McKendree University Honors Outstanding Alumni
Akers Award, Loyal Service, Academy of Excellence, Rising Stars, Sports Hall of Fame
(LEBANON, Ill., October 18, 2018) — McKendree University will honor several of its
accomplished alumni at its annual awards dinner on Oct. 27 at the St. Clair Country
Club in Belleville, Ill. Chosen by the alumni board, the 2018 awardees have made their
mark in their professions, communities and at their alma mater.
Peter Akers Award
The Reverend Dr. Miley Palmer, of Decatur, Ill., will receive the highest alumni honor, the Peter Akers Award for professional success,
outstanding service and loyalty. The 1958 McKendree graduate majored in English with
a history minor and was involved in the Philosophian Society, chorus, Chapel Choir,
Men’s Quartet, wrestling team, Methodist Student Movement, and school newspaper. He
co-founded “Help Week,” which replaced “Hell Week” and began a tradition of student
volunteer service in the community.
He earned a master’s degree in Divinity from Garrett Biblical Institute and a doctoral
degree in Ministry from Christian Theological Seminary. For 42 years he served as
a pastor at a variety of churches in the UMC Illinois Great Rivers Conference (IGRC),
including nine years as campus minister at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,
and six years as superintendent of the Peoria District (93 total churches).
After retiring, he became a full time chaplain at Decatur Memorial Hospital, where
he served for 20 years on the Institutional Review Board and Medical Ethics Committee.
Palmer is currently Minister of Visitation for First United Methodist Church in Decatur.
He is involved in interfaith activities, particularly with a local mosque, and enjoys
preaching across denominations, from Unitarian to Roman Catholic. He has composed
18 hymns and written a book to provide a curriculum for use in the church. He has
helped recruit 36 men and women to the Methodist ministry.
He has been honored by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Theta Phi Honors
fraternity, and the IGRC. He helps guide Decatur’s Racial Taboo initiative and received
the local NAACP chapter’s Joe Slaw Civil Rights Award. A Rotarian for 43 years, he
has held every local leadership role in his Rotary Club.
Palmer is a proud alumnus, William McKendree Society donor, McKendree University trustee,
Friend of the Hett and Bearcat Booster who visits his alma mater often. He served
as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and was an Alumni Board
member for more than 20 years.
He and his wife Janet have four children: Elizabeth, Mary, Michael, and Patricia;
five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Loyal Service Award
Paul Kettwich, of O’Fallon, Ill., will receive the 2018 Loyal Service Award. He graduated in 1973 with a degree in
physical education from McKendree, where he was active in Phi Rho Chi fraternity (also
known as Ferox), Student Congress and the Inter-Society Council. He was the sophomore
class vice president, McKendree Review editor, resident assistant, and member of the basketball team for one year.
Kettwich worked for many years in the claims department for several insurance companies,
including Royal Insurance and Florists’ Mutual Insurance, retiring after 40 years.
Originally from Minonk, Ill., he now resides in O’Fallon, where he is active in the
First Baptist Church and its mission trip to Cuba. He is affiliated with the Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons, Southern Illinois Scottish Rite, Shriners International,
and as an Honor Flight Guardian. He is also an avid fan of high school, college and
professional sports.
He is a member of the William McKendree Society, Bearcat Booster Club, Sports Hall
of Fame Selection Committee and Ferox Alumni. He has volunteered for the university’s
Graduation Celebration Dinner and contributes to its Annual Fund.
Academy of Excellence
Three alumni will enter the university’s Academy of Excellence for achievement, leadership
and character in social science, community service and the nursing or health profession.
Honorees have made exceptional contributions to the honor and prestige of the university
and have demonstrated the values imparted by a liberal arts education in their professions
or chosen fields.
Social Science
Dr. John Pleas, of Nashville, Tenn., and formerly of East St. Louis, Ill., graduated in 1960 with a degree in biology from McKendree, where he was in the Concert
Choir and played basketball. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois
and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University. Beginning his career
as a cancer research technician, he transitioned into counseling and administrative
positions at a community-oriented narcotic rehabilitation program and as co-director
of the Vanderbilt University weight management program.
In the last two decades of his career, he was a professor at Middle Tennessee State
University, where he was the director of the African-American Studies Program and
undergraduate coordinator of psychology. The John Pleas Faculty Award, presented annually
to an outstanding minority faculty member, was named in his honor in 1996. He received
the 1999 Outstanding Teaching Award and upon his retirement in 2004, was designated
Emeritus Professor of Psychology.
Dr. Pleas’ obesity research was published in psychological and medical journals. Throughout
his career, he gave numerous conference presentations on long-term obesity treatment
outcomes, wellness and the physical and psychological benefits of walking.
In 1992, Dr. Pleas and his siblings, all graduates of East St. Louis, Ill., schools,
established the Henry and Daisy Pleas Memorial Scholarship in honor of their parents,
who lived in the city for more than 70 years. At least 32 graduates of Lincoln and
East St. Louis Senior High Schools, including a McKendree student, have received scholarships.
Community Service
Charmaine Savage, of East St. Louis, Ill., graduated from McKendree in 1989 with a business degree and a minor in computer science.
She went on earn a master’s degree from Webster University.
The retired U.S. Navy commander (O-5) served as a human resource officer for 21 years.
She was deployed to Baghdad for 11 months during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her military
awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service and Iraq
Campaign Medals, and numerous Navy service medals, awards and unit commendations.
Retiring from active duty in 2010, Savage accepted a civil service assignment at the
Naval Special Warfare Command, headquarters for the U.S. Navy Seals, in San Diego,
Calif. As a military personnel officer (GS-14), she developed innovative products
and metrics leading to significant cost savings, greater transparency and improved
responsiveness in military human resources programs. She earned the Navy Superior
Civilian Service Award, the second highest honor in the Navy’s civilian awards program.
The founder and executive director of the nonprofit corporation I Am East STL is committed to improving the brand and image of her hometown. Savage also serves
on the Memorial Hospital board of directors.
Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Karyle Penelton, of Edwardsville, Ill., majored in psychology with minors in physical education and management, graduating
in 2003. As a student she was involved in women’s basketball, track and field, the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Psychology Club and the psychology honor society.
She volunteered at Second Chance Homeless Shelter and became a member of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Iota chapter. She went on to earn a Doctorate of Physical
Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Penelton is the center manager at SSM Health Physical Therapy in Swansea, Ill.,
overseeing the clinic’s daily operations, marketing and development, and treating
patients of all ages, many of whom have industrial or sports injuries.
She participates in Relay for Life fundraising and SSM Health Physical Therapy’s Run
for the Mission, and she volunteers as a high school basketball coach. She loves watching,
playing and attending sports, and enjoys connecting with her former teammates. She
is an Annual Fund contributor and a McKendree University online ambassador.
Rising Stars
Rising Stars are McKendree University graduates of the past decade who have made significant
achievements in their professions or chosen fields, and who have been highly involved
with the university or their communities.
Dr. Patrick Sears, of Troy, Ill., graduated in 2008 with a degree in psychology. At McKendree, he participated in New
Student Orientation, the Psychology Club and Psi Chi honor society. He studied clinical
psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and upon completing his master’s
degree, published his thesis on stigma and mental illness in a peer-reviewed journal.
He earned a Doctor of Psychology degree in 2015 from The Chicago School of Professional
Psychology. Dr. Sears completed his doctoral internship with the Federal Bureau of
Prisons and wrote his dissertation on the use of self-disclosure during the clinical
intake process.
He is a licensed clinical psychologist and commissioned officer with the U.S. Public
Health Service (USPHS), an all-officer branch of service led by the Surgeon General,
composed of healthcare providers and public health professionals. During national
public health emergencies, USPHS officers deploy to provide emergency healthcare services.
Dr. Sears assisted in the Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Florence relief missions.
He teaches part-time at McKendree University and voluntarily participates in community
outreach on topics such as substance abuse and suicide prevention. When he is not
deployed, Dr. Sears is detailed to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He is the mental
health treatment coordinator of his institution and serves in leadership positions
related to diversity enrichment and crisis support services.
Erin Conner, of Belleville, Ill., graduated in 2008 with a degree in biology and political science. She was a standout
on McKendree’s speech and debate team, winning four Pi Kappa Delta National Championships
and advancing to the finals at the 2008 American Forensic National Individual Events
Tournament. She was the 2007-2008 Illinois Student Lincoln Laureate; 2008 Political
Science Award winner; and a member of the Student Government Association, Honors Program,
Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Gamma Mu and Sigma Zeta honor societies.
Conner graduated in 2011 from Saint Louis University School of Law and worked as a
legislative intern for Illinois Congressman Jerry Costello. A licensed attorney in
Illinois and Missouri, she was an assistant public defender in St. Clair County from
2011 to 2014. In 2014, she became an assistant state’s attorney, currently assigned
to the Violent Crimes Unit. She is the St. Clair Bar Association vice president and
a member of the Young Lawyers Committee, East St. Louis Bar Association, Belleville
Human Relations Commission and Walnut Hill Cemetery Board. She has taught criminal
justice classes at McKendree.
Ashley Garland-Simpson, of Belleville, Ill., studied psychology at McKendree, where she sang in the Concert Choir and was engaged
in Greek life as a member of Alpha Omega Sorority. Graduating in 2008, she went on
to obtain a master’s degree in criminal justice from Kaplan University. She is currently
studying child and adolescent psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Garland-Simpson works in social services, with almost ten years of experience with
at risk youth and their families. She serves as a lead adoption foster care case manager,
intern task instructor and child protection trainer. She is certified as an Illinois
Direct Service Child Welfare Employee.
Braden Posey, of Columbia, Mo., earned a degree in economics and finance. On campus, he participated in debate, men’s
soccer and the Student Government Association. He graduated in 2010 and completed
his J.D. from the University Of Missouri School Of Law in 2013.
A franchise owner of Supplement Superstores, he has opened four locations in the last
three years. He enjoys soccer and weight lifting and is an avid Brazilian jiu-jitsu
practitioner.
Posey is a member of the McKendree Bearcat Boosters and the Alumni Association Board
of Directors, serving on its Personal and Professional Development Committee.
Entering the McKendree Bearcat Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 are Jim Monken, Class of 1960, former football coach; Rory O’Connell, Class of 2000, football; Jenna (Shellenberg) Busler, Class of 2007, women’s soccer; and Brady Stewart, Class of 2005, professional powerlifter. Read more about the new Hall of Famers
at mckendree.edu.
-McK-
