Author Archives: classnews

Richard Whitlock ’89

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Richard Whitlock ’89 of rural Clinton, Illinois, died July 15, 2021. He was 54. Rich studied economics at Illinois Wesleyan and most recently worked as a claims adjuster for COUNTRY Financial. He also served as fire chief of Ellsworth (Ill.) Fire Department. Rich was a member of the Living Hope Christian Church in Downs, Illinois, where he helped in the construction of the permanent building. His hobbies included horsemanship, woodworking and pheasant hunting. He is survived by two daughters, his loving companion and her four children, his mother and a brother. 

Cynthia Reynolds ’80

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Cynthia Ann Reynolds ’80 passed away on August 10, 2021. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University and then moved to NYC to sing. And sing she did, with Amato Opera, Vineyard Opera, NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players and other companies. She married a tenor she often sang with, Richard Slade, and they had two children: Merlin and Julian. Cynthia made a bold career change, becoming a school teacher, and found her happiest place in Peekskill, teaching elementary music and strings, and directing the middle school musicals. Even when stricken with Glioblastoma she maintained her high standard of achievement, impressing all the therapists with her progress and her determination. She leaves behind grieving family and an immense array of friends and colleagues — and so, so many children whose lives she changed. You can read the full obituary here.

Brenda (Deckert) Knoll ’89

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Associate Professor of Nursing Brenda Lessen Knoll ’89 conducted a PIOMI Training Webinar for a group of Neonatal Physicians and Speech Pathologists at National Children’s Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. Dr. Lessen Knoll has been conducting live training webinars for Neonatal Providers across the globe to implement her Premature Infant Oral Motor Intervention as the standard of care for neonatal therapy. www.piomi.com

Patrick Cleary ’82

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Patrick Cleary ’82 has been appointed Mid-Central Regional Sales Director at Purchasing Power, LLC, a voluntary benefit fintech company that offers the leading employment purchase program through the convenience of payroll deduction. Responsible for execution of Purchasing Power’s regional growth and business development strategies, Cleary will be based in Northbrook, IL.

You can find out more via this article made from information provided by Purchasing Power LLC.

Colleen Daugherty Halberg ’86

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Colleen Daugherty Halberg ’86 was named director of donor engagement and major gifts for EP!C, a nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Peoria, Illinois, in May 2021. She was profiled in a story in The Bradley Scout, the university’s student newspaper.

Beth Mulberry ’86

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Dr. Beth Mulberry ’86, the medical director at Mustard Seed Community Health in Greensboro, North Carolina, was highlighted in Triad Business Journal’s “Outstanding Women in Business” series in June 2021. Mustard Seed provides high-quality primary medical and mental health care to residents of the Cottage Grove neighborhood and to adults and children anywhere in Guilford County without insurance and living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.