I hope this finds all of you well. This can be a scary time for all of us but I thought I would touch base to see what  you are doing so…

Hey, everyone! It is time to catch up!  Since we are all ‘safe at home’ or ‘sheltering in place’ I believe we all have time to share our latest news with your classmates.  Or simply let us know what you are doing during this unusual moment (or months) in time!

My first reaction to this entire experience is that I cannot believe the rebels of the sixties are just staying home watching Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or whatever.   That’s what we are doing, however, because that is what we need to do.

I admit that I have a set of CD’s from the Chicago White Sox World Series in 2005 that I have been viewing. I still smile when I revisit that wonderful year of baseball. John, on the other hand, rereads his “One Goal” books from the Chicago Blackhawks’ thrilling years of hockey in 2010, 2013 and 2015.What are you watching?  Reading?

We also take walks up here in Ephraim, WI. This is a beautiful area in Door County. We are bounded by Lake Michigan and Green Bay. It is beautiful during all seasons! It can be a bit chilly this time of year, but I also knit a few hats and mittens so we are good to go!  Look out. It this goes on much longer you may receive a pair of hand knit socks from me some day.

Oh, and I also made masks for some of the residents up here to help keep everyone safe.

Once again, I hope this finds all of you well.  If everything works out perhaps we will see you at IWU next Homecoming! Until then, send news and stay safe.

Jill Wyatt Dew ’68

Ways to Support Fellow Titans

Click to view a video from President Nugent to alumni.

Don Carlson ’69 received his Masters of Education Degree in Mathematics in 1969 through the National Science Foundation in conjunction with Illinois Wesleyan University. Don believes that his group was the last group to have this program. Also, his BSE in Mathematics and H&PE was from Illinois State Normal University, today known as just Illinois State University.

Thank you for sharing with us this gem of a memory, Don!

Thank-A-Giver Day (TAG Day) is Monday, February 10. This day provides the IWU campus community with the opportunity to thank donors who support Illinois Wesleyan. IWU celebrates each year in mid-February because it marks the symbolic point during the academic year – about 70% of the way through – when we rely on support from alumni and friends, our endowment, and external grants.

If you would like to be celebrated as a donor today, you can make a gift at iwu.edu/give.

Emil Ludy ’61 and his lifelong love of hockey were featured in the Pantagraph last week.

You are an inspiration, Emil!

Emil Ludy and the Coupe Canada 150 Cup

Artwork from Dennis Kleidon ’66 was featured in a December showing at Scottsdale’s Gallery Andrea. The Scottsdale Independent describes his art as “abstractions that explore the possibilities of paint in action, reveling in color in ways that appear at first to be intuitive, but soon reveal a sure sense of gesture – at once invigorating and calming.”  Here is the link to the article about Dennis and the art show.

Additionally, Kleidon also just completed a solo art exhibit at the Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York City in September and a solo art exhibit at the WHAM West Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona in November. His paintings were also shown at the Miami Beach Art Now Show in December. Kleidon will also be a part of the Art on Paper Show at New York City’s Pier 36 in March. Paintings by Dennis Kleidon can be seen at www.denniskleidon.com.

Congratulations, Dennis!

Congratulations to Karla Barry ’69, who successfully defended her dissertation on December 13, 2019 and received her PhD in Organizations, Learning, Performance and Change from Colorado State University. This follows her M.A.C. from University of Denver, where she has been an adjunct professor for the last several years. She’s currently consulting with organizations on employee improvement interventions.

Karen Birkeland ’60 reports that retirement is wonderful, and she loves traveling and learning about other cultures and countries. She has been to all seven continents and has more trips planned throughout the globe, including trips to Spain, Portugal, Costa Rica and Alaska.

Linda Gitzendanner Hines AOPII ’68 and Stuart Hines OX ’67 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 6, 2019 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island MI followed by a trip through the Upper Peninsula and locks at Sault Set Marie MI.

The couple first met Oct 3, 1964 in front of Pfieffer Hall.  They were married Sep 6, 1969 following Stu’s discharge from the US Army after serving a year in Vietnam.

Linda spent several years raising their two children before taking advantage of her IWU degree in education where she enjoyed a satisfying career as a third grade teacher.  A major in business administration and a minor in insurance, Stu’s entire career was in the area of employee benefits before retiring in 2010 as the Employee Benefits Manager of the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District.  They currently reside in the St Louis area and enjoy time with their two children and four grandchildren.

Linda was thrilled last month when their granddaughter, Katie, pledged AOPII at Missouri State University. Katie’s pledging brought back many fun memories of Linda’s years in AOPII.

Both Linda and Stu reflect often on their happy days at IWU and continue to be grateful for the foundation IWU has provided them over the years.

Stuart Hines and Linda Gitzendanner enjoy their first date at the OX Bowery Brawl October 3, 1964

50 years later Linda and Stu toast to their anniversary Sep 6, 2019 at the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI