Milestones
Joe Chianakas, ’01 has published a new novel titled, “Singlets and Secrets”. It became the #1 bestseller in all LGBTQ young adult fiction on Amazon overnight. The publisher describes the book as “Dripping with raw emotion, unexpected twists and more than a dash of hope, ‘Singlets and Secrets’ isn’t just more high school drama. It’s a deep dive into figuring out who you are and accepting it no matter what someone else may think – a heroic journey that speaks to the struggling teenager in us all.” For more information visit: https://joechianakas.weebly.com/.
Nabi (Ben Hage) Elhajj, ’09 was selected as Director of Innovate Springfield. Innovate Springfield is the University of Illinois Springfield’s business incubator. Innovate Springfield is working with 80 companies and aims to accelerate the growth of startups and established businesses.
Lisa (Larson) Winker ’87 started a new position and is the first Illinois Regional Admissions Officer for the University of Florida.
Jordan Dehm ’22 celebrated his 3rd work anniversary at Versa Press, Inc. He began his professional career in customer service and then moved into a sales representative role which has afforded him opportunities to travel for work.
Jimmy Peterson, ’22 started a new position as Hitting Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, North Carolina.
Brad Sutton, ’99 started a new position as Chief Medical Officer for AF Solutions at Boston Scientific.
Zach Wakid, ’12 started a new position as Private Investigator at Meador Investigations and Process Service.
Jackie Bohm, ’15 started a new position as an educator for 7th grade English at Ladysmith Middle School in Wisconsin.
Chris Gibson, ’20 started a new position as AP Accounts, Project Manager at OSF HealthCare.
Corrie (Heck) Scott, ’06 started a new position as Conservation Communications Director at The Nature Conservancy.
Heather Rod, ’11 started a new position as Communications Specialist in Public Affairs at State Farm.
Dawn (La Follette) Shipman, ’96 started a new position as Director of Sales at Reinhart Landscaping and Snow.
Bryce Swanson, ’11, started a new position as Manager of Food and Beverage Department at VenuWorks of Cedar Rapids.
Vincent Vega, ’19 started a new position as Legal Analyst at Illinois Secretary of State.
Jacob Baldwin, ’21 started a new position as Accounts Receivable Analyst at Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Kennedy Jackson, ’22 started a new position as Student and Family Engagement Case Manager at Regional Office of Education #33.
Kyle Henderson, ’20 started a new position as District Sales Manager at Kirby Building Systems.
Camille Yount Rich, ’07 started a new position as Executive Client Relations Specialist at PNC.
Abby Swope, ’22 started a new position as Dispatcher for the Canton Police Department.
Cade Fawcett, ’18 is celebrating 5 years at COUNTRY Financial.
Steve Kirk, ’87 is celebrating 13 years at Illinois Department of Transportation.
Samantha Peacock, ’12 started a new position as Senior Market Strategy Specialist with 3 Enrollment Marketing.
Mark Darnall '09 has been selected as the head basketball coach of Jessup University in Rocklin, California. Mark is the son of Bruce '66 and the nephew of Eureka College Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Dave Darnall.
Faith Williams '17 completed a doctorate in Physical Therapy at Georgia State University.
Aaron Karstetter '22, was recently recognized as "Coach of the Year" in Zurich, Switzerland by the Swiss Baseball & Softball Federation (SBSF). This is a prestigious award spanning across all SBSF baseball & softball coaching ranks including youth, adult, and national teams. Aaron was recognized for his significant contributions and success with youth programs and teams. Aaron's Geneva Dragon U12 Team were 2022 Swiss National Champions, his U15 Team a playoff semifinalist, and Aaron also led the Switzerland Little League Team in the Little League Africa & Regional qualifiers held in Moergestel, Netherlands.
Aaron and his family have resided in Geneva, Switzerland since 2019 where he is employed by Caterpillar as CFO for EAME Distribution.
Aaron pictured with sons Tristan & Liam at the SBSF Awards Night Dec 2022 in Zurich, Switzerland
Tracy Ahrens' 92 earned two awards in the 2023 Illinois Woman’s Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest.
She received First Place in the category of Creative Verse/Single Poem for my poem she wrote about my uncle’s death and the area in Michigan where he lived and loved. The poem, entitled “Wind and water” now goes on to the National Federation of Press Women contest.
Next, she won Third Place in the category of Specialty Articles/Personal Essay for a story she wrote about losing her sweet dog, Angel. That piece is entitled “The perennial in my garden of life: An Angel blooms.”
You can read these pieces at the following links:
The Perennial in my Garden of Life: An Angel Blooms
In Memoriam
Annette (Schultz) Dickinson, ’48
Gerald Patterson, ’62
Sharon (Argo) Hanner, ’65
Lee Boles, ’65
Bill Dooley, ’76
Neil Ropp, ’05
Michael McCormick, former faculty member
Jeff Thompson, former faculty member
Leonard Hamachek ’56, Father of Scott '86
Marilyn Jean Moffett, Former Board of Trustee Member
Michael James Mick Sullivan '57
Lois Ogle Ulrich ‘50
Ken Coy ‘52
Bob Jamison ‘58
Raymond Thielbar ‘58
Darrell Eyman ‘59
Alice Swanson ‘59
James Stanley ‘59
Roger Gilbert ‘62
Dennis Peacock ‘71
Michael Fischer ‘72
Tom Gummow ‘74
Donna O'Dell ‘75
Shirley Strode ‘76
Kathi Paris Lehman ‘78
Randy Deushane ‘79
Tina Harpring Virgil ‘95
John Nebgen Former Faculty
Paul Murphey Former Faculty
Terry Klaus Former Trustee
