My Dear Titan Alumni,

2016 is drawing to a close. I did not want this year to end without sending you my best wishes for a spectacular Christmas, or Hanukkah or, Kwanzaa. Please, celebrate safely with friends and loved ones. For some of you, I will be speaking to you this week. You see, I, like Santa am checking my list which says you generously, contributed to the Wesleyan Fund last year, but for whatever reason have yet to do so, this year. Luckily, it is not too late! Your year-end giving check need only be postmarked by December 31st, and it will count for this year. Your gift allows IWU to help many students who are seeking a quality education; exactly, like the one we received when attending “Dear Ole’Wesleyan.” So please, if you are able, give.

Lastly, please, wish me luck as I venture to the great state of Ohio, next year. I have accepted a teaching position at Central State University, in Wilberforce. In the Department of Humanities, as adjunct faculty I will teach English and Writing. Best of all, I will be near my one and only grandson, Wyatt, my oldest son, Nicholas, and my lovely, daughter-in-law Sherie. Look out “Buckeye” nation, here I come!

Once again, have a blessed holiday, I hope that Santa brings you something special; because I know that you have been good boys and girls!:-D

DRBF

Remember to make your gift to Illinois Wesleyan by December 31 to be eligible for 2016 tax benefits. Gifts can be made online, by calling 1-800-689-9743 before December 23, and by check. If sending a check, it must be postmarked by December 31.

Thank you for your support!

Charles Prokopp ’72 portrayed Boris Karloff in a tour-de-force one person play entitled KARLOFF in Tucson, Arizona. The two-hour, multimedia show was the work of Pandæmonium Shadow Shows at Roadrunner Theater, and was only the second staging of Randy Bowser’s play.
A special honor was the night that Boris’s daughter, Sara Jane Karloff attended and participated in a long question and answer period.

Chris Eldredge ’78 shared his experiences on the IWU Basketball team with The Pantagraph. To read the great article, click here.

A great article Chris. Congratulations

Clarese A. Ornstein ’75 just celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with her husband, Steven Ornstein, in the New England area. Also, her son is a graduate of DePaul University and works for the New York Yankees.

There is a lot of joy in Chi-Town! Holy Cow! I dare say a lot of elation in all of Illinois. After an 108 year drought, we beat the billy goat curse, and have won a World Series. As we know, back in 2005, the Chicago White Sox claimed the honor. Now, the Northsiders have done the same. This feat came after being down 3 to 1 by “The Tribe,” in Cleveland. God, and Cubbie legends; Ernie Banks and Ron Santo, no doubt, were smiling down on these young men, peppered with some seasoned vets. Both, and a skipper like Joe Maddon, are what it took to get the job done. Alleluia!

Right in the midst, of this championship endeavor, was our very own, IWU alum, Wayne Messmer ’72. Wayne sung “God Bless America,”for Game Three of the World Series; and the National Anthem for both Game Five of the Series and at the rally, yesterday! Speaking of that rally, five million people converged in Grant Park to celebrate with the team and its awesome fans! That, I am told was the 7th largest gathering in the world, year -to-date.

Wayne Messmer ’72 and Kate Tock ’14 before game 5 of the World Series at Wrigley Field

So, congratulations Chicago Cubs! Thanks! Sports Illustrated magazine says that Chicago has the best fans in the country. True! Next year is this year, people! SI also says, that Chicago has a new goat. Greatest Of All Time!

Wow! It was a week or so ago, but I am still smiling about my time spent “going home” to I.W.U. There was the 5k Run/Walk, pancake breakfast, the football game, and Club Tommy’s.  This time, for the first time, the Alumni Awards celebration was held Friday evening as a dinner, instead of as a Saturday luncheon. There the “undefeated” 1965 football team was recognized, in addition to the traditional alumni award recipients. An extra-special, good-time was had by all!

Our Titan team battled valiantly against the rival Wheaton, football team, but unfortunately lost the game. Fellow ’70’s alums that I ran into include; David Darling ’77, James Robinson ’75 and Dave Gaither ’75. Those last two fellows were my ex-Argus staff members. I sure hope that you will plan to attend next year’s homecoming events. I look forward to seeing you there!

On a different note, here are a couple of updates on two busy titan alums. Annie (Perry) Culverson ’73 is now a retired media specialist from School District #92 in Broadview, Illinois. Annie has just returned from a month long trip to Ghana, West Africa. Back in September, she went on an Alaskan cruise. Way-to-go, Annie, that’s what I call retirement!

Lastly, Bill Haworth ’74, former owner of Pearls & More, a jewelry business. is also, a Delta Airlines flight attendant. Recently, Bill and three other members of his flight crew were given the “Save the Day” Award. They were responsible for saving the live of a female passenger, who suffered a stroke at the completion of an international flight to Shanghai, China. Congratulations, Bill, for a job well done!

Take care, fellow Titans, enjoy your Fall, wherever you are! God Bless!