Campus News

Christopher Yax ’98 recently joined Teleflex, a medical device manufacturer, selling their intra-aortic balloon pump technology. His sales territory includes the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern Pennsylvania.

Maryann Jones Hayslip ’93, principal of St. Aloysius School in Pewee Valley, Ky., is the recipient of the 2020 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership given
by the U.S. Department of Education. She is one of 10 educators in the nation to receive this award.

Kelly Sartorius Scott ’88 received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award along with four other Elgin Community College employees. The award recognizes outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators of community and technical colleges.

Charlyne Blatcher Martin ’88 published her first book of poetry titled “Walking Through Memories” available on Amazon and her historical fiction short plays have been produced by Rockford Public Library, the Ethnic Heritage Museum, and Midway Village Museum Center, among other venues.

Linda Ploenzke Sandquist ’85 started a job as an engagement officer at Rockford University. She is excited to connect with Regents she knows and those she doesn’t.

Cassandra Washington ’83 published a book titled “Meet Them Where They Are: 10 Tips to Improve Student Engagement” available on Amazon.

Lee VanDeWostine Nelson ’81 celebrated 39 years as a professional writer. For the first 21 years of her career, Lee worked as a newspaper journalist and now freelances for magazines and websites.

Geraldine Tondi-Larson Cygnor ’76 received an MAT from Rockford, which she put to good use as a special education teacher for 20 years. She is now enjoying a busy retirement.

Mary Parisoe ’75 retired in 2018 after 22 years as a French teacher at Woodlands Academy in Lake Forrest, Ill. This year, she won two Zoom-staged readings of her short plays and is currently working on a longer piece. Once the pandemic ends, she’s also hoping to see live theatre again and to resume her French, English, and reading tutoring gigs.

Bob Matthews ’74 has retired after 24 years with the U.S. Navy and more than 16 years in Washington, D.C. as a government consultant, commonly referred to as a “Beltway Bandit.”