Regional Alumni Chapters
Whether you've moved across the state or across the country, IWU Regional Alumni Chapters are here to help you stay connected! Join a Chapter to find, network, and socialize with other Titans.
Mission: To create positive connections with Illinois Wesleyan alumni, parents, and friends by engaging within local communities through volunteer-led efforts in partnership with the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Alumni Association.
If you are interested in joining a Regional Alumni Chapter, or would like to start a chapter in your community, please fill out this quick Get Involved form.
Regional President: Alison (Braksick) Mullikin '10
Scottsdale, AZ.
Account Executive at Aon
IWU Major: Accounting
IWU Activities: Alpha Gamma Delta, Accounting Society, Ambassador's Club, Student Senate, The Argus
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Pay it forward - think of those that made an impact on you during your years at IWU
and give back; even the smallest thing can make a difference.
Why are you an active alum? To stay connected to and involved with the University - I take pride in my Alma Mater!
Regional President: Guy Gebhardt '69
Marietta, GA.
Retired from the United States Department of Justice
IWU Major: Political Science
IWU Activities: Acacia Fraternity President & Rush Chairman, Senior Class Vice President, Freshman
Class Treasurer, Interfraternity Council Social Chairman, Debate Team, Blue Key
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? I would advise fellow alumni to stay connected with their classmates. As graduates
of a liberal arts college, we were fortunate to form friendships with others who had
a wide range of majors, interests, and careers.
Why are you an active alum? I enjoy interacting with fellow IWU alumni.
Regional President: Christopher Kerz '72
Northern California Facebook Group
Southern California Facebook Group
Regional President: Steve Lomvardias '99
Los Angeles, CA
Chief Technology Officer and General Counsel at Oaza Media
IWU Major: Political Science
IWU Activities: The Argus
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Be kind.
Why are you an active alum? To interact with other alums.
We are currently seeking a new Champaign Chair. If interested please email Olivia Ruff at oruff@iwu.edu.
Regional President: Kim Kempf '92
Glen Ellyn, IL
Senior Events Manager at Les Turner ALS Foundation
IWU Major: History
IWU Activities: WESN
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Stay involved! Try to as much as you can to keep involved with IWU and its alumni.
Why are you an active alum? I have always wanted to do more as an alumna but time constraints with my career
prevented me. I was fortunate enough to have extra time in my schedule to do more
with IWU at this point.
We are currently seeking a new Dallas Chair. If interested please email Olivia Ruff at oruff@iwu.edu.
Regional President: Earl Franz '70
Broomfield, CO
Retired Marketing Executive
IWU Major: Business Management
IWU Activities: Student Senate, Acacia
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Remember the life lessons we learned at IWU.
Why are you an active alum? I enjoy giving back to the University I loved.
Regional President: Chris Unger '10
Denver, CO
Insurance Defense Litigation Attorney with American Family Insurance
IWU Major: International Studies
IWU Activities: Admissions Ambassador, Alpha Phi Omega
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Network! With so many IWU alums all over the country, you never know who you will
meet and where that connection will lead you. We all love talking about our time at
IWU, so get out there and meet people.
Why are you an active alum? It is important for me to give back and to welcome alumni to the Denver area. I want
to be able to connect alums in the area to grow our network and the IWU network.
Regional President: Becca Wagner '21
Normal, IL.
Director of Sports at YMCA
IWU Major: Elementary Education
IWU Activities: Softball, SEA
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Do not be afraid to switch paths!
Why are you an active alum? I wanted to connect with other Alumni in the Bloomington-Normal area, and to give
back to IWU!
Regional President: Caelynn Steffens '22
Regional President: Kara (Rocheleau) Lazarus '95 
Minneapolis, MN
Principal & Founder of Think Pink Idea Consulting
IWU Major: Mathematics and Economics
IWU Activities: Math Society, Economics Society, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, Soccer Team
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Let's be there for each other and lift each other up. Think about ways that you can
go above and beyond for fellow alumni and our Alma Mater. The rewards will come back
to you tenfold.
Why are you an active alum? With living in Minneapolis, it can be more challenging to stay connected with IWU
and this is a great way to do that. Plus the real bonus is I get to work with my college
roommate and former business partner, Erica (Moore) Nowak!
Regional President: Erica (Moore) Nowak '96
Edina, MN
Director of Payer Contracting for Tactile Medical
IWU Major: Biology
IWU Activities: Chemistry Teacher's Assistant, Math Club, Soccer, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Enjoy your memories from IWU and try to stay connected with them. The shared memories
are the best.
Regional President: Todd Kumler '07
New York City, NY
Economics Consultant at Cornerstone Research
IWU Major: Economics and Mathematics
IWU Activities: Student Senate, College Democrats, Habitat for Humanity, Economics Society
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? You can be involved as an alum even if you live farther away from IWU.
Why are you an active alum? I wanted to network with fellow alumni and remain connected to the University and
its current students.
Regional President: Al Black '79
Washington, IL
Retired From AT&T
IWU Major: Business Administration
IWU Activities: Dodds Hall President, Interhall Council, Pre-Weekend Committee Chair for Homecoming
‘78, 4-Year Letterman in Men’s Basketball
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Volunteer! It is a great way to make new friends and affect positive change for others
as well as yourself. It does not take as much time as you might think and can be very
rewarding and fun, too! Organizations are always looking for volunteers, so it’s important
that you choose one (or more!) you have a passion for helping. For example, my primary
volunteer organizations are Illinois Wesleyan University, Heart of Illinois United
Way, and Washington Helps Its People (WHIP) food pantry.
Regional President: Wes Dyke '02
Raleigh, NC
Finance & Operations Analyst at Hope Community Church
IWU Major: Public Accounting
IWU Activities: Collegiate Choir
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Always continue developing yourself and reaching higher. Pursue excellence in all
you do! Use your unique gifts and talents to serve others.
Why are you an active alum? It's a way to use my unique gifts, talents, and placement to serve others and give
back!
Regional President: Mandy Leifheit '96
Seattle, WA
Account Executive for Microsoft Advertising
IWU Major: Business
IWU Activities: Alpha Gamma Delta
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? If you move to a new city, connect with the alumni group. It's a great way to meet
people!
Why are you an active alum? I moved to Seattle and one of the first things I did was find the IWU alumni group.
I met great people and attended fun events. I became the chair of the Seattle alumni
group five years ago. I was happy to help connect Seattle area alums to support IWU,
gather together, and give back. Over the years we have been able to give back together
by volunteering at Seattle Children's Hospital and Food Lifeline.
Regional President: Nikki (Salansky) Zenger '12
Seattle, WA
Sales & Marketing Manager, R&S Automation, Inc.
IWU Major: Business Administration and Hispanic Studies
IWU Activities: Cheerleading, Alpha Gamma Delta, Titan Orientation Leader
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? No matter how far removed from the University, graduation year wise or in distance,
you will be surprised at how your IWU network can help you!
Why are you an active alum? I stay active as an alum because I moved to Seattle eight years ago for a remote job,
and have found it challenging to make connections in a new city as an adult. The shared
bond of being Wesleyan alumni is an excellent ice breaker. I discovered that many
IWU alumni, including those from my time at Wesleyan, have also relocated to Seattle,
though I wasn’t aware of it initially. By being an active alum, I hope to help create
a supportive community for others who might be facing similar challenges after moving
away from the Midwest.
Regional President: Erin E. Milligan '04
St. Louis, MO
Staff Attorney with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
IWU Major: Behavioral Psychology
IWU Activities: Alpha Phi Omega, Psi Chi, Habitat for Humanity
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? Take Minor's instructions to heart. Go into the world and do good. And encourage others
to do the same.
Why are you an active alum? My time at IWU was invaluable. I wanted to connect and reconnect with fellow graduates,
faculty, staff, and students, and I wanted to engage in activities that promote my
Alma Mater.
Washington, D.C. Facebook Group
Regional President: Amy Tenhouse '97
Arlington, VA
Vice President of Federal Affairs at a Fortune 500 Company
IWU Major: Political Science and History
IWU Activities: Volleyball, Student Senate
What advice would you give to fellow alumni? It is important to stay connected, collaborate, and network with other alumni. Getting
involved with Illinois Wesleyan in some capacity -- through an affinity group or committee
– is a great way to do that!
Why are you an active alum? I want Illinois Wesleyan to continue to have the best and brightest students in attendance.
Alums are great ambassadors for the University, and we need to utilize our time and
talents to show potential students the great alumni network they will have at their
disposal when they graduate from IWU.