Dr. Lisa C. Freeman was recently elected to the Chicago Zoological Society Board of Trustees, which manages Brookfield Zoo.
Since 2018, Freeman has been the president at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. She first joined the faculty in 2010 serving as vice president for research and graduate studies and a professor of biology.
During her time at NIU, she has worked to support all aspects of the university’s mission, emphasizing NIU’s enduring commitment to promoting the social mobility of its students, producing high-impact scholarship opportunities and engaging with the DeKalb region.
She has been widely recognized for her professional contributions and the impact on the communities she has lived and worked in. Her honors include being named Outstanding Veterinarian of the Year by the Association for Women Veterinarians, acknowledged by local businesses as a Castle Bank Community Leader and invited to join the influential leaders of The Chicago Network.
Freeman received her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate in veterinary medicine from Cornell University. She received a doctor of philosophy at The Ohio State University in 1989 and subsequently worked as a postdoctoral fellow and research scientist at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.
New pastor named
In February, Cornerstone Community Church, 9008 Fairview Ave. in Brookfield, installed a new pastor, Lupe Alva, the congregation’s second senior pastor.
Alva, who is married with three children, has 10 years of Christian ministry experience as a missionary, assistant chaplain, youth leader, youth pastor, assistant pastor.
He earned a B. A. in Christian ministry from Trinity International University and a double M.A. in educational ministries and theological studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree.
Appointed
Retired Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel has been appointed an ambassador to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for Illinois. As an ambassador, Weitzel will support the fund’s message of inspiring citizens to value law enforcement and role it plays in society in tandem with the organization’s mission to honor the fallen, tell the story of American law enforcement and make it safer for those who serve.
On campus
Riverside resident Riley Collins is one of 52 Chicago area high school seniors awarded an Evans Scholarship, a full tuition and housing grant offered to golf caddies, following final interviews with the Western Golf Association in late February. Scholarships are awarded to those with a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.
Collins, who attends Fenwick High School, is a caddie at the Riverside Golf Club.
Brookfield resident Alec Baltazar (mechanical engineering) and Riverside resident Haley Hutchings (user experience design) were awarded Bachelor of Science degrees from Bradley University in Peoria following the completion of the 2022 fall semester.
Abigail Salamanca, a North Riverside resident attending Elmhurst College, has been initiated into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, whose members must be nominated and approved by the local chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible. Salamanca was also named to the Elmhurst College dean’s list for the 2022 fall semester.
Liam Fahey, of Brookfield, was named to the 2022 fall semester dean’s list at the University of Dallas for earning a semester grade-point average of at least 3.5 on a 4-point scale. In addition, Brookfield resident Dawsey Fahey was named to the school’s honor roll for attaining a GPA of at least 3.0.
Among those named to the 2022 fall semester dean’s list at Elmhurst University were Brookfield residents Danielle Ambrosia, Sarah Cuevas, Madison Darcy, Elizabeth Hamilton, Carrie Holakovsky, Ruby Kennett, Catherine Schlesser and Ashley Staley and North Riverside residents Adam Bojovic, Evelyn Diaz and Mikayla Garbauski.
Anthony Perry, of Riverside, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering dean’s list with high honors for the 2023 winter quarter for maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7. Perry is majoring in computer science.
Meanwhile, Riverside resident Luka Malovic (software engineering) and Brookfield resident Clayton Stewart (mechanical engineering) were named to MSOE’s dean’s list for maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2. Riverside resident Neil Kinnan (mechanical engineering) was named to the school’s honors list.
Brookfield resident Sophia Bowie earned faculty honors for the 2022 fall semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta for earning a semester GPA of 4.0.
Riverside resident Hayden Hughes was named to the 2022 fall semester dean’s list at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, for attaining a semester GPA of at least 3.5.
Among those named to the 2022 fall semester dean’s list at Lewis University in Romeoville for attaining semester GPAs of at least 3.5 were Brookfield residents Alexandra Bator, Mia Hamilton, Kathleen Harney, William Koryzna, Jane McLaren, James Mizura and Alexis Oropezza-Baker and Riverside resident Brian Twomey.
Katie Culloden, of Riverside, was named to the 2022 fall semester dean’s list at Emerson College in Boston for attaining a semester GPA of at least 3.7. She is majoring in business creative enterprises.
Riverside resident Colin Griffin, majoring in business administration, was named to the 2022 fall semester dean’s list at the College of Charleston (South Carolina) for earning a semester GPA of at least 3.6.
