Alumni News and Events

Alumni in the News

School of Education alums are making the news on a daily basis!
Here you will find stories from local and national newspapers featuring our alums from all over the country.  Articles include alums that have recently been married, received promotions, and many other significant events.

Would you like to share an article in which you or a fellow classmate have been featured in lately?  Please share the link with us, so we can include you on our web site!

---

John Dunphy

Dunphys proud to have name on building linked to freedom route
John and Loretta Dunphy are the proud owners of the building that houses their Second Reading Bookstore, 16 E. Broadway. [full story]

Mark Marcuzzo

Mark Marcuzzo has joined the Collinsville Area Recreation District staff as the full-time manager at Arlington Greens Golf Course
Mark Marcuzzo has joined the Collinsville Area Recreation District staff as the full-time manager at Arlington Greens Golf Course, 200 Arlington Drive, in Granite City. [full story]

Renee Schuster

Francis Howell superintendent will retire at the end of the school year
Renée Schuster, superintendent of the Francis Howell School District since 2006, said this morning she plans to retire at the end of the school year. [full story]

Bobby Thomas

Former SIUE assistant flourishing with Valley
Bobby Thomas grew up in Washington, worked at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and now is director of operations for the St. Louis-based Missouri Valley Conference. [full story]

Theresa O'Conner

Creative Thinking: Masterpieces generate class discussion
Teacher Theresa O'Connor is using materials she brought back from an expenses-paid, highly competitive conference in Boston to teach and encourage her students to think creatively. [full story]

Frank Kraus

'Three Men With Vision': Granite City Sports Hall of Fame honors founders
When people visit the Granite City Sports Hall of Fame, they will see a large bronze plaque honoring the three men who did the most to found the organization. Al Barnes, Frank Kraus and Bill Schooley have their pictures on an 18-inch by 24-inch bronze plaque at the entrance to the building near the Granite City football stadium honoring them as "Three Men With Vision." [full story]

Bill Bishop

Greenfield superintendent to retire next year
The Greenfield School Board approved Superintendent Bill Bishop's request to retire at the end of the 2009-2010 school year at Monday night's meeting. [full story]

Gary Twesten

'Twesten is back': Local artist showing again after 24-year break
Well into his career as a biology teacher at Belleville Township High School West, Twesten had been showing his wildlife drawings in shows from Kansas to Wisconsin. Everywhere he went, people raved about his detailed pencil sketches of birds, mammals, rodents and plants. [full story]

Paula Fritz

Teacher motivated by curiosity
Fourth-grade teacher Paula Fritz grew up wanting to be an astronaut but became a teacher instead - a connection that has not been lost by NASA in the space program. [full story]

Fred Clark

Fred Clark to record album of children's music
Former Collinsville resident Fred Clark is currently recording an album of children's music at Big Bang Studio in Houma, La. [full story]

Ed Settles

Return to Jersey homecoming for next superintendent
The Jersey Community School Board hired Ed Settles as superintendent during Homecoming Week, a move that Board President Greg Brown found very fitting. [full story]

Angela Peterson

Clinician recognized for motivational skills
When Angela Peterson got hired as the speech clinician at Lovejoy Elementary School in Alton, she brought more than just her education to the table. [full story]

Robert Canada

Edwardsville, East St. Louis educators contend for Teacher of the Year honors
Columbus Elementary in Edwardsville and East St. Louis High School have something in common: Each has a finalist for the Illinois Teacher of the Year award. [full story]

Melissa Sievers

Two teachers in area in running for Teacher of Year
Teachers from Edwardsville and Brussels are among the 10 finalists for the 2009-2010 Illinois Teacher of the Year, the Illinois State Board of Education announced Tuesday. [full story]

Martha Warren

Edwardsville, East St. Louis educators contend for Teacher of the Year honors
Columbus Elementary in Edwardsville and East St. Louis High School have something in common: Each has a finalist for the Illinois Teacher of the Year award. [full story]

Patrick Anderson

O'Fallon school wins $10,000 for garden in nationwide contest
Joseph Arthur Middle School beat out more than 200 applicants and seven finalists from across the nation to win $10,000 in the Good Food Garden sweepstakes. [full story]

Richard "RJ" Krause

All-Stars Teacher continues to give to underprivileged kids
For 30 years, Richard "RJ" Krause has been a fixture in the East St. Louis and Washington Park communities. He is a teacher, a mentor and coach of the RJ Krause All-Stars Sports Club. Two years ago Krause, 58, fell at the Clyde C. Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis and tore the ligaments in his knees and shoulder and now uses a wheelchair. [full story]

Patricia Hanna

Hanna named track, field coach
Culver-Stockton College Director of Athletics Joel Dant has announced that Patricia “Tish” Hanna has been hired as the new cross country and track and field coach at Culver-Stockton, replacing Steve Blocker, who resigned last month. [full story]

Alberto Friedmann

Not the Karate Kid: Highland martial arts expert, 41, wins bronze at Maccabiah Games
At age 41, Alberto Friedmann came out of retirement last month to compete in the 18th annual Maccabiah Games in Israel, the second-largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics. [full story]

Staci Clayborne

Staci Clayborne named assistant VP for student development at SWIC
Staci Clayborne, of Belleville, has been named assistant vice president for student development at Southwestern Illinois College. [full story]

Victoria Conley

Artist, educator has loving devotion for Jacoby Arts Center
Never one to let anything hold her back, Victoria Conley is the newly elected president at Jacoby Arts Center and is definitely up to the challenge [full story]

Marcia Callis

Positive Discipline
Marcia Callis started working as an occupational therapist for Catholic Children's Home in 1977. She was there to help during the first years of CCH's school program. [full story]

Tom King

Collinsville teacher bikes across country in honor of Triad student who died of cancer
A Collinsville teacher has spent the past month riding his bicycle across the country in honor of a Triad Middle School student who lost his battle with cancer. [full story]

Shelby Hendrix

Hendrix-Norris Wedding
Shelby Hendrix and Joshua Norris were united in marriage at a 4 p.m. ceremony June 12, 2009, in the Dominican Republic, where they spent their honeymoon. [full story]

Richard Grogan

Trainer focuses on building character as well as self-defense skills
"This is more than coming here and throwing a few kicks and punches," Grogan, 39, said. "It is about improving your character. [full story]

Candace Hovey

Administrator tasked with kids' well-being
Candace Hovey took her first teaching job as a special education teacher at the Catholic Children's Home in 1980. [full story]

Kevin Gockel

Miller named new EA-WR athletics director
Adam Miller has new responsibilities at East Alton-Wood River High. The Oilers' boys' basketball coach is their new director of athletics. [full story]

Joe Silkwood

BASEBALL: Silkwood eager to guide Explorers
Joe Silkwood grew up playing baseball and now he wants to continue coaching it. So when Marquette Catholic High School made him an offer he couldn't refuse, Silkwood heartily accepted it Wednesday. [full story]

Greg DeCourcey

BASEBALL: Silkwood eager to guide Explorers
Joe Silkwood grew up playing baseball and now he wants to continue coaching it. So when Marquette Catholic High School made him an offer he couldn't refuse, Silkwood heartily accepted it Wednesday. [full story]

Andrea Scott

Scott~Dipazo Wedding
Andrea Scott and David Dipazo were joined in marriage May 2, 2009, at Community Christian Church with Dr. Judith Lincoln officiating. A reception was held at Lockhaven Country Club. The couple, who honeymooned in the Bahamas, resides in Alton. [full story]

John E. Cunningham

Longtime educator reflects on career
After 38 years as an educator and administrator, John Cunningham is retiring June 30 as director of human resources for the Alton School District. [full story]

Patrick R. Murphy

Assistant superintendent to leave Collinsville schools
Murphy named superintendent of Mt. Olive School District. Collinsville schools Assistant Superintendent Patrick Murphy will step down June 11 to become the new superintendent of a Macoupin County school system. [full story]

Marcus Belcher

Belcher to start today as SIU's new assistant coach
Marcus Belcher is back in the family, this time as 'Coach.' The 29-year-old former point guard at Southern Illinois University will start today as men's basketball coach Chris Lowery's newest assistant. Belcher, who moved over from Evansville, where he was also an assistant, replaced 21-year assistant Rodney Watson. [full story]

Brittany Hunt

Hunt~Sasser Engagement
Gary and Jean Hunt of Holiday Shores are announcing the engagement and upcoming summer wedding of their daughter, Brittany Hunt, to Caleb Sasser. He is the son of Rebekah Feezel and Marty Sasser, both of Bethalto. [full story]

Caleb Sasser

Hunt~Sasser Engagement
Gary and Jean Hunt of Holiday Shores are announcing the engagement and upcoming summer wedding of their daughter, Brittany Hunt, to Caleb Sasser. He is the son of Rebekah Feezel and Marty Sasser, both of Bethalto. [full story]

Kyle Moats

Missouri State picks Moats as athletics director
Kyle Moats has been as an associate athletics director at Louisville for four years. Secrecy was not something Missouri State was seeking as it pursued an athletics director to replace Bill Rowe, who will retire next month after 28 years on the job and more than 50 affiliated with the university. [full story]

Kristin Cardwell

Cardwell~Luparell Engagement
The parents of Kristin Cardwell and Joshua Luparell are announcing their engagement and upcoming July wedding.  She is the daughter of Jerry and Debbie Cardwell of Alton and his parents are John and Kim Luparell of Springfield, Ill. [full story]

Christine Head

Area's best and brightest Banquet recognizes Silver Medallion Academic Awards honorees
The 22nd annual Silver Medallion Academic Excellence Awards banquet was held Thursday evening at Lewis and Clark Community College's River Bend Arena to honor the area's outstanding high school graduates. [full story]

Margaret Drew

Dr. Drew receives teaching award
Dr. Margaret Drew, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, is this year’s Missouri Higher Education Teacher of the Year from Northwest Missouri State University. [full story]

Sarah Mager

Mager~Cordes Engagement
The parents of Sarah Mager and John Cordes are announcing the couple's engagement and approaching summer wedding. She is the daughter of Jim and Mary Mager of Godfrey and he is the son of Dave and Liz Cordes of Godfrey. [full story]

Chad Allison

Litchfield Hires Superintendent
It will be a neighborly transition for the new Litchfield School District superintendent. Chad D. Allison, 37, superintendent of Mount Olive Community Unit District the past four years, was hired Tuesday evening by unanimous vote of Litchfield school board to succeed Mike Juenger, who will become superintendent of Dixon School District next year. [full story]

Robert Moginot

Marquette history teacher wins state award
Rob Moginot did not plan on being a history teacher. In fact he started out wanting to be a physical therapist, but a twist of fate made him change his major, and now he is the Daughters of the American Revolution 2009 Outstanding Teacher of Illinois in History. [full story]

Shane Callahan

‘Ripple effect' - Grad teaches health tenets at alma mater
When Shane Callahan graduated from Lewis and Clark Community College in May 1997, he knew he wanted to work in a field where he could make a difference in people's lives. [full story]

Mark Cappel

Wood River superintendent going back to Alton
Mark Cappel is leaving his post as Wood River-Hartford School District superintendent to go "home" this summer to his old job in human resources at the Alton School District. [full story]

David Powell

Veteran Hillsboro teacher named school superintendent
A Hillsboro High School graduate and veteran teacher, coach and principal in the Hillsboro district will be its next superintendent. David Powell has been named by the school board to succeed Don Burton, who is retiring after nine years as school superintendent. [full story]

Dan Beiser

Beiser to head House panel
State Rep. Dan Beiser has landed a key transportation committee chairmanship that could bode well for a district in dire need of highway funding. [full story]

Dave Oberlink

Jewelers have a heart
One person was an unemployed autoworker. Two more were a husband and wife, both out of work. Three others were losing homes to foreclosure. [full story]

Rebecca Touchette

Touchette teacher of month
Becky Touchette received the Parkview Elementary School Edward Jones Teacher of the Month Spotlight award for December. [full story]

Callie Stilwell

Mount Olive woman on NBC show tonight
A Mount Olive High School graduate is one of more than 30 women chosen to be on NBC's new reality show "Momma's Boys," a show that tries to match eligible bachelors with women approved of by their matchmaking mothers. [full story]

Deana Wallace

Teacher recognized for her time on SIUE's soccer team
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has a new hall-of-famer, and she's one of Collinsville's own. Deana Wallace was inducted Saturday into the SIUE Hall of Fame for her time with the university women's soccer team during from 1984 to 1988. "It was wonderful," she said. "I had great experiences, fond memories of SIUE." [full story]

Angela Mali

From Russia with love — of dance
Former Bolshoi Theatre performer now teaching River Benders to become ballerinas.  A Russian professional ballet dancer made his way to the River Bend via a classic American author who wrote about life on the river. [full story]

Michael Kurth

Kurth to become Roxana's new AD, replacing Scroggins
There's a changing of the guard at Roxana High and Mark Scroggins is delighted to hand the baton to Mike Kurth. Scroggins will call it a career as the Shells' director of athletics next week. He has served in that position for 15 years. Kurth, also an assistant principal, is the new guy in charge of Roxana sports and Scroggins said his replacement is the ideal choice. [full story]

Dale Huwer

Huwer wins officiating award
The Illinois High School Association has awarded Dale Huwer of Millstadt the 2008 Girls Track and Field Official of the Year. [full story]