1999 Class News – Online Newsletter

Thank-A-Giver Day

Feb 042019

Thank-A-Giver Day (TAG Day) is on Monday, February 11. This day provides the IWU campus community with the opportunity to thank the donors who support Illinois Wesleyan. IWU celebrates each year in mid-February because it marks the symbolic point during the academic year – about 70% of the way through – when tuition dollars run out and support from alumni and friends, our endowment, and external grants kicks in for the remainder of the year.

Thank you to all donors who help make the IWU experience possible!

Amy Pollitz ’99

News 1 Response »

Jan 152019

Amy Pollitz ’99 welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Maggie Lynn, on June 14, 2018.

Congratulations, Amy!

Emeritus Associate Professor of Economics Robert (Bob) Leekley

Obituaries No Responses »

Jan 072019

Emeritus Associate Professor of Economics Robert (Bob) Leekley passed away on Tuesday, Jan.1. Prof. Leekley started teaching at Illinois Wesleyan in 1974, and from his first year to his 44th, his commitment to IWU and our students remained unchanged. His positive impact on generations of students and colleagues will not be forgotten. Read an obituary. A service will be held in the IWU Evelyn Chapel from 11-12 on Wednesday, January 9th.

Gina Wither ’99

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Oct 152018

Gina (Schopp) Wither ’99 and Brian Smith ’00 have worked at Steamboat Mountain School, a small, independent boarding school, for 19 and 20 years respectively. Brian is the Dean of Students and teaches Calculus 1 and 2. They just took kids on a 5 day canoeing trip on the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon for their annual Desert Week trip.

Homecoming 2018

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Sep 102018

Celebrate a 100 years of IWU Homecoming with us October 5 – 7

See the schedule and register here.

Scott Pluff ’99

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Jul 102018

Scott Pluff ’99 has accepted a new position as Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cottleville, MO. With 5300 families, St. Joseph is the largest Catholic parish in the state of Missouri. He will oversee the parish’s worship ministries, direct three choirs, and serve as the principal organist. This year marks 25 years of Scott’s service as a professional church musician. At IWU he studied organ with Dr. David Gehrenbeck, and he holds an M.A. in Theology from the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO. Scott lives in south St. Louis with his wife and three daughters.

Congratulations, Scott!

In Sympathy – Professor Emerita L. Jane Brue

Obituaries No Responses »

May 162018

Jane Brue, 84, of Bloomington, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2018 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. this Friday, May 18, in Evelyn Chapel, with a visitation prior to the service from 9-10 a.m. in the Chapel.

Jane was a nursing professor at Illinois Wesleyan for 21 years, leading many study abroad classes and receiving multiple accolades from students and colleagues. More details on her dedication to her profession, to IWU basketball, and to her family are in her obituary. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.

Professor Elizabeth Balser

Obituaries No Responses »

May 162018

We are very sorry to inform you that Professor Elizabeth (Susie) Balser, faculty member in Biology for more than 20 years, passed away last month following an extended illness. Susie was recognized as an expert on the anatomy of echinoderms. Her passion for invertebrate animals inspired the creation of three new courses at IWU. Both as an instructor and as a research mentor, Susie challenged students to carefully study the natural world and make their own discoveries.

Benjamin Nelson ’99

News 2 Responses »

Apr 172018

Benjamin Nelson ’99 co-edited “‘Los cielos se agotaron de prodigios’: Essays in Honor of Frederick A. de Armas” (Juan de la Cuesta Hispanic Monographs, 2018), which includes his essay “Pilgrimaging to the Temple of Diana: Jorge de Montemayor, Merida, and the Septizodium.”

All In for Wesleyan

News 1 Response »

Apr 022018

Tuesday, April 3rd is our day of giving at Illinois Wesleyan and this year’s theme is
Think Bigger!
Not only is today a day for giving, it’s a day to celebrate IWU and all of the things that make it special. Last year, our class had an impressive 27 donors, and we contributed $5,260. Let’s think bigger and surpass last year’s donors and dollars contributed! Think of the impact this can make for IWU students and their families!

Click here to learn more and to donate on Tuesday, April 3rd.
Help spread the word using #AllInForWesleyan and take advantage of our social media toolkit.

Older Entries

Alumni Events Around the Country

Collegiate Choir Darien Concert and Alumni Reception
Date: 3/16/2019 7:30 PM The IWU Collegiate Choir tour stops at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Darien on March 16th. Join us for the concert and an alumni reception immediately following.
Collegiate Choir Kankakee Concert and Alumni Reception
Date: 3/8/2019 7:30 PM The IWU Collegiate Choir tour stops at Asbury United Methodist Church in Kankakee on March 8th. Join us for the concert and an alumni reception immediately following.
Jazz Brunch
Date: 3/3/2019 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM Join President Eric and Mrs. Elizabeth Jensen for a Jazz Brunch featuring Glenn Wilson and Friends.
Career Immersion Excursion: Chicago Alumni and Student Networking Event
Date: 3/12/2019 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Meet our students in Chicago during the Career Immersion Excursion! Join us for a special Alumni and Student Networking Event featuring our keynote speaker, Dr. Stephen Ondra '80. Registration now open!
Titan Connection - Florida
Date: 3/24/2019 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Join fellow alumni and friends for the Titan Connection in Naples, FL! Our guest speaker will be Joey Kiper '22 and special guests President Eric and Elizabeth Jensen will be joining us. Registration now open!