welcomed a son, August, on Sept. 27, 2022.
their third child, a daughter, Samantha Jo, on January 9, 2020.
will have a three-volume biography about Stephen A. Douglas, who got his start in politics in Jacksonville, published in May. The work covers the politician’s greatest achievements between 1844 -1850.
Geela Smithers Ruckman ’10
started a new position as hospital medicine acute care NP with Vituity at St. John’s Hospital.
Mitch Neally ’09
was named Illinois Athletic Directors Association State Division New Athletic Director of the Year.
Courtney Mann ’08
started her own senior move management business in April 2024 called Compassionate Moving Solutions.
Amanda Flemmer ’08
has a Salesforce AI Specialist certification from Salesforce.
Katie Bliss Wenzel ’02
received the Award of Special Recognition in the Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel Awards.
Amanda Shoemaker ’01
graduated from the University of Iowa with a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies.

Joe Heafner ’99
was named the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Inspector of the Year.
Andrea Moore ’98
was promoted to commercial project manager within Shell Energy Americas.
Ray Kauling ’97
was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
James Huffman ’90
was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Neal Taylor ’87
was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Gina Gillmore Wolter ’86
is the president of the New Salem Lincoln League and leads advocacy and legislative initiatives for the preservation of Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site.
Marcus Renken ’84
is now an associate financial advisor at Edward Jones.
Keith Laughary ’76
was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Jim Spizzo ’74
had his photo, “Munich Anticipation,” juried into the online exhibition, Beyond the Mirror, sponsored by the Decagon Gallery in Brooklyn, NY.

James Alexander ’66
was elected to the National Runners Hall of Fame for the half marathon distance. Last year he did 67 half marathon races which was the most for male runners in the USA.
Heidy Fry
January 18, 2025 Director of Mail Room Services
Karen Popet
November 26, 2024 Accountant
Gary Spangenberg
September 3, 2024 Professor of Education
Kimberly Smith Copeland ’80
(Gamma Delta) December 29, 2024
