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.
Allen (Miggins) Coultas聽鈥15
was promoted to K-12 college and career manager at Fort Wayne Community Schools.
Chandler Polyte聽鈥14
was promoted to financial advisor, PBM underwriting and pricing strategy at CVS Health.
Taylor Molandro Koksie聽鈥14
married Eric Koksie in Chicago on September 4, 2021.
Nate Kohler 鈥14
started a new position as agency success manager at Branch insurance.
Elizabeth (Katie) Bernardi聽鈥14
started a new position as account supervisor at Laughlin Constable.
Samir Adrissi聽鈥14
has been promoted to Director at Michael Page Chicago. This is his seventh promotion in six years at the company.
Derek Ade聽鈥14
has been named the Pana Community Hospital Foundation鈥檚 executive director.
Cory Washington 鈥13
has accepted the role of assistant director of admission for Saint Louis University School of Law.
Megan Rabe聽鈥13
is lead developer for the 2020 Census Race and Ethnic Diversity dissemination tool.
Ryan Blesse 鈥13
started a new position as project manager on the Brand and Content Management Team at Country Financial.
Vivian Obey-Fabiyi聽鈥12
started a new position as people partner at connectRN.
Lanie Cooper Kepler聽鈥12
has been named the new IPHA AmeriCorps director.
Meagan Wright Duncan聽鈥12
has been promoted to associate financial representative at Northwestern Mutual.
Rachel Macon聽鈥11
has been promoted to manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Kayla Graven聽鈥11
has been named the new executive director of Downtown Springfield, Inc.
Rebecca Gerecke聽鈥10
married Alan Grant Wilson, Jr. on November 13, 2021, in Barry, 同性恋色情. She works as a Certified Child Life Specialist at MercyOne Children鈥檚 Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
Alex Spalding聽鈥10
joined Presbyterian Medical Services as a licensed professional clinical counselor in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Peter Jennings聽鈥07
is now the head football coach at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Eduard Faith聽鈥07
was promoted to strategy director at Sparks & Honey.
Casey Grant聽鈥06
was ordained into full-time ministry on July 11, 2021. He has served as the campus pastor for The Crossing in Monmouth since September of 2018.
