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Alumni News & Class Notes
From the Alumni Director
Greetings, McKendree Alumni and Friends,
Congratulations to the Class of 2022! Remember that life at McKendree University doesn’t end when you graduate; it only continues to grow and thrive. You are now part of a distinguished network of 21,000 alumni.
As the Director of Alumni Relations, I am working continuously to promote events and activities that will strengthen the relationship among our alumni, as well as provide a good infrastructure that will continue to nurture, support and engage all alumni with the University.
I am pleased to announce a few of our upcoming events that I hope will be of interest to you. We will have Alumni Day with the St. Louis Blues hockey team, a football alumni tailgate party and most importantly, our Homecoming Reunion Weekend, which will be held on October 28-30, 2022. I encourage you to monitor our social media pages and the Bearcat Buzz for specific dates and times.
As always, I strongly encourage you to keep in touch with the Office of Alumni Relations. Update us on your personal and professional lives-whether you moved, changed jobs, got married or experienced any other significant life change. Please send us an email or call – we’d love to hear from you!
Warmest regards,
Brandi Brown-Harris, M.A. ’10
For questions or more information, contact: The Office of Development, Alumni & Parent Relations
alumni@mckendree.edu | 618-537-6826
SAVE THE DATE HOMECOMING WEEKEND October 28-30, 2022
With Special Performance by:
Tickets available for our2022- 2023 SeaSon (618) 537-6863 theHett.com
Nothing speaks more highly of a university than alumni, friends and patrons who enthusiastically serve and support it. McKendree University and its Alumni Association offer a variety of ways to reconnect, serve and give back. In this issue, we highlight the accomplishments of Jim Forrler ’65, who has enthusiastically given his time, talent and treasure to McKendree University.
Jim has been true to his alma mater by supporting both the science building project, the library renovation and other areas of the FORWARD campaign. However, what he enjoys most is donating his time and resources to McKendree University, specifically athletics. Jim has a strong passion for the sport of tennis and commits to giving back with his time on an annual basis. For five years, he served as a volunteer coach. He attended practices and also traveled with the team to regional tennis matches.
While he no longer coaches, he remains active in participating in practices and games and assisting the current coaching staff. Moreover, he has a particular affinity for the international studentathletes in the tennis program. He serves as a mentor to the students who may have difficulty acclimating to the campus community, managing their time between tennis and academics and overall acting as a support system they need while being an international student at McKendree. Jim received his degree in English from McKendree in 1965. He is a retired teacher from Belleville School District 118. “I am always pleased to help my alma mater in any way I can and I encourage all alumni to share their time, talent and treasures in whatever ways they are able,” Jim said. “McKendree is a great school and I enjoy seeing the students learn in so many different ways. It is so important to bring varying backgrounds to the University in order to gain a broader outlook of the world. My interest in tennis and working with the international students in this program has helped both of us to learn about each other. As a retired educator, it is critical that we gain this knowledge in order to have a clearer global perspective.”
1966
Kay Gauble received the Pacesetter’s Award on May 2 from the University City School District for a decade’s worth of love, support, time, yarn and thoughtfulness for Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School.
1980
Kevin Miller is the director of charitable and planned giving at the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Belleville, Ill.
1983
Susan Elmore retired from teaching at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Ill., after 37 years of service.
1984
Frank Evans retired from Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill., after 23 years of teaching science.
1985
The Reverend Michael Clark and The Reverend Dante Anglin ’19 were both ordained into the Sacred Order of Deacons on March 29 at Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Springfield, Ill.
Julie Tedford retired from teaching at Freeburg Community High School in Freeburg, Ill., after 16 years of service. Connie (Holzinger) Elmore was inducted as an honorary member into McKendree’s Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. A family affair, she joined her sons Zach ’21 and Kyle ’23, who was installed as a student vice president, as a member of Chapter 292.
1987
Jeffrey Junker retired as assistant principal from Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill., after 32 years of service.
1990
Lori Taylor retired as principal from Union Elementary School in Belleville, Ill., after 34 years of service.
1994
Maj. Gen. Brad Pyburn was named chief of staff at U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Md.
1995
Andrew Johnson is the superintendent of Effingham Unit 40 School District in Effingham, Ill.
Jennifer (Bathon) Olson is the director of business development at The City of Marion in Marion, Ill.
Clayton Thornhill is the vice president of HR strategic business partner at Mercy Hospital in Chesterfield, Mo.
1998
Chad Mills is the athletic director at Farmington High School in Farmington, Mo.
2000
Justin Townsend is the athletic director at Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Ill. He also serves as the head football and boys’ track and field coach. Jason Clay was named the Illinois High School Association/National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Coach of the Year and the Illinois nominee for the National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholastic Coach of the Year. Under his leadership as head wresting coach at Vandalia High School, the team captured the school’s 27th consecutive regional title and advanced to the dual team finals for the 22nd time.
Lt. Col. Matthew Ketchie was promoted to the deputy commander, 3rd Operations Group for the United States Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska.
2003
Eric Echelbarger, M.A.Ed. ’07 was named the 2022 River States Conference (RSC) men’s basketball coach of the year. He led the Indiana University Kokomo men’s basketball squad to the RSC conference and tournament championships and an NAIA men’s basketball sweet sixteen appearance.
Facundo Oyenard is the founder, owner and an insurance broker with Azteca Insurance LLC in Fenton, Mo. He was recently elected to the legal board of directors of Midwest BankCentre.
2004
Jackie Harlin was named the 2022 Illinois Elementary School Association Class 7AAAA/ Region 19 Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year. She is the head girls’ basketball coach at Liberty Middle School in Edwardsville, Ill., and led the team to a third place finish in the state tournament.
Clint Koerkenmeier was named Kaskaskia College’s 2022 Alumnus of the Year. He is the associate nursing officer at VanderbiltIngram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Drew Gericke, M.A.Ed. ’09 was recognized as the 2021 Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A Coach of the Year. He is the head baseball coach at Freeburg High School in Freeburg, Ill., and led the team to the state championship title in 2021.
Brian Welzbacher wrote and published a book, “Oklahoma Beer: A Handcrafted History,” which was released on Jan. 10, 2022.
2007
Jonathan “Skip” Birdsong, Ed.S. ’15 is the head coach of the boys’ soccer team at Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Ill. He led the Crusaders to a runner-up finish in the 2021 IHSA Class 1A Boys’ Soccer State Championships.
Adam Clapp is superintendent of Monticello School District in Monticello, Ill.
Amanda Ennen, DNP ’21 is the interim CEO and president at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, Ill.
Katie Hubbard is the founder and CEO of Mission 111, a non-profit that serves people in Haiti and the Philippines.
Nick Knolhoff was named the 2022 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 4A Girls’ Basketball Co-Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive year. He is the head girls’ basketball coach at O’Fallon High School in O’Fallon, Ill.
Becky Mueth, M.A.Ed. ’13 is the head softball coach at Freeburg High School in Freeburg, Ill. She led the team to a runner-up finish at the 2022 IHSA Class 2A Softball State Tournament. Erin Conner joined the law firm of Kuehn, Beasley & Young, PC in Belleville, Ill.
Andrea Fohne was appointed as Ward 3 Alderman in O’Fallon, Ill. She works as a paralegal at SMMW Law in St. Louis, Mo.
Angelique Hamilton, MAT is the district director of curriculum and innovation for the Riverton School District in Riverton, Ill.
Ashley (Garland) Simpson is the open access/intake coordinator and grants project investigator for ComWell in Randolph County, Ill.
Martha Weld, M.A.Ed. retired as assistant superintendent from O’Fallon High School in O’Fallon, Ill.
Julius Williams, MBA ’11 was promoted to chief, national security space launch integration at United States Space Force in Los Angeles, Calif.
Brandon Woodrome, M.A.Ed. is assistant superintendent for Mascoutah School District in Mascoutah, Ill.
Paul Zinck, MBA ’10 is the vice president for finance and administration at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis.
2009
Jeffery Alt, MS was awarded a 2022 “Those Who Excel” Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois State Board of Education. He is the director of instruction and technology at Freeburg Community High School in Freeburg, Ill.
Theresa Schmidt
graduated from John Carroll University with her M.A. in clinical mental health counseling with a substance abuse disorders concentration in December 2021. She was certified as a licensed professional counselor in Ohio in January and accepted a position as an outpatient therapist at Child Guidance & Family Solutions. Stephen Kozusek, M.A.Ed. is the head football coach at Nashville High School in Nashville, Ill. He led the team to a runner-up finish in the 2022 IHSA Class 2A Football State Tournament.
Bethany (Hinkle) McQuiston was named the 2022 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 2A Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year. She is the head girls’ basketball coach at Freeburg High School in Freeburg, Ill.
Adam Schwind is an interventionist at Central Junior High in Belleville, Ill.
Stephanie Thomas and Dr. Maggie Rahmoeller, both mathematics alumni, spoke to math majors during the “Continue Your Story Career Series” on March 8. The topic of discussion was graduate school.
2011
Michele Quirin, M.A.Ed. retired from teaching at Cahokia High School in Cahokia, Ill., after 34 years of service.
Patrick Weathers, M.A.Ed. ’20 was named the 2022 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association 2A Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year. The head boys’ basketball coach at Nashville High School, he along with his father and assistant coach Brad Weathers ’76, led the team to its first IHSA Class 2A State Championship since 1978. In July, Patrick became principal at New Baden Elementary School in New Baden, Ill.
2012
Priscilla (McCowan) Duenkel M.A.Ed. is the campus dean of the Blount County campus at Pellissippi State Community College.
Joe Mark, MBA was appointed as the chair of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s Friends Advisory Board. He is the vice president-relationship manager team leader at Enterprise Bank & Trust.
Tierney (McKay) Moore was named the 2022 Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association Class M Junior High Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year. She is the head girls’ basketball coach at Nashville Middle School in Nashville, Ill., and led the team to a third place finish in the state tournament.
Jaime Pamatot, M.A.Ed. was named the 202122 Illinois High School Scholastic Bowl Coaches Association (IHSSBCA) Tom Durbin Class AA Coach of the Year. She is a science teacher and scholar bowl advisor at Granite City High School in Granite City, Ill.
Alyssa Spano and Patrick Hollywood celebrated their delayed wedding reception on their second anniversary on Oct. 1, 2021. She is the assistant director of student transition and leadership at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.
2013
Jonathan Becker is the head athletic trainer for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a minor league baseball team in the New York Yankees system.
Matt Bettlach was named the Illinois High School Association/National Federation of State High School Associations Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year. The head girls’ soccer coach at Triad High School, he led the Knights to back-to-back Class 2A girls’ soccer state championship titles in 2021 and 2022.
Sarah Jackson won the University of South Carolina’s Rhude M. Patterson Fellowship Award. The $5,000 award is given each year to a female graduate student in the humanities or social sciences who has exhibited excellence in her field. She is pursuing a doctor of philosophy degree in geography.
Brandi (Branka) Kordelweski was named the 2021-22 GLVC Women’s Bowling Coach of the Year. She is the head coach at Maryville University in St. Louis, Mo.
Matt Ernst is a principal SWE manager for network cloud in azure for operators at Microsoft in St. Louis, Mo. Grace Fisher placed as a semifinalist in Premiere Opera Foundation’s International Vocal Competition in New York City. She also sang in Winter Opera St. Louis’ Madame Butterfly, where she debuted her role as the Cousin.
Elizabeth Gentry is the vice president of business development, access solutions at OptimizeRx.
Holly (Weathers) Sallee, MBA ’18 is the executive director of the Kaskaskia College Foundation in Centralia, Ill.
2014
Caleb Batson was named the 2022 Illinois Elementary School Association Class 7AAA Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year. He is the seventh and eighth grade girls’ basketball coach at Abingdon-Avon Middle School in Abingdon, Ill.
Ashlyn Beasley, MBA ’16 is the communications and events coordinator at the Bank of Springfield in Springfield, Ill.
Caitlyn Westfall is the director of membership education for Zeta Psi International Fraternity.
2015
Nicole (Alwan) Bohnker was promoted to clinical research manager at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine in Peoria, Ill.
Lauren (Putbrese) Carro, MBA ’21 is the diversity, equity and inclusion manager and senior guest relations manager with the St. Louis Blues.
Caty (Ponce) Happe was named the 2022 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 4A/Region 19 Girls’ High School Basketball Coach of the Year. She is the head girls’ basketball coach at Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Ill.
Evonne Huelsmann ’15 and Kyle Jacob were married on June 5, 2021. Adam (AJ) Johnson was the featured cover story in the May 2022 issue of Bowlers Journal International. The Team USA member and professional bowler made it to the semifinals of the KIA PBA Playoffs Final Four. On May 29, he also won the PBA Celeste Walker Midwest/ Central Open.
Jay Smith, Ed.D. is the superintendent of St. George School District 258 in Kankakee, Ill.
2016
Ronald Atkinson, M.A.Ed. is the director of the center for fraternity and sorority life at the University of North Texas.
Matt Dannaman, M.A.Ed. is the superintendent of Effingham Unit 40 School District in Effingham, Ill.
2017
David Franklin, MAT ’22 was named the McKendree School of Education Outstanding Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education student for 2021-2022.
AJ Wentland signed with the Leipzig Kings of the European League of Football. The AllEurope linebacker spent the 2021 season with Germany’s Dresden Monarchs and Austria’s Swarco Raiders and the 2020 season with Finland’s Kuopio Steelers, helping all three teams win their national titles.
2018
Mollie Bowman graduated with her law degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.
2019
Sara Kalkenova, M.A. ’22 works at Counseling Associates, Ltd. In St. Louis, Mo.
Amy Marley, MSN ’22 was named a McKendree School of Nursing Outstanding Master of Science in Nursing student for 2021-2022.
Morgan Melchert
graduated with a master’s degree in sports management and administration from Ball State University in May 2022. After graduating from McKendree, she worked as an intern at GLVC Headquarters and is now an intern at NCAA Headquarters.
Jordan Morton graduated with a law degree from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kan.
Lauren Pate, M.A. ’22 won the Illinois Queen’s Bowling Championship in April. The professional bowler and Team USA member also finished 6th at the PWBA BowlTV Classic in June.
Collin Smith bowled a perfect 300 game at the 2022 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in June.
Justin Smock graduated with a master’s degree in public history from the University of Illinois-Springfield. He is a conservation education representative at the Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site.
2020
Shayli Florine graduated with her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of Iowa. She is a community director at Michigan State.
Dmytro Golovko, MBA ’22 was named a McKendree School of Business Outstanding MBA student for 2021-2022. He is a product and relationship associate at Stifel Financial Advisors in St. Louis, Mo.
Jenny Homann is a third grade teacher at Red Bud Elementary School in Red Bud, Ill.
2021
Breanna Clemmer captured her first career Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour title at the 2022 St. PetersburgClearwater Open on June 5. In the second block of the quarterfinals, she finished with a 1,595 six-game total, which included a four-game run of 289, 300, 300 and 279. The final three games of the block broke the PWBA Tour record for highest three-game set at 879. Kayla Douglas is the director of IT-security engineering at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, Mo.
Brandon Hampton was named the McKendree School of Business Outstanding Master of Business Administration student for 20212022.
Anita Moore, M.S. ’22 was named the McKendree School of Health Professions Outstanding Master of Science in Athletic Training student for 2021-2022.
Ayemere Oiyemhonlan was obtained by Major League Rugby’s San Diego Legion.
James Stone signed his first professional contract with the Michigan Stars Football Club of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) in Detroit, Mich.
Emily Westlove is a community relations program administrator with the St. Louis Cardinals.
2022
Brooke Boatman is a chemist at Advanced Testing Laboratory (ATL) in St. Louis, Mo.
Abby Chapman is a behavior technician at Orchard Learning and Behavior Services in Chesterfield, Mo.
Samantha Cummins is a prevention specialist at Hoyleton Youth and Family Services.
Andrew Cunningham is the band director at Selmaville Junior High School in Selmaville, Ill.
Olivia Dreyer works at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Jacksonville, Fla.
Ryan Herrington is an audit associate at Anders CPAs + Advisors.
Jessica Hoffmann was hired as a mathematics teacher at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill.
Lyndelle Luecking was hired to teach middle school English at Signal Hill School.
Benjamin Mailloux is an applications developer for Morton Buildings.
Abigail Meseke is a fourth grade teacher at Discovery Elementary in St. Charles, Mo. Brenda Reyna won the national title at 59kg. at the 2022 USMC U23 Women’s National Championships. She will represent Team USA at the U23 World Championships on Oct. 17-23 in Pontevedra, Spain.
Alex Steinbach signed his first professional contract with the Lincoln Saltdogs, a professional baseball team in the American Association of Professional Baseball league in Lincoln, Neb.
Savannah Stover is a fourth-grade teacher at West Elementary in Alton, Ill.
Felicity Taylor won the U.S. Senior Women’s Wrestling Freestyle Championship in April and finished first at the U.S. Wrestling World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in May. She also won the national title at 53kg. at the 2022 USMC U23 Women’s Wrestling National Championships and will represent Team USA at the U23 World Championships on Oct. 17-23 in Pontevedra, Spain.
Isaiah Ward signed his first professional contract with Vantaan TAFT in Finland’s American Football League.
Logan Wolf was hired to teach middle school English at Quincy Jr. High School.
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Kristin (McKinney) Fanning ’11, husband Evan, and big brother Oliver welcomed Blake Amelia on June 18, 2021.
Tricia (Straub) Schwind ’11, M.A.Ed. ’16, husband Adam ’10, big brother Ezekiel and big sister Selah welcomed Violet Louise on Feb. 5, 2022.
Emily (Battas) Ketrow ’12, and husband Justin, welcomed Owen Kyle (right) and Benton Douglas (left) on July 6, 2020.
Sarah (Schomaker) Richter ’13, and husband Jeremy, welcomed Avery Grace on Oct. 29, 2021.
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Hannah (McDowell) Fullerton ’11, husband Britt, and big sister Hadassah welcomed Evelyn Rey on Sept. 3, 2021.
Cassie Brown ’13 and Carrie Brickey-Brown ’11, welcomed daughter Everleigh Noelle on April 29, 2022.
Kelly (Lenzini) Taylor ’13, and husband Tevin ’15, welcomed Madelyn Mae on Oct. 8, 2021.
Andrew Williams ’11, wife Julie, and big sisters Emerson and Katherine welcomed Maren Drew on Dec. 29, 2021.
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Ashley (Tebbe) Winter ’13, MBA ’14, husband Daniel, and big brothers Louie and Caleb welcomed Rylee Nicole on Sept. 21, 2021.
Kendra (Grimes) Hutchcraft ’14, husband Colton, and big brothers Karson and Cole welcomed Kamryn Elaine on June 3, 2021.
Grace (McDowell) Payne ’16, and husband Troy, welcomed Scarlett Adaline on Nov. 7, 2021.
Shayna (Dixon) Ford ’14, and husband Lucas ’13, welcomed Stetson Lucas on Oct. 18, 2021.
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Rebecca (Blake) Meeker ’15, husband Darren ’13, and big sister Riah welcomed Ruby Jo on Jan. 10, 2021.
Haley (Ecker) Priddy ’17, and husband Logan, welcomed Sophia Rose on Nov. 11, 2021.
Kati (Melton) Hassall ’15, M.A.Ed. ’18, and husband Timothy, welcomed Isaiah Kenneth on July 16, 2020.
Brooke (Cronin) Vandeventer ’17, husband Joe ’17, and big brother Finley welcomed Huxley Neal on Jan. 10, 2022.
In Memoriam
Deceased alumni and friends through July 27, 2022.
Dr. Oscar G. Rasmussen ’54, 7/17/21 Janet L. Crocker ’68, 8/24/21 Warren McCollom ’69, 9/15/21 Marcia A. Gray ’97, 9/23/21 Karen L. Trifari, 10/4/21 James B. Hefner ’83, 10/16/21 J. Edward True, USAF, Ret., 12/21/21 Ethelbert Dawson ’56, 12/23/21 Elveria (Schwarze) Miller ’61, 12/27/21 Thomas R. Roach ’68, 12/31/21 Leon Hough ’64, 1/1/22 J. Denis Symer ’63, 1/4/22 Robert F. Fitts ’58, 1/20/22 Lily “Ann” Browning, 1/21/22 Dr. Jack Early, 1/22/22 Mary Elizabeth Lobring, 1/24/22 Gary E. Eberle ’81, 2/2/22 Daniel W. Gaddis ’99, 2/2/22 Joyce A. Piasecki ’04, 2/3/22 Norma Jean (Hinson) Hillmer ’53, 2/13/22 Denise M. Saksa ’08, 2/14/22 Diane (Wallace) Agan ’85, 2/15/22 Jackie L. (Northcutt) Fremming ’86, 2/28/22 David Dressel, 3/12/22 Nichole E. (Higdon) Jones ’07, 3/29/22 Kevin R. Hagarty ’90, 3/30/22 Rev. Dowain V. McKiou ’55, 4/3/22 Frederick A. Rutherman ’50, 4/11/22 Arlene Dumas-Fuller ’92, 4/22/22 Willie Pirtle ’77, 5/3/22 Cecil R. Cope ’68, 5/8/22 Julia A. (Moran) Denning ’02, 5/10/22 Jerome M. Lewis Jr. ’77, 5/12/22 Amanda Wurtz ’05, 5/15/22 Mickey L. Melvin ’15, 5/16/22 Marlinda D. (Whitehead) Birkner ’86, 5/21/22 Rita D. Akers Brautigam, 5/24/22 C. Levelle Simon II ’12, 5/30/22 Alice B. (Bollinger) Walton ’50, 5/31/22 Sheryl L. Ratz ’74, 6/1/22 Kent A. Vollert ’71, 6/1/22 Gary R. Schwoebel ’78, 6/5/22 Lorraine L. Newgent ’78, 6/12/22 A. Virginia (Phillips) Barthel ’45, 6/17/22 Lawrence “Larry” Maggiacoma ’64, 7/9/22 Derwood L. “Woody” Derickson ’60, 7/10/22
The Reverend Dr. Miley Palmer ’58 | 1937-2022
Trustee Emeritus and Former Alumni Board President
Miley passed away on Jan. 24, 2022. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from McKendree, a master’s degree in theology at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree at Christian Theological Seminary.
A long serving member of the McKendree Board of Trustees, from October 1997 to November 2021, he was named Trustee Emeritus in 2021. He received the Peter Akers Award in 2018 for professional success in recognition of his outstanding service and loyalty to his alma mater. He served as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and was an Alumni Board member for 25 years. He was also a William McKendree Society member, Friend of the Hett and Bearcat Booster, who will be long remembered for his gracious demeanor and giving nature.
The first recipient of the Peter Cartwright Lifetime Evangelism Award from the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church, he served United Methodist congregations in Central and Southern Illinois from 1955 until 2021, including nine years as a campus minister at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and six years as superintendent of Peoria District (93 total churches). After retiring, he also served as the full-time chaplain at Decatur Memorial Hospital for 20 years. He was honored by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Theta Phi Honors fraternity, and the IGRC. He helped guide Decatur’s Racial Taboo initiative and received the local NAACP chapter’s Joe Slaw Civil Rights Award. A Rotarian for 43 years, he held every local leadership role in the Rotary Club.
He is survived by his wife Janet; children Elizabeth, Mary, Michael and Patricia, four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Adding Up the Memories The McKendree University Accounting Club hosted an accounting alumni reception on Friday, April 29. Several accounting alumni stopped by the McKendree Gallery of Art to celebrate the retirement of Jeff Brasel ’81, enjoy light appetizers and beverages and catch up with one another.
Pictured from l. to r.: Jordan Reichert ’20, MBA ’21; Seth Wheatley ’20; Justin Sweeney ’19; Jeff Brasel ’81; Cole Foster ’19; Collin Patton ’20, MBA ’21; Kailey Anderson ’20; and Macy Kuhnke ’20, MBA ’21.
Not Pictured: Rebecca (Lindstrom) Wohltman ’09; Austin Vuichard ’14; and Dr. Jean (Scheller) Sampson ’83, chair of school of business.
Basketball Alumni Game | Feb. 19, 2022 Pictured from l. to r.: President Daniel C. Dobbins ’81; Brother Steve Davis ’93; Mark Collins ’91; Darron Randle ’92; Michael Schaulat ’77; Dave Warnecke ’78; Chuck Renner ’78; Brad Weathers ’76; Tom Burleyson ’77; Barry Harris ’78; Jacob Donaldson ’21; Rich Stein ’56; and David Nottrott ’64.
Triad High School Purple Friday | Feb. 23, 2022 Pictured from l. to r., top to bottom: John Zweck ’04; Hannah Valbert ’17, M.A.Ed. ’22; Todd Grigg '94; Kati (Melton)
Hassall ’15, M.A.Ed. ’18; Kathy (Betts) Mersinger,
M.A.Ed. ’11; Shannon (Stueber) Mallrich ’98; Jessica (Joiner) Hasemann ’90; Kelli (Jackson) Barbour ’91; Brandi Brown-Harris, M.A. ’10, director of alumni relations; Megan (Doty) DeLong ’15; Dianna (Hicks) Fogleman ’01; Allison Loehr ’20; Stephanie (Harris) Potthast ’12 and Stephanie Webb, M.A.Ed. ’21.
Band Alumni Reunite for Concert Eighteen band alumni came together to take part in the McKendree University Instrumental Concert on Saturday, April 23. The concert featured McKendree’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band. Alumni reunited to rekindle their love of music, display their musical talents and reconnect with former bandmates during a post-concert reception.
Pictured from l. to r., front row: Elizabeth (Mesnard) Wilkinson ’19; Maile (Mills) Signorotti ’15; and graduate student Kendall Roller. Center row: Brock Wilkinson ’19, Kristen Goersch ’21, Rebecca Chicosky ’20, Raina Isaacs ’19, Skyler Bowrey; Michael Long ’02; Kara Grafton ’20; Hope Connelly ’20 and Andrew Rist ’20. Back row: Matthew DeTore ’21 and Tyler Jewell ’17.
Share your professional accomplishments, such as job changes, promotions and awards, or personal milestones, such as advanced degrees earned, marriages or births. There are two easy ways to submit your information.
1. Fill out the Class Notes Form:
https://www.mckendree.edu/alumni
2. Email a class note to alumni@mckendree.edu and include your name (maiden name when applicable), class year, and relevant information.
Information submitted will be posted in The McKendrean (print and online editions) and news releases and information from published news clippings may also be used. Please note the information that is published may be subject to availability of space and editing. Interested in Volunteering? As an alumni volunteer, you can give of your time, talent and treasure in a variety of ways. You can help with a specific program, speak at a career workshop, work alongside students, provide leadership for alumni activities, serve on a committee or as a class agent, and/or serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. If you have a desire to serve your alma mater, please contact the Director of Alumni Relations.
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