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 Infinity: The Way Out. 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, Jims 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 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 for his devotion to Illinois College as evidenced by thoughtful alumni involvement. The Damsgaards philanthropy made them members of the Julian Monson Sturtevant Society and the Illinois College 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 81, Kristine Damsgaard and Beth Damsgaard Rodriguez. Susan and their granddaughter, Rachel Brand 18, carried on the familys legacy as IC alumni. He was 88 when he died March 23, 2022.
founded the KASE Project. It is a central Illinois 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.
Kenneth Burger 58,
May 2, 2020 (Phi Alpha).
William Brace 56,
June 14, 2020 (Sigma Pi).
John Marsh 52,
July 12, 2020.
Carol Fisk Stauffacher 51,
May 11, 2020 (Gamma Delta).
Marian Armstrong Otto 50,
July 2, 2020.
Constantine Leontios 10,
Illinois College extends its sympathy to him and his wife, Taylor McDermott Leontios 11, on the death of his father, Thomas Leontios, on June 15, 2020.
Gerry Beard 78 and Robert Beard 81,
Illinois College extends its sympathy to them and to Jeremy Beard 02 on the death of their mother and grandmother, Maxine Beard, on June 12, 2020, and father and grandfather, Gerald Beard, on October 7, 2020.
A. Lowrie Simms-Erickson Kuhn 73
and husband, Lance, have retired and moved to Saugatuck, Michigan.
Robert Lapp 72
retired on February 1, 2020, from Intermountain Healthcare.
Paul 49 and Lois Smith Rust 50
celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on July 24, 2020.
Joe Rheinecker III 07
recently got a new job at Great Rivers Bank as the Controller.
Christina Cook 00
is now director of philanthropy with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in St. Louis, Missouri.
Teresa Smith 05
was appointed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in August to serve on the Civil Service Commission. She is currently executive director of human resources at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
Bob Moore 78
was named chief executive officer of Gateway Regional Medical Center located in Granite City in June. He has more than 30 years experience as a healthcare executive and previously served as CEO of Galesburg Cottage Hospital & Clinics.
David Robson 83,
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the loss of his aunt Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson 52 on February 21, 2020.
Glen Robson 84,
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the loss of his aunt Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson 52 on February 21, 2020.
Kristin Williamson Bruce 98,
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the loss of her grandmother Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson 52 on February 21, 2020.
Jeff Williamson 75,
Illinois College extends its sympathy on the loss of his mother, Patricia Marilyn Shaffner Williamson 52 on February 21, 2020.
George Fischbeck '50
Illinois College extends its sympathy to George Fischbeck on the death of his wife Elizabeth Shewmaker Fischbeck '52 on May 9, 2020.
George Fischbeck '50
Illinois College extends its sympathy to George Fischbeck on the death of his wife Elizabeth Shewmaker Fischbeck '52 on May 9, 2020.