We are sorry to announce that Betty Ritchie-Birrer ’47 passed away on September 27, 2017. Betty was selected as the 2017 Alumni Loyalty Award winner and was looking forward to coming to Homecoming this year to receive the award. You can read her obituary here.
I am saddened to report the death of B. Charles (Chuck) Ames, a 1950 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan whose vision and love for the University will continue to impact Titans for generations to come.
Chuck died on Sept. 22 at age 92 at his home in Cleveland. A memorial in celebration of his life will be held at The Country Club in Cleveland on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m.
A graduate of Harvard Business School and prominent businessman, Chuck served as President and CEO of Reliance Electric, CEO of Acme Cleveland, CEO of Uniroyal-Goodrich Company, and as Operating Partner and Vice Chair at the private equity investment firm Clayton, Dubilier and Rice in New York City.
Chuck was a philanthropist at heart, with his alma mater among his favorite beneficiaries. Together with his wife Joyce “Jay” Eichhorn Ames ’49, their generous support included the largest gift in Illinois Wesleyan history – an endowment gift valued at $25 million to launch the Transforming Lives campaign in 2009.
A $14-million leadership gift from Chuck and Jay also enabled construction of The Ames Library, which was completed in 2002. Following an endowment gift for student scholarships – as a romantic surprise from Chuck – the Joyce Eichhorn Ames School of Art was named in Jay’s honor in 1998, and the couple funded an expansion to the building in 2011, including the 2,400-square-foot glass rotunda and entrance lobby.
Chuck was driven by a vision that continues to inspire us, challenging alumni in 1998 to join in his and Jay’s belief and support for Illinois Wesleyan to become one of the top national liberal arts institutions in the United States. We are grateful for their gracious wish to see future students benefit as they did from their education here, as they explained to alumni and friends in launching the most successful campaign in our history: “We would not be who we are were it not for Wesleyan.”
President Jensen
There is less than 1 month until Homecoming 2017! While counting down the days until we are all back on campus, let’s reminisce about the time spent at IWU. Would anyone like to share their favorite IWU memories? Comment below.
If you are still deciding on which events you want to attend during Homecoming, the International RSO Fair is highly recommended. It will be on Saturday (10/14) at the Hansen Student Center, Center Court from 11 am – 1 pm. Come learn more about our multicultural registered student organizations and enjoy activities and musical performances. A light lunch will be provided, so please register either online or by phone by 10/8! You can visit the Homecoming Facebook page or the International RSO Fair Facebook event for more information.
We are deeply sorry to announce that The Rev. Dr. John Burton Wolf (’49), 92, a Unitarian Universalist minister, father, and grandfather died on September 19, at Clarehouse, in Tulsa, OK.
Dr. Wolf, author of the book, “The Gift of Doubt” was the senior minister of All Souls Church in Tulsa for 35 years, before becoming the Minister Emeritus in 1995.
Through his leadership, All Souls grew to become one of the largest Unitarian Universalist churches in the country and helped to establish two other Unitarian Universalist churches in Tulsa.
Read his full obituary here: http://www.newson6.com/story/36414451/the-rev-dr-john-burton-wolf-tulsa-unitarian-universalist-minister-dies-at-92
You can register now here
A few noteworthy events:
You can see the full schedule of Homecoming 2017 events here
Bob Byler ’52 has been a lifelong journalist and still, film, and video photographer with avocational passions for jazz and other music, travel, and home remodeling. After IWU, Bob received his M.A. in journalism at Missouri U and his Ph.D in communications at Bowling Green. Bob then applied and was hired to head the journalism division at Evansville University from 1958 to 1973. He returned to Bowling Green S.U. in Ohio from 1973 to 1990. He taught 21 courses total, with emphasis in magazine and public relations, as well as professionally-oriented internships for students.
During his time at IWU, Bob was a member of a student vocal group, The Three Twins, who sang “jazzy tunes” such as “The Rambler” in a TKE fraternity chorus that serenaded at sorority houses. Bob is now a promoter of jazz music and archivist. His intention is to preserve and share the jazz culture that has been such an inspiration in his own life life.
Check out a bit of Bob’s work here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/132386911@N06/
Bob and Ruth Byler Archival Jazz Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCto6SC7EXPqJN144jQ9_WzA
Bob says, “Jazz is like a river, ever-changing, fed by many tributaries that alter its contours to display new musical horizons and inspirations that appeal to many tastes, moods and activities.”
You’re an inspiration, Bob! Keep up the good work!
We are deeply saddened to announce that Howard Berggren, class of ’54, passed away in his sleep on Sept. 1, 2017. Howie was an outstanding athlete at IWU, selected for all conference teams in both baseball and basketball. He played on the same teams as Bobby “Ace” Winkles, ’52 and Earl Neeman, ’53. He attended many IWU events trough the years and was co-chair of the 50th, 55th, and 60th alumni reunions with Jim Ridenour’54.
Howard is survived by his wife Penny, daughter Kathy Pollcita, Louisville, CO, son Mark, daughters Ashley and Erica Bunting in the Aurora, IL area.
Contributions can be made in memory of Howie at Scholarship Funds, Illinois Wesleyan University or by calling 1-800-689-9743.
Rev. Elmer A. Dickson (’53) made an 18 day trip to Europe in August of 2017. The center piece of the journey was a week of two classes at Oxford University and 3 days in London. The courses were: “C.S. Lewis and the Christian Imagination” and “The Protestant Reformation and the Scientific Revolution.” Elmer also spent 3 days in Wittenberg, Germany for the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation sparked by Martin Luther. The homeward trip included 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal, the oldest city in Western Europe.
What a wonderful trip, Elmer!
Mary Winn ’43 will be a guest of honor at the Broadview Mansion bell dedication on September 7, 2017 at 4 pm. Mary attended the last bell dedication in 1940. You can read more about it here.