The Canton Community College/Spoon River College Alumni Association hosted their annual Alumni Association Awards Reception and Athletic Hall of Fame Induction November 4 at the Spoon River College Canton Campus.
Bonnie Swedell was honored with the Distinguished SRC Retiree Award. Inspired by her high school business teacher, Swedell attended WIU for business on a full academic scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1964. She taught at Wethersfield High School in Kewanee before moving to Macomb and teaching there. In 1986, she began working part-time at Spoon River College, eventually joining as a full-time employee until she retired in 2021. In her capacity as an advisor, Swedell was known for developing close relationships with students and coworkers alike. She served in several roles at the college, and at the time of her retirement, was a TRIO advisor helping first generation students succeed.
William Thomas received the Distinguished Alumni Award. After graduating from SRC and Eureka College, Thomas earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago and did Post-Master’s Study in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin, then began teaching at for the Stockton school district before returning to his alma mater as the associate director of admissions. His career has also included time as a principal for grades ECE-6th, a senior partner and COO of The Laurasian Institution, and CEO of Teleologic Learning Company. Currently Thomas is the executive director of the Logan County Economic Development Partnership, chairman of the board of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, and director for the Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway Program Board. As a member of the Illinois Route 66 Association, he was appointed to the National U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission by President Biden in 2022.
Larry Peterson was recognized with the Outstanding Service Award. After graduating from Canton High School, Peterson enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Vietnam. His service earned him a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, two Gold Stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. When he returned from active duty and while working at Caterpillar, he began taking night classes at the college, earning his associate degree. He worked for the Canton Post Office from 1980 until 2007. He has volunteered for the Little Giants Booster Club and also coached youth and school sports. He became a mainstay in Canton sports and a positive role model for many young people, earning him the Little Giant Booster of the Year award. He is a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Purple Heart Association, Combat Infantry Association, VFW, AmVets, and the National Purple Heart Hall of Fame.
Recognized for Alumni Achievement Awards were Dr. Anthony Roberts, Stephanie and Wesley Carithers, Dr. Kayla Miller, and Julie Reeder.
Dr. Anthony Roberts, D.C., enrolled at SRC after graduating from VIT High School, then attended the Palmer College of Chiropractic, graduating in 1989 and opening a practice in Havana. A request to examine a horse led him to enroll in equine/feline/canine seminars and he now successfully treats two-legged and four-legged creatures of all types and is recognized in equestrian circles nationwide. Roberts serves on various boards including the SRC Foundation, Fulton County Playhouse, and is currently board chair of the Fulton County Rehabilitation Center and the Vermont Christian Church. Roberts is also known for his musical talents, and he shares them in a variety of community, high school, and college events, directs shows for major area theatre groups, and has traveled to Haiti to teach children music.
Stephanie and Wesley Carithers have been the owners of the Orchid Hill Farm near Lewistown since 2016. Stephanie, who has a master’s in occupational therapy from Belmont University, has worked in area nursing facilities, including Culberson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, where she was recognized as their Employee of the Year in 2022. She serves as the academic advisor and student health coordinator for the Astoria school district, and also teaches the Dance Team. Wes, who was recognized as the vocational student of the year while at SRC, teaches agriculture and shop classes at Astoria High School. He is also the Astoria Township supervisor. In both 2019 and 2020, the Orchid Hill Farm earned First Place Illinois Cider and First Place National Cider at the Illinois State Horticulture Society’s annual National Sweet Cider contests.
Dr. Kayla Miller continued at the University of Illinois at Springfield after graduating from SRC, and earned a bachelor’s degree, majoring in chemistry with a pre-medical concentration. She then earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and completed her residency at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Since then, Miller has worked at Mason District Hospital in Havana & Mason City Medical Associates as a physician in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She also works as a Hospitalist for Emergency Physician Staffing Solutions, and as the Medical Director for the Mason City Area Nursing Home. Miller serves as a physician preceptor/mentor for students completing their IM/Pediatrics residency at OSF, and in the past has been involved in Bradley University’s mentorship program for pre-med students. She’s an avid supporter of St. Jude activities — both as a runner and as a volunteer — and has participated as an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, a community service organization for women.
Julie Reeder earned her associate degree from SRC before continuing at Illinois College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She first worked for Affina before joining Graham Health Systems as a senior accountant in 2005. Reeder worked her way up, serving as decision support analyst, director of accounting, and finally as vice president of finance and chief financial officer in 2017. She has been active in several community organizations, including the Health and Wellness Connection of Fulton County, Little Giant Booster Club, YWCA of Canton, and Traveling Baseball, Traveling Softball, and JFL boards. She also earned a Master of Business Administration from Kaplan University in 2009.
The complete bios of the award recipients can be read on the News Bureau page at www.src.edu.
Larry Peterson, Dick Brown, Wes Carithers, Stephanie Carithers, Dr. Tony Roberts, Dr. Kayla Miller, William Thomas, and DeAndre Alexander. Not present were award recipients Julie Reeder and Bonnie Swedell.