Keeping Up

Information posted here is provided by individuals via email to mhcaa@outlook.com.  Items such as recent accomplishments, travel adventures, anything to inspire, or your photos of visits with other Harper folks are especially appreciated! Please share your information to help keep everyone up to date.

HCAA Member Publications | Member Updates | Who’s Retiring

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RETIREE Books Written, EXHIBITIONS…

Michael Nejman recently had an exhibition “To Die For”, a unique collection of grave yard photos at the Al Larson Prairie Arts Center in Schaumburg. Gravesite pictures from Poe to Morrison

Jim Edstrom, Harper Professor of Library Services and History, has published “Avenues of Transformation:  Illinois’s Path from Territory to State” (Southern Illinois University Press, 2023, ISBN 9780809338764).  It is available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other bookstores. This book tells the story of shame, ambition, and will that led to Illinois’s admission to the Union in 1818. It describes each stage of the narrative—the original statehood campaign, the passage of Illinois’s statehood-enabling act by Congress, and Illinois’s first constitutional convention—by focusing on the primary leaders in each of those episodes. The lives of these men—Daniel Pope Cook, Nathaniel Pope, and Elias Kent Kane—reflect the momentous tangle of politics, slavery, and geography. This history maps the drive for statehood in the conflict between nation and state, in the perpetuation of slavery, and in the sweep of water and commerce. It underscores the ways in which the Prairie State is uniquely intertwined—economically, socially, and politically—with every region of the Union: North, South, East, and West—and captures the compelling moment when Illinois statehood stood ready to more perfectly unify the nation.

 Avenues of Transformation is the recipient of the Russell P. Strange Memorial Book Award from the Illinois State Historical Society as 2023’s “Book of the Year.”  For more information please visit https://jimedstrom.me/

Dr. Vicki Atkinson’s new book,Surviving Sue” is an eye-opening story about the fallout of keeping secrets, told from a daughter’s perspective as she navigated her mother’s mental health and addiction issues, while trying to shield and protect her disabled sister.

Available in paperback Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press or on Amazon (ebook), Vicki’s story about resilience and intergenerational healing is a compelling, heartfelt read.

One reviewer wrote, Surviving Sue captured and held my attention from the first page to the last.  Its reminiscent of Angelas Ashesand The Glass Castle, both engaging stories of overcoming told with humor, grace, wisdom and forgiveness.  -Author Julia Preston

Visit Vicki on her blog, Victoria Ponders or website, Atkinson Group Solutions.

Pascuala Herrera, June 2020 retiree, published “Not Always a Valley of Tears” (which is also available in Spanish) which is now available for purchase on Amazon. Pascuala Herrera retells her story as a Mexican immigrant woman with a physical disability resulting from childhood polio, who had the odds against her, yet she conquered simply by working hard, having unfailing faith, and finding her own life purpose. She shares her experiences as a child who contracted Polio in La Purisima, Durango Mexico, and how she overcame many challenges to become a successful educator, wife, and mother. Although her mother always told her that “life was a valley of tears,” she learned that although there were many difficult moments in her life, there were also beautiful miracles that happened every day. For supplemental information, including a photo gallery, visit pascualaherrera.com.


Retiree Michael Nejman‘s new book, “Laughing at the Sun: The Story of a Man Who Changed His Spots,” is now available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle editions.  One reviewer said it’s “a hilarious mid-life coming of age story, told against the backdrop of a road trip that has gone very, very wrong.”  Another said, “…(it’s) engaging, funny and enlightening.”  Think “Sideways” meets “Tuesdays with Morrie.”  For further details, and to purchase the book, go to: www.michaelnejman.com .  (Please note: this story contains sexually explicit content.)


Best Seat in the House cover pic1

Retiree Bruce Bohrer‘s book, “Best Seat in the House — Diary of a Wrigley Field Usher,” would make a GREAT gift for Cubs fans!  The book is about Bruce’s nine seasons working as an usher for the Chicago Cubs.  It’s filled with hundreds of stories about what takes place on the other side of the wall at Wrigley.  From humorous crowd-control episodes to poignant marriage proposals at the Cubs dugout, it’s a great read about the fans who come from all over the world to see the shrine called Wrigley Field.  Here’s a comment from a reviewer Mike Terson (former PA announcer for the Cubs) — “Bruce was immersed in what makes experiencing a major league baseball game at a venue such as Wrigley Field so fascinating.  I’m sure you will enjoy hearing these stories from his vantage point in the ‘Best Seat in the House’.”

For further details, and to purchase a copy click here or call 847.394.2797


Stay Connected

Stay Connected

Stay Connected Submission Form

Stay Connected

Ever wonder what your former colleagues are up to? Share your story and stay connected. Information posted here is provided by individuals via this submission form.  Please submit your full name, position at Harper, years worked and whatever else you want to share about your current life.

From Dianne Kinn – I’m checking in with all my Harper friends to tell you I am alive and well in sunny Myrtle Beach, SC. Living in an independent living facility is a different lifestyle — I’m as busy as ever. If anyone is interested in calling or dropping me a line — I’d love to hear from you. I’m here because my daughter lives close by PLUS I live one mile from the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.
Update August 5,2025 – Greetings from hot and rainy Myrtle Beach. I’m enjoying my life at an independent living facility. Lots to do and comfortable living. No cooking, no stressful driving, no housecleaning, exercise equipment available, fun people, etc . I miss you all, particularly my friends,and nephews & family, downtown Chicago, Lou Malinati pizza and Chicago hotdogs. Call me if you’d like — 708-212-5792 dianemkinn@gmail.com

2024

From Pat Beach – I’ve been in Michigan since June 2022 and enjoy retirement. Instead of travel we are setting up our home as we bought an old Michigan cottage, tore it down and built a retirement home on Lake Huron about 100 miles northeast of Detroit in Michigan’s “Thumb”. Moving from Cook County with 5.3 million people to Sanilac County with 40,000 residents (140,000 livestock!) is sure a different lifestyle. Our closest town is 10 miles with 800 people. Quiet but all is AOK. I keep an open Facebook page

2020

05/13/2020 John Clarke, Psychology, 1988 – 2020

Greetings Everybody!
Will be jumping into the retirement pool pretty soon (Aug. 1, 2020). Harper has been in my life since I started as a student in the Fall of 1972. Over the years it has been central in my life as well as those in my family. My wife, Eve, graduated from the nursing program at Harper and worked at Northwest Community Hospital as a surgical nurse for 35 years. Our three children all had experiences with Harper as they pursued their professional interests. We are all staying put at home and looking forward to engaging with former Harper folks who are now living their lives beyond the common bond of Harper.
John

05/04/2020 Jaci Carroll, Information Technology, 1983 – 2010

This is Jaci Carroll writing a little note to catch everyone up about what I’ve been up to since retirement. I worked in Information Technology in a few different positions (Lab Supervisor, Manager of the Advanced Technology Resource Center, and Software Licensing and Asset Control Manager).

After retiring, I decided I wanted to stay connected to Harper, so I maintain a presence with the Harper College Annuitants Association. Staying connected with my friends from Harper has given me many reasons to attend movies, luncheons, and dinners.

After my husband Chuck passed away in January of 2011, I made a decision to move to Crystal Lake into a nice ranch home, close to one of my daughters. Another decision was to travel! Here are some of the places I went: Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China (Hong Kong, Beijing, Xian). The Asian trip was a month long. The continuing list is Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Holland, England, and Ireland. I am anxiously awaiting the time when I can travel some more.

At home I read, put puzzles together, and lots of gardening. My most favorite is being with my family (my children, eleven grandchildren, and my four siblings). My life is full and blessed!

04/14/2020 Phil Troyer, Counselor/Stu Dev Faculty, 1972 – 2002

Mary Ellen and I are healthy. We try to walk one and a half miles each morning. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturdays I pick neighbors grapefruit and other citrus and donate to the food bank. I have an extension pole picker and use no ladder. The citrus are now in blossom for next year’s crop and ripe fruit is still on many trees in the neighborhood. So I started with one nearby tree, then others saw me and asked if I would pick and donate theirs. Only 140 pounds a day, but am up to 1600 pounds so far. Another two residents are picking and donating now, too. A good outcome from being hunkered down. The AZ State Park Campgrounds are still open as the campsites are very spread out and social distancing is easy.

So far my offspring are Covid-19 free. Two new great-grandchildren were born last month. One in Colorado, and one in Wisconsin.

Health to you! Love and good memories . . . .
Phil

04/13/2020 Solveig Bender, Math Lab & Math Adjunct, 1976-2007

I was in the Math Lab for 25 years where we worked as teachers to students who were not prepared for college level math from 1976-2001. After a year of retirement, I came back as an adjunct in the math dept. teaching for 6
years each spring 2002-2007. Harper was a great place to work. My oldest grandson just finished Harper and has been at Olivet Nazarene for a year.

I moved to the Moorings 7 years ago, one year after my husband died. I like it very much here and enjoy my apartment. I traveled a bit but now am ready to enjoy local places. The grandkids are graduating college and started to get married. No grandkids yet. One is a math teacher in Virginia and so is her husband. She is quite a whiz and has finished her Master’s degree.


Retirees


NAMEEffective Date (end date)Empl GrpTitleDepartment
Kathy Zuo12/31/2025FACAssociate ProfessorLiberal Arts
Paula Akialis12/31/2025FACAssociate ProfessorHealth Careers
Lori Eschenbaum12/31/2025SMExecutive CoordinatorPresident’s Office
Wayne Sopher9/30/2025IEACustodian Operations Services
Thomas Cassell9/20/2025ADMSenior DirectorBusiness Development
Patrick Sean Colbert9/1/2025PTBox Office CoordinatorEvents Management
Patty Loyola8/30/2025PTSpecialist – Assessment and RegistrationAdult Educational Development
Njambi Kamoche7/31/2025ADMDeanResources for Learning
Bobby Summers7/31/2025FACProfessor Business and Social Science
Helen Burroughs7/31/2025FACAssociate ProfessorBusiness and Social Science
Carlson-Nofsinger, Carol7/31/2025FACAssociate ProfessorCareer and Technical Programs
Robert Galick6/30/2025ADMExecuive Vice PresidentFinance & Administrative Services
Susan Egan6/30/2025SMOperations CoordinatorPlanning and Institutional Effectiveness
Karin Lacour-Rivers6/30/2025PTAcademic AdvisorAdvising Services
Karen Berthold6/30/2025CSAdministrative SecretaryHealth Careers
John McManus6/30/2025SMSenior Technical ManagerInfrastructure Services
Heidi Spirakes6/30/2025PTLab Technician – BiologyMathematics and Science
Regan Myers5/31/2025ADDirector – Infrastructure ServicesInfrastructure Services
Laura Pulio Colbert5/31/2025FACProfessor Liberal Arts
Thomas Lange5/31/2025SMManager- Conference and Events ServicesEvents Management
Jeanne Leifheit5/31/2025FACProfessorHealth Careers
Sandra Minich3/31/2025SMCreative Services ManagerMarketing Services
Margaret Lansky2/28/2025SMManager – Fast TrackBusiness and Social Science
NAMETITLE: Dept/DivisionRETIREMENT DATE
2023 – 2024 Retirees
Meg CooneyAdministrative Coordinator – Strategic Alliances and Innovation12/31/24
Leslie KeressLibrary Services9/28/24
Jamie GrantAdministrative Assistant – Athletics and Fitness9/27/24
Maria FloresOperation Services9/2/24
Andrea FirebugAdult Educational Development8/30/24
Brenna LorenzProfessor math and Sciences
7/31/24
Carl DittburnerProfessor Career and Technical Programs7/31/24
Timothy ManningProfessor Career & Technical Programs7/31/24
Kathleen FischerProfessor – Nursing7/31/24
Yvette SantiagoOperation Services7/28/24
Anthony HolmesMaintenance Mechanic6/30/24
Barbara LevinCompliance and Project Strategist6/30/24
Katherine CoyDirector of Institutional Research6/30/24
Maria CoonsVP- Strategic Alliances6/30/24
Diana DrehoblProgram Coordinator CTP6/13/24
Rebecca CurtinAssociate Professor CTP5/31/24
Rodney RameyCampus Setup Crew -Operational Services3/22/24
Laura Brown Vice President & Chief Advancement Officer
1/2/24
Christine Buck Administrative Secretary Business & Social Science12/31/23
Debarah MaropisAdministrative Coordination – Workforce Solutions8/31/23
Joanne GoreckiRegistration & Support Services Assistant6/30/23
Mark HawkinsAssociate – Publishing & Distribution12/31/23
Michele DeCanioAssoc Professor Student Development12/31/23
Lenard HendersonHarper Police – Community Service Officer11/20/23
Michael ChomiczewskiSenior Graphic Designer9/30/23
Michael Swier Network Specialist – Infrastructure Services9/30/23
Paula SaltzmanDiverse Workforce Recruiter – HR9/30/23
Vernon RistyHarper Police – Community Service Officer8/23/23
William HinesCustodial Foreman – Operational Services7/7/23
Sue SkoraRegistrar – Interim Director of Enrollment Services6/30/23
Patricia FergusonProfessor Liberal Arts5/31/23
2022 – 2023 Retirees
NAMETITLE: Dept/DivisionRETIREMENT DATE
David BraunschweigProfessor Career & Technical Programs7/31/2023
Patricia BrunerAssociate Professor Career & Technical Programs7/31/2023
Kathleen CanfieldPlacement & Workforce Solutions12/31/2022
Sue ContarinoDirector Client Systems9/30/2022
Laurie DietzManager – Budget, Account Accounting Services6/30/2023
Theresa FrankAssistant Professor – Health Careers5/23/2023
Samuel GiordanoAssociate Professor – Career & Technical Programs7/31/2023
Nancy HaberichterAssistant Professor – Health Careers7/31/2023
Mary Ann JanosikProvost6/30/2023
Judy KaplowAssociate Professor – Liberal Arts12/31/2022
Caryn LevingtonProfessor – Business & Social Science7/31/2023
Minhua LiuProfessor – Mathematics & Science7/31/2023
Kathleen McClellanAccountant – Accounting Services4/30/2023
Kathryn PowellProfessor – Adult Educational Development5/31/2023
Deyi SawersClerk – Receptionist – Academic Support Services8/31/2022
Melody SchmidtOne-Stop Phone Center9/30/2022
Marla SchweikertCPE Program Coordinator – Career & Technical Programs6/30/2023

Stay Connected Submission Form

2021 – 2022 RETIREES
NAMETITLE – DEPT/DIVISIONRETIREMENT DATE
Sam BarbaroSpecialist6/30.22
Network Infrastructure 
Pat BeachProfessor5/31/2022
Career and Technical Programs
Carl BernardCustodian3/31/2022
Operations Services  
Willis Boughton Associate Professor5/31/2022
Career and Technical Programs
Helen Chase Accounts Payable Clerk Accounting Services 12/31/2021
Greg ClemonsProfessor and Chair7/31/2022
Music 
Sue ContarinoDirector9/30/2022
Client Systems 
Dave DlugerTechnical Director6/30/2022
Media Events 
Julie Ellefson-KuehnProfessor7/31/2022
Math and Science  
Ping FengCustodian11/30/2021
Operations Services
Ellen FisherManager
Academic Support Center
Brad GrossmanAssistant Professor5/31/2022
Career and Technical Programs
Kristin HoffhinesAssociate Dean6/30/2022
Advising Services 
Robin JamesAssociate Professor8/12/2022
Business and Social Services 
Darryl KnightExecutive Director10/31/2021
Facilities Management
Sunil KoswattaProfessor7/31/2022
Mathematics and Science
Sandra KreilingAssociate Professor7/31/2022
Mathematics and Science
Sam LevensonAssociate Professor7/31/2022
Mathematics and Science
Steve LiggioHarper College Police5/27/2022
Don MalzahnOperational Data Store Administrator Infrastructure Services11/30/2021
Margie McGowanCoordinator, AED Bilingual Student, and Adult Education Services6/30/2022
Professor
Kurt NeumannLiberal Arts7/31/2022
Darlene Niebuhr Specialist, Schedule and Curriculum Support Services6/30/2022
Elizabeth PagenkopfAssistant Professor7/31/2022
Health Careers
William PankeyProfessor7/31/2022
Resources for Learning
Nancy SavardOperations Services Manager, Operation Services10/31/2021
Kathy SchmitzLab Assistant, Program Micros, and Interdisciplinary Student Success6/30/2022
Theresa SellersCoordinator, Workforce Job Placement Resource Center 5/31/2022
Doug SpiewakDirector6/30/2022
Athletics and Fitness 
Thomas StauchProfessor7/31/2022
Liberal Arts 
Yvonne ThompsonLimited Enrollment Specialist, Health Careers 7/1/2022
Lori TurinskyMajor Accounts Assistant, Workforce Solutions4/30/2022
Beth YoungloveManager4/30/2022
Student Accounts, ERP Coordinator

2021

NameTitle
Dept/Division
Retirement
Date
Vicki AtkinsonDean Student Development10/01/2021
Roxanne BoersmaProject Manager
Client Systems
06/04/2021
Kathy BruceInterim Associate Provost, Academics
Interdisciplinary Student Success
06/30/2021
Diane Carter-ZubkoWorkforce Career Coordinator
Career and Technical Programs
07/01/2021
Helen Chase            Accounts Payable Clerk 
Accounting Services                           
12/31/2021
Diana CincinelloProfessor
Career and Technical Programs
07/31/2021
Dee CollinsSupervisor Mailroom
Mailroom
10/01/2021
Rose D’AgostiniAcademic Division Operations, Manager
Career & Technical Programs
05/31/2021
Jan ElbertSenior Graphic Designer
Marketing Services
12/31/2021
Nancy DesruisseauxSenior Records Clerk
Registrar’s Office
12/31/2021
James ForssanderHVAC Mechanic Operator
Utilities
01/29/2021
Linda HoeckCareer Skills Institute
Program Coordinator
TBA
Gregory HoreniAssociate Professor
Health Careers
05/22/2021
Cathy KapociusAdministrative Assistant
Resources for Learning
08/27/2021
Jennifer JenningsCoordinator, Lab
Math and Science
08/31/2021
Joan NaumesAdministrative Assistant
Business and Social Science
03/05/2021
Lin NovakAdministrative Assistant
Student Development
01/08/2021
Pamela RusselAdministrative Assistant
Center for Student Development
TBA
Donna SculleyLaboratory Assistant
Career and Technical
TBA
Kathy ShineCommunity Support Assistant
Marketing
10/01/2021
Roger SpayerChief Human Resources Officer
Human Resources,
12/31/21
Thomas StauchProfessor
Liberal Arts
07/31/2021
Janice ThomasTesting Center Coordinator
Assessment Center
08/31/2021
Carol TraficantoData and Reporting Assistant
Adult Educational Development
12/31/2021
Susanne ZegerStudent Support Assistant
Computer Information Systems (CIS)
01/08/2021
Greg ZurekFacilities Management and Engineering Document Associate
Facilities Management
08/31/2021

2020

NameTitle
Dept/Division
Retirement
Date
Ron AllyExecutive Vice President Finance/Administrative Services06/30/2020
Juanita BasslerAdmissions Specialist
Admissions Outreach
04/30/2020
Patrick BauerChief Information Officer
Information Technology
06/30/2020
Brett BonnstetterController
Finances and Administrative Services
06/30/2020
Barbara BowkerProfessor
Liberal Arts
07/31/2020
Karen ChandraProfessor
Health Careers
05/31/2020
John ClarkeAssociate Professor
Business/Social Science
07/31/2020
Julie D’AgostinoDirector of Nursing
Health Careers
09/30/2020
Barbara EllisProfessor
Liberal Arts
05/31/2020
Jan ElbertSenior Graphic Designer
Marketing
12/31/2020
Diane FilsteadEvent Planner
Conference and Events Management
12/31/2020
Patricia HamlenProfessor
Business/Social Science
05/31/2020
Mark HealyProfessor
Business/Social Science
07/31/2020
Ralph HeinrichWarehouse/Driver
Operations Services
12/31/2020
Pascuala HerreraLearning Specialist
Student Development
05/31/2020
Larry LaskoAssociate Professor
Student Development
07/31/2020
Robert McAnnalleySupport Specialist
Client Systems
05/31/2020
Mark MrozinskiAsst. VP of Workforce Development
Workforce Solutions
08/31/2020
Norma NerstromManager, Continuing Professional Education
Career & Technical Programs
01/31/2020
Richard NowaczykPolice Officer
Harper College Police
06/01/2020
Sheryl OttoAssociate Provost
Student Affairs
05/31/2020
Helmut PublProfessor
Business/Social Science
07/31/2020
Joanne RothblumProfessor
Health Careers
05/31/2020
Richard SeilerDirector of Auxiliary Services
Accounting Services
12/31/2020
Susannah SwiftSenior Survey Assistant12/31/2020
Princess WilliamsCustodian
Operations Services
12/31/2020

2019

NameTitle
Dept/Division
Retirement Date
Nancy AndrewsAssociate Professor
Helath Careers
07/31/2019
Jennifer BroadfieldHVAC Mechanic
Utilities
09/30/2019
Darin BuckmanMaintenance Mechanic
Building and Grounds
11/27/2019
Pamela ChepilSecretary
Student Involvement
6/30/2019
Anne DavidoviczProfessor
Liberal Arts
07/28/2019
Ken EnderPresident06/30/2019
Carlos G. FloresCustodian
Operations Services
09/04/2019
Myriam ForsukExecutive Assistant
Information Technology
03/01/2019
Beth GarayCustodian
Operations Services
07/25/2019
Paul GuymonProfessor
Career &Technical Programs
07/31/2019
Debbie HajekAdmistrative Assistant
Career & Technical Programs
07/31/2019
Frances HeunPreschool Teacher
Early Childhood
06/30/2019
Wayne JohnsonAssociate Professor05/31/2019
Tom KochPolice Officer
Harper College Police Dept
06/30/2019
Judy KulchawikAssociate Professor
Liberal Arts
07/31/2019
Steve LollinoInstructional Media Producer
Academy for Teaching Excellence
01/31/2019
Karen LustigProfessor
Math & Science
07/31/2019
Judy MarwickProvost06/30/2019
Kathi NevelsAssociate Professor
Student Development
05/31/2019
Mary Beth OttingerDean
Career & Technical Programs
07/31/2019
Samuel RosbyAssociate Professor
Liberal Arts
07/31/2019
Tom ShanahanHVAC Mechanic
Utilities
12/31/2019
Maxine SouzaCredentials Analyst
Registrar’s Office
01/01/2019