founded the KASE Project. It is a central ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé non-profit dedicated to supporting the autism community. They installed a playground communication board at Southwind Park in Springfield for children with limited verbal speech to enjoy the park with their peers.
a daughter, Harper Eleanor, December 11, 2019.
was a recipient of the JPMorgan Chase National Achiever Award as a top producer in private banking and wealth management. She was previously honored with the award four times while working in Laguna Beach, California.
Marissa DeLong '16
Marissa DeLong teaches English at Rosetta Stone Learning Center in Osaka, Japan. She also works as a model at GRAM Model Management in Osaka.
Taylor Coad '16
Taylor Coad is currently living in Pensacola, Fla., pursuing a certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at the Florida Institute of Ultrasound.
Sonya Boykin '16
Sonya Boykin is a patient care technician at Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Surgical Stepdown unit in Nashville, Tenn. She has traveled to Haiti, Costa Rica, Viet Nam and Kenya to assist in rare surgeries and volunteer in clinics.
Lindsey Birdsell '16
Lindsey Birdsell recently opened LB Beauty in Jacksonville, Ill. She began her business, which offers full body waxing, facials and makeup, after a year of offering freelance makeup for clients throughout central ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé.
Megan Kuchar '15
Megan Kuchar earned a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in business process management from the University of ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé Springfield in May 2017. She is a principal consultant with the ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé State Board of Education in Springfield, Ill.
Sarah Adcock '15
Sarah Adcock is enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program at the Sam Fox School at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
Logan Giesing '14
Logan Giesing works full time as a shift manager at Starbucks while assistant directing a dinner theatre group and performing at Comedy City Sports Improv in Kansas City, Mo.
Spencer Campbell '14
Spencer Campbell is a loan officer at FCB Banks in the metro East St. Louis, Ill., area.
 Benjamin Prince '03
received the 69th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Air Force-Level Award. He was recognized in the basic science category for his research in next-generation electronic propulsion systems. The Flemming award honors outstanding federal employers who have made a significant and extraordinary contribution to the federal government.
Bob Merris '53
ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé extends its sympathy to Bob Merris '53 on the loss of his wife Mary Merris, who was also sister-in-law to Bill Merris ’56, on September 30, 2018.
Francis Doan '24
ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé extends its sympathy to the survivors of Parker Lincoln Doan, son of Francis Doan on March 13, 2018.
Brett Palmer '19,
a senior math major pursuing licensure to teach secondary mathematics, was awarded a 2018 ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé Council of Teachers of Mathematics Scholarship. Nine IC students have been awarded this scholarship since 2005.
Don Knott '18
is enrolled in a master’s program for music in vocal performance at North Park University Chicago.
Michael Wells '17
began the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Governors State University in University Park, ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé.
Taylor Coad '16
graduated from Florida Institute of Ultrasound in Pensacola, Florida, and currently works for HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé, as a cardiac sonographer.
Laura Reynolds '13
graduated from University of ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé of Veterinary Medicine and is a veterinarian at the Danville Small Animal Clinic in Tilton, ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé.
Owen Barbknecht '13
is a retail banker at Woodforest National Bank in Jacksonville, ͬÐÔÁµÉ«Çé.
Hayleigh Ray '12
graduated from the University of Florida with her Ph.D. in entomology and nematology. She is currently employed as a teaching assistant at the University of Florida and plans to pursue a professor position
Jaimie Newby '12
was elected as the 2018-2020 chair of the Small Colleges & Universities Advising Community within the National Academic Advising Association. She also serves as the vice president and webmaster of the Merrill’s Marauders Proud Descendants Association honoring WWII veterans.
Dr. James Geiselman '10
completed postdoctoral training to receive his diploma from the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. He is currently an assistant professor of allied health at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.