Jim and Deb ’78 Bowers Receive Honor

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Jim And Deb ’78 Bowers were named Philanthropists of the Year at the Tocqueville Society Reception.

The Tocqueville Society was founded in 1984. The United Way Tocqueville Society is an opportunity for passionate individuals to become more deeply involved in United Way’s mission. The Tocqueville Society recognizes local philanthropic leaders and volunteer champions in the United States, France, and Romania who have devoted time, talent, and funds to create long-lasting changes by tackling our communities’ most serious issues.

Frankie Faison ’71

Tony-award nominated actor Frankie Faison ’71 speaks extensively about his experience as an actor, his creative process, his start in the church, and his love of theatre in the Youtube series “Stay Regular.”

A link to the video can be found here.

Christmas is upon us, Titans!

Wow! Just twenty-one days until Christmas, three weeks, yikes! I don’t know about you, my fellow Titans, but I’m feeling the pressure of the holidays. Thanksgivings was great, time spent with family and friends was wonderful, but now it is Christmas full-speed ahead! There is gift-shopping, holiday parties, year end responsibilities and plenty of activity(when will I get to the Xmas cards?) to go around. If you happen to have a college student in your household, he or she has finals looming. I have a law student who is taking finals and I think that I am more stressed out than he is!

I hope that you are able to take a moment or two to renew your spirit and not become overwhelmed with all of the holiday hub-bub. I often suggest that you give yourself a gift prior to Christmas. It can be a movie, a massage, an outfit, anything that pleases you and will rejuvenate your spirit. Don’t feel guilty about it, either, just enjoy. I also encourage you to post your holiday happenings here via the newsletter, send photos if you like. My wish for you all is to have a blessed and safe holiday season.

So, Season’s Greetings, Happy Holiday! Happy Chanukah, and Merry Christmas! I hope that Santa brings you something special, especially if you have been a good Titan! Best wishes to you and yours, and I will talk to you next year (or sooner -:-)

Peace,

Dr. Debbie Burt-Frazier, EdD

December 1, 2015 Giving Tuesday

#GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, groups and individuals around the world are coming together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

As you consider giving this holiday season, please consider giving the gift of bright futures to current Titans. Your gift supports all the things that make an IWU experience unforgettable and unique! Gifts can be made online at www.iwu.edu/give or by calling 309-556-3091.

Thanks for keeping Illinois Wesleyan in mind this holiday season. Go Titans!
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Mike Sutter ’76 Named ‘Person to Know’

Mike Sutter ’76 was named one of 15 hospital, health system chief innovation officers to know.

Michael Sutter, Chief Innovation Officer, Carle Foundation Hospital (Urbana, Ill.). Mike has been chief innovation officer since May 2014. He previously served as the health system’s executive director of IT and as clinical director of Carle’s Epic EHR. While at this position he was involved in the initiation of the first electronic record for the system’s physician practice. 

Mike also is a certified nurse anesthetist. Before working at Carle, Mike was involved with health technology projects with the U.S. Army.

Here is a link to an article with more detailed information:

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/15-hospital-health-system-chief-innovation-officers-to-know.html

Congratulations, Mike.

Rick Harrison ’75

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Rick Harrison ’75 completed his first book December 2009, Jacob Shall Be a Fire, a Catholic theological novel. Jacob presents a modern concept of how end times prophecy might play out in an entertaining novel and explores the Catholic view of prophecy in 150 pages of theological commentary that follows the story. Two more books are in the works, a 600 page review of the intelligent design evolution debate (available free in draft at Rick’s Web site, http://matthew1026.com), and an analysis of the UFO phenomena, still in the early phases of composition. Update, October, 2015: the novel has been removed from publication for extensive revision, nearly complete, and can be read free on the Website.

John E. Robinson ’74 and John Goldrick

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First some sad news on a very personal level.  John E Robinson ‘74 passed away May 26, 2015 in Santa Rosa California at age 63. John was one of the few good men who graduated from the Brokaw Collegiate School of Nursing Illinois Wesleyan University. He enjoyed a career that took him to the southwest, to Alaska, and back to the southwest before retiring from the Public Health Service.  He is survived by his wife, Lyndell (Schultheiss) ‘75;  daughters Jennifer and Rebecca; and grandson, Rufus.  I knew John well, was a friend and fraternity brother with him.  So sad, he will be missed.

John E Robinson '74

John Robinson ’74

 

Also sorry to announce that Emeritus Trustee John Goldrick died Sept. 22. Board of Trustees Chairman George Vinyard ’71 and President Richard F. Wilson shared praise for his involvement.  Former Pantagraph Publisher John Goldrick was remembered Thursday as a hard worker dedicated to the growth and improvement of the community.  IWU President Dick Wilson said, “He welcomed Pat and me to the community 11 years ago and has provided support and encouragement ever since.”  George Vinyard, IWU board chairman, said Goldrick was a dedicated, involved trustee whose “connections with the community and Chicago were good for the university” and who had “great ideas to promote the university.”  Goldrick is survived by his wife, Helen, and four children.

 

 

John Venardos ’74

Having spent 17+ years leading Herbalife’s regulatory and government affairs team during a period of robust international expansion, John Venardos (’74) moved from Manhattan Beach, CA to Boise, Idaho where John now serves as Vice President, Global Compliance for BodyBuilding.Com. John and his wife Ann made the transition end of August after getting their second son, Alex, settled into college in Malibu. Their other son, Peter, and his wife are also attending college near Portland, OR.