Alumni News

Wheaton College Alumni Association News

New members on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, celebrating family generations of alumni, and upcoming leadership transition.


Photos: Mike Hudson

Leonard is the associate partner manager at ServiceNow, a software development company. He also
serves as the youth pastor at Purpose City Church in Aurora. Leonard graduated from Wheaton in 2018 with a B.A. in communication and worked as an admissions counselor for the College after graduation. He is married to Bria Jenkins Blair ’19.

Leonard Blair Jr. ’18 | Aurora, Illinois

Leonard is the associate partner manager at ServiceNow, a software development company. He also serves as the youth pastor at Purpose City Church in Aurora. Leonard graduated from Wheaton in 2018 with a B.A. in communication and worked as an admissions counselor for the College after graduation. He is married to Bria Jenkins Blair ’19.

Chloe holds a B.A. in English with a teaching concentration and an ESL endorsement, as well as an M.A. in teaching. She has been an active alumna resource for Wheaton’s Center for Vocation and Career. Chloe currently teaches 8th and 9th grade English at the Lindblom Math and Science Academy, one of her greatest challenges and joys.

Chloe Keene ’18, M.A.T. ’24 | Chicago, Illinois

Chloe holds a B.A. in English with a teaching concentration and an ESL endorsement, as well as an M.A. in teaching. She has been an active alumna resource for Wheaton’s Center for Vocation and Career. Chloe currently teaches 8th and 9th grade English at the Lindblom Math and Science Academy, one of her greatest challenges and joys.

Aslin is the Alumni Association Board’s new young alumni director. She was a first-generation student at Wheaton who majored in English and graduated in May with her second degree from Wheaton: a Master of Arts in Teaching. Aslin currently works as a high school English language arts teacher at West Chicago Community High School.

Aslin Tanco ’24, M.A.T. ’25 | Carol Stream, Illinois

Aslin is the Alumni Association Board’s new young alumni director. She was a first-generation student at Wheaton who majored in English and graduated in May with her second degree from Wheaton: a Master of Arts in Teaching. Aslin currently works as a high school English language arts teacher at West Chicago Community High School.

Alumni News

A Wheaton College Heritage: Sons and Daughters of Alumni

A gathering for second-, third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-generation Wheaties.

Group photo of 2nd generation students from the class of 2029

2nd Generation

Row 1 (L–R): Sailor R. Croston (Jon ’91 and Kendra Ide Croston ’97, parents); Kaleb J. Stamoolis (Joel ’99 and Naomi Heppner Stamoolis ’99, parents); Karena F. Anderson (Peter Anderson ’96, father); Hope M. Severe (Mike Severe M.A. ’05, father); Lucy A. Carter (Nathan ’01, M.A. ’03, and Andrea Koenigsberg Carter ’01, parents; Bruce Koenigsberg hon, grandfather); Aria P. Newman (Chad Newman ’89, M.A. ’94, father); Analeigh R. Hoogerheide (Steve Hoogerheide ’91, father); Zara M. Shadid (Silas Shadid ’89, father); Milcah A. Turner (Manette Galvan Turner ’92, M.A. ’98, mother).

Row 2 (L–R): Lula R. Galván (Alonso Galván ’96, father); Hadley N. Marston (John ’99 and Jessica Klassen Marston ’98, M.A. ’99, parents); Amelia J. Hayward (Brian ’01 and Melissa Ryan Hayward ’01, parents); Anna J. Yancey (Wendy Penner Yancey ’94, mother); Marna C. Ibs (Rachael Montes Ibs ’02, mother); Edith J. Roloff (Nicole Reimer Roloff ’00, mother); Madelaine Wentzel (Nate ’01 and Nancy Elizabeth Bush Wentzel ’00, parents); Izzy F. Ha (Sharon Ree Ha ’99, mother); Ellie Y. Cho (Elise Kim Cho ’95, mother); Lily G. Howard (Ryan ’01 and Julie Long Howard ’02, parents); Lydia E. Wisdom (Kyle ’02 and Courtney Coffee Wisdom ’02, parents); Grace L. Sethi (Steve ’98 and Elisabeth Spencer Sethi ’98, parents); Eva M. Hunderfund (Jeff ’01 and Andrea Leep Hunderfund ’01, parents); Julia E. Goetz (Matt Goetz ’92, father); Calah G. Strong (Jonathan Strong ’99, father); Annie J. Pyykkonen (Travis ’03 and Katie Heuer Pyykkonen ’05, parents).

Row 3 (L–R): Eszter A. Wilson (John Wilson ’99, M.A. ’15, father); Alethea J. Erbele (Phillip Erbele ’93, father); Maya R. Long (Jason ’96 and Heidi Ostergaard Long ’96, parents); Riley S. Baird (Les ’96 and Esther Lawrence Baird ’96, parents); Ian D. Simpson (Benny ’93 and Kathleen Wyrtzen Simpson ’93, parents); Caleb J. Hosier (Scott Hosier ’93, father); Allison G. Henschel (Tim ’91 and Connie Van Wynen Henschel ’93, parents); Katie E. Flynn (Nathanael Flynn ’97, father); Annika R. Batt (Bob Batt ’99, father); Evangeline C. Guidry (Dustin Guidry ’04 and Annie Messing ’03, parents); Sophie N. Dew (Tim Dew ’94, father); Jonathan C. Day (James ’01 and Leslie Hrivnak Day ’01, parents); Sofia B. Puleo (James Puleo ’00, father); Sarah A. Thellman (Greg Thellman M.A. ’04, Ph.D. ’16, father); Josias L. James (Carissa Burnaman James ’00, mother); Hailey A. Bennett (Daniel M.A. ’03, M.A. ’08, and Allie Welch Bennett M.A. ’02, parents); Christian G. Pieters (Matthew ’98 and Lisa Gabrielson Pieters ’97, parents).

Row 4 (L–R): Noah K. Crumbly (Rachel Snyder Crumbly ’97, mother); Daniel J. Varblow (Robyn Funk Varblow ’93, mother); Forest J. Hines (Vanessa Harper Hines ’98, mother); Lucas R. Vallières (J. P. Vallières ’03, father); Reuben D. Fick (Jessica Lynn-Leep Fick M.A. ’13, mother); Emerson A. Thieman (Tammy Haylett Thieman ’94, mother); Matthias G. Everest (Michael ’94 and Nancy Palm Everest ’94, parents); Josh M. Hilde (Mark ’04 and Sarah Myre Hilde ’05, parents); Jackson N. Buzzard (Terry Buzzard ’85, father); Andrew J. Simpson (Scott Simpson ’01, M.A. ’06, father); Silas J. Perry (Bryan Perry ’92, father); Leif C. Olsen (Ted ’96 and Alexis Beggs Olsen ’96, parents); Michael S. Wilson (Scott Wilson ’91, father); Abe A. Rynbrandt (Chad ’94 and Mindy Austin Rynbrandt ’95, M.A. ’99, parents); Jonny D. Huber (Karl Huber ’84, father); Owen N. Berbaum (Jon Berbaum ’00, father); Emmitt J. Michel (Brent ’97 and Laura Sullivan Michel ’98, parents).

Group photo of 3rd generation students from the class of 2029

3rd Generation

Row 1 (L–R): Analisa H. Boshart (Peggy Kemna Boshart ’93, mother; Dave ’63 and Alice Paulsen Kemna ’63, grandparents); Elisabeth K. Durbin (Eric ’02 and Annika Whitaker Durbin ’02, parents; Howard Whitaker ’63, grandfather); Anna Mathews (Wesley ’02 and Melinda Chole Mathews ’02, parents; Paul Mathews ’73, grandfather); Lia J. Southcombe (David ’95 and Ericka Olson Southcombe ’95, parents; Will Southcombe ’69, grandfather); Corrie E. Morrison (Sarah Voelkel Morrison ’51, grandmother); Grace F. Rumsey (Kristin Himes Rumsey ’89, mother; Duncan ’64 and Carol Smith Himes ’64, R.N. ’61, grandparents).

Row 2 (L–R): Jordan L. Miles (Megan Crockett Miles ’96, mother; Ruth Riley Crockett ’53, grandmother); Liza E. Timm (Bob ’73 and Joan Hedstrom Dye ’73, grandparents); Cynthia M. Sandahl Xujur (Nathan Sandahl ’97, father; Phill ’69 and Mary Jane Michener Sandahl ’70, M.A. ’79, grandparents); Grace M. Farr (Nate ’98 and Heidi Funkhouser Farr ’98, parents; Mark Funkhouser M.A. ’87, grandfather); William F. Garrison (Beth Levi Garrison ’96, mother; Frank Levi M.A. ’71, grandfather); Elizabeth F. Lawson (Scott ’91 and Rachel Miller Lawson ’94, parents; Sherod ’62 and Phyllis Anderson Miller ’62, grandparents); Timothy S. Marson (Tammy Titcomb Marson ’94, mother; Ed ’66 and Mary Alice Mosemann Titcomb ’66, M.A. ’93, grandparents).

Row 3 (L–R): Theo A. Lundin (Matthew ’96 and Cherith Lidfors Lundin ’96, parents; Roger ’71 and Sue Meloy Lundin ’96, grandparents; Robert Lidfors M.A. ’01, grandfather); Shep D. Schroeder (Dan ’95 and Angie Goodfellow Schroeder ’95, parents; Ray ’65 and Carolyn Johnson Schroeder ’65, grandparents); Samuel R. VanDixhorn (Henry VanDixhorn ’63, grandfather); Peter J. Tompkins (Jason ’95 and Natasha Pyles Tompkins ’96, parents; Franklin M.Div. ’68 and Gay Nell Wyland Pyles ’65, grandparents); Anton C. Balish (Jana-Lee Germaine Balish ’97, mother; Dick ’60 and Jay Shepard Germaine ’61, grandparents); Mary R. Hamann (Bob ’99 and Kelly Hamm Hamann ’99, parents; Mark Hamm ’72, grandfather); Faith N. Giller (Barry ’94 and Lisa Godby Giller ’93, parents; Dave ’68 and Jody Evans Godby ’68, grandparents).

Group photo of 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th generation students from the class of 2029

4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Generations

Row 1 (L–R): Charlotte G. Gerber (Adam ’00 and Danielle Martin Gerber ’01, parents; Mary Groth Gerber ’77, grandmother; Burton ’44 and Elizabeth Newsom Groth ’45, great-grandparents); Paige E. Ferwerda (Ben ’04 and Allison Nyberg Ferwerda ’04, parents; Dan ’76 and Cindy Ahlquist Ferwerda ’77, grandparents; Nancy Carlson Nyberg ’76, grandmother; Virginia Klap Ferwerda ’46, great-grandmother; Rachel Benson Carlson ’46, great-grandmother); Clara H. Snavely (Mark ’95 and Kelly Pierucki Snavely ’95, parents; John Pierucki ’69, grandfather; Susan Baker Wolfe ’70, grandmother; Dave Baker ’42, great-grandfather); Jordan G. Johnson (Reid ’97 and Danielle Eames Johnson ’98, parents; Paul Johnson hon, grandfather; Irene Whitacre Johnson ’46, great-grandmother); Haven S. Shedd (Andy Shedd ’98, father; Jim Shedd ’74, grandfather; Hudson Shedd, ’47, great-grandfather); Esther S. Woodruff (Joel Woodruff ’85, father; Stephen Woodruff ’57, grandfather; Albert Woodruff ’29, great-grandfather).

Row 2 (L–R): Joanna K. Miekley (Josh Miekley ’00, father; Phil ’70 and Heather McGehee Miekley ’72, grandparents; Betty Humphreys McGehee ’37, great-grandmother); Caden P. McClarty (Joyce Gordon Williams ’78, grandmother; Paul ’45 and Dottie Duncan Gordon ’46, great-grandparents); Noah P. Martin (Amy Haugen Martin ’00, mother; Phil ’73 and Judi Guth Haugen ’74, grandparents; Lucille Linden Haugen ’41, great-grandmother; Chuck Guth ’47, great-grandfather); Lewis A. Vanderschoot (John Jacobsen ’61, grandfather; Rolf Jacobsen ’36, great-grandfather; Margaret Bailey Jacobsen Voskuyl ’38, M.A. ’40, great-grandmother); Bradford K. Taylor (Jeremy ’98 and Nancy Ryken Taylor ’98, parents; Leland hon and Mary Graham Ryken M.A. ’88, grandparents; Ken ’38 and Margaret West Taylor ’39, great-grandparents); Heidi A. Jeromin (Oliver ’02 and Summer Terhune Jeromin ’00, parents; Dave Terhune ’75, grandfather; Dan ’51 and Joy Sturgill Terhune ’48, great-grandparents); Lydia R. Hansen (Sandy Ribbe Hansen ’89, mother; Bob Ribbe ’59, grandfather; Walter Ribbe ’35, great-grandfather).

Row 3 (L–R): Lucia E. Abuhl (David ’02 and Sarah Baumgarten Abuhl ’04, parents; Dorothy Dylhoff Baumgarten ’68, grandmother; Merrill ’51 and Helen Atkinson Skinner ’51, great-grandparents); Leah J. Roe (Kathryn Elsen Roe ’00, M.A. ’02, mother; Paul ’71 and Mary Beth Willson Elsen ’71, grandparents; John ’42 and Virginia Culver Elsen ’42, great-grandparents; Pete ’50 and June Coray Willson ’50, great-grandparents; Mattias 1911, M.A. 1912, and Oliver Straw Elsen 1913, great-great-grandparents; Ed 1923 and Lillian Wightman Coray 1924, great-great-grandparents; Carrie Finch Straw 1881, great-great-great-grandmother); Rowan B. Cramer (Ben ’05 and Liz Bunch Cramer ’07, parents; Greg ’80 and Martha Schlamann Bunch ’80, grandparents; Nona Lawson Schlamann ’51, great-grandmother); Josh T. Hartman (Casey ’02 and Katie Pearson Hartman ’02, parents; Sue O’Connor Hartman ’75, grandmother; Joanne Spalding O’Connor ’50, great-grandmother); Matt D. Anderson (Evan ’95 and Catherine Barnes Anderson ’96, parents; Ross ’68 and Barbie Wessner Anderson ’70, grandparents; David ’69 and Marcia Boehme Barnes ’69, grandparents; Ken ’44 and Norma Cook Wessner ’44, great-grandparents; Marion Barnes hon, great-grandfather); Michael D. Osielski (David ’95 and Anne Hayward Osielski ’96, M.A. ’23, parents; Charles Hayward ’54, M.A. ’65, great-grandfather).


512x768 Alumni director

Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch ’82

Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch ’82, Chief Alumni Officer and Executive Director of the Wheaton College Alumni Association, is leaving this role after nearly 20 years. After serving as Associate Director of Alumni Relations from 1992–96, Cindra returned in 2006 as Director of Alumni Relations/Executive Director of the WCAA. Her role expanded in 2011 to include oversight of the Parent Engagement program. In 2015, she re-envisioned the College’s career development function and has provided strategic vision and oversight of the Center for Vocation and Career for more than ten years. The College and Alumni Association are deeply grateful to Cindra for her service.