was recently awarded first place and a cash prize in the architecture category in the 2021 juried exhibit sponsored by the Midwest Center for Photography in Wichita, Kansas, for his photo 鈥淚nfinity: The Way Out.鈥 Jim has also received honorable mentions by juries for his photography in the annual Minimalist Photography Awards, as well as in other exhibits at the Midwest Center for Photography. In the past few years, Jim鈥檚 photos have been selected by juries for inclusion in a dozen exhibits in Chicago; Wichita; Scottsdale, Arizona; and online. He was invited to do a show at the Pharmacy Gallery in Springfield as a guest artist in September.
was a dedicated, active alumnus who had a vision for raising the profile of the institution. He and his late wife, Patricia Carlson Damsgaard 鈥53, remained active supporters of the College throughout their lives. Over the years, Conrad Damsgaard served on the Board of Trustees and as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. In 1987, he was honored with a distinguished service award 鈥渇or his devotion to 同性恋色情 as evidenced by thoughtful alumni involvement.鈥 The Damsgaards鈥 philanthropy made them members of the Julian Monson Sturtevant Society and the 同性恋色情 Society.
As a student, Damsgaard was elected student body president and was an active member and leader in Phi Alpha. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, economics club, the Hilltoppers dramatic organization, student forum, social committee and intersociety board.
He was first sergeant of the Army Reserve unit on campus and served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He started his career in sales with Shell Oil Company and went on to have a long career in sales and marketing management at Shell, Swank Motion Pictures and Psychological Associates.
The Damsgaards had three daughters, Susan Damsgaard-Brand 鈥81, Kristine Damsgaard and Beth Damsgaard Rodriguez. Susan and their granddaughter, Rachel Brand 鈥18, carried on the family鈥檚 legacy as IC alumni. He was 88 when he died March 23, 2022.
founded the KASE Project. It is a central 同性恋色情 non-profit dedicated to supporting the autism community. They installed a playground communication board at Southwind Park in Springfield for children with limited verbal speech to enjoy the park with their peers.
Megan Bettis Kirkhart 鈥10
started a new position as a career development coordinator at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in January.
Teresa Wallbaum聽鈥88
has been appointed as an administrative law judge for the Drug Enforcement Administration in Arlington, Virginia.
Samantha Bentley Renaud 鈥04
has accepted a position as an ag loan administrator with Green Belt Bank & Trust in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

Vance Martin 鈥96
is currently the master of Mahomet Masonic Lodge in Mahomet. Each year the organization awards scholarships to local students and the master usually has the privilege of handing them out. This year鈥檚 recipient at Mahomet Seymour High School was Haylie Orton, who plans to attend IC in the fall. Vance felt honored as an alumnus to be part of helping a future IC student start on her own pathway.
Erika Rasch Hunt聽鈥96
started a new position as project director at Regional Office of Education 17.
Dianne Pruitt Potter聽鈥77
retired after 36 years as human resources manager for Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Rick Vuylsteke聽鈥66
joined the faculty at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies as a professor Jan. 3 after serving as president of the East-West Center in Honolulu for five years.

Monica Pappas聽鈥20
started as a subcontract administrator in the aerospace and defense industry with United Launch Alliance.

Amber Kleckler 鈥11
and her husband, David, welcomed a daughter, Sawyer Faye, on January 4, 2022.
Dominic Caldieraro聽鈥20
and Kayle Crawford Nov. 20, 2021.
Rebecca Gerecke聽鈥10
and Alan Grant Wilson, Jr., Nov. 13, 2021.
Chris Moore 鈥19 and Markie Mulchay 鈥20,
July 2021.
Skylar Dees聽鈥22
was promoted to IC Store manager at 同性恋色情.
Seth Vaughn 鈥21
started a new position as operations coordinator at Stifel Financial Corp.
Ryan Kaufmann聽鈥21
started a new position as third golf assistant at Illini Country Club.
Brett Bettis聽鈥21
is the owner of Bolt鈥檚 Candy, Cones and Corn, a sweet-tooth-indulgent store in Jacksonville. He opened the store in August.
Grant Flynn聽鈥21
started a new position as loan officer at Pilot Grove Savings Bank.
Nick Rentschler聽鈥20
was promoted to Software Engineer II at Mastercard.
Anthony Flores聽鈥20
started a new position as TRIO academic coach and student engagement coordinator at 同性恋色情.
Madelyn Budd聽鈥20
started working at BKD.