Michael L. P. Retter’s “Field Guide to the Birds of Illinois” is entering its second printing. He is Editor of “North American Birds” and Special Issues Editor of “Birding”–both magazines published by the American Birding Association. He currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his husband, Matt Hale, an Associate Professor of Biology at Texas Christian University.
Susan Leupold ’02 passed away on October 21, 2020. She worked as an ER nurse and traveling nurse. She is survived by her mother, Gretchen (Grandfield) Leupold ’69.
Monday, February 8 is Thank-A-Giver Day at Illinois Wesleyan and we’re eager to celebrate generous Titans!
Thank-A-Giver (TAG) Day is the symbolic point during the academic year — about 70% of the way through — when tuition dollars are exhausted and Illinois Wesleyan relies on donor generosity to continue providing a world-class education and rewarding collegiate experiences.
Each and every year, every gift matters. Contributions benefit students and faculty, enhance academic excellence, and strengthen the IWU community.
Thank you to all who give back to move IWU forward. 
Christina (Hemrich) Mohler ’02 was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. in St. Louis, MO in August of 2020.
The family of Mike Mayo ‘02 and Sara (Evans) Mayo ‘03 will be featured in an episode of HGTV’s House Hunters International this spring after the family moved to Wales in 2019. The move allowed Sarah to study at Bangor University, where she is puruing a second master’s degree in music research/musicology, while Michael works remotely as a marketing consultant.
Wow! How exciting for the Mayo family!
Congratulations to Emily Cour ‘02 who was promoted by Brandt to Associate General Counsel and named Assistant Corporate Secretary to a number of recently created Brandt subsidiaries. Click here to read more about her accomplishment.
We hope you are enjoying your new roles, Emily!
Congratulations to Charlene Recio ’02, who was elected by members of the Will County (IL) Women’s Bar Association as president of its executive board in January 2020. An eight-year veteran as Will County Assistant State’s Attorney, Charlene joined the organization in 2013. She has served in many roles, including as secretary, treasurer and vice president of the executive board. Charlene also currently serves as vice president of the Illinois Prosecutors Bar Association and is an active member of the Will County Bar Association.
Melissa Neis ’02 Was presented the 2019 OURHAUS Award, for her philanthropic leadership and dedication to supporting social change through theatre, by Collaboration Theatre Company, a Chicago-based non-profit arts organization. A vice president with Parr Insurance Brokerage, Melissa has served on Collaboraction’s Board of Directors for five years and played a leading role in the group’s spring fundraiser and donor cultivation event. She also currently volunteers with Heartland Alliance’s Women’s Empowerment Program. Congrats Melissa!
Mike Mayo returned to Illinois Wesleyan’s campus on April 13, 2019, to present the Mayo Alumni Award at the annual student art reception and awards ceremony in the Merwin and Wakeley galleries. Mike has sponsored the prize, awarded to students who share his passion for fine arts, for the past 11 years. While visting campus, Mike showed his children two of his pieces, completed while he was an IWU student, displayed in IWU’s Center for the Liberal Arts.