Michael Cooper ‘77 has returned to directing theatre full time after spending 21 years in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. He was also recently named the Artistic Director of The Alchemy Theatre in Austin, Texas. Click here to read more.
Congratulations, Michael!
Wendy (Oldenburg) Hall ’78 and Kristin (Schwab) Kroll ’85 are teachers with Allendale Association, a nonprofit organization providing care, treatment and education for youth with emotional, behavioral and mental challenges. Kristin has taught at Allendale for the past 30 years, while Wendy has taught art for the past 10. Wendy has taught art for the past 10. Wendy and Kristin have teamed up to deliver home-based instruction during COVID-19.
Kathleen Miller ’76 passed away on October 21, 2019. She was born November 22, 1954. She is survived by her brothers. Read the full obituary here.
Linda (Fisher) Shearin ’71 passed away on October 10, 2019. She was born on June 25 ,1949. She graduated from Bement High School in 1967, and belonged to many music and teaching professional organizations. She is survived by her daughter, sisters, stepsiblings, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Read the full obituary here.
A book by Katherine James ‘73 called Harvesting Witnesses’ Stories (How To Get Your Client The Second-Best Life In The World by Maximizing Human Damages was published on July 13, 2020 by AAJ Press. According to Katherine, it is a “ground breaking book on witness preparation for trial lawyers.”
Congratulations, Katherine!
Julie Swango ’74 of Normal, Illinois, died Dec. 14, 2019. She was 67. Julie studied elementary education at Illinois Wesleyan and later earned a master’s degree in education from Illinois State University. She served as a thrid-grade teacher in McLean County (Ill.) Unit 5 schools for 35 years. She was a talented seamstress, baker and gardener. She loved to travel, especially to her family cabin in Wisconsin, where she emjoyed time with her loved ones. Julie was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Merna and Sigma Kappa, both of which blessed her with lifelong friends. She is survived by her husband Gary Swango ’73, three children, four grandchildren and two sisters.
Earl Kirk ’71 of Aurora, Illinois, and Evansville, Indiana, died Nov. 27, 2019. He was 70. Earl studied French at Illinois Wesleyan University and went on to earn graduate and ABD degrees at Indiana University. He was employed as an instructor at Southwestern College (1978-79), an instructor and administrator at Baker University (1978-2003), and as the director of study abroad an Harlaxton College coordinator at the University of Evansville (2003-15). Earl was a world traveler, fluent in several languages, and had a love of people, history and cultures. He was an inspirational educator, administrator and mentor who encouraged students to achieve their goals in education, studying and traveling abroad. He is survived by three siblings, a special aunt and uncle, and several nieces, nephews and other family members, colleagues and friends.
Richard Smith ‘79 is featured in the Summer/Fall issue of the IWU magazine
for his publication of Understanding National Wealth: The Triumph of the Most Successful Political Economy in History, a book providing a summary of where the United States stands financially. Understanding National Wealth is available at Barnes & Noble, on Amazon, and at go.richoutlook.com
Congratulations, Richard!
Kathleen Murray ’79 was renewed for another term as president of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, in December 2019. Her presidency to date has been marked by the development and implementation of five strategic priorities and the construction of two campus buildings.
Congratulations to James Messmore ’78, who recently celebrated 25 years of service at Hanson Professional Services Inc.. James joined the company in 1995 and works at the Chicago regional office. He develops and implements programs to achieve profitable growth, oversees staff, and develops and maintains relationships with clients for the infrastructure market. He has been involved in a variety of transportation-related projects, including serving as principal-in-charge for the widening and reconstruction of a 22-miles section of Interstate 90 in Boone, Kane, and McHenry Counties.