Brenda Lessen Knoll ‘89

Brenda Lessen Knoll ‘89 is featured in the summer/fall issue of the IWU magazine. The work of Brenda and other co-authors such as Victoria Drake ‘18, titled Randomized Controlled Trial of a Prefeeding Oral Motor Therapy and its Effect on Feeding Improvement in a Thai NICU, was nominated for the 2020 Best of Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing Writing Award.

Wow! Very exciting news for you, Brenda!

Kimberly (Kaskavage) Coomber ’88

Kimberly (Kaskavage) Coomber ’88 of Fairbury, Illinois, died Nov. 19, 2019. She was 61. Kim studied nursing at Illinois Wesleyan and later served as a registered nurse at Fairbury Hospital, Dr. Orville Hable Medical Office, and Thomas Metcalf School, where she provided care for children with disabilities. She most recently served patients at Livingston County Health Clinic in Pontiac, Illinois. Kim was a fan of the Prairie Central High School Hawks and Chicago Cubs. She loved spending time with family and especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. She is survived by her husband, three children, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a sister.

Mark Harris ’83

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

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

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.

Sandra Steingraber ‘81

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)!