Alumni Relations Staff   Dr. R. Mark Dillon Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Relations 630.752.5016   Mark Dillon has served as Wheaton’s vice president for advancement since 1994, and in 2006 the supervision of alumni relations was added to his responsibilities. A member of the senior administrative cabinet, he is responsible for overseeing fundraising, alumni and public relations, constituent records, and print and Web communications. His leadership resulted in the successful completion of Wheaton’s $157 million New Century Challenge effort in 2000. Mark is a conference speaker, has written numerous articles on development and fundraising, and has served as a consultant or board member for a number of organizations. In 1991 he received an honorable mention for the Staley/Robeson/Ryan Award for outstanding research in philanthropy and fundraising. An ordained minister, Mark was also recognized as Alumnus of the Year by Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1987. In addition to his M.Div. from Trinity, Mark holds a B.A. from Bethel University (MN) and a Ph.D. from Union Institute. An avid golfer, Mark lives in Wheaton with his wife, Susan; the couple has three adult children. Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch '82 Director of Alumni Relations & Executive Director, Wheaton College Alumni Association 630.752.5049   Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch is a 1982 graduate of Wheaton and majored in Communication. As Associate Director of Alumni Relations from 1992-1996, Cindra managed on-campus reunions, coordinated Wheaton Club meetings around the world, and assisted with administering the Alumni Board of Directors. She has served as Director of Alumni Relations since 2006 after ten years at home full time with her three young daughters. Prior to her work at Wheaton College, Cindra worked in New York City and Austin, Texas in the areas of legislative lobbying, executive education and corporate giving. Cindra, her husband, Daniel '81, and their girls live in Wheaton and enjoy offering a home-away-from-home for their six nephews and nieces who have attended Wheaton College. Cindra is an elder in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Cole Armerding '08 Office Coordinator 630.752.5047   Cole Armerding graduated from Wheaton in 2008 with a major in history and a minor in Biblical studies. During his time at Wheaton, he competed on the track and field team, worked at Phonathon, and spent at lot of time in the dining hall talking with friends from school and his church. He serves as the office coordinator for Westgate, handling alumni correspondence and overseeing several Association projects in addition to assisting with reunions and other alumni events. Cole is also very involved at his church, and plans to attend seminary sometime in the future to pursue a career of vocational ministry in the church. He is from Albuquerque, NM and has a wonderful family for which he is very thankful. Celeste Elsenheimer Barnett '04 Wheaton Clubs Program Coordinator 630.752.5513   Celeste Barnett has joined the Wheaton alumni relations team to help volunteers from all over the country plan alumni events in their area. These events range from receptions for sports and musical events to more formal occasions. Celeste returns to Wheaton after working at Americans United for Life (AUL) as the Director of Foundation Development in downtown Chicago. She and her husband Luke (’03) live in Wheaton. In her free time, Celeste enjoys skiing, knitting, biking, and reading. Brenda Combs Associate Director for Reunions 630.752.5473   Brenda joined the Alumni staff in 2008. Her responsibilities include the oversight of Homecoming and Alumni Weekend. Brenda has a B.A. in Communications from Moody Bible Institute and comes to Wheaton after 9 years at Willow Creek Community Church, with her most recent experience as an Event Producer. She loves Fall and Winter and in her spare time enjoys spending time with friends, watching football—especially Ohio State—and has hopes of someday taking an Alaskan cruise. Angel McGrath Conner '04 Communications Coordinator 630.752.5173   Angel's responsibilities include maintaining and developing the Alumni Online Community and using other electronic means to help keep Wheaton alumni connected to each other and the College. After graduating from Wheaton Angel spent the summer serving in Europe through the Office of Christian Outreach's Youth Hostel Ministry program and then returned to the College to assist with reunion planning. Angel and her husband Nick '05 are members of Grace Church of DuPage in Warrenville and are on staff with the college ministry. Sarah Franklin Crose '02, MA '06 Associate Director for Young Alumni Programs 630.752.5635   Sarah earned two degrees from Wheaton: a BA in Political Science and Music in 2002 and an MA in Educational Ministries and Spiritual Formation in 2006. At Wheaton, Sarah played the cello in the orchestra, participated in student government and spent hours and hours in Buswell Library. Sarah joined the Alumni Relations team in December 2008 as the Associate Director for Young Alumni Programs. She works with the we10 program offering social events, networking opportunities, and Wheaton's history to the young alumni group. Sarah, and her husband Bryan, live in Wheaton and enjoy their married life and remodeling their home together. Karen Kennedy Gehl '89 Director of Alumni Programs 630.752.5634   As Director of Alumni Programs, Karen is responsible for the management and supervision of reunions, Wheaton Clubs, alumni travel, and front office communications. She also plays an advisory role in online communications with alumni. Karen joined the alumni relations team in 2007, after 18 years in the Executive Office Suite industry, as general manager with The Regus Group. Karen enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark and son, Michael. She loves to do anything that allows her to be outside, including gardening, boating and travel. Cindy Hoidas Senior Office Coordinator Assistant to the Director of Alumni Relations 630.752.5049   Cindy joined the alumni relations team in 1999 when her previous employer, Conservatist Baptist International (CBI) relocated to Littleton, Colorado. Her main responsibilities in the alumni office include assisting the director with scheduling, travel arrangements, telephone calls and correspondence. She also assists in functions relating to the WCAA board of directors: setting up meetings, preparing materials, and organizing grant, scholarship and award applications as directed by the director. She helps with the children's program in her church and enjoys bicycling, motorcycling, and traveling. Cindy and her husband, Mike, live in Wheaton and have two children. Richard Kroll '07 Reunions Coordinator 630.752.5521   Richard graduated from Wheaton in 2007 with a major in Biblical Studies and a minor in Spanish. While at Wheaton, he became involved with the Office of Christian Outreach, spending a summer in Ukraine through Student Missionary Project and then serving as Administrator for SMP the following year. As the Reunions Coordinator, Richard assists in the implementation of reunions for alumni of all ages, and manages the registration processing as well as accounting and budget functions. Richard grew up as a missionary kid in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and spent 9 years of his childhood there. He is an avid soccer fan and coffee fanatic. Jon Sturdevant '03 Associate Director for Reunion Class Giving 630.752.5963   Jon has come back to Wheaton after 2½ years as a regional sales manager for a promotional products company. Before serving in his current position, he worked as a regional representative in the development department. Jon works with alumni as they seek to support the College through reunion class gifts. His work helps to align class giving with institutional priorities, as well as increase overall alumni participation. His interests include traveling, alpine skiing, and running. He is also a part-time student in the evenings and will earn his MBA from DePaul University in 2009.     Back to Top