Larry Ekin ’76 currently works as a Contact Tracer for the State of Maryland, serving as a Peer Mentor and Inbound Triage Agent as well as a contact tracer. “When I was going through my cancer surgery and subsequent radiation treatment, I realized the psychological importance of feeling like somebody was on my side. Part of my responsibilities as a contact tracer allow me to extend that feeling to others. So, my involvement as a contact tracer is motivated, at least in part, by a sense of paying my respect to the people who gave me that support when I needed it.” Ekin will soon observe his one year anniversary of contact tracing.

Tom Hensel ’71 was honored as Plainfield (Ill.) Central High School renamed its basketball court Tom Hensel Court in a ceremony in April 2021. Tom retired from the Plainfield school district in 2004 after serving as a teacher, coach and administrator for more than 33 years. In addition to Plainfield, he also taught in the Illinois communities of Minooka, Wyoming and Galesburg.

In September 2020, Chuck Kennedy ’76 was awarded the Bronze Medal for Technical Merit from the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) for his significant technical contributions in the field of undersea warfare.

On November 19, 2020 Steve Watts was awarded the Thomas B. Herring Community Service Award by the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce for “volunteer activities exemplifying the true meaning of service to others and a willingness to do so without recognition and publicity”. Watts retired from the practice of law in 2018. He currently serves as chairman of the Knox County Mental Health (708) Board.

Hey Titans!

I never doubted that we would rise to the 2021 All In challenge, and we did! After President Nugent’s video announcement, you glorious Titan Warriors went to work. I am so very proud to announce that we surpassed our million that was matched, and reached $2,539,574.00. We blew our donor goal of 2,500 out of the water with 3,587!

Thank You! Well Done, mighty, mighty, Titan alumni, parents, students and friends. You continue to make a difference, even during a pandemic to deliver on behalf of Illinois Wesleyan University. Thank You! I am ever so proud to be one of your own. Take care and stay safe! Much love.

DRBF

Frankie Faison ’71 was recently featured in an article in The Daily Press, which can be found here, discussing his distinguished, decades-long career in theater, film and television.

Cheryl L. Portwood-Peden Emery ’74 gave a Titan Career Chat: Experiences in the Spanish Caribbean. Presented virtually, the power-point photo slide presentation helped students learn how Cheryl’s cultural immersion experiences during her IWU Study Travel Seminar to Puerto Rico inspired her. Cheryl earned her B.A. from IWU in Spanish leading to a rewarding and satisfying teaching career in Spanish; Spanish Bi-lingual/E.S.L., and Special Education that has spanned 38 years. Cheryl retired from teaching in the Chicago Public Schools in 2012.