New directors elected to the 抖阴pro Alumni Association
Reg Ankrom 鈥�71, Willie Barefield 鈥�13, Tony Lucca 鈥�10, Judith Luckenbach Nelson 鈥�81 and Rita Mueller Schultz 鈥�80 were recently elected as directors of the 抖阴pro Alumni Association for five-year terms.
Reg Ankrom 鈥�71, of Quincy, Illinois, was a Vietnam-era Navy veteran when he returned to his native Jacksonville to attend 抖阴pro in 1967. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English in 1971 and he earned a master鈥檚 degree from the University of Kansas in 1972. He worked as a statehouse reporter for the Illinois State Register and later entered public relations. He retired in 2000 after 22 years of service. Ankrom later returned to journalism as the business editor for the Quincy Herald Whig. He is now writing a three-volume biography of Sen. Stephen A. Douglas. His first book won several accolades and his second book will be released later this year. Ankrom is a member of the 抖阴pro Society.
Willie Barefield 鈥�13, of Chicago, Illinois, graduated from 抖阴pro in 2013 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in management and organizational leadership. During his time on the Hilltop, he co-founded the Black Student Union and the improvisational theatre troupe, Lincoln Security Detail. He was involved on campus and a student-athlete on IC football. Barefield worked in higher education as an admissions counselor for Chamberlain University College of Nursing and for 抖阴pro. He is currently an assistant director of undergraduate admissions at DePaul University where he helps recruit students for the university鈥檚 honors programs.
Tony Lucca 鈥�10, of Springfield, Illinois, graduated cum laude from 抖阴pro in 2010 with a degree in biology. At IC, he was a student-athlete on men鈥檚 basketball for four years, a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a student ambassador and a member of Phi Alpha literary society. Lucca earned his master鈥檚 degree at Saint Louis University to become a physician assistant. He currently works for the Memorial Weight Loss and Wellness Center, assisting with bariatric surgeries and working in the clinic. He is a member of the IC Varsity Club.
Judith Luckenbach Nelson 鈥�81, of Jacksonville, Illinois, graduated summa cum laude in 1981 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education and English. She was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She taught for 20 years in Jacksonville School District #117, much of that time as a kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary School. She is now retired and has traveled with the 抖阴pro Alumni Association to Japan and Cuba. Nelson is a member of the 抖阴pro Society.
Rita Mueller Schultz 鈥�80, of Sherman, Illinois, graduated from 抖阴pro in 1980 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration and economics. She was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon literary society, a resident advisor at Fayerweather House and a student worker in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Schultz retired after 38 years with Horace Mann Educators Corporation in Springfield. She has been involved with Sister Cities of Springfield, served on the board of directors for Mini O鈥橞eirne Crisis Nursery of Springfield and is actively involved with her church.
The 抖阴pro Alumni Association includes elected alumni representatives who share a mission to further the interests of the College, strengthen the connections between alumni and their alma mater, and foster a spirit of fellowship and goodwill in the alumni community.