Matt earned his Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures in 2017 at the University of Washington in Seattle, and after interviewing as a finalist for four positions nationwide during this year’s academic job search, he has accepted a Lecturer position in the Department of Slavic and Eastern European Languages and Cultures at the Ohio State University beginning in August, 2019. Many thanks are owed to Professor Marina Balina, who was his first mentor at IWU.
Congratulations Matt!
The 2019 Department of Chemistry Alumni of the Year awardee is Rebecca Centko ’00. The award is presented by the Department of Chemistry. Rebecca was invited to campus during a special Departmental Honors Day ceremony in April.
Rebecca graduated with research honors (Cum Laude) in Chemistry in 2000. She did an honors project in Professor Mohan’s lab, and the title of her thesis was “A Study of The Solvolysis Reactions of Tetrahydrofurfuryl Tosylate.”
Following graduation, Rebecca joined Pfizer Pharmaceuticals (formerly Pharmacia), where she worked with a program team to design and synthesize therapeutic agents to treat disorders of the CNS.
In 2003, she joined Regis Technologies in the Chicago area. At Regis, Rebecca rose through the ranks and is currently Director of Project Management & Account Management. Regis manufactures small molecule Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in pre-clinical and clinical development through commercial supply.
You did it, Titans! You were the key to our success. On April 11, 2,205 donors collectively raised $518,316. And thanks to the generosity of our pacesetter challenge donors, our grand total is $776,316 (and still counting!)
This video captures a few successes from #AllInforWesleyan. Check out the social media activity and revisit iwu.edu/all-in to see how your gifts made a difference.
Check out the All In Happy Hours taking place around the country. Show your Titan pride by spreading the word about All In for Wesleyan to your personal networks via social media, calls, texts, emails, etc.
You’ll have a great time while encouraging others to make an additional gift on All In and share stories about how IWU Unlocked Opportunities for each of us. Visit our webpage for more information and registration.
On April 11, alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends of IWU show your pride and support by being All In for Wesleyan. During this 24-hour giving day, let’s unlock opportunities together. You are key to our success!
Be All In, All Day, make an additional gift at iwu.edu/all-in, and spread the word on social media using#AllInforWesleyan. Check out our social media toolkit!
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!
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.
Sharon Chung ’00 was elected to the McLean County Board, edging out Republican incumbent Ryan Scritchlow, 3,378 to 3,298.
In the Pantagraph article following the election, Chung said of the party’s success, “We’re really excited to have a dynamic slate of Democratic candidates. I know that I am really extremely proud of the campaign we ran across the county.”
