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Click here to view our Class Notes from January to December 2010.
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Click here to view our Class Notes from January to December 2008.
Click here to view our Class Notes prior to January 2008.

School of Business

January 2011 to Present

Christopher M. Donjon ( '01 BS) and his wife, Angie, welcomed their first child, Nolan Ryan on September 16, 2010.
Sarah Bouchette ('03 BSA, '04 MSA) took a new job in February of 2010, with the Kilian Corporation as the accounting supervisor. Sarah and her husband had their second child, a baby girl named Elise, in July 2010.
Christopher A. Howard ('07 MSA), CPA, CFP joined Community Financial Advisors, a wealth management firm in O'Fallon, IL as Vice President. Christopher and his wife, Christina, (SIUE MSED '07), celebrated the birth of their first child, Grant, in April 2010.
Denise Engelke (’09 BSA, ’10 MSA) was hired as staff accountant in Scheffel’s Edwardsville office. She will complete her Certified Public Accountant exams before the end of the year.
Dave Kapaska (’78 MBA) has been named regional president and CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center. The hospital and University Health Center is the largest of Avera’s five regional centers. Dr. Kapaska is the 16th administrator in the hospital’s 100-year history.

College of Arts & Sciences

January 2011 to Present

Jill E. Williams ('95 BA) recently accepted a position with the Missouri Arts Council. She is a Program Specialist for Dance, Literature, Music and Theater. She is also Adjunct Faculty for the Department of Public Administration & Policy Analysis at SIUE. In September 2010, Williams became an alumni mentor for the SIUE STAT Mentor Program.
Gary J. Richards ('83 BS) opened his own law practice in Troy, Missouri, in January of 2011. John has been the elected Prosecuting Attorney of Lincoln County, Missouri for the past twenty years.
Sharon Johnson (’66 BA Speech Communication, ’81 MS Speech Pathology) is the founder of Practical Rehab Services Ltd., a Medicare-certified, outpatient facility offering speech therapy, social work, counseling and physical, occupational and massage therapy. The company has been awarded the honor of Business of the Month by the Riverbend Growth Association.
Becky Beal (’78 BS Biological Sciences, ’88 MS Environmental Studies) was awarded a 2010 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award for Edwardsville District 7. She is the chairman of the Edwardsville High School science department and is a 30-year veteran of the district.
Annice Brave (’74 BA Mass Communications, ’91 MSED Special Ed.) was honored as the 2011 Illinois Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education. She has been at Alton High School for 23 years, where she teaches English and journalism.
Scott Denniston (’74 MS Government) has been named the executive director of the National Veteran-Owned Business Association. Denniston is the chief executive officer and president of The School Group of Virginia LLC, which provides development services to small businesses interested in working with the federal government.
Rick Faccin (’79 BS Social Work) was honored by the Illinois Association of County Auditors as the Association’s first County Auditor of the Year. Faccin has been president of the Association since Dec. 2008.
Illinois Representative Tom Holbrook (’71 BA Sociology) received the 2010 Lewis & Clark Statesman Award from the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association. The award recognizes Holbrook’s record of legislative leadership on economic development issues in the region. Holbrook, a democrat, is in his eighth term as a state representative, and represents the 113th District.
Fred Irby III (’74 MM) was named a 2009 Lowell Mason Fellow. Professor Irby has been at Howard University since 1974, and founded the Howard University Jazz Ensemble, which has traveled and performed internationally. He is currently a trumpet instructor and coordinator of instrumental music at the university.
Patricia Lauth (’71 BS Geography) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
David Moore (’04 BS Historical Studies) of Belleville and Jacqueline Settles (’72 BA Sociology/Social Work, ’88 MSED Counselor Education) were appointed to their positions by Gov. Pat Quinn on July 31, 2010. The advisory board has been in existence since 1990 and its mission is to “provide financial management assistance, assure financial integrity and oversee the financial affairs of the financially distressed City of East St. Louis.”
Michael O’Malley (’75 BA History) has joined the law firm of Carey, Danis & Lowe and will be in charge of the firm’s Belleville-based branch. O’Malley retired earlier this year as a circuit judge from St. Clair County.
Randall Pembrook (’78, ’79 BA, ’80 MA Piano Performance, Music Education) was named vice president of academic affairs for Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. He was previously a special assistant to the president for accreditation and academic affairs at Baker University.
Roger Weik (’72 BS Art and Design, ’73 MFA Art and Design) His work is now on display in 44 museums across the U.S. and Europe. He will have four new exhibits opening this year, including “Incognito,” “Sales and Rental Gallery,” “Gallery Artists” and “Centered on the Center.”
Marcia Wickenhauser (’79 BS Human Services, ’87 MS Community Counseling) retired in Oct. 2010 after 10 years as the executive director of the Madison County Mental Health Board. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Metro East Consumer Leadership Council in 2010 and the 2009 Mental Health Hero Award from the Community Counseling Center in Alton. Before joining Madison County, she worked at the Community Counseling Center and the American Red Cross.
Dr. Erik Constance (’84 BA Biological Sciences) received the 2010 Golden Apple Award from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Ill. Dr. Constance is certified in internal medicine and an associate professor of medicine and associate dean of student affairs. The Golden Apple Award recognizes outstanding teaching.
Bob Hollingsworth (’84 MS Environmental Studies) and his wife Sue (’84 MSED Elementary Education) are partners in a frozen yogurt shop in Edwardsville. Twist is in the University Pointe Shopping Center off Illinois 157. Bob also worked at Anheuser Busch for 25 years, retiring more than two years ago.
Jaclynn “Jaci” Lett (’85 BA Biological Sciences) is performing with the St. Louis Osuwa Taiko Group. The group has 19 members and plays traditional Japanese drum music in places such as Springfield, Mo., and at the Missouri Botanical Gardens’ Japanese Festival. Ms. Lett is also a senior research technician in the Department of Otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Cheryl Norton (’87 BS Biological Sciences, ’94 MS Environmental Studies) was named president of Kentucky American Water. She is the first female president in the history of the company.
Gary John Richards (’83 BA Government, Public Affairs, History) has opened his own law practice in Troy, Mo. John has been the elected prosecuting attorney of Lincoln County, Mo., for the past twenty years.
Bobby Scroggins (’81 MFA) organized and oversaw an art exhibition focusing on President Barack Obama called “The Art of Hope: a Southeast Regional Juried Exhibition Commemorating the First African American U.S. President, Barack Obama.” Scroggins is a sculptor and associate professor of art at the University of Kentucky and is serving as visiting instructor at the Crealdé School of Arts.
Elizabeth Stroble (’80 MA History, ’84 MA American and English Literature) has been named one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s Most Influential Business Women for 2010. Stroble became the 11th president of Webster University in July of last year.
Richard “Rick” Welle (’80 BA Mass Communications) is now the fire chief for the city of Edwardsville. He had served 28 years with the Collinsville Fire Department before joining Edwardsville’s department.
Patrick Clark (’93 BS Mass Communications) is back on the air at KPLR Channel 11 in St. Louis, hosting a new 4 p.m. news and entertainment hour. Clark spent eight years on the West Coast, most recently hosting “Offbeat America” on the Home and Garden Television network.
Michael N. Cook (’94 BS Anthropology) began serving as an associate
judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit in Illinois on Oct. 1, 2010. The Illinois Supreme Court appointed him to the position following the retirement of Judge Annette A. Eckert.
Dave Fellows (’96 MPA) is now a regional planning coordinator for the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System. ILEAS assists with emergency response and mutual aid for more than 900 local governments in the state and is a joint program between the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association.
Debra Frerking (’96 BS Art Education) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Cathey Newhouse (’95 BS Mass Communications) has authored a new teen book entitled “The Dream Mystery: Grandpa’s Buried Treasure.” The book carries many familiar scenes from Southern Illinois and is available at xlibris, amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble.
John Simmons (’91 BS Political Science) is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Simmons law firm of East Alton which received the John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award from the Illinois Bar Association. The award recognizes the “extraordinary commitment” of individuals or law firms that provide free legal services or expand the availability of free legal services in Illinois.
Christopher Smejkal (’98 BS, ’01 MA Speech Communication) has joined the board of directors for the Edwardsville Children’s Museum. He currently teaches communication courses at the Meramec campus of St. Louis Community College.
Robert Thornberry (’99 BFA) wrapped up his first season as boys head soccer coach at Belleville West (IL) High School in fall 2010. Thornberry has taught art full-time in District 201 since 2007 and was an assistant soccer coach at Belleville East for six years.
Andrea Ricker Wolfson (’96 MS Biological Sciences) has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida. She previously served as an assistant state’s attorney with Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit for nine years. She is serving as an administrative judge in the criminal division at the Miami-Dade County Court.
Bill Yarbrough (’98 BS Mass Communications) is the communications representative for TheBank of Edwardsville. He previously worked as managing editor of the Edwardsville Intelligencer.
Dr. Sarah Barrow (’05 BA Biological Sciences, ’09 DMD) has joined the practice of Humbert Road Dentistry in Alton. After receiving her DMD from SIU in 2009, she did a one-year advanced education residency in general dentistry. She is licensed in both Illinois and Missouri, and is accepting new patients.
Lori Belknap (’08 BS Anthropology) is the executive director of the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society. Her duties with the non-profit group include coordinating volunteers, organizing exhibits, writing grants and providing a link between the historic site and the museum society.
Mike Bone (’09 BS Biological Sciences) of Greenville is spending his first year as a science teacher at Canton (IL) High School. He is serving as an assistant coach in soccer and also worked as a summer instructor in the school’s Freshman Academy program.
Kelley Brown (’09 MA Art Therapy Counseling) is focusing on art journaling and recently presented an afternoon workshop on the process at the Northern Arts Council in St. Louis. She also blogs about the topic (artjournaling.blogspot.com) and is the vice president of the Missouri Art Therapy Association. Additionally, Brown utilizes art journaling during her art therapy work with clients at the Queen of Peace Center in St. Louis.
Natalie DiCristofano (’06 BS Theater Performance) starred as Catherine in the Chicago Fusion Theatre’s Fall 2010 production of “Proof.” The play received a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. DiCristofano is the managing director of the Chicago Fusion Theatre.
Tony DiPasquale (’01 MM Music Performance) has published a jazz improvisation guide called “The Jazz Lictionary.” DiPasquale is the director of band for Belleville District #118 and also plays keyboard in the Belleville-based band Groove Merchants. For information on purchasing his publication, visit thejazzlictionary.com.
Dustin R. Doyle (’03 BS Biological Sciences) graduated in June 2010 from Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz., as a doctor of podiatric medicine.
Jeff Forster (’05 MFA), a sculptor, participated in an exhibit at the Art League Houston this past fall, which featured his work and that of Jillian Conrad. Forster is currently serving as the ceramics chair at the Glassell School at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and is the president of the Clay Houston organization.
Matthew Frey (’09 BS Speech Communication) is serving as the youth director at St. John United Church of Christ at Midway-Moro. In that capacity, he is overseeing a program for grade school children and one for teens.
Tom Gibbons (’03 MPA) will replace Bill Mudge as State’s Attorney for Madison County upon Mudge’s election as a judge. Gibbons served three years in the state’s attorney’s office and helped create the domestic violence court.
U.S. Army National Guard Capt. Donald Harris (’00 BS Sociology) was deployed to support either Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. Harris is a civil affairs officer with 14 years of military service.
Cheryl Eichar Jett (’00 BA, ’01 MA History) has a new book on the market. Route 66 in Madison County was released in Sept. from Arcadia Publishing. Numerous historical photos, stories and pamphlets are included in the book, which residents of Madison County might recognize. For more information, visit arcadiapublishing.com.
Leah Joyce (’05 MPA) is serving as the uptown coordinator for the City of Collinsville. She works with businesses in the city’s downtown area, plans and organizes events and coordinates the city’s website, among other duties. She was previously the executive director of the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society.
Nick Lang (’06 MFA) and Thad Duhigg, professor and head of SIUE’s sculpture area in Art and Design, installed a whimsical piece of art at a MetroLink Station in 2010. “Honey, Where’s My Metro Pass” contains larger-than-life coins, keys and even lip balm made out of aluminum, bronze and steel. The station is at St. Charles Rock Road in Pagedale, Mo. Students in the St. Louis ArtWorks program assisted with art design and models. The project was supported by the Metro Arts in Transit program.
Edwin Aybar Lopez (’05 MM) has written a new book entitled Male Altos and Sopranos: The Legacy of the Spanish Falsettists! The book presents a study on the history and art of falsetto singing. Lopez has previously written So ando: Thoughts of a Young Latino, a book of essays regarding his experiences as a Puerto Rican native who has traveled and lived in America and Europe.
Jonathan McMillan (’09 MFA Art Studio) had an exhibition entitled “Convergence” at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, N.Y., during the summer. The pottery and ceramic exhibit explored the “symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world.” McMillan was the artist-in-residence at the Clay Art Center for 2009-2010. His website can be found at jonmcmillan.com/home.
Holly Meyer (’09 BS Mass Communications) is now an account executive at River Bend Marketing Communication Group. The Alton-based company specializes in health care marketing and public relations. Meyer has previously worked as a public relations consultant for the Diversity Awareness Project.
Sandy Miller (’08 BFA) is teaching pottery classes at LampLight Studio in Overland, Mo. She also has a butterfly artwork showcase in the “Wings in the City” project sponsored by the BJC pediatric hospice and palliative care program. The artwork in this project will be displayed throughout the St. Louis area next spring. For more on Miller, visit her website at millerceramics.com/index.php.
Erin Pea (’10 BS Mass Communications) is the new director of marketing and events for Père Marquette State Park in Grafton. She is a native of Salem.
Elisa Lear-Rayborn (’06 BS Biological Sciences) is serving her residency in Detroit after receiving her doctor of podiatric medicine this past May from Des Moines University.
Bill Roseberry (’01 BS Mass Communications) has a new assignment at the Edwardsville Intelligencer. He is now sports editor and has been with the paper for five years.
Anne E. Stotler (’05 BS Mass Communications) is now the community relations director at Beverly Farm in Godfrey. In this role, she organizes volunteer efforts, coordinates advertising and media placement and oversees special event fund-raising at the facility, which serves more than 400 developmentally disabled adults.
Brendan Tang (’06 MFA) received the 2010 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics. One of Canada’s most prestigious art honors, the Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics allows a ceramicist to hone his skills early in his career by connecting with mentors, studying museum collections, working in other studios or serving residencies.
Marlene True (’03 BFA), an established metal-smith and jewelry maker, curated an exhibit at the Edwardsville Art Center. A total of 23 artists from across the United States were featured in “Tin, The Element of Surprise” this past fall.
Tim Waldrop (’01 MFA) has a popular exhibit called “Adapting to Katrina and Beyond: Images of the Resilient Mississippi Gulf Coast.” It was on display at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education in Ocean Springs, Miss., in late 2010 and at Western Illinois University from Feb. 22 to Mar. 10, 2011. Waldrop created the sculptures and paintings following visits to his native Mississippi Gulf Coast area after the 2005 hurricane destruction. He is currently an associate professor of art at Western Illinois University.
Ben Wierzba (’00 BLS) is serving as the head coach for the men’s basketball team at the University of Illinois-Springfield. He is only the second coach for the Prairiestars Dribblers men’s team. He has previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Evansville, SIUE and Lewis University.
Adam Young (’10 BS Mass Communications) is the new broadcaster for the Gateway Grizzlies baseball team, based in Sauget. He spent the 2010 summer working for the Fayetteville Swampdogs in North Carolina. He was also recently recognized as one of the top 20 collegiate sports broadcasters in the nation by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.
Jeff Werwie ( '80 MS) Has been promoted to Director of Environmental Affairs at Johnson Controls, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI). He has been employed at Johnson Controls for 31 years, since graduating from SIUE. He is responsible for environmental compliance at the company's facilities worldwide.

School of Dental Medicine

January 2011 to Present

Dr. Michael Edwards ('95 DMD) operates Optima Dental in Union, Missouri and the Midwest Center for Craniofacial Pain in St. Peters. He is also the inventor of the “Dental Button,” a device which gives power to the patient to stop dental anxiety by enabling them to stop the dentist’s drill.
Dr. Darryll Beard, (’83 DMD), was recently elected president of the Illinois State Dental Society. Dr. Beard was elected to the post during the 146th Illinois State Dental Society Annual Session, “Bridges to Success,” held in Champaign in Sept. 2010.
Dr. Randall Markarian, (’92 DMD), was recently elected as a Trustee of the Southern District of the Illinois State Dental Society. Dr. Markarian was elected at the 146th Illinois State Dental Society Annual Session, “Bridges to Success.” The event was held in Champaign in Sept. 2010.

School of Education

January 2011 to Present

David Newell ( '89 BS) is now the Executive Director of Nebraska Families Collaborative in Omaha, NE.
Time Atwell ('93 BS) graduated from Western Univeristy in May with a masters in Educational Leadership.
*Annette Heth ('01 BS) was named the 2010 Teacher of the Year by the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes community involvement and impact on students.
Dale Anderson (’71 BS Phys Ed.) received the Immaculate Conception School teacher spotlight award for Oct. 2010. He teaches eighth-grade
religion and physical education. He is also the athletics director and eighth-grade basketball coach. The award recognizes dedicated service and outstanding leadership.
Mark Allison (’76 BA Psychology, ’80 MBA) is the chair of the Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity, which oversees seven chapters in Madison, Bond and part of St. Clair counties.
Benny Lane (’79 MSED Administration) turned 70 on Dec. 5, 2010. Many know him as the former Hardin Grade School basketball coach, but he now lives in Alton, retiring from a sales career. His goal is to live to 100.
Patricia Lauth (’71 BS Geography) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Greg Moats (’76 BS Phys Ed, ’93 MSED Administration) recently joined the education department at Lindenwood-Belleville as the coordinator of teacher education.
Danette Peach (’78 BS Education, ’83 MSED Special Ed., ’93 PhD Education/Ed. Administration) was recognized with an Award of Excellence by the Illinois Board of Education. She is a special education director with Bethalto Community School District Unit 8.
Lynnette Schmidt (’86 BS Special Ed.) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010. She is a special education teacher at Douglas Elementary School in Belleville.
Patricia Scott (’84 BS Special Ed., ’05 MSED/Special Ed) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Maura Brueggeman (’97 BS Elem. Ed.) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Debra Frerking (’96 BS Art Ed.) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Cail Furkin (’96 MSED Elem. Ed.) received the Eagleview Elementary School teacher spotlight award for Dec. 2010. She teaches kindergarten. The award recognizes dedicated service and outstanding leadership.
Kim Gremaud (’90 BS Elem. Ed., ’02 MSED) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Sheryl Luly (’92 MSED) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Sandra Malsberger (’92 BS Elem. Ed.) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Julie Robison (’92 BS Special Ed.) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Thomas Steinmann (’09 MSED, ’01 MS Mathematics) has received a 2010 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. Steinman has been at the college since 2002 and teaches a variety of math courses. He also supervises the high math curriculum alignment and serves as president of the Lewis and Clark Faculty Association.
Jan Wiggs (’98 MS Education) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Christopher Busse (’00 MSED) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Barbie Linton (’01 BS Elem. Ed.) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Jennifer Root-Smith (’07 BS Elem. Ed.) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Robert Wachtel (’08 MS Math) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.
Cyndy Wigton (’02 MS Education) received an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award for 2010.

School of Engineering

January 2011 to Present

Joshua Butcher (’05 BS Electrical Engineering) received NASA’s official Space Flight Awareness Award for his work with Boeing on the International Space Station. He works at Boeing where he is in charge of maintaining power systems on the International Space Station.
Andy Mueller (’10 BS Civil Engineering) of Freeburg has joined Oates Associates as a junior engineer. Oates Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm with offices in Collinsville and St. Louis.
Adam Pallai (’06 BS Civil Engineering) received the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Capital Chapter, Young Engineer of the Year 2010 award. He serves in local and state offices for ISPE. He works as a Civil Engineer in Springfield, Ill., and mentors fifth grade students through Engineers in the Classroom.
Josh Jolliff ('01 BS) of Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) Consulting Engineers was recently awarded CMT’s Above and Beyond Award during the company’s Annual Recognition Celebration. Jolliff was nominated by his peers and received the award for his exemplary performance as lead Project Structural Engineer for the Mississippi River Bridge (MRB) Illinois Approach project and the Rockford, Illinois Morgan Street Bridge project, as a structural designer for the MoDOT MRB interchange project, and as a Highways and Bridges Unit Continuous Improvement (CI) Leader for CMT’s CI Initiative.

School of Nursing

January 2011 to Present

Karen Stefaniak (BS, ’67) retired as the chief nursing officer/associate hospital director and assistant dean for clinical affairs at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. She currently serves as assistant professor in the UK College of Nursing.
Ed Curtis (BS ’75) was inducted into the SIUE Alumni Association Hall of Fame for the School of Nursing on Oct. 10, 2009.
Julie Adkins (BS ’85, MS ’01) is the CNP for UltiMed Plus in West Frankfort. Julie also served as the President for the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing last year.
Vera Bloomquist (BS ’89) was recognized by Anderson Hospital in Maryville for attaining her Medical/Surgical Nursing Certification.
Susan Flake (BS ’86) attained her Pediatric Nurse Certification and was acknowledged by her employer, St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Charlotte Herrick (MS ’82) was presented with the Melva Jo Hendrix award at the 2010 International Society of Psychiatric Nurses meeting.
Scott Johnson (BS ’83) is an ICU/CCU Nurse in Cordova, Ala., where he lives with his wife and children.
Toni Johnson (BS ’88, MS ’09) received a St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Health Care Award for 2010. There are eight awardees named annually.
Cynthia Kerber (BS ’80) is an assistant professor for Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University in Normal.
Diana Kraus (BS ’83) was appointed to the State of Missouri East Central Regional EMS Committee and is also serving on the State of Missouri Advisory Board as the Pediatric Sub-Committee Chair. Diana works at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
H. Catherine Miller (MS ’86) is the Associate Dean of Health & Human Services and Director of Nursing for Education at Heartland Community College in Normal.
Jamie Penrod (BS ’81) is an instructional assistant professor for Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University in Normal.
Valerie Rogers (BS ’83, MS ’09) was elected to the position of president-elect of the Mid-State Region of the Illinois Association of School Nurses.
Johanna Schloemann (BS ’84) received funding from the SLCH Foundation to co-conduct a study at St. Louis Children’s Hospital (with Ann Donze, see 1990s) called, “Comparison of Noise Levels in Private Rooms vs. Open Pod Unit Designs” in a NICU Internal Research Grant.
Linda Walters (BS ’85) retired from the McDowell Hospital in Marion, N.C. Prior to that, she worked at the Mission Hospital complex in Asheville, at the St. Louis VA Hospital, and as a PRN in metro-St. Louis.
Yvonne Barnes (BS ’92) co-authored an article titled, “Early Outcomes After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Following Single Fraction Total Body Irradiation,” published in Bone Marrow Transplantation.
Staci Beck (BS ’92) gave a presentation on behalf of Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, entitled, “Ambulatory Procedure Center,” at the AORN National Multispecialty Conference in St. Louis.
Julie Botterbush (BS ’93, MS ’98) is the new director of Mederi Caretenders Home Health. Mederi Caretenders is based in Godfrey and has 12 employees covering more than seven Illinois Counties.
Michele Brown (MS ’90) was inducted into the SIUE Alumni Association Hall of Fame for the School of Nursing on Oct. 10, 2009.
Ann Donze (MS ’94) presented, “Clinical Practice Guidelines: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice,” at the National Nurses Mother-Baby Conference in Washington, D.C. Additionally, she made other presentations at the regional and national level, as well as co-authoring the article, “Fad, Frenzy, or Future? A Review of the Institute of Medicine’s Report of the Direction of Evidence-based Practice,” which was published in the Neonatal Network. Ann is a Nurse Practitioner at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
Melissa Hlava (BS ’91) is a member of the magnet team at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. She co-wrote an article that appeared in the Winter edition of Pediatric Perspectives on “Quality of Care” as it relates to the Magnet redesignation process for the agency.
Linda Robert (BS ’90, MS ’95) wrote an article called, “Emergency Unit Offers HIV Screening,” which appeared in Pediatric Perspectives, a publication of the St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Janice Becherer (MS ’08) was named Chief Nurse Executive at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
Bethany Clutts (BS ’08) is employed with Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. Bethany wrote an article, entitled “Recognition and Management of Complications Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Guide for Health Care Workers in Non-Bariatric Hospitals,” that was published in MEDSURG Nursing.
Bridget Duah (BS ’09) is employed with Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis on the Short Stay Surgery Floor.
Vicki M. Ellinger-Colonius (MS ’06) works for St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Ill., as a Clinical Documentation and Coding Nurse Manager.
Casey Griffith (BS ’03, MS ’07) is a CRNA with Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel.
Rick Harmon (MS ’08) is the Human Patient Simulator & Nursing Lab Coordinator for Richland Community College in Decatur.
David Jansen (MS ’05) is an instructional assistant professor for Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University in Normal.
Amanda Jones (BS ’03) gave a poster presentation on behalf of Children’s Hospital in St. Louis at the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses in Albuquerque, N.M.
Sarah Landt (BS ’06) is employed with Memorial Hospital in Carbondale in the ICU.
Holly Langster (MS ’03) is the Director of Nursing for Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs, Ariz. She also serves on the board of directors of the Arkansas Organization of Nurse Leaders.
Karen Looper (BS ’01) gave a poster presentation at the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses in Albuquerque, N.M.
Jeremy Martin (BS ’04, MS ’08) is a CRNA with Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel.
Corey Meyer (BS ’08) is employed by St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Ill.
Blanca Miller (MS ’05) was accepted in the PhD program at Nova Southeastern University.
Bill Rodgers (MS ’07) wrote an article, entitled “Performing PCI in a Hospital Without Heart Surgery Backup,” that appeared in Cath Lab Digest.
Jamie Rosenthal (BS ’08) is a nurse on the Women’s Health Unit at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis.
Ashlee Sloman (MS ’07) is an instructional assistant professor for Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University in Normal.
Grant Van Meter (BS ’03, MS ’08) is a CRNA at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson.
Tara Weirich (BS ’04, MS ’07) and her husband are the proud parents of a baby girl.

School of Pharmacy

January 2011 to Present

Brandy Bratcher (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) and Lee Zeller (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) got engaged on Dec. 9. Upon completion of her residency, Brandy will be staying at Children’s Hospital as a NICU Clinical Specialist.
Bonnie Grover Brown (’10 Doctor of Pharmacy) has added a member to her family. Cheyenne was born on June 23, 2010, at 5:02 p.m., weighing in at 6 pounds, 8 oz. and was 19 inches long.
Phuong Nguyen (’10 Doctor of Pharmacy) is working for Schnucks as a staff pharmacist. She welcomed a healthy 5 lb, 12 oz. baby boy (Dang-Khoa Kory Nguyen) to the family at 5:38 a.m. on Aug. 27, 2010.
Kristy Richter (’10 Doctor of Pharmacy) was promoted to staff pharmacist with CVS Pharmacy in Highland.
Diana Jason (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) has added “Isaacs” to her name as she married Jeremy Isaacs and moved back “home” to the Chicago area.
Michaela Doss (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) is now working at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Nichelle Hickland (’10 Doctor of Pharmacy) is doing a PGY-1 Residency program with Jewel-Osco Pharmacy and the Midwestern University Community Pharmacy Practice Residency Program. She is currently residing in Chicago.
Nathan Wear (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) and Jennifer Lurk Wear (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) have seen several exciting changes in 2010. Jennifer is now part of the faculty at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and Nathan is a staff pharmacist at St. Elizabeth’s in Belleville. They are residing in Collinsville and are expecting a baby in 2011.
Kelly Perez (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) is a staff pharmacist at Belleville Memorial Hospital.
Deonna Madison Wooten (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) is a pharmacy manager for Walgreens and is now the coordinator of a diabetes management clinic.
Ben Erwin (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) is a faculty member at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy with a clinical site at the St. Louis VA Hospital. He and Ashley Lawton (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) bought a house in Glen Carbon and are busy planning their upcoming wedding (May 2011).
Jessica Emling (’10 Doctor of Pharmacy) was recently promoted to pharmacy manager at the Walgreens-Wood River location. She’s busy planning an Aug. 13 wedding and unpacking from her recent move to Fairview Heights.
Kate Muhlstadt (’10 Doctor of Pharmacy) is living in Alabama and completing a PGY1 residency at the VA Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Kevin Asbrock (’10 Doctor of Pharmacy) is now a full-time clinical staff pharmacist with St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis.
Ashley Jarret (’10 Doctor of Pharmacy) and Jason Scott (’09 Doctor of Pharmacy) are expecting a baby in Jan. 2011.