Mark Calvin Yontz ’72 and Sandra Ward Yontz ’72 welcomed the birth of their grandchild Calvin Christopher Duke on September 8, 2015. Calvin joined parents Chelsea ’05 and Jamie Duke and big sisters Grace and Caroline.
George McGee is the 2015 recipient of the John Walker Manning Mentor and Teaching Award at Georgetown College in Kentucky where he is Professor of Theatre and Film. The Award is presented annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated leadership in mentoring and counseling students in their academic course work and who has shown excellence in teaching. Students make nominations and have a significant voice in selecting the Manning Award winner each year. McGee, who holds an MFA from Florida Atlanta University, has been a member of the faculty at Georgetown College since 1984.
Family and friends helped celebrate the marriage of Cheryl Larea Portwood-Peden & Noah Emery on October 17, 2015 in Homewood, IL. Cheryl also welcomed the birth of her first grandchild, Milan Amari Rogers on July 8, 2015.
Recently John Dozier ’78 and his wife Cheri spent their anniversary clearing out his mother’s house in preparation of an estate sale. In his former bedroom, they located the Just Married poster made by his groomsmen; Tim Potts ’79, Karl Cremieux ’79, William Petty ’78, and Chris Kosifas ’78 34 years earlier. John has attended each Homecoming since graduation and stays in contact with many of his IWU friends.
PS: John did take Cheri out to dinner that evening.
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.
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.
Elgin Courier-News reporter Dave Gathman ’74 looks back on the joys and challenges of a long career in journalism.
For a link to the entire article, click here.
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
Sam rides a horse
Sam Lillie ’78 “successfully” rides horseback. Needless to say, Sam has decided not to participate in this sport again.