Jonathan Charak ’05 was recently listed as one of Chicago Crain’s Notable Leaders in Sustainability. You can read more about this here. Congratulations Jonathan!

Jac Jemc ’05 has recently been awarded a fellowship from the Guggenheim Foundation! Jac’s name can be found under the “Fiction” section here.

Tommy Geary ’05 has recently started a new podcast called The Durable Dad which according to Tommy, “teaches listeners brain-based tools that will help them be more productive and less stressed so they can lead at work and be present with their families.”

As for how the podcast started, Tommy says, “The seeds for the Durable Dad podcast were planted years ago when my wife, Brenda, and I started our own business. You hear my voice, but Brenda is behind the scenes keeping the content clear and focused.”

Tommy states, “I coach men full-time, and the Durable Dad podcast is an easy way to share information that’ll help take the pressure off of guys. Today’s dads are more involved at home and carry a heavy load at work, but we keep those struggles to ourselves. We talk about whiskey and sports, but not about the stress. My job is to reduce that pressure for guys so they can perform better at work, and connect better with their wives and kids.”

The podcast is available on Apple and Spotify (both linked here). Listen to learn more!

Colleen Lawless ’05 was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a new federal judge in the central district of Illinois. She has also served as an associate judge in Sangamon County. You can read more here.

Dave Milligan ’05, a pediatrician at Carle BroMenn Outpatient Center in Bloomington, encourages a “team approach” for combatting childhood obesity. This was explored in a WGLT article featuring Dr. Milligan which can be found here.

Jon Robinson ’05 recently wrote a book called You Are Not an Artist: A Candid Guide to the Business of Being a Designer, that will be published on November 15, 2022. In Jon’s own words: “This book is dedicated to the designer who not only wants to be good at design but also wants to understand what that really means. Whether you’re a student, you’re five years into an agency job and still floundering to find confidence, ten years in and considering career reinvention, or feeling stale and burnt out from decades of poor collaboration and deadline fatigue, this can act as a companion throughout your journey. Especially if you’re navigating your design education alone.” You can read more about the book here.

Amanda Willette ’05 was recently featured in the Pantagraph’s ’20 under 40′ list, which recognizes young professionals who excel in their career, are passionate about their community and are making a mark in Central Illinois. You can see the full list here.

Colleen Lawless ’05 has been nominated as district court judge for the central district of Illinois. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth released this statement about the nomination:

“We are pleased that President Biden is nominating Judge Colleen Lawless to serve as a District Court Judge for the Central District of Illinois. She brings strong qualifications and experience that will strengthen our federal bench. We look forward to supporting her nomination in the Senate.”

Colleen Lawless has served as an associate judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in Sangamon County, Illinois, since 2019. Judge Lawless was previously a shareholder at Londrigan, Potter & Randle P.C. in Springfield, Illinois, from 2009 to 2019. Judge Lawless received her J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2009 and her B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2005.

Congratulations, Colleen!

Jon Robinson ’05 has recently finished writing a book. He was quoted on his LinkedIn as saying: “Finally wrapped up my last pandemic project. My book You Are Not an Artist: A Candid Guide to the Business of Being a Designer will be available for pre-order next month. I look forward to sharing all the things I think, or know, or think I know, with my fellow designers, students, and the design curious.”