Category Archives: Alumni

Fraternity/Sorority Foundation Names Maeda ’01 First Chief Administrative Officer

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University and Sigma Kappa alumna Jenny Maeda has been named the first Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) Foundation.

Maeda, who graduated in 2001 with a bachelor of arts degree in math, was an active member of Sigma Kappa during her time at IWU. After graduation, she worked at the sorority’s National Headquarters in the operations and finance departments and went on to join Pursuant Charitable Partners as Account Manager and Program Director. In selecting her to fill the CAO position, members of the AFA Foundation were impressed with Maeda’s strong financial and administrative background as well as her passion for Greek life.

Titans Band Together to Help Japan

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The 8.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan on March 11, combined with the subsequent tsunami and nuclear reactor crisis it triggered, left in its wake thousands dead and nearly half a million homeless, according to CBSnews.com.

In the shadow of such devastating tragedy, the Illinois Wesleyan University community stepped up to the plate to provide hope and aid from the other side of the world. From on-site volunteer work to on-campus fundraising events, IWU alumni, faculty and students have spent the last few months doing all they can to bring relief to those affected by this year’s disasters.

“I am so close to everything that has happened, while lucky enough to be out of harm’s way,” said IWU alumna Margaret Kocher, ’09, who is currently teaching English in northern Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. “I got involved because I felt that I needed to help somehow.”

Attributing her leadership skills to her experience at IWU, Kocher said there was “no question” about whether she would contribute to relief efforts in the aftermath of the disasters. “The events in March, as horrible as they were, had many positive outcomes,” said Kocher. “I think the relations between the people of Japan and many foreigners working here have strengthened. Everyone is helping rebuild Japan, and it is beautiful.”

Ford ’68 Appointed to National Commission for UNESCO

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has appointed Barbara J. Ford, director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs and a professor at the library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, to the United States National Commission for UNESCO.

Ford, class of 1968, will serve a three-year term and represent the American Library Association (ALA), of which she is past-president.

“I am honored to serve my country in this capacity,” said Ford. “UNESCO objectives include attaining quality education for all and lifelong learning; fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace; and building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication. Libraries can play very important roles in these issues and connect other individuals and organizations working in these areas and I am pleased to be able to assist with this on the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO.”

The National Commission consists of 100 members who assist with global initiatives focused on communication, education, social science, natural science and culture. The Commission serves as a Federal advisory committee to the U.S. Government through the Department of the State. It works with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization, founded in 1945 to eradicate poverty, sustain development and promote an intercultural dialogue of peace.

Kindred ’63 Reflects on Journalism’s Golden Era and Changing Future

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Pulitzer Prize nominee Dave Kindred, ’63, returned to his alma mater last month to share five decades of journalism experience with Illinois Wesleyan students in the May Term course Editorial Writing and Reviewing.

An English major during his years at IWU, Kindred still recalls his days of sports editing for The Argus and working his way through school at the local newspaper, The Pantagraph. He has since become a legend in the sports journalism world, writing for respected newspapers The Louisville Courier-Journal and The Washington Post. Although Kindred received the 1991 Red Smith Award for lifetime achievement in sports journalism and was elected to the 2006 National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame, he regards his 1998 Illinois Wesleyan’s Distinguished Alumnus Award as one of the highlights of his life.

Kindred lived through the journalism revolution, witnessing the highs and lows throughout the years. “At The Washington Post, I wrote four or five times per week from everywhere in the world on every major sporting event, every time trying to make the column the best one I ever wrote,” said Kindred, a hopeless romantic for print journalism. “That era, the late ’70s to the late ’80s, was the newspaper world’s golden era, every newspaper flush with money and ambition. It was a great, great ride, perhaps never to happen again.”

The author of eight books, Kindred describes how the paper has changed with the digital age in his latest, “Morning Miracle: A Great Newspaper Fights for Its Life,” which provides an inside look at The Washington Post at the height of its glory.

University Board of Trustees Elects New Members

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan University Board of Trustees elected Trustees and a slate of officers at the May 24 annual meeting.

John Esch has been elected to the Board for the term expiring 2014. Esch, a 1979 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, has been a general and vascular surgeon in Bloomington-Normal since 1987. He has served as chief of staff and chief of surgery at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center and chief of surgery at Advocate BroMenn. He has also served as an Alumni Association Trustee from 2008-2011. Esch received his bachelor’s degree in biology from IWU and his doctor of medicine degree from South Illinois University School of Medicine in 1982.

Elected to the Board for the term expiring in 2013 is Richard M. King, II. King, a 1967 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, is the president and CEO of Kittleman and Associates, LLC, an executive search firm for not-for-profits, and is a founding member of the National Network of Nonprofit Search Consultants. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from IWU in 1967, and later earned master’s degrees in social work from Florida State University and in business administration from Dominican University, where he served as a trustee for 11 years. He serves on the Board of Directors of the First Nonprofit Insurance Companies and the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation.

Barbara J. Nathan has been elected as an Alumni Association Trustee. A 1980 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, Nathan has been the executive director of the Community Cancer Center and Foundation in Normal since 1996. She was named the 2009 Healthcare Executive of the Year by the American Academy of Medical Administrators. Nathan received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from IWU in 1980 and has served as president of the American College of Oncology Administrators Board, Community Cancer Center Board and the Leadership Illinois Advisory Board. She was named a YWCA Woman of Distinction in 1995.

Timothy J. Szerlong has been elected to the Board for the term expiring in 2014. Szerlong, a 1974 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, is president of Worldwide Field of Operations for the CNA Financial Corporation. He also served as senior vice president and an Eastern U.S. Field Operations Officer for The Chubb Corporation for 35 years. Szerlong received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from IWU and completed the advanced management program of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He has served on the board of directors with Inroads/Chicago Inc., the Sigma Chi Risk Management Foundation, and currently serves on the Midwest Board of Operation Hope.

Guenzler-Stevens ’78 to be Honored at Leadership Conference

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Marsha Guenzler-Stevens ’78, will receive a Women of Distinction Award from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education at the 26th annual National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). Presented each year at the conference, the Women of Distinction Awards recognize female role models who have made powerful contributions to their professions and communities.

The Women of Distinction Award will add to a string of honors earned by Guenzler-Stevens, director of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland, College Park. She has not only been named one of the University’s Women of Influence (1995) as well as Woman of the Year (2009), but also received various awards for her contributions to the school’s diversity, public service and mentoring initiatives.

“This award is really about my work in advancing women,” said Guenzler-Stevens, who will join over 100 women leaders the Women of Distinction Award has honored since its establishment in 1985. “It’s about helping people find their voice and use their passion to advance their dreams and enhance the community.”

Guenzler-Stevens, who graduated from IWU in 1978 with a bachelor of arts degree in biology, serves on both IWU’s Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors and is currently President of the Alumni Board. A founding member of the Council for IWU Women, she continues to be active in the organization and attributes her passion for leadership and activism to the intimate classroom environment and inspiring faculty members she encountered during her undergraduate experience at IWU.

Despite Challenges, Grelck ’09 Finds Great Rewards in Teaching

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – On Friday, April 29, Illinois Wesleyan alumna Amy Grelck ’09 bravely led her class into The Battle of the Books, a district-wide, literary trivia competition. The fifth graders from John Muir Literacy Academy (JMLA) of Hoffman Estates, Ill. fought valiantly and, in the end, emerged triumphant.

Grelck has been preparing her students for this victory all year in the Battle of the Books after-school reading club she established last year. The program, she notes, “got the kids motivated and excited about reading,” which would be considered a success by any teacher, but is especially meaningful for Grelck.

In the past, JMLA has struggled with students reading below grade level. Grelck, who is completing her second year at the elementary school, explains that this is common in schools like John Muir that have low-income, transient student populations. In fact, JMLA has a 20 percent mobility rate.

“This is challenging because children who move frequently are typically far behind in reading and math,” said Grelck, “I might work really hard with one of my students, but he or she will move before I get to see any real progress.”

Grimm ’11 Wins Fulbright Grant to Teach in Russia

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University graduate Geoffrey Grimm ’11 has been awarded a Fulbright grant to teach in Russia. His announcement marks the third awarding of a coveted Fulbright grant to an IWU senior or graduate this year.

“Fulbright program participants possess strong academic merit, great leadership potential a passion for exploring and resolving international concerns,” said Fulbright advisor and Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Christina Isabelli. “It is wonderful to have three students from Illinois Wesleyan to be chosen for this prestigious program.”

Operating in 150 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Envisioned by U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright in 1945, the program promotes a mutual understanding between people of the United States and other countries of the world. Since its inception, more than 100,000 Americans have studied, taught or researched abroad with the program.

Cinquegrani ’06 Becomes Wedding Planner Entrepreneur

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Stargrazer lilies, dendrobium orchids, duck-leg confit canapés, smoked salmon blini, cobalt, cerulean, cornflower or just plain blue – decisions, decisions, decisions. Many of us would be in a tailspin trying to choose the prettiest exotic flowers, the perfect color scheme or most delectable menu for an occasion. As the owner of a wedding planning business, alumna Joan (Teitelman) Cinquegrani ’06 diligently and excitedly plays the role of the decision maker. She is the calming and decisive voice for the stressed-out, busy or simply confused bride and groom.

Cinquegrani is the owner of Five Grain Events, a firm helping brides and grooms with the wedding planning process. Five Grain Events – derived from her married name Cinquegrani, which means five (cinque) grains (grani) in Italian – has taken on more than 30 couples as clients this year alone. In addition to managing an online wedding blog and two assistant consultants, Cinquegerani personally meets with each couple.

A vocal performance graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, Cinquegrani never anticipated being a business owner. “I had no idea that I even wanted my own business,” she said, “honestly, I never thought of myself as an entrepreneurial person.” A former development department associate at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Cinquegrani has been involved with event planning for a number of years. Even while attending IWU, she was attracted to event planning, coordinating Jazz Night, a fundraiser for the music fraternity Delta Omicron. “It was the fraternity’s first major fundraiser and my first start-to-finish event, from conception to execution,” said Cinquegrani while reminiscing about the performances in the Presser Hall courtyard, which included a silent auction.

Lyons ’08 Behind the Scenes at Tony Award-Winning Theater

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Chicago may be miles away from the Great White Way, but Illinois Wesleyan University alumna Marti Lyons learned on Tuesday that Tony can still come calling to the Windy City.

The 2008 alumna and theater major is the literary manager and dramaturg for the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago, which was bestowed a Tony Award® for Regional Theatre. The Tony was announced Tuesday morning, along with the Tony nominations for Broadway shows.

“Everyone here is ecstatic. There’s no other way to put it,” said Lyons, who has worked for the theater since August of 2010. “There is such a value on collaborative work here, and respect for each other’s work, that it really feels as though we can all celebrate.”

This isn’t the first Tony-award winning regional theater for which Lyons has worked. In the past, she has worked with the Steppenwolf Theatre and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where she was an assistant director for a production of As You Like It last year. She remains active in directing, taking the helm of the Chicago premiere of José Rivera’s Brainpeople last November for the Urban Theater Company in Chicago.

IWU News Blog

Headlines From Illinois Wesleyan University