MacNewsFALL/WINTER 2014

THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF MACMURRAY COLLEGE

VOLUME 35, NUMBER 1

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MacNews StaffEditor: Rikki Langan ‘11Graphic Designer: Marcy Jones ‘14Contributors: Joanne Ford John Honnen Michelle McClure Bridget Phillips Spencer Pratt ‘14 Ted Roth Karin Zosel

Printed by Production Press, Jacksonville, IL

On the CoverParade Marshall Merritta “Margi” Novell Florence, ’54 waves during the 2014 Homecoming Parade. Mrs. Florence, MacMurray’s first African-American graduate, received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993 and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1996. She retired in 2004, after 50 years at the Des Moines, IA, public schools. The Merritta Norvell Florence Scholarship was established in 1994. For more information about this scholarship see the envelope insert.

IN THIS ISSUE

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A Letter from the President

Study Abroad: Africa

Family DynamicsJeff Davidsmeyer ‘85

Across Campus

Homecoming

A Celebration of SuccessHighlander Points of Excellence

At the Center of the StormMacMurray alumna tracks Ebola outbreak

College Refocuses AcademicsRecent Alumni Gatherings

New Alumni DirectorWelcoming Rikki Langan ‘11

Alumni Notes

The Alumni mAgAzine of mAcmurrAy college

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MacNews is published twice yearly by the Office of Institutional Advancement and is mailed free of charge to MacMurray alumni and friends of the College.CorrespondencePossible story ideas and Alumni Notes are welcome and should be sent to:

MacMurray CollegeOffice of Alumni Services 447 East College Avenue Jacksonville, IL 62650 alumni@mac.edu

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Dr. Colleen HesterPresident

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

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Dear alumni and friends,

Greetings to each of you, members of our MacMurray College family. The MacMurray Homecoming Weekend is fresh in my mind and in my heart, our annual “family reunion” with all the traditions, festivities, connections, and shared values characteristic of family reunions.

We connect. Members of 13 anniversary classes from the class of 1949 through the class of 2009 came home; our 50th anniversary class of 1964 (a group of incredible talent and an impressive track record of achievement) had an outstanding attendance. Thanks to each of you who “came home.”

We catch up and create new memories together. Alumni and friends caught up with one another, sharing information about weddings, births, career news, and important personal stories. Many alumni were able to tour campus and catch up on MacMurray news, taking a ride in the new elevator in MacMurray Hall, seeing the MacMurray Hall first floor transformation.

We look ahead, anticipating the next shared time. Please hold the dates for next year’s Homecoming activities on the weekend of Oct. 9-11, 2015.

It is with both sadness and a sense of opportunity that I have announced my resignation as President of MacMurray College and its acceptance by the Board of Trustees at the end of May 2015. My eight years with MacMurray represent a full and enriching period for both me and my husband. I have been honored to serve as your president, and MacMurray College will always hold an elevated and special place in my mind and in my heart.

Leaders and institutions can profit from change when the time is ready, and we are in such a period. Since the fall of 2007, MacMurray College has achieved enhanced financials; advanced educational and administrative technology; made significant strides in institutional effectiveness and accreditation; improved the campus infrastructure; documented increased student satisfaction; expanded educational delivery options; and refined academic offerings to position the College to grow enrollment. The College is in an improved position to engage in a successful search for its 16th president. I love MacMurray and its people, and this departure brings real sadness as well as opportunity.

With gratitude and warm regards,

MacMurray College Board of Trustees

Ms. Nancy Carson Berst ’69Mr. John Blythe ‘74Ms. Lisa Sappenfield BoyerMr. Robert Clary ‘80Mr. Jeff Davidsmeyer ‘85Ms. Kay Laub Davidsmeyer ‘75Mr. Ernie Downey Mr. David Ekin ‘77Mr. John EythRev. Beth Gallegly Fender ‘91Mr. Richard FreemanDr. Judith Dozier Hackman ‘63Mr. Bill Hembree ‘81Dr. Colleen HesterMr. Bob Hill ‘76Mr. Ray Jast ‘69Bishop Jonathan KeatonMr. Brent Kizer ‘77Ms. Carole Lyon McKinney ‘66Mr. John Nicolay ‘90Mr. Charles O’Connell ‘69Ms. Katie Richardson Petrikin ‘77Rev. Steve PichaskeMs. Cathy Horn Randall ‘69Mr. Jim Rayburn ‘71Dr. Michael Royer ‘91Mr. Mark Sanders ‘82Mr. David Searby Jr. ‘96Dr. Pamela Plab Smith ‘72Ms. Debbie Trueblood ‘99Dr. Amy Martin Waschull ‘95Ms. Sandy Watson ‘72

Lifetime Trustees

Ms. Josephine Krussell Bennington ‘58Dr. Frank BixbyDr. Chet BoneMs. Louise Krussell Bone ‘56Dr. Dolores Buchler ‘57Dr. Allen Croessmann ‘68Dr. Howard Curtis ‘65Rev. Dr. Howard DaughenbaughMs. Millie DealMs. Pat Doyle-Grace ‘66Ms. Lois Ingels Freeman ‘49Mr. Bob FreesenMs. Marva GreenMs. Betty Overbey Hamm ‘47Mr. David Hart ‘69Mr. Howard HaynieDr. Jim HendersonDr. Bob Kellogg ‘68Ms. Joan Carlson Long ‘58Mr. Tim Mlsna ‘69Mr. Russ Patton ‘66Dr. Bill SpringerMs. Peggy Smith Sudbrink ‘49Dr. Ray Thompson ‘61Ms. Kathryn ThomsonMr. John Austin Van Hook ‘64Mr. Dick Ware

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two faculty members visiting wildlife reserves and other sites in each country. They expected to see and meet new people from a world far different than their own in a country over 7,000 miles away.

In preparation for the trip to Africa, students took a course in the spring to learn about different conservation efforts in the areas they were visiting. Then, in Africa, students would teach one of four projects: waste management, dams, fair trade initiatives or beekeeping to students in Africa.

The lack of beekeeping and the death of bee hives in Africa has been causing problems with the environment. While presenting information on the topic, the group of MacMurray students were told of an American, Derek Marin, practicing

beekeeping work nearby. The group traveled to meet Marin,

and while they discussed beekeeping and different efforts to restore beekeeping in Africa, they discovered Marin was not only from Illinois, but from Jacksonville. Marin attended Illinois College and is working as a member of the Peace Corps. “It was kind of crazy to meet someone halfway across the world from the same town.” said Breanna Walton ’15, a senior in biology and psychology. The group donated money to help Marin buy supplies for his efforts.

The surprises did not stop there. The group went on numerous other explorations and safaris to study the ecology and environment of the area and, along the way, were introduced to far different cultures and ways of life than what they were used to.

One decidedly non-academic incident left a vibrant memory for many from the group. While on a safari, some of the students had a close meeting with a “very protective male giraffe, when we got too close to his pregnant female,” said Derek Crouch ’14, a biology graduate.

“I never thought this would be an issue,” Crouch continued, “but I think it’s going to be difficult to forget being chased by a giraffe.” Walton added, “Of all the animals we would encounter on the trip, I never thought I would be most fearful of a giraffe.”

All students had different stories to tell, and all were amazed by what they saw. Each of the students said they would recommend a study-abroad trip to anyone. Walton put it best, exclaiming, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

AFRICAStudy Abroad:

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MacMurray College’s 2014 study abroad trip focused on the ecology and environment of Gambia and Senegal last summer, with nine students and

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Captions:1. Biology major Derek Crouch ’14 meets a

92-year-old marabou, or traditional medicine man, at the Makasutu (holy forest) Culture Forest in Gambia.

2. Study abroad members, with Prof. Dr. Christy Wolovich, third from left, and a guide, far left, pose at the Fathala Nature Reserve in Senegal.

3. The group takes a boat ride at the Gambia River National Park.

4. MacMurray students present conservation research to an elementary school class in Gambia.

5. The group visits a slave house in Jangjangbureh, a hub of the slave trade to America, on the Gambia River.

6. Rochelle McElroy ’14, biology and philosophy and religion major, climbs a palm tree using traditional methods in Makasutu Culture Forest in Gambia. A

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After 26 years in the company, Jeff Davidsmeyer ’85 is well aware of the ups and downs of a family business. In fact, he’s become an international expert on the topic, addressing the International Family Enterprise Research Academy (IFERA) in Lappeenranta, Finland, at its annual conference on the “Dynamics of a Family Business.”

During his time at MacMurray, Davidsmeyer developed a passion for learning. He majored in music and recalled teachers like Richard Hanson, a music professor, who instilled that passion with his unique and interesting style of teaching. At MacMurray, Davidsmeyer had the opportunity to give elementary students piano lessons, his first experience teaching. “I think MacMurray made me a well-rounded individual and helped me to continue to improve myself,” Davidsmeyer stated.

He went on to say that, because of MacMurray, “I became a lifelong learner.” That drive to learn continues

today, as Davidsmeyer recently completed his MBA in spring 2014 at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

After a few years teaching music in the nearby Meredosia School District, Davidsmeyer entered his family’s business, Illinois Road Contractors (IRC) in 1988. “The time was right,” he said, and, in 2007, he took over as president of IRC. IRC’s main work is road construction and related businesses, but his family’s business has always looked for other opportunities, due to the ups and downs associated with road work. In 2004, the company started Tarps Manufacturing Inc., which makes heavy-duty construction tarps. Their tarps have been used for work on the Brooklyn Bridge and the Freedom Tower, both in New York City, as well as other locations across the country.

Davidsmeyer spoke about the challenges of transferring management from generation to generation in his speech at the IFERA conference last summer in Finland, a

FAMILY DYNAMICS

Jeff Davidsmeyer ‘85

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

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thorny problem for family businesses. He, along with several cousins, is the third generation running IRC, and “A family business lasting from the third generation to the fourth generation drops to about 3 percent,” he said. The transition is one of the many pitfalls for family businesses, but one the family is determined to overcome.

Since his trip to Finland, Davidsmeyer has enjoyed several other speaking engagements, including guest lectures at both Bradley University and the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Davidsmeyer has been able to give back to MacMurray in many ways. His musical ability was recently on display as he and other MacMurray friends played for this year’s Alumni Reception during Homecoming Weekend. He is also a founding member of the New Goat Ensemble, and plays keyboards in other local bands. Davidsmeyer and his wife, Teresa, played in the Bennington Lobby in the Putnam-Springer Center in 2012 when they

released their latest album, Takin’ Our Time. Some of the proceeds from the event went to the Highlander Points of Excellence Campaign, which recently helped to complete the renovation of MacMurray Hall.

His continued commitment to MacMurray has always been evident, and he continues today, serving on the Board of Trustees for the College.

FAMILY DYNAMICS

Captions for photos:Top center: The Brooklyn Bridge in New York, NY, using a tarp from Tarps Manufacturing, Inc., during renovation work.Top right: Jeff Davidsmeyer with other speakers and two students (center) from the Hamburg Institute of Family Owned Business during the IFERA conference in Finland.Middle right: The home offices of IRC in Jacksonville, IL.Bottom right: A quartet led by Jeff Davidsmeyer ’85 and wife, Teresa, guitarist Trustee John Blythe ’74 (not pictured) and bassist Rob Killam ’81 entertain guests at the alumni reception during Homecoming 2014.

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MacMurray was selected as a College of Distinction for 2014-15. The designation, by the organization of the same name, seeks to identify colleges in the country that provide the best atmosphere for students to learn, grow, and succeed.

To assess these factors, Colleges of Distinction engaged in evaluative interviews with President Colleen Hester and Provost James Maxwell to learn more about MacMurray College, and reviewed institutional metrics and data and assessed other sources of information, such as the MacMurray website.

ACROSS CAMPUS

Athletics wins first SLIAC service awardThe MacMurray College Athletic Department

and the MacMurray Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) were awarded the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (SLIAC) inaugural SLIAC-SAAC Community Service Award during the third annual SLIAC Awards Banquet held at the St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton, MO, in May.

In a competition against the nine other conference schools, the Highlanders earned the award by collecting the most canned food items and cash

donations throughout the 2013-14 academic year. The Athletic Department held the collections at select fall, winter and spring athletic contests.

“This award is a result of a group effort by our Student-Athletic Advisory Council, our athletic department staff, our generous faculty and staff, and all those who made donations on behalf of Highlander athletics,” said Athletic Director Scott McClure. “We set the standard in the first year of this service project, and we’re going to work even harder next year to make sure that trophy stays at MacMurray College.”

MacMurray College, which was in second place after the fall and winter collection dates, took the lead after the spring collection date with 1,076 cans collected during the year. All of the donated food was delivered to the Jacksonville Area Community Food Center for distribution

College’s quality recognized

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SAccording to Colleges of Distinction, the organization

identifies colleges that are nationally recognized by educational professionals as excellent institutions, are strongly focused on teaching undergraduates, employ a wide variety of innovative learning experiences, have many opportunities for students’ personal development, and are valued by graduate schools and employers for outstanding preparation.

The annual listing of Colleges of Distinction, including information about each college, is

available online.

to needy families in the area. The SLIAC conference collected 4,237 cans during the food drive.

The Highlanders were presented with a traveling trophy, which is on display at MacMurray throughout the 2014-15 season. This year, with an eye to keeping the traveling trophy for another year and making good on McClure’s

promise, the Highlanders outraced the rest of the conference and their own efforts when they donated an equivalent in cash and food equaling 1,122 cans collected during the fall 2014, well on their way to reaching their goal of 2,000 donated in 2014-15. The closest SLIAC competitor was Westminster College with 370 cans donated to its local food pantry in the fall.

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Provost James Maxwell issued his first Provost Challenge this fall to students: a faculty-staff vs. student softball game on the Palmer Softball Field in September, with drinks, hot dogs and fierce competition provided.

Despite an all-star faculty-staff lineup that included James “Mad Max” Maxwell, Eric “The Hammer” Berg, Joseph “The Godfather” Squillace, Steve “The Big O” Oberg and John “Full Count” Bolinger, the students won handily 15-10 in the “mush ball” contest.

ACROSS CAMPUS

MacMurray College’s JoEllen Brannan ’87, professor of nursing and chair of the Division of Nursing, received a Certificate of Reviewing Excellence from the editors of Nursing Outlook, a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal

published bi-monthly by the American Academy of Nurses.

Dr. Brannan, who has been reviewing articles for publication in Nursing Outlook for about 10

years, reviews about four to five articles per year as part of the group of reviewers who screen articles for publication in the journal.

The honor is in recognition of Dr. Brannan’s hard work and contribution to the publication of scientific and medical research, and is awarded to only a few reviewers each year.

Dr. Brannan has been teaching at the College since 1989. She received her master’s in nursing from St. Louis University and her Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Missouri - St. Louis.

Brannan honoredby nursing magazine

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Laura Wells ’14, of Meredosia, IL, presented a research paper at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association’s 28th annual conference, held in Indianapolis, IN, in October.

Her research, “Treating Combat Veterans with PTSD

Using Group-Based Exposure Therapy” began in a nursing research course taught by Nursing Prof. Kelly Ruppel and continued with Georgine Berent, also a professor of nursing, who co-presented the work in Indianapolis.

Wells, who graduated in May from MacMurray College’s Nursing Program with Honors in Nursing, was awarded the 2013

Nightingale Award, the program’s highest honor. She was nominated by her classmates and selected by the nursing faculty.

Recent graduate presents paper

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Provost challenges students

The game was enlivened by rules liberally embellished by both teams, in apparent attempts to see what umpire R.J. Stewart would let them get away with, which was pretty much anything anybody wanted.

The game attracted about 25 players on each team and about 100 spectators. The trophy is on display in the Gamble Student Center until the rematch.

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THIS IS

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Homecoming Saturday 2014 opened foggy and cool, but by mid-morning the day had turned into an October lover’s delight -- perfect weather for a parade, athletic events and get-togethers across campus. MacMurray College truly became Highlander Country.

Current students kicked off the week of Homecoming festivities with a lively game of laser tag in Wall Gymnasium (1). There was also Trivia Night at McClelland Dining Hall (2), a Powder-puff football game (3) and two volleyball matches, one a rousing, come-from-behind victory against crosstown Illinois College (4). Making the victory even sweeter was the purpose of the match – a fundraising benefit that raised nearly $3,000 for the fight against breast cancer.

Homecoming Weekend officially kicked off with the traditional torchlight parade (5) and pep rally on Friday night. The rally announced the Homecoming court (6) and provided spirit-raising fun and games (7), including inter-squad scrimmages by the 2014-15 men’s and women’s basketball teams. More for alumni tastes, perhaps, was the informal gathering at Bahan’s in Jacksonville that evening, an annual event sponsored by the Alumni Association Board.

The Michalson Monster 5K Run/Walk started in a dense fog Saturday morning with approximately 60 runners (8). As the awards ceremony for the Run/Walk wrapped up, the parade formed across campus, and President Colleen Hester welcomed alumni and friends to a pre-parade breakfast reception in the Bennington Lobby at the Putnam/Springer Center (9).

The 2014 Homecoming Parade was led by Parade Marshal Merritta “Margi” Norvell Florence ’54, the College’s first African-American graduate, who was a public school teacher and librarian in Des Moines, IA, for 50 years (10). She headed up a parade of over 75 participants, with a strong MacMurray contingent of clubs (11), teams, organizations and reunion classes, all led by the bagpipers and drummers of the St. Andrews Society of Central Illinois Pipes and Drums.

After the parade, student organizations offered delectables from an array of booths in the central campus (12), where alumni gathered to grab lunch, renew old ties and make new ones (13). The day’s athletic contests began there as well, with the women’s soccer team notching a victory over Eureka College (14). The men’s soccer team also beat Eureka (15), but Crown College prevented a sweep for the day when the Highlander football squad lost a heartbreaker that afternoon (16).

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For the not-so-athletically inclined, Robert Seufert (17), professor emeritus of English Literature and Theatre, entertained a tent full of alumni and friends with a poetry reading of his work during the soccer and football games.

Beginning with the football pre-game show, when Donna Adams Stare ’82 sang the National Anthem (18), MacMurray musicians punctuated the Homecoming festivities. That evening at the alumni reception (20) at McClelland Dining Hall, the 130 attendees were entertained by a quartet led by Trustee Jeff Davidsmeyer ’85 and wife, Teresa, guitarist Trustee John Blythe ’74 and bassist Rob Killam ’81 (pictured on page 5).

After the reception, alumni moved to the comfortable and intimate Thoresen Recital Hall at the Putnam/Springer Center for the Alumni Association’s awards ceremony. Capt. Karen Lando DiRenzo ’84 was presented with the Distinguished Career Award, Jani Koopman Flynn ’64 received the Distinguished Alumni

Award, Patricia Cowan Stansfield ’79 the Community Service Award, Steven Taylor ’04 the Young Alumni Award; and the Athletic Hall of Fame inducted basketball player Mike Zimmers ’71, soccer player Laura Roth Benjamin ’97, and football players Keith Williams ’00 and Peter Ereg ’05 (21, right to left).

The Highlander musical accompaniment continued at the awards ceremony, when Betty Overbey Hamm ’47 (19) played piano to accompany a singing by staff member Joanne Ford of “By Stately Elms” and “Hail to MacMurray.”

Then, on Sunday morning, former Director of Music Terri Wooldridge Benz ’83 provided music and accompanied soloist Lisa Templeton Rigoni ’88 (22) at the traditional Worship Service, led by College Chaplain Jean Hembrough (23).

The service brought the 2014 MacMurray Homecoming soundtrack to an end, but the echoes call all Highlanders to Homecomings to come. So, mark your calendars now for the 2015 Homecoming, scheduled for Oct. 9-11, 2015!

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To see more photos and videos visit www.mac.edu/homecoming.8

CLASS REUNION PHOTOS

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CelebrationA OFSuccess

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The Highlander Points of Excellence Campaign, a fundraising campaign driven by the MacMurray College Board of Trustees, was successfully completed just as the 2013-2014 school year came to a close. All the projects outlined within the Campaign were carried out thanks to the generous support of MacMurray benefactors and friends.

Inspired by a challenge from Trustee and alumnus Russ Patton ‘66, the Board of Trustees established the Highlander Points of Excellence Campaign in 2011. This multiyear campaign raised funds to support immediate needs of the College in the areas of academic excellence, infrastructure enhancements for student recruitment, engagement and retention, and an investment in faculty and staff.

Students now enjoy modern, comfortable furniture throughout the Campus Center; furniture in the common areas of all the dorms; study nooks and seating areas throughout MacMurray Hall; and a multi-media support center in the Library. The faculty is appreciative of the upgrades to the offices that are first impressions for prospective students and their families, particularly the athletic, education, business, and criminal justice offices.

Campaign efforts, led by Campaign co-chairs and College trustees Nancy Carson ’69 Berst and Ray Jast ’69, also contributed to the renovation of the first floor of MacMurray Hall with state-of-the-art classrooms and the upgrade of the original bathrooms into fully accessible men’s and women’s restrooms. One of the greatest projects in Mac Hall, thanks to a capital projects grant from the State of Illinois, was the construction of an elevator, making the most historic building on campus fully accessible on all three floors.

A plaque now hanging in the Campus Center recognizes and publically thanks the many individuals and families whose generous gifts to the Highlander Points of Excellence Campaign have transformed lives. The faculty, staff and student body of MacMurray College extend their appreciation to the donors who contributed to the success of this Campaign (list on page 14).

Interested in seeing some of the exciting projects made possible through HPEC? Staff members would love to give you a campus tour. Feel free to reach out to the Office of Institutional Advancement to set up your tour today – 217-479-7024 or development@mac.edu.

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$200,000 Russell Patton ‘66 With gratitude for your vision, inspiration and enduring support of MacMurray College faculty, staff and students. $50,000 Ray ‘69 and ML Jast $20,000 - $49,999David ‘68 and Nancy Carson ‘69 Berst Dr. Cheuk-Kin Chau ‘62Dr. Allen ‘68 and Nancy Teel ‘69 Croessmann John Blythe ‘74 and Jane DenesRobert ‘76 and Jean Hofmann ’80 Hill Joan Carlson Long ‘58Timothy ‘69 and Kathryn Mlsna The Honorable Larry ‘66 and Carole Lyon ‘66 McKinney Charles ‘69 and Dr. Jody VerSteegh ‘69 O’Connell$10,000 - $19,999Judith Akers ‘66Catherine BarnumJames and Kaye BrunerGratia Coultas Jeffrey ‘85 and Teresa DavidsmeyerErnest and Helen DowneyPatricia Doyle-Grace ‘66 David Ekin ‘77Dr. Judith Dozier Hackman ‘63Greg ‘71 and Terri HummelKen ‘70 and Sue KozelkaChristopher Lu and Kathryn ThomsonJohn Nicolay ‘90Kathleen Richardson ‘77 and J. Ronald PetrikinCatherine Horn ‘69 and Robert RandallMichael Royer ‘91Jessie Clark Schirding ‘41William and Gayle SpringerSandra Watson ‘72 and Terry Cullen$5,000 - $9,999Tim ‘68 and Sara Claussen ‘70 CampbellHoward ‘65 and Cathy CurtisKay Laub ‘75 and Devon Davidsmeyer Harmon and Millie DealDr. Paul and Amy Decker Dr. Daniel ‘70 and Susan Plummer ‘72 Doyle Richard and Tina FreemanDr. Colleen Hester and Dr. Jerry OsborneSanford MartinDr. Andy ‘69 and Jill Wherry ‘69 Onderdonk Rammelkamp Bradney, P.C.William Stanton ‘72Jeff and Sheri Stauffer ‘89Margareta Smith Sudbrink ‘49

$1,000 - $4,999The Rev. Christopher ‘67 and Mary Pearce ‘67 Barker Dr. Chet and Louise Krussell ‘56 BoneGrant and Lisa Sappenfield BoyerRebecca Carr-Stith ‘69William ‘64 and Carol Celander Bob ‘80 and Alisa Bailey ‘79 ClaryCharles and Karen CooleyWendy Freeman Easton ‘81 Dr. Ed EckerJohn and Linda EythJoan Fagerburg ‘61Mary Beth Foldi ‘68, In memory of Bill Foldi ‘65 Lois Ingels Freeman ‘49Margaret Miller Freeman ‘48Charles Freiberger ‘71Avalon Marcum Gibson ‘62, In memory of David C. Gibson ‘62 Dr. Larry Gibson ‘77Betty Overbey Hamm ‘47David ‘69 and Lisa Hart Dr. A. James and Conway HendersonGary Henning ‘69Matt ‘00 and Nichole Sellergren ‘99 HeyenGeorge ‘65 and Mary Southwell ‘66 Jackson Jacksonville Noon Kiwanis ClubBettina Azman Johnson ‘74Brent Kizer ‘77Robert ‘62 and Marlene Meyer ‘61 Koeller Ellen Green ‘67 and Jerry KuroghlianSammy Carithers Little ‘66 Robert and Jackie LooserJulie Bruce ‘58 and Jack Lutz Mark and Lynndel MessmoreNancy Tribble ‘77 and Michael Parks Col. James Pettitt ‘61Marina Chiames Phelps ‘58James Rayburn ‘71Joyce Bridwell ‘66 and Don SchwegelDr. Pamela Plab ‘72 and Jerome SmithState Farm Companies Foundation Stephen Swigart ‘66Dr. Raymond ‘61 and Dr. Louise Rintelmann ‘60 ThompsonDeborah Trueblood ‘99 and Tom WalkerJohn Austin Van Hook ‘64Dr. Amy Martin Waschull ‘95 Dr. Gordon Wendlandt ‘61Under $1,000AnonymousRev. Gary Bass ‘61Christina Benoit ‘10Carol Richards Bertrand ‘72Jeremiah Black ‘68Alice Botkin ‘67

Kathleen BrinkmanDr. David and Judi CamaioneDr. Cheryl Carlton-Deal ‘94Carol Hauser Christensen ‘02Jennifer Curran ‘97Eric Dahlberg ‘68Virginia DavidsmeyerBruce Dean Leon and Janice DeanLyndon and Mildred Dean Floy J. EkinLance ‘67 and Susan Ames ‘69 Elliott Rev. Michael ‘83 and Rev. Elizabeth Gallegly ‘91 Fender Mason Finks ‘68Margaret Shafer Fuller ‘66Debbie Lynch Greenslit ‘72Dr. Jasper Gulotta ‘71Burnell ‘79 and Kathryn Dalton ‘80 HackmanDr. Brenda Hayes ‘66Howard HaynieBetty Welch Irvin ‘55John ‘81 and Julie Humm ‘81 JastPatricia KapsarBishop Jonathan Keaton Nick ‘67 and Nancy Worthley ‘67 KernVirginia Kyndberg ‘66Dr. Wayne and Dr. Phyllis LangSharon Burchett Mather ‘04Roxann Fleury Mayros Nathan MessmoreBarry Minx ‘79Susan Bennett Moore ‘68Kent Morgan ‘69Deborah DeNardi Musser ‘72Dr. Brenda Norcross ‘71Christopher ‘14 and Bridget PhillipsDr. C. Stuart Robertshaw ‘65Dr. Ken ‘83 and Lisa Demaree ‘84 Runkle Jim Samuel ‘70Dr. Wayne Schurter ‘68David Searby, Jr. ‘96Verena Hawkins Somer ‘76Gary Stephens ‘78Kara Tibbs ‘11Arthur ‘66 and Merlene Gee ‘66 Treuhaft Linda TsoutsourisMark Vaughan ‘72 Dr. John Wakefield ‘69C. Edwin Waters ‘66G. Thomas West ‘69Nancy West ‘77Thomas West ‘69Michele Pionke Weber ‘67Rev. Thomas Wilber ‘72Craig Witt ‘01Lt. Col. Paul Witthoeft ‘68Ed Wright ‘66In honor of Allen Croessmann ‘68, Past Chairman of the Board

Celebration OFDONORSA

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CENTER of the STORMAt the

As the Ebola outbreak gathered steam in West Africa this summer, Anne Purfield ’99 was near its epicenter, working to control its spread.

Dr. Purfield, the 2009 MacMurray College Young Alumni Award recipient, graduated from MacMurray summa cum laude, with a double major in chemistry and biology, is now a health scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and began at the CDC as a “disease detective,” investigating outbreaks with the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service.

Her work this summer was as difficult as it gets – or at least she hopes so. When she arrived in August in Kenema, Sierra Leone, 20 nurses at the hospital had already died from Ebola. Nearly all the people there who were trained to draw blood had died as well.

M a c M u r r a y a l u m n a t r a c k s E b o l a o u t b r e a kM a c M u r r a y a l u m n a t r a c k s E b o l a o u t b r e a k

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Purfield’s work was complicated immeasurably by the deaths of so many health care professionals. “It’s hard to get complete, accurate information wherever you go, even in the U.S.,” she said, “but when a substantial proportion of the doctors and nurses died, nobody writes anything down for three weeks.”

On top of that, the medical staff still working was “grieving their family members who have died, colleagues who have died, and they haven’t had a day off in months,” Purfield continued. “I could spend four hours trying to find out whether one patient lived or died.”

To try to gather the information she needed, “I spent a lot of time working with the nurses, trying to gain their trust,” Purfield said. “I did a lot of trying to listen to them, trying to do things that would make their lives a little easier.”

While the work was made difficult enough by the disruption in the medical records, the emotional toll made the job so much worse. During Purfield’s time there, the staff at the Kenema clinic would bury 10-20 people a day, many without names or histories; one day, they buried five children without identities.

“You couldn’t help but make friends there” with the people spraying chlorine on boots

and clothing or helping in the wards, the doctors and the nurses who were treating the sick and dying, and “for some of us, we lost people,” Purfield said.

Yet, despite the emotional toll her month in Sierra Leone took, “I want to go back,” Purfield said. “You meet people, you form bonds. You want to make sure people are OK. It’s your work, and you don’t want to leave it unfinished.”

Her MacMurray education, she says, helped her in several ways. First was the science. With the help of such teachers as Nadine Szczepanski, professor of Chemistry, she got an excellent grounding in the basics. “Nadine worked really hard,” Purfield said. “You understand the concepts really well, because it was easy to talk to someone when you didn’t understand a concept.”

The people skills she learned at MacMurray helped her talk with all sorts of patients. It helped to be on a campus where she came into contact with people with a wide variety of interests and abilities. “It was nice to have friends who were education majors and in social work,” she said. Explaining her studies to them “made it easier to explain the technical aspects of what I do” to the patients and other non-specialists.

Captions for photos: Previous page: Many of the sick traveled for medical help to Kenema, where Purfield was stationed, along this main road from the Kailahun District, which borders Guinea and Liberia and was one of the first areas where the Ebola virus emerged. (Lindsay Stark photo) Above: Purfield served for a month at the walled hospital in Kenema; the compound can be glimpsed through its green gates. (Leasmhar photo)Top left: Workers spray down every one who enters the Kenema Hospital with chlorine. (Luigi Baldelli photo)Top center: The Kenema Clinic’s Ebola isolation ward, seen from the roof of Purfield’s office, is “isolated” with white sheeting. (CDC photo)Top right: Purfield’s formal CDC portrait.Bottom right: Purfield (left to right) and fellow CDC epidemic intelligence service officers Melissa Rolfes and Michelle Dynes pose for a photo taken by their driver in Kenema, Sierra Leone, in September, on their last day together after spending a month tracking the spread of Ebola.

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Anne Purfield’s job is not to treat diseases, but, as an epidemiologist, to work backwards from today’s sick to figure out where a disease started and how it is spreading, so it can be contained.

Before going to Africa, Purfield worked on other outbreaks in the United States. The first was shortly after she took the job in 2012, when she managed the Emergency Operations Center at the CDC working on a meningitis outbreak that became the largest in U.S. history, with some 14,000 patients exposed to a contaminated steroid from a compounding pharmacy. She also investigated an outbreak of fungal infections.

Before joining the CDC, Purfield worked for four years with the Food and Drug Administration, reviewing a variety of anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial drugs. Her Ph.D. in Microbology and Immunology was from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also did her post-doctoral work.

M o r e a b o u t A n n eM o r e a b o u t A n n e

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College re-focuses academics MacMurray to phase out programs, pursue new majors

MacMurray College has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to preparing graduates with a quality education and supporting personal and professional success. We continue to affirm and enhance the shared legacy of a MacMurray education — a strong, general education that develops students’ critical thinking and effective communication skills, a foundation characterized by ethical, global, and diverse perspectives.

At the October meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the changes to support student preparation and the growth and health of MacMurray College. The decisions were based on results from an academic task force of faculty, facilitated by Provost James Maxwell and including several trustees. The charge of the task force was to make recommendations about majors and relevant academic programs, considering student professional placement, program sustainability, and enrollment growth. The task force considered market trends, student interests, and employment needs, as well as direct and indirect costs, break-even data. The Academic Prioritization Initiative was not intended to eliminate programs or faculty positions, although ultimately it was understood that this might occur. Based on extensive evidence and internal and external data, the task force focused its recommendations on all

programs of study.Ten programs with low enrollment, low interest among

prospective students, and lower marketplace demands will be eliminated: Chemistry minor; Educational Studies, Elementary Education, English, History, Liberal Studies, Music minor, Philosophy/Religion, Physical Education, and Spanish. Students currently enrolled in these programs have the opportunity to complete their degrees expiditiously. However, no new students will be admitted to these programs. Current full-time faculty are expected to be retained; no layoffs are planned.

The College is actively evaluating new majors with strong market alignment related to both prospective student interest and with projected, professional workforce needs in the region. New programs will be announced soon, require further approvals, and are expected to be offered by fall 2015.

“Our Academic Program Prioritization of all existing programs was essential to enable a successful focus on the institution’s mission, resources, 21st century education, with knowledge and skills, for effective living and for professional placement and success,” said Maxwell, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs and Student Life.

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SWEET POTATOES CONCERT: The Office of Alumni Service hosted a concert featuring The Sweet Potatoes with Rick Hall ’81, Laura Hall and Kelly Macleod. The well attended concert was held on campus in Bailey Auditorium on Sept. 29. After the concert, guests gathered to meet the members of The Sweet Potatoes and enjoyed sweet potato fries and lemonade.

CHICAGO: Don and Joyce Bridwell ’66 Schwegel hosted an event on Dec. 16 at their home in downtown Chicago, IL.

RECENTgatherings

ALUMNI VOLLEYBALL GAME: The Athletics Department sponsored the Annual Alumnae Volleyball games on Aug. 22. Sixteen alumnae played each other and even had the chance to take on current members of the Highlander volleyball team. The tournament-style, 25 minute games were held in Wall Gymnasium. Following the games a social was held at Northridge Hills.

We look forward to seeing you at a future

MacMurray College event!

KANSAS CITY: A Kansas City gathering was held at the home of Sammy Carithers ’66 Little with co-host John Austin Van Hook ’64 on Aug. 1. Approximately 15 alumni attended the event.

VIRGINIA: Members of the class of 1958 gathered in Herndon, VA, for a mini-class reunion the weekend of Oct. 16-19. Betty Lawson ’58 Walters helped to gather approximately a dozen of her classmates to reminisce of their time together at the College.

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Have you already included a bequest in your will or created another planned gift to benefit our work? Consider adding one of the following gift options that can help you begin to see the impact of your support today.

Cash gift—Make a gift of cash this year and benefit from an income tax deduction.

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Contact us to learn more about blended giving options.

MacMurray CollegeInstitutional Advancement447 East College AvenueJacksonville, IL 62650(217) 479-7024http://www.mac.edu/alumni_giving/

Meet the new director of Alumni Services at MacMurray College, Rikki Jenkins ’11 Langan. Here are some interesting facts about Rikki:•Graduated from MacMurray College in 2011.•Double-majored in sport management and educational studies,

with an emphasis in physical education. • Lived in Norris House, Michalson House and Jane Hall.•A three-sport athlete in volleyball, golf and softball.•Was named first team all-conference in softball her junior year. •Worked as an Admissions Counselor at MacMurray prior to

becoming the director of Alumni Services on Sept. 1, 2014.•Working towards her master’s degree in higher education.

“I cannot express how excited I am to grow my love for MacMurray College by helping alumni and friends stay connected to each other and to the College. MacMurray holds a special place in my heart, and I truly value the experience and education I received here. I hope to serve each of you well.”If you have questions or something you want Rikki to know, contact her at rikki.langan@mac.edu or at 217-479-7030.

Rikki Langan named newdirector of Alumni Services

in the photo are AMY GOODMAN ’12 of Peru, IL; and LAURA BOWMAN VANDUSEN ’12 of O’Fallon, MO.

KRISTIN FLAHIVE ’10 and KELSEY MANKINS ’12, of

Catheys Valley, CA, were married on May 31, 2014, at Holy Cross Church in Mendota, IL. Kristin is employed by Yosemite Bank in Mariposa, CA. Kelsey is employed by the California Fire Department in Mariposa.

brother Aieden (8).

ALEXIS DUST MAREK ’05 and her husband, Rob, welcomed their second child Dec. 19, 2013. Alexis writes, “Brandon Eugene came just in time to celebrate Christmas with big brother Robert Alexander. Grandmother, BETH PARR DUST ’82, of Plymouth, MN, was there to welcome him into the world!” The Mareks live in Austin, TX.

DEREK SUTTLES ’05 and wife, Chelsea, welcomed their first child, Paxton David Suttles, on October 31.

YOLI SIX HOLMES ’06 and her husband, Jerred, welcomed their

first child, Hank Dean Holmes, on June 24, 2014. The Holmes family lives in Winchester, IL. Yoli is a licensed clinical professional counselor for Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois.

JOEL TINSLEY-HALL ’10, of Glen Burnie, MD, writes, “Scott

and I adopted a daughter, LaRay Tinsley-Hall, June 25, 2014.” Joel was named executive director of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore, MD on Oct. 3, 2014.

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TIFFANY HERMON WARMOWSKI ’98 and her

husband, Steve, of Jacksonville, IL, welcomed Nicholas Per Warmowski on Nov. 30, 2013. He is also welcomed by proud aunt, TRACY MAZURKIEWICZ ’98 of Wheaton, IL.

ALICIA DEIFEL TURSKE ’02, and her husband, David, of Bethel Park, PA, are parents of Ethan James, born Feb. 1, 2014. adeifel@gmail.com

NICHOLAS WENSKUNAS ’03 and his wife, Christy, of Utica, IL, have a new addition to their family. Liam Louis was born May 17, 2014. He joins big

Alumni Notes

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KALLIE VAUGHN ’09 married Daniel Edge on March 15, 2014.

Kallie is employed by Edge Electrical Solutions, Inc., which Daniel owns and operates.

AIMEE BLACK married JORDAN MCAULEY (both ’12) on June 7,

2014. Aimee wrote, “My husband and I started at MacMurray as freshmen in 2008. We met in the fall semester of 2009 while both living in Rutledge. We started off as friends for a few months and then started dating. We carried on a long-distance relationship (Aimee in Champaign, IL, and Jordan in Michigan) until March of 2013 when we got engaged. We became happily married and moved to Tennessee to live happily ever after.” Pictured (left-right) are JACOB PAHDE ‘11 of Springfield, IL; AUDRA GLENN ESSIG ’11 of Mobile, AL; JOSEPH ESSIG ’12 of Mobile, AL; JORDAN AND AIMEE, NICOLE SPIESS ’11 of Holts Summit, MO; JULIE GERKEN RUEB ’12 of Naperville, IL; TINA ARNOLD ’11 of Springfield, IL. Also attending but not

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Alumni Notes

Wat in Cambodia. Bouyed by such an exhilarating experience, I booked another tour this year to Turkey, which was equally enjoyable. I am the librarian at Westminster Village and also am in charge of our line-dancing group.”

SHIRLEY FALTER HURT ’55, of Las Vegas, NV, taught 17 years in District 46 in Elmhurst, IL; 12 years in ARAMCO schools in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia; spent two years in the U.S. Peace Corps in Tarlac, Philippines; four years at Huazhong University in Wuhan, China; and five years at Community Multicultural Center in Las Vegas, where she still teaches. She writes, “MacMurray gave me an excellent foundation for my future pursuits.”

MARILOU SMITH JENKINS ’55 and Donnell Jenkins celebrated

their 60th wedding anniversary with 21 of their immediate family at Gulf

Shores, AL. Marilou was a music major and a piano student of Mahala McGehee. The Jenkins live in Galena, IL.

1960sLOU-ELLEN JOHNSON FINN ’64, of Northbrook, IL, earned a master’s of education degree in administration and supervision in 1985. She is retired from Northwestern University. Lou-Ellen is married to ROBERT FINN ’67. He earned a master’s of education in reading/curriculum from Loyola University in Chicago in 1974. Robert is a retired educator/administrator in the Chicago public school system.

RICHARD “DICK” FLYNN ’64, of Lawrence, KS, is currently playing for a nationally competitive over-70 softball team and has as a teammate one of his college baseball teammates, Dick Trout ’64 of Lee’s Summit, MO (50 plus years later). He writes, “The two of us were the only freshman starters our first year at Mac — he at first base and I at shortstop.” Both men married Mac women — Dick Flynn and JANI KOOPMAN ’64 have been married 51 years, and Dick Trout married MARY CASPER ’64 49 years ago.

BARBARA STEWART ’65, of Rockledge, FL, volunteers at Brevard Zoo and with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society. She serves as a board member of the Home Owners Association and is vice president of Women’s Club, and also keeps busy raising mangroves for restoration of Indian River Lagoon. Bstew161@aol.com

GEORGE MALLECK ’68, of Alexandria, VA, writes, “I

have been forced to retire from the Department of State because of wounds sustained in combat in Vietnam in 1970. The position of greatest responsibility I reached was chargé d’affaires at the Embassy in Damascus, Syria, during my tenure there as political counselor.”

1970sIn June 2014, SHELDON BLEIWEISS ’70, left Texas to relocate to Wake Forest, NC, where his wife is on

the waiting list for a double lung transplant at Duke University Hospital, and closer to her niece. Sheldon plans to enjoy full retirement from a 39-year career as a professional clinical social worker, and says, “check my Facebook page for continued updates.”

JOANNA ROBINSON BRODERICK ’70, of Bloomington, IN, writes, “After 20 years of working for Indiana University, I retired on Dec. 31, 2013, and am loving it. I am now self-employed as an editor of academic manuscripts at home and am working on some home renovation projects.”

ANNE KOJOLA HOLEN ’70, of Bloomington, IN, writes, “Although I retired in 2008, I have worked as over-hire seamstress at Indiana University’s Jacob’s School of Music Opera/Ballet Costume Shop when new productions created heavier workloads for the shop. For example, I helped with costumes for this spring’s La Traviata.”

RONALD MILLER ’70, of Penn Yan, NY, is a retired music teacher after 37 years. For 33 years, he was the originator/director of Symphonic Steel, a steel drum band, which toured Europe many times and has been inducted into the Disney and Rock ‘n’ Roll halls of fame. He is currently selling real estate in the Finger Lakes region of New York state.

RONALD KRAUSS ’71, of Olympia, WA, is a family physician at Lacey Medical Clinic. His wife, Nadine, is IT manager for the Department of Transportation for the state of Washington.

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News Notes1950sSHERRY REDDICK NORRIS ’50, of Eugene, OR, is still making puppets and performing for the education department at Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. She also performs at schools and at public venues. She writes, “I now have nine great-grandchildren.”

SUSAN LAPIERRE VENABLE ’52, of Jackson, MO, and her husband, Gerald, were married in Ann Rutledge Hall on the MacMurray campus on Memorial Day in 1952.

MARILYN MENCHHOFF WURZBURGER ’53, of Scottsdale, AZ, wrote, “My husband, Dick, and I moved to Westminster Village, a retirement village in Arizona in 2002, and I continued working as a special collections librarian at Arizona State University until 2009. Dick, who for many years had suffered from Parkinson’s disease, passed away in 2012. After his death, I decided I would take some of the trips we had hoped to take. Last year I booked a tour to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, with the primary goal to see Angkor

VALERIE WISE BURRELL ’72, of Merrillville, IN, retired from South Suburban College and is devoting time to a private practice and her three granddaughters. V9473d@gmail.com

JEANNE STEVENS FOX ’75, of Antioch, IL, retired in August 2012, but continues to consult occasionally. She and her husband, David, divide their time between their Illinois house and a lake home in Minnesota. Foxjeanne1@gmail.com

ANTHONY “TONY” LICATA ’76, of Highland Park, IL, submitted

the following: “Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP announces that 38 Taft attorneys are recognized as “Leaders in their Field” in the recently released 2014 edition of Chambers USA. Anthony R. Licata has been designated as a leader in the state of Illinois in the area of Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use. Chambers ranks both lawyers and law firms based on the research of more than 150 full-time editors and researchers.” Tony was also selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2015 for his work within the area of real estate law. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 1999.

SALLY ILER BRUSKA ’77, of Moweaqua, IL, writes, “I am currently on disability due to illness suffered in 2011. I hope to have my right knee replaced sometime this year. My first grandchild was born in November

2013 and my second daughter was married in September 2014.”

HELEN BROWN BRYANT ’78, of Cambridge, MA, writes, “On August 15, 2014, I was sworn in as an associate justice of the Juvenile Court of Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

REGINALD HARLEY ’78, of New Orleans, LA, has been promoted

to the position of regional manager, Export Solutions Group, Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration. He writes, “Based in New Orleans, my territory includes the states of Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Our mission is to provide one-stop shopping for small- and medium-sized businesses that wish to begin exporting or to increase their current levels of exports. Greetings to all of my classmates…recalling 40 years ago when we arrived on campus for freshman orientation.”

1980sDEANN EFFA COPELAND ’81, of Rockford, IL, recently accepted a position with Practice Velocity in Rockford. Her children, Evan and Paige, have graduated from college — Evan in mathematics from Auburn University and Paige in pre-physical therapy from the University of Dayton — and are pursuing further degrees. Deean.copeland@gmail.com

CHRISTOPHER SKYLES ’81, of Chicago, IL, is excited to share that he has started a new opera company in Chicago, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble. Third Eye will specialize in the performance of one act operas to be held in local theaters all over the Chicago area. The inaugural performance was held Oct. 24-26, 2014. Chris also informed the Alumni Office of the passing of his father, Barnett Skyles, on Oct. 12, 2014.

LAURIE BLIVEN NOLL ’83, of Fairfield, IA, writes, “My husband and I have three adult children and one granddaughter. We keep busy with family, work, camping, river time, community volunteering, church, and school sporting events.”

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JEFF DAVIDSMEYER ’85, of Winchester, IL, served as a guest speaker in Lappeenranta, Finland at the International Family Enterprise Research Academy (IFERA) for its Annual Conference. Jeff was also the keynote speaker at the Family Business Forum Development Research Workshop in the fall of 2013 for IFERA in Springfield, IL. He is the third generation of his family’s business, Illinois Road Contractors, Inc., which will be celebrating its 90th year in business in 2015. Jeff completed his MBA in May 2014.

1990sKELLY ARENS ’92, of Madisonville, KY, writes, “Moved to Springfield, IL, on July 3, 2014. After almost 12 years in Kentucky, moving back to Illinois.”

LINDA BUTLER CRIDER ’92, of Carl Junction, MO, married Danny Mullins on July 3, 2011. She writes, “I got remarried in July 2011 and moved to southwest Missouri, just outside of Joplin. I am now home-schooling my two beautiful children. We are doing well. I love running into old friends from Mac on Facebook.” Lacrider.mullins@gmail.com

NATALIE GOC MISCH ’97, of Minooka, IL, has two children — Scott, born April 5, 2012, and Ava, born June 26, 2009. natandbillmisch@sbcglobal.net

2000sVAL KIMMELL SALGADO ’04, of Antioch, IL, graduated with a master’s of accounting and financial management from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2009.

JOSHUA PARKER ’12, of Decatur, IL, is a residential communities coordinator at Millikin University in Decatur.

MATTHEW STOCK ’12, of Chapin, IL, was named Passavant Area Hospital’s June 2014 Employee of the Month. Matthew is a registered nurse in the Emergency Department.

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In Memoriam“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

PATRICIA “PAT” BILOZ, wife of retired MacMurray history professor Mike Biloz, passed away on April 23, 2014. The family requested that donations be made to the Stephen P. Biloz Memorial Scholarship Fund at MacMurray College.LARRY LAWLER, former MacMurray College Trustee, Bloomington, IL, June 6, 2014. WILLIAM “BILL” WALL, Bermuda Dunes, CA, August 4, 2014. (see page at right for further information)

HAZEL RUBART NASH ’35, Mapleton, IL, September 15, 2014.MAURINE BOYER ’37, Danville, IL, April 28, 2014.ELLEN BEEBEE SHELBY ’37, Louisville, KY, August 1, 2014.MARGARET FOWLER WILT ’37, Moline, IL, August 2, 2014.EMMA BERGSCHNEIDER BENSON ’39, Jacksonville, IL, April 19, 2014.BARBARA KOENIG MCCARTHY ’39, Evanston, IL, May 23, 2014.GENEVIEVE O’HERRON PYLE ’39, Red Oak, IA, May 6, 2014.CAROL CARRUTHERS JOHNSON ’41, Arlington Heights, IL, June 5, 2014.DORATHEA LEHMAN FERRARA ’41, Valencia, CA, May 27, 2014.ALICE COFFMAN ’42, St. Louis, MO, July 27, 2014.

MARY FRITZ FOULKES ’42, Pleasant Hill, IA, April 10, 2014.ZONA COLLINS HEIL ’42, Taylorville, IL, August 27, 2014.GLADYS LOWE BUCHANAN ’43, Marblehead, MA, March 4, 2014.CHARLENE STRUBBE ROBINSON ’43, Hoopeston, IL, March 5, 2014.MARIAN GOPPERT COOKE ’45, Billings, MT, April 5, 2014.HARRIET “HATTIE” HOLDREGE SMITH ’45, Cheyenne, WY, June 27, 2014.DOROTHY DOLE HENTON ’46, Carencro, LA, July 7, 2014.CARRIE ARNOLD HUMPHREYS ’46, Ashland, KS, April 25, 2013.JANET SNEDEKER KETCHUM ’46, Dallas, TX, June 5, 2014.JOAN DRURY CARPENTER ’47, Santa Cruz, CA, July 10, 2014.BONNIE O’MALLEY O’CONNOR ’47, Manitowoc, WI, June 14, 2014.PATRICIA JEAN WINTERS PECK ’47, Palos Verdes Estates, CA, May 18, 2014.PATRICIA “PAT” HOATSON ABBOTT ’48, Springfield, IL, July 29, 2014.MARILYN WALTON KRENZ ’48, Mendota, IL, September 22, 2014.SARAH WESNER SCHWEDE ’48, Santa Fe, NM, June 30, 2014.BETTY YOUNG DANNER ’49, Mount Vernon, IL, January 21, 2013.DORIS GERMAN HILDRETH ’49, Iowa City, IA, March 16, 2014.LOIS PEARSON CAIN ’50, Graham, NC, September 25, 2014.MARTHA NORTH DANIELS ’50, Peru, IN, July 13, 2014.CELESTE HOLDT MCBRIDE ’50, Lees Summit, MO, August 18, 2014.PATRICIA ODELL ROBINSON ’50, Kansas City, MO, November 24, 2013.MARION OSMANSON HOWSER ’51, Portage, MI, September 10, 2014.

JANET TOWNSLAY JURGENS ’51, Petersburg, IL, May 4, 2014.CHARLOTTE PIERSON LAMB ’51, Fairfield, IA, March 5, 2014.JOAN WAHL HALLIGAN ’55, Poplar Grove, IL, July 20, 2014.DONNA FRIEND SISSON ’55, Kilbourne, IL, June 1, 2014.JO ANN CLARK AMIDON ’56, Fayetteville, AR, June 3, 2014.VICTORINE BALDWIN HOLLEY ’56, Milton, FL, September 1, 2014.SUSAN FRANK SPITZIG ’57, Bethlehem, PA, August 21, 2014.ROBERTA “BOBBI” DANEK FEIST ’58, Maitland, FL, July 30, 2014.FRANCES BUDD COLE ’60, New York, NY, August 29, 2014.MARILYN MILLER NICHOLS ’60, Leesburg, FL, May 25, 2014.MARY MORTIMORE MCCAIN ’61, Thermopolis, WY, May 23, 2014.KEN KILINSKI ’64, Batavia, IL, March 25, 2013.DOUGLAS FIFE ’65, Plymouth, NH, August 2, 2014.ROSEMARY WELLS ’66, Coudersport, PA, April 10, 2014.CANDACE JONES WITTMAN ’66, Hamilton, OH, June 5, 2014.CARLA WHEELER PAUL ’68, Mountain View, CA, February 2014.ISAAC MARTIN “MARTY” MORRIS ’72, Springfield, IL, June 16, 2014.GEOFFREY MAHON ’74, Cambridge, MD, September 16, 2014.JIM KOPEC ’81, Springfield, IL, February 25, 2013.WILLIE PERRY ’81, Reno, NV, December 4, 2012.TIMOTHY EKSTROM ’87, New York, NY, September 18, 2011.GRADY GILKEY ’89, Indianapolis, IN, July 14, 2014.ROBERT “BOB” BREEDING ’93, Springfield, IL, August 14, 2014.

•Email to alumni@mac.edu.

•Go online to www.mac.edu/alumni/mac_news.asp.

•Mail your NewsNote to MacMurray College, Office of Alumni Services, 447 E. College Ave., Jacksonville, IL 62650.

your news with us!Share

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William “Bill” Wall passed away on August 7, 2014, in Bermuda Dunes, CA.

Wall started at MacMurray in 1957 as the first basketball coach and successfully led the Highlanders for 18 basketball seasons (1957-75), including their only berth in the NCAA Division II basketball tournament in 1961. Wall also served as athletic director, chaired the Physical Education Department, and was a teacher.

His lasting impact is on the men and women of MacMurray College.

- Todd Creal Head Men’s Basketball Coach

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IN MEMORIAMFounding father of MacMurray Athletics

“His lasting impact is on the men and women of MacMurray College, both students and staff, who fondly remember their former coach, teacher, and mentor,” said current Head Men’s Basketball Coach Todd Creal. “He was a passionate man who spoke out for what he believed to be right. Even through challenges, his love and passion for MacMurray College persevered.”

Wall left a lasting legacy at MacMurray. “Bill Wall was a larger-than-life person who filled a room with his personality and his stories,” said Sharon Mather ’04. She recalled when she was serving as alumni director for the College, receiving calls from him every couple weeks to tell

stories of his time at MacMurray.In 1975, Wall left MacMurray to

become executive director of the Amateur Basketball Association of the United States of America, a position he held for 18 years. He led the transition that allowed NBA players to be eligible for international competition and guided the Association’s transition to USA Basketball. Wall’s first USA team of NBA players was the 1992 “Dream

Team,” which captured the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

For his work, Wall was inducted into numerous halls of fame, including the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, where the class of inductees included Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

Working with Bill’s family, MacMurray College has created the Bill Wall Memorial Athletic Endowed Fund. The Fund honors his legacy by annually providing additional resources to MacMurray Athletics. To make a gift in Coach Wall’s memory, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 217-479-7024 or development@mac.edu.

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