Gale Strenger Wayne ’78 carries on her family’s long tradition of civic duty through her role as vice chair of the Lake County Community Foundation. Read the full articleabout her at the Daily North Shore here.
Gale Strenger Wayne ’78
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Carol Brandt ’78
Carol Brandt ’78 has been recognized by Forbes as a one of the top women wealth advisors 2020. Congratulations, Carol! Read the full article here.
Elizabeth Robb ’78
Elizabeth Robb ’78 was named to Governor JB Pritzker’s Restorative Justice and Safe Communities Committee. More about Elizabeth’s accomplishments can be found here. Congratulations, Elizabeth!
Jan Peterson ‘78
Jan Peterson ‘78 has directed The Goldenaires, a seniors mixed choir, since 2009. The group performs regularly between September and May at retirement communities and senior centers in the Chicago area. The Goldenaires perform 7 concerts a year and have performed 75 concerts overall under Jan’s direction.
Jeffrey Jones’75
Jeffrey Jones’75, respected leader in the ink industry passed away in Chicago on September 18, 2020. Jeff worked at Sun Chemical 34 years and received four patents which included improvements for manufacturing processes as well as run ability on press. He retired in 2015. Jeff and his wife Maribeth founded a scholarship fund at Illinois Wesleyan University for students from southern Illinois. Jeff spent a lifetime with a quest for knowledge and adventure and loved to travel. He had a great sense of humor and a dry wit. Most importantly, he will be remembered by family, friends and colleagues for his kindness and generosity. You may read his full obituary here.
Dan Zora ’71
Dan Zora ’71 of Cypress, Texas, died July 15, 2020. He was 71. Dan was a member of Sigma Chi and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Illinois Wesleyan. He also met at IWU his future wife Barbara (Barth) Zora ’71; the two were married in 1974. The day after graduation, Dan went to work for State Farm Insurance Company in Bloomington, Illinois. He and his family later moved to Austin, Texas, where Dan continued a 35-year career with the insurance company. In retirement, he started a realty company. Dan loved playing golf, and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls. He was very active in his children’s lives, especially as a youth sports coach, and enjoyed attending his granddaughter’s sporting events. Dan also served as a scorekeeper for volleyball teams coached by his daughter. He is survived by his wife, two children, granddaughter, three siblings, including William Zora ’68, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Janet (Manley) Griego ’75
After over 45 years in healthcare, including population health and healthcare information technology, Janet recently retired. She is looking forward to spending more time with her family and vacationing at their Northern Arizona cabin.
Dr. Mathew Timm ’77
The U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board are pleased to announce that Dr. Mathew Timm ’77, Professor, Department of Mathematics of Bradley University has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Croatia. Dr. Timm will conduct research at the University of Split during the Spring 2021 Term as part of the project Inverse Systems and the Topology of Generalized Baumslag-Solitar Complexes. The intent of the project is to expand our understanding of a class of geometric objects known as generalized Baumslag-Solitar complexes through a collaboration with members of the Mathematics Faculty at the University of Split. Several faculty at the University of Split are experts in inverse systems based approaches to the study of geometric topology. Congratulations!
Dr. Debbie R. Burt-Frazier, Ed.D – 1975
Ooohh Titans, this world is changing. Our world is changing. I just last week cancelled my accommodations for homecoming this October. It will be my 45th Class Reunion, 1975! Wow! Now, the plans for the weekend of October 7 – 9th are for a virtual homecoming, due to the Covid19 pandemic. I hope that you, like me, plan to be in attendance. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
Let me say this, first and foremost, my deepest, most sincere condolences go out to my fellow Titans, who have lost a friend, spouse, family, colleague, or a loved one to the coronavirus. I continue to pray for the safety and well-being of all. This concern extends itself to the many Titans of color, those of us who have had to contend with the racial pandemic that layers itself upon the healthcare crisis, which we all are suffering from. The war on several fronts rages on. We, together, must be strong and continue to press on.
Although, the numbers steadily rise, five million Americans have fallen victim to the coronavirus. Over 160,000 Americans, of all races, genders, ages, and social status have succumbed. If anyone had suggested to me, six months ago, that we would be in Depression Era unemployment, I would not have believed it. Yet, here we are. Be strong, Titans! Keep hope alive! Fight depression and despair. Do not give up! These words, give this Titan comfort. I hope that they give you solace and encouragement, as well.
Last of all, I want to share a few suggestions which I have found peace in practicing. My daughter, my oldest introduced me to meditation (A child shall lead them). Every day twice a day, ten-minutes sessions, helps to soothe, remove stress and anxiety, while giving focus using mindfulness techniques. Beginners may Google “Guided Meditation,” for starters. The old adage, “Every day is a gift, that is why they call it the present,” rings so true during these trying times. So, my Titan friends, embrace this gift of life, daily. If you believe in a higher power, let them hear from you. Wear your masks and practice all safety precautions.
Take care and be well!
DRBF
Marlon Nettleton ‘77
Marlon Nettleton ‘77 is a member of the Lake Ashtones, who sang the national anthem prior to a National Basketball Association game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers on December 27, 2019, in Orlando.
Wow, how exciting that must have been!