Mark Harris ’83

Posted on July 21, 2020 by classnews

Mark Harris ’83 died Oct. 5, 2019, in Aledo, Illinois. He was 58. Mark loved to entertain and earned a BFA in drama at Illinois Wesleyan. He traveled many career paths but finally found his calling in the ministry. Mark served churches in Fairview Heights, Illinois, and St. Joseph, Illinois, and was most recently the pastor at Aledo United Methodist Church. He was also a devoted family man and enjoyed nothing more than time spent with family. Diagnosed with cancer in 2017, Mark chronicled his journey through a blog he described as “a daily look at the life of a shaved-headed, earring-wearing, rock drumming, United Methodist minister.” Writing with transparency and authenticity, Mark’s blog inspired many fighting the same battle. He is survived by his wife, two songs, including Sam Harris ’10, three siblings, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Joseph DeMay ‘81

Posted on July 20, 2020 by classnews

Joseph DeMay ‘81 was featured in the Summer/Fall issue of the IWU magazine for his publication of Musings of a Christian Physician on the Physical and Spiritual Healing of Man: A Treatise in Daily Devotional Form. Joseph’s book may be purchased on Amazon.
Congratulations, Joseph!

Vickie Folse ‘86

Posted on July 10, 2020 by classnews

Vickie Folse ‘86, Professor and Director of the School of Nursing and Caroline F. Rupert Chair of Nursing, anticipates a strengthened partnership in placing students for quality experiences as Carle Health acquires Advocate BroMenn. Click here to read more.

Frank Vlastnik ‘87

Posted on June 24, 2020 by classnews

Author, actor, and Peru, IL native Frank Vlastnik ‘87 discussed his craft and latest projects in a recent livestream interview.

Kenneth French ‘84

Posted on June 18, 2020 by classnews

Sixth grade Social Studies teacher Kenneth French ‘84 was named a finalist for the Vanderburgh County (Indiana) 2020 Outstanding Educators of the Year award for middle schools.

Congratulations, Kenneth!

Michael Wall ‘84

Posted on June 11, 2020 by classnews

Congratulations to Michael Wall ‘84 who was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Underwriting at Rockford Mutual Insurance Co.

We hope you are enjoying your new role, Michael!

Andy Kreiss ‘86 and Russ Konstans ‘88

Posted on June 4, 2020 by classnews

Hooray for Andy Kreiss ‘86 and Russ Konstans ‘88 who returned to Maples Repertory in Missouri to reprise their roles in Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some) in December of 2019. The IWU Magazine Spring 2020 issue featured Andy and Russ’s Christmas adventure.

Sandra Steingraber ‘81

Posted on June 2, 2020 by classnews

Sandra Steingraber ‘81 will be the guest speaker for a virtual presentation hosted by Wellness House, a nonprofit in Hinsdale, Illinois, providing free programming for people impacted by cancer, on June 4, 2020. A biologist, author and cancer survivor herself, Sandra will speak about her life’s work investigating the links between human health, cancer and environmental toxins. Caly Meyers-Mixa ’09 serves as Wellness House’s human resources and volunteer manager. Brittany Brady ’15 is Wellness House’s oncology education coordinator.

Please click this link to join the virtual event on June 4th at 6:30 p.m (CST)!

Bobby Moews ’81

Posted on May 28, 2020 by classnews

Congratulations to Bobby Moews ’81, who was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame on March 28, 2020. He was head coach at Bloomington IL Central Catholic High School for 22 seasons, compiling a record of 155-73 with two state championships. A 1977 graduate of the school, he earned 10 letters as a student-athlete at Central Catholic.

Andrea ‘88 and Allan ‘89 Tauber