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Heritage Awards
by Jen Wingerter ’13
THE HERITAGE AWARDS are the highest honor bestowed by Quincy University upon an outstanding alumna or alumnus. The awards salute the achievements of alumni whose personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater.
is given to alumni who have enhanced the reputation of Quincy University through their outstanding professional achievement, personal accomplishments, and or their loyal service to their alma mater. Recipients of this award have demonstrated a belief in Quincy University’s mission and vision through philanthropic support of the university and through the contribution of time, talent, and treasure.
The Franciscan Service Award
is given to alumni who have made significant contributions to their community, state, and nation through professional service, public service, and or civic activities. The honoree offers inspiration and encouragement as role models for principled leadership and a wholehearted commitment to serving others.
The Rising Hawk Award
is given to alumni under the age of 40 who demonstrates success early in his or her career and is active in the life of the university or the life of their community.
This year, Quincy University is pleased to honor Steve ’75 and Jan (Dickson) ’77 Koester.
Steve and Jan Koester credit their success and that of their sons to QU, and that is why they support their alma mater in all areas, whether the Annual QU Fund, athletics, or other areas of need.
A QU Family
Steve arrived on the QU campus in the fall of 1971 from Effingham, Ill., majoring in accounting. Jan, a Quincy native, began her college education in 1973 and majored in elementary education and special education. Steve and Jan met on campus in 1974 and were married in 1978 in the QU Chapel. They have two sons, Scott and Drew, who both graduated from QU, Scott in 2005 and Drew in 2013. They both majored in accounting and finance and earned their MBA from QU. “QU has always been an important part of our lives and our son's lives. We learned valuable lessons from the Franciscans,” said Jan. “We also see QU as a vital part of the Quincy community and the surrounding area as a whole.”
Professors That Prepared Them Well
Steve accepted a position at Peat Marwick Mitchell in Decater after graduation. He returned to Quincy in 1976, when he began his 43-year career with Gray Hunter Stenn. Jan taught for 34 years, teaching preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. Steve and Jan attribute a well-rounded education, professors, and classes from QU, prepared them well for their careers. “Dr. Magliari had real-world experience and taught lessons that applied to the world we face,” said Steve. “Professors Sue Francouer, Jim Bower, and Ann Mary Gullen all impacted me and enhanced my love for teaching,” said Jan. “The Reading Center provided me with hands-on experience to work with children before my student teaching began.” They appreciate the quality education and the small-town family atmosphere that QU provides. “The professors know you by name rather than a number and are always willing to help if needed,” said Steve. But to the Koesters, QU teaches more than the skills needed to have a successful career. QU teaches skills that lead to a successful life.
“We have learned the importance of family values, religion, being a part of the community, and working hard,” said Steve and Jan. “We try to treat everyone equally, give back, be honest, and love people.”
—Jan Koester ’77
Giving Back to QU
Steve and Jan have faithfully given back to the QU and Quincy community. From serving as a greeter at St. Peters Parish, where they are faithful members, to serving on area nonprofit boards, to helping raise funds for local organizations and charities, the Koesters invest their time, talent, and treasure into the community. Their support of QU is widespread. Steve (through his company Gray Hunter Stenn) served as QU's auditor for years, taught classes in the Oakley School of Business, served as president of QU’s National Alumni Board, and served as an annual fund volunteer. Jan served on the Chapel Centennial Committee.
“Steve and Jan have been loyal supporters of QU for years,” said Matt Bergman, senior director of advancement. “They attend many QU alumni and athletic events and are always ambassadors for QU wherever they go.” “QU and the community of Quincy have provided so much for our family. We need to give back to both for the gifts we have received from them," said Steve and Jan. “We are honored to be recognized as the Bill O’Donnell Distinguished Alumni of the Year. We feel that we can help QU retain its excellence and Franciscan values by giving of our time, talent, and treasures.”
The Franciscan Service Award
Quincy University is pleased to announce this year's award recipients, Dan ’63 and Pam (Wozniak) ’65 Sherman.
“Dan ’63 and Pam (Wozniak) ’65 Sherman are perfect examples of young individuals who come from outside the Quincy area to enroll as students at Quincy
University and stay in the community after graduation to spend their entire careers here helping make it a better place,” said Paul Brown ’65, the 2019 recipient of the Franciscan Service Award. “They offer inspiration and encouragement to other alums as role models for their wholehearted commitment to serving others. I am proud to be a fellow QU alum and their friend.”
—Dan (’63) & Pam (’65) Sherman
Planting their Roots into the Community
Dan and Pam had planned to move back to their hometown of Chicago after Pam’s graduation. They were married in 1964, and Dan accepted a position teaching music at Quincy Jr. High School (QJHS) while
Pam finished her studies. During those two years living in the Quincy community, they fell in love with the slower pace of small-town life, and QJHS offered Dan a promotion as the school's choral director.
As Dan and Pam planted their roots into the community, they tried to uphold the Franciscan values of service and kindness and pay it forward in how they lived their lives.
“We realized early in our life that it was the Franciscan tradition of service and excellence in all endeavors that provided us with a strong backbone for our lives,” said Dan and Pam.
Dan and Pam have supported and loved education, the arts, and social programs for their entire married lives. These have been integral priorities for them as young students, professionals, and in retirement. They became particularly aware of the significance of a good education as the foundation of a happy, successful life when they attended Quincy College in the 60s. Because of that, their support of the Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools Foundation, the Quincy Public Schools Foundation, Quincy Notre Dame High School, and QU is very important to them.
“We could see the influence of the strong faculty on young people and the significant attention placed on developing well-rounded adults who had open minds and exuded kindness,” said Dan and Pam. We also realize how important it is that young people grow from a strong foundation to excel in higher education.”
2023 AWARD
NOMINATIONS
Don’t forget to nominate deserving alumni for the following categories - Alumni Franciscan Service Award, Rising Hawk Award, and the Bill O’Donnell Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award.
The nomination deadline for the 2023 awards is October 31, 2022.
Submissions after October 31 will be considered for the following year. Self-nominations will not be accepted. The winners will be announced in the spring and highlighted in the spring edition of QUniverse.
Visit the Alumni Feature webpage quincy.edu to nominate a deserving alumni today!
Supporting the Arts and Giving Back
Throughout their 57-year marriage, they have been teachers, performers, and art enthusiasts. For more than 50 years, Dan served as choral director at Quincy Senior High School and as director of the Parochial Music Organization for 45 years. Pam taught instrumental music in the parochial schools for nine years before beginning a 26-tenure in public relations at QU. They are former members of the Quincy Symphony Chorus and Quincy Community Theatre. Dan continues to perform with the Quincy Park Band.
They also support the ongoing endeavors of Quanda, Transitions, and Chaddock, among others.
“Living with mental illness in our family has shed light on the wonderful work that Quincy groups are doing to help with mental and behavioral illness,” said Dan and Pam.
“Giving back to the community is important because the community has enriched our lives in so many ways,” said the Shermans. “It is only fitting to give back at least part of what we have been given. We offer as much financial and moral support to as many community organizations as we can.”
The Rising Hawk Award
Nominated by peers, Julianne Touhy ’15 is the recipient of this year's The Rising Hawk award.
Quincy University prepared Julianne Touhy’15 in and outside the classroom.
“The leadership and planning opportunities at QU gave me the confidence and experience that has led to my early success in the meetings and events industry,” said Touhy.
Exceptional Talent from the Start
—Julianne Touhy ’15
As a student, Touhy joined Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII) and immediately joined their leadership council. She ran all AOII’s social and philanthropy events and became heavily involved on campus. One event dear to her heart was a campus-wide Safety Week after a dear friend was hit by a car. Touhy also sat on the committee to institute the Stride for Shannon 5k. “Even as an undergraduate, Julianne's success has always reflected exceptional talent combined with the determination to make the most of opportunities that would be easy to overlook,” said Barb Schleppenbach, PhD, associate professor of communication. “In true Franciscan tradition, she has generously employed her gifts in service to others. Without a doubt, she will continue to shine and to brighten the lives of everyone she encounters.”
A Succesful Career Path
Today, Touhy works as a senior meeting planner for the American Bar Association (ABA). She manages registration and housing for the two large association-wide meetings and helps manage the registration system used association-wide, Cvent. Her department also serves as a resource for virtual meetings, hybrid meetings, and on-site covid protocols for all ABA Meetings. She is very involved in the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Greater Midwest Chapter. PCMA recently named Touhy as a member of the PCMA’s 20 in Their Twenties Class of 2022.
“I was so excited and humbled when I received the call that I won this award,” said Touhy. “20 in their Twenties helped validate all the time and hard work I have put into my career so far. This award shows that the career path I chose is not only something I love but something I can be successful in.” Her career path was not always so clear. Her favorite professor, the late John Schleppenbach, Ph.D., entered her life at a crossroads. “He was kind and encouraging. He saw great things in me that I didn’t see yet,” said Touhy. “He helped me navigate college and gave me the confidence I never knew I had. I owe a lot to him and miss him greatly.”
Connecting to Give Back
Many professors and administrators became her friends and mentors and impacted her along the way including, Brian Borlas, PhD, Travis Yates, MAS, MS.Ed., Barb Schleppenbach, PhD, Christine Tracy, Ed.D., Neil Wright, PhD, Kristen Liesen, MA, and Sam Lathrop. “I am a strong leader and resilient because of the people who believed in me and got me here to where I am today,” said Touhy. “I want to give of myself, my time, my attention, and my experiences to whomever I can.”
To accomplish that, Touhy participates in student panels and mentoring opportunities within her profession because she understands the positive impact it can have on someone.
Touhy also remains involved with QU, where she developed life-long friendships and has some of her best memories.
“I owe a lot to QU, so it’s important to me to remain connected and give back as much as I can,” said Touhy.
