Ryan Jenkins ’11 played on the IWU football team and lettered all years there. He made first team all-american defensive end in 2011 and best lineman three times. Was the first african american student to win First Team All American as voted by AFCA in school history and still the only one. Ryan reports that he majored in accounting at Wesleyan and upon graduation became an accountant and now works for CGS as a Medical Auditor. Ryan also just received his master’s degree in Health Management from Western Governors University in June. Congratulations, Ryan!

Thank you to Sean Johnson ’11 for speaking to Fred Hoyt’s Marketing 339 class in October about his experience in athletic fundraising for ISU!

Thank-A-Giver Day (TAG Day) is Monday, February 10. This day provides the IWU campus community with the opportunity to thank 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 we rely on support from alumni and friends, our endowment, and external grants.  

If you would like to be celebrated as a donor today, you can make a gift at iwu.edu/give. 

Dr. Kristina Dakis ’11 is a family physician at the Gibson Area Hospital who brings energy and enthusiasm in her daily roles as a practitioner of family medicine. She is a winner of many awards, including the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians President Award and the American Academy of Family Physicians Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education. Click here to read more about Kristina, and congratulations to her!

Monica Bullington ’11 won the Liz Larson Rising Leader Award during the Leaders of Distinction awards program on Oct. 10, 2019.  Monica was also a 20 Under 40 honoree which recognizes young professionals who are making a difference in their community.

Congratulations, Monica! Keep up the great work!

Emmy Grace ’11 presented “Free Trade in Central and North America: Agrarian Crises and Outward Migration,” at the Thought for Food in the Luso-Hispanic Transatlantic International Food Symposium, on March 29, 2019, at Illinois State University’s Eleanor Kong Conference Room at the Vrooman Center.

Jack Thornburg ’11and wife Melissa Thornburg have just welcomed a new baby, Avery Clare Thornburg!

Congratulations Jack and Melissa!