Steven Riesenberg ’87 retired from the Illinois State Police following a 31-year career in law enforcement. He served in patrol, investigative and covert operations assignments while earning three department service ribbons. A bagpiper with the State Police Pipes and drums, he performed solo before three Illinois governors and twice on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives. In 2012, he preformed with the Illinois Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts in Michael Schelle’s The End of the World. Steve concluded his career as the commanding officer of District 6 State Police in Pontiac, Illinois, and District 8 State Police in Peoria, Illinois.

Kevin Garner ’85 celebrated 25 years as pastor of Fox River Lutheran Chruch in Norway, Illinois, in March 2019. Kevin was featured in a story in The (Ottawa, Ill.) Times, and an open house was held at the church on March 31, 2019, to celebrate the anniversary.

Congrats Kevin!

Tony Robbins ’83 served as the Illinois Wesleyan Athletics Department’s equipment manager since the 2005-06 academic year after previously serving as a part-time cross country coach from 1983-92. He was featured in a profile in The Pantagraph in March 2019.  

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s upcoming production of Pride and Prejudice will be adapted and directed by Deanna Jent ’84.

Read more here!

The Netflix adaptation of the Tony-nominated musical The Prom, produced by Bill Damaschke ’85, will star Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman and Ariana Grande, among others.

Read more here!

Tracy has been named the new Director of the Greater Lake Area Chorale, Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. The chorale is an ensemble of 60 singers, mixed voices and performs two concert series each year.

Congratulations Tracy!

The official announcement may be read here! 

Exciting news from Renee McGinnis ’84! The exhibit will be open from June 15, 2019 to August 25, 2019. There is also a Wine Reception on June 23, 2019 at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana

“South Shore Arts is pleased to present the seventh exhibit in its Outstanding Midwest Artist Series, Renee McGinnis: Tales from the Biosphere.  McGinnis’s works are painstakingly painted to perfection in her romantic but melancholy style, in which decaying structures of abandoned ships and eerie industrial factories are contrasted against vibrant flowers, enchanting clouds and shimmering emeralds.”

Read more here.

Carl Teichman ’80 and Laurel Mode ’84 with legacy graduate son Will Teichman.

Photo: Robert (Trey) Frank ’14

Steve Smith ’82 and Linda (Skaggs) Smith ’81 with legacy graduate daughter Ariel Smith ’14 and son Micah Smith ’19.

Photo: Robert (Trey) Frank ’14

Michael Seitz ’88 and Laura (Weatherford) Seitz ’89 with legacy graduate son Breck Seitz ’15, daughter-in-law Amanda (Watts) Seitz ’14 and daughter Paige Seitz ’19.

Photo: Robert (Trey) Frank ’14