Alums at President Jensen’s Inauguration

George Vinyard ’71 and Jean Baird ’80 took part in the inauguration of IWU’s 19th president, Eric Jensen, by presenting him with the silver presidential medallion. Kathleen Murray ’79 came across the country to watch the inauguration, as she first suggested the position to Eric Jensen.

Below is a link to an article about the inauguration – 

https://www.iwu.edu/news/2016/inauguration-of-eric-jensen.html

Greg Poland ’77 on Jimmy Kimmel Show

Dr. Greg Poland ’77 appeared on Jimmy Kimmel in a segment on handwashing. Jimmy wanted to make sure he was doing it right, so we got in touch with Doctor Poland at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. He is a specialist in infectious disease and he flew all the way to LA just to teach Jimmy and Guillermo how to wash their hands.

If you would like to watch the segment, go to YouTube at this address:

 https://youtu.be/sJfsyhQ0oBs.

IWU Women Summit

For the past 10 years, Illinois Wesleyan alumnae have been offering guidance and mentorship to current female students through the Council for IWU Women. The Council’s signature event is its annual summit.  This year it was held on Feb. 26-27 centered on the theme “At the Table”. It was open to all IWU female faculty, staff, and students.

Claudia Brogan ’77, Katy Drechsel ’95, and Jennifer Jones ’94 presented “Career Transitions: It’s okay to Jump Ship” at the Council for IWU Women Summit on February 27, 2016. Linda Stone ’85, Marilynn Graves ’79, Kelly Fuller ’06, and Carole Liske ’77 presented “Real World Problem Solving” at the Council for IWU Women Summit on February 27, 2016. Claudia Brogan ’77 and Jordan Prats ’17 presented “Tell Your Story” at the Council for IWU Women Summit on February 27, 2016.

Jim Brown ’77 Named to Court of the Table

Wealth management advisor Jim Brown ’77 has qualified for the fifth consecutive year for Court of the Table membership in the Million Dollar Roundtable, an international, independent association of leading life insurance producers.

The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is the Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of more than 43,000 of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 67 countries. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business.

Members of MDRT’s Court of the Table demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. Regarded as business and community leaders, are recognized internationally for their achievements in the life insurance and financial services business.

Congratulations, Jim!

Kankakee Group

 

left to right- June Merritt Mitchell, Suzanne Unger Thompson, Linda Warner Darr, Tom Cunnington, Wendy Tripp Shelquist, and Jewel Ann Wiltfang

left to right- June Merritt Mitchell, Suzanne Unger Thompson, Linda Warner Darr, Tom Cunnington, Wendy Tripp Shelquist, and Jewel Ann Wiltfang

A group of IWU alums were together at Asbury United Methodist Church in Kankakee for the “Joy of Christmas” on December 5, 2015. Attending were June Merritt Mitchell, class of 1951; Suzanne Unger Thompson, class of 1968; Linda Warner Darr, class of 1972; Tom Cunnington, class of 1977; Wendy Tripp Shelquist, class of 1977; and Jewel Ann Wiltfang, class of 1978. All of the alums are members of Asbury UMC except for Linda Warner Darr. She was a guest of Suzanne Unger Thompson.

Marianne (Miller) Marlow ’79 Honored

marlowOn December 10, 2015, Marianne (Miller) Marlow ’79 was honored as a literacy volunteer for the Rockford Public Schools. 

The honorees were acknowledged for their service and received an IMRF staff donation for their preferred service organizations. Their outreach activities focused on children, the elderly, the environment, veterans, families of fallen law enforcement officers, and the needy. Individually, they serve others within their respective communities. Collectively, they serve the great state of Illinois, and we are proud to have them as IMRF members.

Kim Schafer Astroth named Interim Assistant Dean

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Dr. Kim Schafer-Astroth

Dr. Kim Schafer-Astroth

Kim Schafer Astroth ’77 accepted an appointment to serve as interim assistant dean for the undergraduate programs at Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing.

Kim accepted an appointment to serve as interim assistant dean for the undergraduate programs at Illinois State’s Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN), beginning January 2016. Kim worked with Dianne Clemens last fall as part of her transition to the new role. Clemens retired in December after 17 years of service at MCN.

Kim began working at Mennonite College of Nursing in 1992. Her research interests include chronic kidney disease, symptom management and chronic disease, physical activity, decision-making associated with activation of a rapid response team, civility, and QSEN.

She earned her Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Missouri at St. Louis, M.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and B.S.N. from Illinois Wesleyan University. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Indiana University in Indianapolis.

“I am pleased Dr. Schafer Astroth will be serving in this position,” said H. Catherine Miller, interim dean at MCN. “She has a great deal of experience with teaching in the undergraduate programs, and is dedicated to MCN’s mission to develop exceptionally well prepared nurses.”

Kim has taught at all levels of nursing education at MCN and has served on many committees within the college. She is a longstanding member of the McLean County Heart Board, primarily assisting with the Heart Walk activities. She also serves on the OSF SJMC Nursing Research Council.