Josephine (Chiza) Gurira ’67 earned the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Outstanding Woman of Color Award in March 2020. Josephine is the reference services librarian at UW-Platteville’s Karrmann Library. The award recognizes female faculty, staff, and students of color at UW-Platteville, as well as women of color in the Platteville community. Congratulations, Josephine.
Joan Robinson McGraw Class of 1961
We are sorry to share the sad news that Joan (Richardson) McGraw ’61 passed away in New Bern, NC December 2020, after a 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Those classmates who may remember Joan’s twinkling eyes, ready smile and friendly personality will be happy to know that she retained those wonderful traits throughout her lifetime.
Joan and husband Thomas McGraw ’61 raised two fine sons, John and Doug, and after they became independent, Joan decided she would like to have a career of her own, and began what became a 17 year stint with the Retired Officers Association (now known as the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)). She loved the professional and patriotic environment at TROA and was very proud of her work in the Payroll Department. Retiring in 1998, and ever the “beach person,” Joan chose Little River, SC as the couples final getaway place. However, two years later, they moved to New Bern, NC (still near the ocean), a town with a rich cultural heritage and just right for retirees. Joan thrived with the many social and volunteer organizations she joined in this friendly town.
Joan is survived by her husband Tom in New Bern, sons John and Doug, and grandson “JT,” all in Stafford County, VA. She was predeceased by her granddaughter, Bailey.
Jim Dohren ’66 passed away on August 27, 2020. Read the full obituary here.
Ralph Sackett ’60 was the guest of honor at a surprise celebration organized by his former players on August 8, 2020, in Bloomington, Illinois.
Ralph coached at Illinois High Schools in Bloomington, Octavia, Reddick and Granite City, Washington (Mo.) University, and for Bloomington’s American Legion Post 56. Ralph left coaching at age 34 to embark on a successful career in banking and finance. But his impact left on student-athletes during his coaching tenure was evident at the surprise celebration, which was chronicled by Randy Kindred in The Pantagraph.
You can read the article here.
Carol Wiborg ’64 of Glenwood, Illinois, died Feb. 5, 2021. She was 78. Carol earned a bachelor’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan and a master’s degree at the University of Illinois. She spent the majority of her career with the Department of Defense, teaching in Japan and Germany. She also taught for four years in the Flossmoor (Ill.) school district. She enjoyed travel, music, photography, theatre and reading. She sang in choirs in Japan, Germany and suburban Chicago, including the chancel choir at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago Heights, where she was also in the hand bell choir, served as an elder, and participated in women’s organizations and other committees. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Read the full obituary here.
Dave Kindred ’63 was recently featured in an IWU article about the Memoir he wrote, Leave Out the Tragic Parts: A Grandfather’s Search for a Boy Lost to Addiction. Read more here.
Monday, February 8 is Thank-A-Giver Day at Illinois Wesleyan and we’re eager to celebrate generous Titans!
Thank-A-Giver (TAG) Day is the symbolic point during the academic year — about 70% of the way through — when tuition dollars are exhausted and Illinois Wesleyan relies on donor generosity to continue providing a world-class education and rewarding collegiate experiences.
Each and every year, every gift matters. Contributions benefit students and faculty, enhance academic excellence, and strengthen the IWU community.
Thank you to all who give back to move IWU forward. 
Charles Bimba ’66 died Jan. 12, 2021, in Sarasota, Florida. He was 77. Chuck played baseball and studied business administration at Illinois Wesleyan. He went on to serve as president and chief executive officer of Bimba Manufacturing Co., in University Park, Illinois, a company founded by his father in 1957. In the 1990s, he became involved in business consulting and lay ministry work. Chuck was proud of his Luthuanian heritage and taught business classes at Vilnius University soon after the country gained its independence. Some of Chuck’s favorite days were spent fly-fishing in a trout stream, and some of his favorite evenings were spent at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. He was an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox and University of Illinois athletics. Chuck was known for his sense of humor and for being kind, ethical, humble and guided by faith. He is survived by his wife, four children, five grandchildren and two sisters.
Read the full obituary here.
Dennis Kleidon ’66, Professor of Art Emeritus of the University of Akron and CEO of Kleidon & Associates, will show recent abstract paintings in a virtual solo exhibit at the Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York City. The show can be viewed on line at the gallery website here. It includes twenty paintings and runs January 2 – February 8. As a virtual show, it can be seen by everyone without travel which includes international circulation.
Dennis Kleidon ’66
Dr. Jon Suzuki ’68 was appointed to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Immunology Devices Panel and Medical Advisory Committee, which is evaluating COVID-19 vaccine applications, interpreting clinical trial data and ultimately, approving vaccines for use.
Dr. Suzuki holds clinical professorships at the University of Maryland, University of Washington and Nova Southeastern University. He is also on the faculty of the U.S. Navy Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and is currently providing seminars for the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force on COVID-19 immunology. A faculty member of the Misch Implant Institute for over 20 years, Dr. Suzuki is a world renowned periodontist and immunologist. He also serves as chairman of the FDA’s Dental Products Advisory Panel.