women in Radio & Television, The Greater Los Angeles Press Club, and The National Association of Family & Community Education. In presenting the award to Don, the judges cited the “… moral, ethical and social impact” of his book. Past Angel award winners include Bill Cosby, George Burns, Tom Hanks, Roy Rogers, Michael Caine, and Steve Martin.
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Joni Davenport ’72 retired three years ago from the Chicago Public Schools, where she worked for 34 years as a teacher and a principal in 12 different elementary schools. Ron Stuart ’73 is the author of A Parent’s Worst Nightmare—Rites of Passage: A Teacher’s Manual for Parents on Teaching Their Children to Drive (PublishAmerica), a book that draws on his 30-plus years of experience as a driver’s education teacher at Hillcrest, Tinley Park, and Oak Forest high schools. Ron is currently a substitute health and driver’s education teacher at Bremen High School in Midlothian, Illinois. Rev. Bill Hoglund ’74 writes that he and his wife, Rev. Laura (Sova) Hoglund ’74, hosted a “little unofficial gathering of ‘Met and Marrieds’ who [aside from the Hoglunds] never made it to the Met & Married event last spring at Elmhurst.” The gathering was on April 26 at the Hoglunds’ residence in Downers Grove and included Deb (Sodaro) Freerksen ’74, Rev. Bob ’73 and Peggy (Laitas) Hatfield ’74, Stan ’74 and Verna (VanCamp) Sharas ’74, and Rev. John ’73 and Cyndi (Cordes) Helt ’74. Ryan Elliott ’75 is the author of a free e-book, The Secrets from Your Subconscious Mind. Ryan describes the book as “containing numerous case histories where clients regained their power and changed their lives once the subconscious ‘secret’ was revealed to them.” Gordon Leeks ’75 recently passed the Project Management Professional exam. The PMP® credential recognizes demonstrated knowledge and skill in leading and directing project teams and in delivering project results within the constraints of schedule, budget, and resources. Gordon is a project manager at
Health and Human Services Commission in the Austin, Texas, area. Pete Stendel ’77, a freelance camera man for NBC Sports, photographed the winning touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Barbara, and their two children, Kai and Cody. Kim (DeBruine) Tsuda ’79 wrote to FYI with news of an “EC girls reunion in Key West.” In addition to Kim, the group included Annie (Christou) Cussick ’78, Mary (Konrad) Feller ’79, Paula (Sutton) Heaton ’79, Pat (Shoults) Polsley ’79, Bertha Shock ’79, Sue (Calcagno) Skora ’79, and Renata Spadafora ’79. The ladies will celebrate their 30-year graduation anniversary this year and hope to reunite again in Elmhurst. Kim continues, “We hadn’t all kept in very good contact, but Renata called Paula while on business in Texas last year. They got together and talked about the old days. Then they decided we should all get together.” 1980s Terry Clarke ’80 teaches at York High School in Elmhurst, where he has taught and coached football and wrestling for 29 years. Currently the chair of the school’s Department of Health, Physical Education, and Driver’s Education, Terry has also served as the head wrestling coach since 1990. He is married to Joanne (Ozello) Clarke ’82. Robert Carter Olson ’83 was recently appointed presiding judge of Pinal County, Arizona, by the Arizona Supreme Court, making him the county’s chief judicial officer. Donna Kanak ’84 credits Elmhurst College’s nursing program and the “true sense of community” she found here for her post-collegiate success. A clinical educator and quality management specialist at Adventist Hospital in Hinsdale, Illinois, Donna earned an MSN at Northern Illinois University in 1991. Donna writes, “EC has an excellent nursing program. Also, I knew Elmhurst would use hospitals at which I might wish to work after graduation, and it was a great way to preview them, as well as meet key people there.” Donna currently resides in Willowbrook, where she enjoys bicycling and is active in community theatre.
Nancy Neil ’84 has served as the director of the Chicagoland USBC Association (the governing body for bowling in the Chicago area) since 2000. In October 2007, Nancy was inducted into the Chicagoland USBC Association Hall of Fame for meritorious service to the association and its bowlers. In September 2008, Nancy was elected as the general chairman of the Intersuburban Golf League, a 32-team ladies’ traveling league with teams in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties in Illinois. Jeffrey Hawkins ’85 serves as the executive director of the Christian Security Network, a national organization that provides security planning for Christian churches, ministries, schools, and missionaries. A frequent speaker and media authority on the topic of security, Jeffrey was featured in a January 12, 2009, article on christiannewswire.com. He also authored the book Introduction to Security and Emergency Planning for Faith-based Organizations. Guy Maniscalo ’87, the owner of CARSTAR Elmhurst, a collision service center, helped set a new Guinness World Record for the world’s largest car wash. CARSTAR Elmhurst joined with more than 150 other participating CARSTAR stores to wash more than 4,000 cars during an eight-hour period on June 20. The event, dubbed Soaps It Up!, raised funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Make-a-Wish Foundation®, and the Ray Graham Association. Kathleen (Toole) Bruno ’88, RN, BSN, CMSRN, recently earned Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse status, given by the Academy of MedicalSurgical Nurses. According to the Medical Surgical Nursing Certification Board, facilities that have certified nurses on staff have shown that quality of care is optimized, meaning increased safety and improved outcomes. Kathleen is the assistant manager of general surgery at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. She and her husband, Al, have three children. Mark Venard ’88 graduated from the University of Illinois Executive MBA program in May 2008 and delivered the commencement address to the combined MBA classes at the College of Business. Mark remains involved with the MBA
program and currently serves on the University’s Alumni steering committee. Mark works as the general manager of operations, Midwest and West Coast, for Maersk Logistics USA. Rodney Stewart ’89 was promoted to director of operations in the psychiatry/ophthalmics division of Pfizer Inc. Formerly, Rodney worked for Pratt Pharmaceuticals in Oak Park, Illinois. 1990s Lance Tawzer ’92 has worked as the curator of exhibits at the Elmhurst Historical Museum since October 2008. Lance has an extensive background in exhibition and design work; before joining the staff of the Elmhurst Historical Museum, he worked on various high-end projects for a number of national institutions, including Savannah College of Art and Design, National Park Service, Field Museum, Fort Pitt Museum, Indiana Pacers Conseco Fieldhouse, Texas History Museum, and the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Lance currently has several exhibits on display at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, and his upcoming projects include creating a family-oriented comic book exhibit and developing an exhibit on local architecture. Ethan Lauer ’93 works as an assistant parliamentarian in the U.S. House of Representatives. Laura (Duffy) Petrando ’93, RN, BSN, recently earned Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON) standing from the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. Laura works in the pediatric outpatient center at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois, where she also coordinates the family oncology support group, the TLC Camp, and the Pediatric Oncology Christmas party. Laura is active in her church, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and her children’s school and sports teams. Laura and her husband, Dan, have three sons. Jazz songstress Typhanie Monique Coller ’95 recently released a new CD, Yuletide Groove (Tyme Records). In reviewing her latest album, Chicago Tribune music critic Howard Reich referred to Typhanie as “one of the city’s most promising vocalists,” writing that “her instrument is a bit throatier, her scat singing more polished, her ballad work more simple and direct…” than on her
Pete DiCianni ’88 Elected Mayor of Elmhurst Longtime Elmhurst resident Pete DiCianni was elected mayor of Elmhurst in April 2009 after a hotly contested race. Prior to his election, Pete authored a state bill to provide insurance coverage for children diagnosed with autism who need therapy services. The landmark legislation was endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times and profiled in the Chicago Tribune and was passed into law last year. Fellow alumnus Guy Maniscalo ’87 aided Pete with his lobbying efforts in Springfield. Pete’s daughter, Brianna, and Guy’s son, Gaetano, have been diagnosed with autism.
last album. In June, Typhanie married Josh Richter, who recorded, mixed, and co-produced Yuletide Groove. Jessica A. Kies ’97 is community relations manager for the Chicago Bears. “Seeing how professional athletes work with people in need and give back to the community is the best part of my job,” she says. “We focus our efforts on education, healthcare, and youth football.”
ALUMNI NEWS
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Alumni CATCHING UP
Antonie (Tony) Harvey ’98 proposed to Rabia Khan ’98 on New Year’s Day. The couple will be married later this year. Rabia is currently the assistant director for staff and programs in the Department of Residence Life at Loyola University Chicago.
Nicole Lapwing ’07 Earns Teaching Honor Nicole Lapwing, music director at Queen of Peace High School in Chicago, earned the Archdiocese of Chicago’s 2009 Heart of the School award after just one year on the job. Since joining the Catholic girls’ school in the fall of 2008, Nicole has planned a spring break trip to New York City and re-introduced a music honor society to the school. “Peace offers girls a strong education of the Catholic faith, peace, justice, truth, compassion and service,” said Nicole. “I think it’s great that girls can express themselves and I can express myself, too.” In addition to teaching full time, Nicole is working toward a master’s degree in vocal music education with a concentration in ethnomusicology at Vander Cook College of Music. Nicole Lapwing ’07 (second from left) congratulates fellow award winners Nancy Halbauer, Linda Baltikas, and Joyce Cruse.
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Mike Pagliaro ’98 is the new head football coach at Wickenburg High School in Wickenburg, Arizona. Before taking his current job, Mike spent several years coaching football in Chicago-area high schools, including a stint at his alma mater, Ridgewood High School. In Arizona, Mike will also be teaching English. Brian Newman ’98, ’07 was honored by the Joliet region Chamber of Commerce and Industry as one of 13 Joliet-area “Great Teachers” at a banquet on March 12. An English content specialist for seniors at Joliet West High School, Brian has worked for the district for nine years. He and his wife, Barbara, have one son. 2000s Noah Cannon ’00 was featured in the Chicago Tribune in February as part of a series of profiles of African Americans who are shaping Chicago. A history teacher and head boys’ basketball coach at Leo High School in Chicago, Noah led his team to the Class A state title in 2003-04. He takes a “team-first” approach to coaching, demanding that his students, who hail from some of the South Side’s toughest neighborhoods, demonstrate responsibility toward the game and toward their schoolwork. His team is poised to make a run at the 3A state title this season, as well as the Catholic League North title. Vince Rociola ’00 was named the WGN Teacher and Coach of the Month for February 2009. Vince is currently the head football and track coach at Prosser High School in Chicago. Natalie Cooper ’01 writes that she is currently working as a senior print and textile designer for Gap Design Studio in New York City, specializing in the GapBody division. Michael Giannetti ’02 was recently named associate vice president of human capital management at the TriZetto Group, a healthcare technology company.
Pete Fominaya ’04 was recently hired to coach football at Lehigh Senior High School in Lehigh Acres, Florida. A Florida native, Pete was the defensive line coach and college recruiting coordinator at Naples High from 2005 to 2008. The former Elmhurst defensive lineman was a guest lecturer at the Nike Coach of the Year clinic, and his team competed for the Florida state football title in 2008. James Kryshak ’06 is on the fast track to stardom after a recent audition at the New York Metropolitan Opera. In January, James was selected as one of two singers from the Upper Midwest to move on to the semifinals of the Met’s National Council auditions. A high-lyric tenor, James earned a master of music degree in opera performance at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the spring of 2009. David Silva ’07 has been voted into the Dundee-Crown High School Athletic Hall of Fame and will be honored during the school’s Hall of Fame weekend in September. A 2002 Dundee-Crown graduate, David still holds the wrestling program’s career record for wins. He won four straight conference titles and was a three-time regional champion and state qualifier. David placed sixth at State in 2002 and went on to become a Division III All-American at Elmhurst. Melissa Gosche ’08 was honored by Illinois Computing Educators as its 2009 Educator of the Year. A third-grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary School in Schiller Park, Illinois, Melissa creates learning projects that connect curriculum and technology. Her teaching arsenal includes animations that illustrate the digestion of food, podcasts that explain weekly classroom happenings, and digital stories for personal narratives.
Get Your Gear! Winter’s coming—are you ready? Stay warm in the Bluejay spirit with Elmhurst College scarves, sweatshirts, hats, mugs, and more! For information about ordering the items shown here plus many more, visit www.elmhurst.edu/alumni and click on the EC Gear link.
ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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Alumni PASSAGES
Marriages
Births
Deaths
1990s Joe Malatia ’92 wed Kara Hanson on September 20, 2008, at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois.
1990s Gina (Fredericks-Wright) Swintek ’91 gave birth to twin boys, Michael Anthony and Matthew Cole, on October 6, 2008.
1920s Rudolf Hallmann ’20, of Stafford, Kansas, on April 1, 1974.
Dr. Stephen Michael Rudawski ’99 married Rachel Lynn Rademacher on Sept. 27, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Flatville, Illinois.
Elizabeth (Paldauf) Albandia ’95 and her husband, Mike, became the parents of a son, Adrian James, on December 3, 2007.
2000s Cathy Eck ’01 married Tim Dykes in Hammerschmidt Chapel in August of 2008.
Sandy (Escarpita) Romo ’96 and her husband, Dr. Genaro Romo, welcomed their third child, Evan, on October 25, 2008.
Alan Wojtowicz ’02 married Melisa Pratt ’02 on July 6, 2007, at Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel.
Kevin ’97 and Jennifer (Hoban) Johnson ’98 welcomed their first child, Jacob Jett Johnson, in November 2008.
Mariane Lund-Mac Kinnon ’03 joined Daniel Thomas Mac Kinnon in marriage on November 28, 2008, in Des Plaines, Illinois.
John Ruby ’98 and his wife Amy (Wendt) Ruby ’00 welcomed a girl, Finley Katherine Bernice Ruby, on July 30, 2008.
Annie Matich ’07 and Dave Horn ’07 were married on August 9, 2008, at Meadows Baptist Church in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
2000s Vincent Rociola ’00 welcomed his first child, Stella, on December 1, 2008, with his fiancée, Nancy Bongiorno.
1930s Luella S. Rasche ’35, of Manassas, Virginia, on October 17, 2007. Constance “Connie” M. (Trev) Lambarth ’37, of Aiken, South Carolina, on April 5, 2007. Ruth M. (Schmidt) Hose ’38, of Indianapolis, Indiana, formerly of Jacksonville, Florida, on May 4, 2009. Frances (La Vilge) DeLaittre ’39, of Hamilton, Ohio, on December 14, 1996. Lora M. (Puscheck) Klemm ’39, of Lombard, Illinois, formally of Hillside, in November 2008. Helen M. (Vensel) Koeppel ’39, of Villa Park, Illinois, on March 10, 2009. Dorothy (Kross) Plassman ’39, on February 13, 2009.
Tracy (Reed) Jeffrey ’01 and her husband Matt became the proud parents of a son, Joshua Matthew, on November 8, 2008.
1940s Daniel Mabee ’40, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, on December 2, 2008.
Joseph Pontrelli ’04 and Jenelle (Schoenherr) Pontrelli ’03 welcomed their first child, a daughter, Antonella Renee, on January 19, 2009.
Harvey Smith ’40, of Boyd, Texas, on November 4, 2008. Dorothy M. (Hayes) Koch ’42, of Aurora, Illinois, on January 6, 2009.
Kay (Boston) Knutson ’04 was married in 2007 and was due to deliver a baby in April 2009.
Mildred Elizabeth Tonning ’42, of Savannah, Georgia, on February 21, 2009.
Susan (Neuhauser) Locke ’05 welcomed a son, Elliott Charles Locke.
Louis Sines ’43, of Clyde, Texas, on December 8, 2007.
Judi Van Erden ’05 and her husband, Mike McFaul, welcomed Phoebe Rose into their family on February 20, 2008.
Janet (Glidden) Wernecke ’44, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on October 19, 2008. Catherine (Martin) Villwock ’45, of South Bend, Indiana on May 13, 2009. Virginia (Rodgers) McClimans ’46, of Walnut Creek, Virginia, on November 25, 2008.
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William H. Jahnke Sr. ’48, of Cuba, New York, on February 25, 2006, after a long illness. Ida L. Orosz ’48, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, on May 7, 2005. Paul H. Dunteman Sr. ’49, of Phoenix, Arizona, on January 12, 2009. Norman A. Frega ’49, of Marengo, Illinois, on March 12, 2009.
1960s Judith L. MacLeod Toigo Bernard ’60, of St. Charles, Illinois, on January 19, 2009. Dr. John Frederic Oswalt ’60, of Battle Creek, Michigan, on March 26, 2006. Rev. Richard W. Sather ’60, of Waverly, Ohio, on January 30, 2009. Rev. Vencil L. Shively ’60, of Eckley, Colorado, on March 30, 2008.
Robert “Sobie” Sobczewski ’75, of Fox River Grove, Illinois, on April 22, 2009. William Farley ’76, on February 26, 2006. Anthony “Tony” Roy Montegna ’76, of San Diego, California, on March 31, 2009. Norine R. (Rosanova) Young ’76, of Lombard, Illinois, on December 13, 2008.
John W. Zapfel ’60, of Hacienda Heights, California, on August 4, 2008.
1980s Rebecca “Becky” Wrede-Shook ’80, of Hinsdale, Illinois, formally of Monticello, on April 7, 2009.
1950s Edmund Wesolowski ’51, of Rockingham, New Hampshire, on January 18, 2001.
Robert L. Livesey ’61, of Spring Valley, Illinois, formerly of Chicago, on January 28, 2009.
Rev. Brian C. Franklin Blackston ’83, of Savannah, Georgia, on February 14, 2001.
William Cotsakis ’52, of Palatine, Illinois, on April 10, 2008.
Glen Pomrehn ’64, of Cypress, California, on February 27, 2009.
Elaine L. O’Reilly ’86, of Elmhurst, Illinois, on May 13, 2008.
Diana Joan “Phillips” Firchau ’54, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, on April 10, 2009.
Arthur C. Rock Jr. ’65, of Newhall, California, on April 24, 2006.
Kelly S. McHugh ’89, of Bartlett, Illinois, on June 11, 2008.
Alan S. McComb ’54, of Plainfield, Illinois, previously of Villa Park, on June 10, 2008.
John M. Brennan ’69, of Burlington, Wisconsin, on March 21, 2009.
1990s Robert P. Hatch ’90, on July 12, 2007.
Gertrude Fetcher ’69, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on September 3, 2008.
Carla J. (Nunez) Bruno ’91, of Antioch, Illinois, formerly of Franklin Park, on December 10, 2007.
Clinton S. Hagemann ’49, on Febuary 6, 1998.
Rev. Dr. Edward W. Bergstraesser ’56, of Oak Park, Illinois, on February 25, 2009. Ruth E. (Kolmer) Krueger ’56, of Elmhurst, Illinois, on July 31, 2002.
Richard W. Stranberg ’69, of Denver, Colorado, on March 12, 2007.
Arthur Block ’57, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on January 16, 2007.
1970s Dr. William P. Smotherman ’70, of Westborough, Massachusetts, on December 10, 2008.
Mary L. (Irmis) Smith ’57, of Earlville, Illinois, on December 23, 2008.
Susan (Fonda) Farrell ’72, of Lake Zurich, Illinois, on October 12, 2007.
Carole J. (Fetz) Stevens ’57, of Chesterfield, Missouri, on April 27, 2009.
Richard E. Thompson ’72, of Des Plaines, Illinois, on March 10, 2009.
Thomas S. Ferry Sr. ’58, of Long Beach, Indiana, on December 22, 2008.
Harry E. Fassl ’74, of Oak Park, Illinois, on October 12, 2008. James R. Machnicki ’74, of Scottsdale, Arizona, on July 23, 2006.
Kathryn “Kay” M. Kacena ’58, of Savannah, Georgia, on February 22, 2006.
Joseph Borysek ’92, of Westchester, Illinois, on January 14, 2008. Eileen Carol (Czajka) Monserrate ’92, of Charleston, South Carolina, on October 30, 2008. Faculty & Staff Alvin Hanke, retired wrestling coach, of Gurnee, Illinois, on January 29, 2009. Dr. Andrew “Andy” Karl Prinz, emeritus director of urban studies, of Oak Park, Illinois, on March 26, 2009.
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Faculty OFFICE HOURS Your choirs have toured across the United States and Europe. What do your students take away from these experiences? Some of the students we tour with have never been outside of Illinois. So it’s a big deal for them to go to Prague and sing with the Czech National Symphony. They learn about different cultures, different languages, and start to see a bigger picture. I always tell them to think big and not to limit themselves. One of the things I love about Elmhurst is the way we encourage international opportunities. Is it a challenge for you and your students to work in both classical and jazz forms? It’s very challenging to cross over, but I absolutely encourage it. Every member of our vocal jazz ensemble, Late Night Blues, was also in concert choir last year. I love that they’re doing a variety of things, because singers have to be well rounded. What are the differences between classical singing and jazz? One of the big differences is improvisation. In vocal jazz we give students 12 or 24 bars to improvise over a chord progression. It’s going to be different every time because they’re inventing a melody that works with the chord structure underneath. They have opportunities to take liberties with the music in ways that they don’t with classical music. But it also means taking a risk; improvising can be very intimidating. We let the singers know that it’s okay to fly, but don’t fly without a net—know where those chord changes are.
Time to Fly Catching up with Susan Moninger Susan Moninger is the director of Elmhurst’s acclaimed choral groups and its vocal jazz ensemble, Late Night Blues. Here, she tells FYI how she encourages her students to take on big challenges and how, after 20 years at Elmhurst, she still aims to keep growing and learning right along with them.
What’s the value of singing in a choir for students who aren’t interested in music as a career? We have students from a variety of majors—not only music, but also business, education, and nursing, among others. They love to perform and they have beautiful voices, and this gives them the opportunity to travel and make friends. It also adds dimension and depth to their education. Where do you find talented singers? I’m big on recruiting. We stuff every mailbox at the College with information about auditions. I also get the chance to see some of the most talented singers in the country at my summer music camps, Showchoir Camps of America. I love to tell singers about Elmhurst and invite them to visit our campus. Our own choral tours are another great recruiting tool. When high school singers hear these groups perform—and when they see that we travel to New York and Los Angeles and internationally—they want to be a part of it. I’m very proud of our school and our music program. I know it’s the right place for a lot of students—a place where they’ll be in a nurturing environment, but also pushed to accept challenges. You’ve been teaching at Elmhurst for 20 years. What has kept you engaged here? I fell in love with teaching when I came here. I knew I didn’t want to just sing professionally, because that can be just, “Me, me, me.” Teaching, in contrast, is, “You, you, you.” So I asked myself what kind of legacy I wanted to leave. College students make me feel so young that I feel like I still have a lot of growing left in me. I try to keep learning and traveling. And then I bring those lessons back to the classroom with me.
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ELMHURST COLLEGE
Elmhurst Is Going to Greece! From Athens to Mykonos to Delphi, Greece and its magical islands offer a breathtaking journey into ancient history and timeless beauty. It’s a place to explore the mystical beginnings of civilization—and to soak up some Mediterranean sun. In April 2010, join the Elmhurst College Alumni Association for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to these magical lands. The two-week tour begins on April 18 in the historic city of Athens, and also encompasses Thermopylae, Mykonos, Santorini, Kalambaka, Delphi, and a lot more.
Learn more! Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (630) 617-3600 or email alumni@elmhurst.edu
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190 Prospect Avenue Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-3296
Events COMING Special EventSOONDON’T MISS IT!
Homecoming 2009 October 9-11, 2009 Plan your weekend online today! Go to www.elmhurst.edu/homecoming You can: • View the full list of 2009 activities • Register for events • Purchase tickets for special programs • Locate recommended hotel accommodations • View video and photos of last year’s festivities
Questions? Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (630) 617-3600 or alumni@elmhurst.edu