1. education
2. alumni and reunions

alumni newsletter
WINTER
2015
////////////
celebrating
80
YEARS
KENDALL COLLEGE
ALUMNI
NEWSLETTER
//////////////////////////////////////////// WINTER 2015
Hello Alumni!
In case you haven’t heard, Kendall College is celebrating a momentous occasion—
our 80th anniversary! We hosted a special event on campus to mark the date and
I went home that evening feeling fortunate to be the president of an institution
with such a wonderful history and promising future.
Sometimes I wish I could travel back in time and visit Kendall College when it was
located in Evanston, Illinois. Kendall today is remarkably different than when it
was founded in 1934. What has remained constant—and I know this by personally
speaking to alumni—is our small, student-centric community and the incredible
passion our faculty, staff and students demonstrate daily.
We haven’t lost sight of our past. We’re just continuing to expand and reinforce
the reputation of the institution. We’re making sure Kendall College is more
widely known in Chicago, the United States and across the globe. We’re creating
opportunities for alumni in Chicago—and in more than 50 countries around
the world.
We’re proud of the diversity of careers Kendall College has nurtured. The
broad base of industries where our alumni have found success is amazing.
We are grateful for alumni like you who are now helping current students and
recent graduates reach their employment goals. Our students, and even more
importantly, our alumni, are the backbone of Kendall. Thank you for setting such
high personal standards and for helping the next generation of students succeed.
Warmly,
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
LETTER FROM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
BOARD PRESIDENT
ALUMNI BOARD APPOINTMENTS
KCT NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALUMNI LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP
1
2 KENDALL CELEBRATES 80 YEARS
WINTER ALUMNI CELEBRATION
3PROFESSOR JOHN ZIMMERMAN LOOKS BACK
COOKING THERAPY
4 HOSPITALITY ALUMNI TOUR
5 CLASS NOTES
KENDALL NEWS
ON THE COVER:
80TH
ANNIVERSARY
Emily Williams Knight
President
MORE ON P. 2
ALUMNI BOARD //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Jeff Vicik ’11
Hospitality Management
President
Dana Freiberg-Daniele ’09
Culinary Arts
Secretary
Autym Henderson ‘03
Culinary Arts
Vice President
Paul Dark ’84
Business
DJ Amborski ’02
Liberal Arts
Treasurer
Kimberly Gibson ’12
Early Childhood Education
Francine Harris ’92
Early Childhood Education
Heide Hirschtick ’06
Professional Cookery Certificate
Cortney Kinzler ‘99
Business
Jaime Elizabeth Mestan ’07
Culinary Arts
Cody New ’06
Early Childhood Education
HELLO FELLOW ALUMNI!
In this issue we celebrate 80 years of Kendall College, and I hope that you enjoy
learning about Kendall’s past and present as much as I do. Kendall has evolved
over the years and, because of that, we are lucky to have a unique and diverse
Alumni Association.
LETTER FROM
ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION
BOARD
PRESIDENT
The Kendall College Alumni Association Board looks forward to continuing the
celebration of our alumni this year and for years to come. We love to hear from
you whether it’s in person at alumni events or through your personal updates for
Class Notes.
Here’s to 80 more years filled with passion, excellence and enjoyment!
Sincerely,
Jeff Vicik ’11
Hospitality Management
President
NEW KENDALL COLLEGE
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD
APPOINTMENTS
The Kendall College Alumni Association (KCAA) Board is off to a great start in
2015. The KCAA Board has elected Autym Henderson ’03, Culinary Arts, as the
new Vice President.
“I’m thrilled to begin my tenure as Vice President of the KCAA. I have fond
memories of my Kendall experience and I can’t wait to help reunite and
personally connect with alumni from various years and programs,” said
Henderson.
In addition, D.J. Amborski ’02, Liberal Arts, has been elected Treasurer.
“I’m looking forward to assuming the role of Treasurer. I plan to work hard
in furthering Kendall’s mission with the alumni community,” said Amborski.
The KCAA also welcomed Cortney Kinzler ’99, Business, as a member of
the Board in August.
KCT NAMES TV SHOW HOST AS
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Kendall College Trust (KCT) recently appointed Catherine
De Orio as its new Executive Director. As host of the Chicagobased, Emmy Award-winning television show “Check, Please!”,
she is connected to many important figures within the culinary
and hospitality industry locally and nationally. De Orio is also
a published lifestyle writer, culinary consultant and former
litigation attorney. From her culinary training at Kendall
College to living and working abroad, De Orio brings a unique
perspective to her new role with the KCT.
Thank you to the following alumni who have
recommended an incoming student for an
Alumni Legacy Scholarship in 2014. To make
a difference in the experience of a future
alumnus, please visit alumni.kendall.edu.
Edwin Alday ‘10
Gabriel Alvarez ‘13
Erika Brandewie ‘12
Ashley Brown ‘12
Simin Chen ‘14
Yolanda Colon ‘08
Damen Denemark ‘99
Daniel Fox ‘03
Tom Franz ‘10
Jessica Gibson ‘07
Teddi Gibson ‘11
Leah Horcher ‘14
Lorraine Howard ‘94
Cathy Jenkins ‘12
Nicole Kinzer ‘99
Tracey Marionneaux ‘07
Paige Meagher ‘13
Andrew Meyer ‘95
Pamela Perkolup ‘01
Scott Pickos ‘89
Laura Rhodes ‘10
Nathan Skrocki ‘98
BarbaraSloan ‘12
Randy Starosta ‘11
Brenda Thompson ‘12
Derrick Yamagiwa ‘08
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KENDALL COLLEGE CELEBRATES
80­YEARS ///////////////////////////////////////////////
How do you celebrate 80 years as a trusted and respected educational institution? On
October 16, 2014, Kendall College marked 80 years with a gala event fitting the occasion.
Alumni from all years holding a variety of degrees came together in the skyline room on
the fifth floor of Kendall’s Goose Island campus to celebrate. With the city of Chicago as
a backdrop, students, staff, friends and community members gathered with alumni to
remember Kendall’s history and discuss its exciting future.
While a lot has changed in 80 years – including the campus moving locations in 2005 from
Evanston to Chicago – some things have remained constant.
President Emily Williams Knight shares “I’m so very proud to be a part of this Kendall
family and to be able to celebrate 80 years of history at this great institution. Our students
have consistently become leaders in their industries and it is their accomplishments that
help foster growth in our student community, both domestic and internationally.”
SECOND ANNUAL
WINTER ALUMNI CELEBRATION
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Kendall alumni celebrated the holiday season at the Kendall College Skyline Room
on December 4, 2014. Alumni with varied degrees and of all ages and graduation
years enjoyed mingling, networking and trying tasty appetizers and drinks. A
raffle, hot cocoa challenge and a limited edition Kendall alumni scarf made the
evening even more special.
“It was great to see many of our alumni come out for the Winter Alumni
Celebration. We’re thrilled to see that this event keeps growing each year.
The Alumni Association Board and I look forward to hosting this annual event to
celebrate alumni accomplishments,” said Jaime Mestan ’07, Culinary Arts, KCAA
Board Member and Events Committee Member.
Visit the Kendall College Alumni Association Facebook page to view photos of
the evening.
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IN HIS OWN WORDS: ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
LONGTIME KENDALL PROFESSOR JOHN ZIMMERMAN
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// LOOKS BACK ON A STORIED HISTORY
My teaching career began in the fall
of 1967. Since then I have remained
active in teaching and have held
various administrative positions
including that of Academic Dean.
There is one factor that stands out
for me in regard to the faculty at
Kendall College, and that is their
love of teaching. Kendall has never
been a research institution, for
the focus of the faculty has always
been on instruction in the classroom or kitchen. I can still remember
President Westerberg saying to me on my very first day that he
expected me to be visible on campus and engage students both in
and outside the classroom. As a consequence, Kendall has been
more of a life than just a job.
I’ve had a front-row seat to campus and academic changes over the
years. College life was originally confined to a city block in Evanston
with multiple buildings and is now in one building in Chicago with
dormitories in close-by city neighborhoods. The Liberal Arts choices
available to students increased over time from a two-year associate
degree to a four-year career-focused bachelor’s degree. The College
has offered a variety of educational formats ranging from 16-week
semesters to 10-week quarters. Now Kendall has four programs and
operates on a quarter schedule.
One favorite memory is of my first faculty senate meeting which
involved a heated debate on whether or not a cigarette machine
should be allowed in the classroom building. I remember asking
myself if this was likely to be the kind of discussion which would take
place at future meetings.
What was most memorable on campus, though, took place during
the Vietnam War when students boycotted classes in protest of
President Nixon’s military policies. The students even built a gallows
to show their anger.
I consider myself to be very fortunate to have had the opportunity
to serve the college in so many capacities. I have watched the
college transition itself over the years in a rapidly changing world
to meet the educational and professional needs of its students.
As I commented at the College’s 80th anniversary celebration in
2014, “it has been a terrific ride.”
CULINARY DEGREE LEADS ONE ALUMNA
TO A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE
Eileen Considine-Boggins ‘07, Professional Chef and Catering,
connected with Scott Crane the moment they met. Crane had a
rare form of muscular dystrophy called centronuclear myopathy.
Considine-Boggins had compassion and a culinary degree. Both had
a love of food and cooking. Together, they set out on a decidedly
unique therapeutic experiment. For 14 months, Considine-Boggins
volunteered weekly at Crane’s home for “cooking therapy”.
“It was my culinary background that eventually led me to be
introduced to Scott,” shared Considine-Boggins. “The weekly visits
we shared until the end of Scott’s life were enriching for both of us
and have impacted the way I now look at my time at Kendall. The fact
that I pursued my passion to cook has been redefined now in such a
meaningful way.”
“My favorite part of Kendall was witnessing my fellow classmates
accomplish success in the kitchen. All of us were working
professionals during the day; attorneys, business professionals
and advertising executives who dreamed of going to culinary school
to change direction in our lives,” Considine-Boggins adds.
While Crane wasn’t able to
attended culinary school and
become a food critic, which was
a dream of his, this “therapy”
with Considine-Boggins was an
excellent stand-in for formal
training. Even on days when Crane
wasn’t physically able to cook, the
pair enjoyed talking about recipes,
chefs and restaurants.
In the highly personal eulogy Considine-Boggins delivered at Crane’s
funeral, she said, “I recognized that I may have been the mechanism
to help him cook, but he taught me many lessons of life.”
The blog they created to chronicle their experience can still be
viewed online at https://livetoeatcookingtherapy.wordpress.com
ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE
VISITS HOSPITALITY ALUM IN CHICAGO
At Foodlife in the iconic
Watertower shopping center
on Chicago’s Magnificent
Mile, Josh Montellano ‘13,
said “Kendall taught me all
the necessary skills, from
professional development to
dress code, to step into
a management role.”
Kendall College alumni in the hospitality industry can be found
across the country and around the world. The Alumni Relations
office recently visited alumni right in Kendall’s backyard of Chicago.
A few steps down the hall brought the tour to five Hospitality
Management alumni currently working at Kendall: Dining Room
Manager Maureen Schofield ’08, Core Contributing Faculty
Member Deborah Bosco ’91, IT Support Specialist Zach Jacobs ’11,
Field Representative Tom Franz ’10 and Events Specialist Melissa
Koll ’09. “It is exciting to work in a place where we can provide
students the experience that I personally found to be so valuable
when I was a student,” said Koll.
Schofield added about her time as a student, “I was able to meet
students and faculty with industry connections and that opened
doors to internships and jobs.”
In the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, Sales and Catering
Coordinator Ana Katarina Cornelio ‘14, HR Coordinator Michelle
Lucas ‘13 and Housekeeping Coordinator Rayna Zaharinova ‘14,
are working for the Public Hotel.
The fourth stop was the Hotel
Chicago to visit Front Office
Director Imran Jivani ’11, and
Group Room Coordinator
Jennifer Bastion ‘13. “Kendall
taught me skills that I could
actually apply to my job. It’s
rewarding to see those skills
and efforts appreciated by our
guests,” said Bastion.
The last visit was with Pastry
Cooks Felicia Mayden ‘12 and
Patty Hanley ’11 at Cicchetti.
While Hanley completed a
degree in Baking and Pastry, Mayden completed degrees in Baking
and Pastry as well as Hospitality Management. “I have learned
so much in the back of the house over the last two years. Next, I
hope to take everything I’ve learned from my Kendall and working
experience and use it in a front-of-house position.”
“Students preparing to graduate should learn all they can from
Capstone (Final Senior Integrative Project). It’s demanding but it is
a great learning experience,” said Zaharinova.
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CLASS NOTES
Submit your update via mail or to
[email protected]
10’S
00’S
Matt Andorka ‘08, Culinary Arts, opened
Andorka’s Sandwich Shop in the Pilsen
neighborhood of Chicago, IL.
Lorraine Bellas ’09, Hospitality
Management, is the Vice President and
General Manager of AlliedPRA in Chicago, IL.
Sarah Ball ’13, Hospitality Management, and
Keith Bessler ’10, Baking and Pastry, were
married in December 2014.
Paul Dobroski ’05, Culinary Arts, is the Chef
de Cuisine at Nomi Kitchen at Park Hyatt in
Chicago, IL.
Tyler Burns ’13, Culinary Arts, is an
Associate Research Chef at CSSI Marketing +
Culinary in Chicago, IL.
Matt Dubois ’08, Culinary Arts, is the Chef
de Cuisine at Inovasi in Lake Bluff, IL.
Gregory Laketek ‘10, Culinary Arts, made
it into Forbes magazine “30 Under 30:
The Food & Drink Masters Changing How
We Eat.”
Alvaro Villar Lopez ’14, Hospitality
Management, is the Residence Coordinator
at St. Regis in Mexico City, MX.
David Robin ’11, Culinary Arts, has opened
sandwich shop Hoof & Feather in Morton
Grove, IL.
Carrie Schloss ’12, Culinary Arts, is the
Manager and Chef Instructor of The Kid’s
Table in Chicago, IL.
Jamie Walters ‘12, Hospitality Management,
is an Event Producer at Blue Plate Catering
in Chicago, IL.
Jerome Rejano ’09, Culinary Arts,
successfully passed the certification exam
and earned the title of Certified Research
Chef (CRC) from the Research Chefs
Association.
Charles Robertson ’01, Culinary Arts, is an
Associate Professor and Program Chair of
the Culinary Arts Institute at Illinois Central
College in Peoria, IL.
Denise Roy ’09, Culinary Arts, founded
Surf’s Up Restaurants in Chicago, IL.
Shin Thompson ’01, Culinary Arts, is
opening a Japanese ramen shop called
Furious Spoon in the Wicker Park
neighborhood of Chicago, IL.
90’S
Keith Brooks ’90, Culinary Arts, was
featured in the Indianapolis Star
newspaper regarding The Ville restaurant
opening in Noblesville, IN.
Cortney Kinzler ’99, Business, has
assumed the role of Director of Marketing
for American Vending Sales.
Theresa LaMontagne ’95, Early Childhood
Education, is a Pre-K 3/4 teacher at St.
Sylvester School in the Logan Square
neighborhood of Chicago, IL.
Ryan McCaskey ‘96, Culinary Arts, is
chef and owner of Acadia, which was
awarded one star in the MICHELIN Guide
Chicago 2015.
Jared Wentworth ‘96, Culinary Arts, is
owner of Longman & Eagle, which was
awarded one star in the MICHELIN Guide
Chicago 2015.
60’S
Duane Kiddoo ’61, Liberal Arts, is
married with three daughters and four
grandchildren. Duane is a retired salesman.
He and his wife Suzie have traveled all over
the world and currently divide their time
between Tempe, AZ and Overgaard, AZ.
KENDALL NEWS
kendall.edu for more information ///////////////////
///////////////////////////////////////////visit
Kendall College celebrates 8 0 Y E A R S
School of Culinary Arts student, QI AI, takes top honors at annual S.Pellegrino®
Almost Famous Chef® central regional competition
Kendall launches new WINE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
Chef Christopher Koetke shares his thoughts on the top 6 food trends to watch
out for in 2015
5
KENDALL COLLEGE
900 N. North Branch Street
Chicago, IL 60642
kendall.edu // 888.90.KENDALL
facebook.com/KendallCollegeAlumniAssociation
twitter.com/KendallCollege
youtube.com/KendallCollege
linkedin.com [Kendall College Alumni Association]
Become a TASTE of Kendall College member and receive many benefits including:
·
·
·
·
Discounts in our fine-dining restaurant and on event space rental
Registration fee reductions on all recreational and professional culinary and beverage classes
Special rates for all teen camps
Exclusive discounts from our industry partners, including Vitamix and Northwestern Cutlery
And so much more!
VISIT KENDALL.EDU/TASTE AND EXPLORE ALL THAT KENDALL HAS TO OFFER.
SAVE THE DATE
Support the Alumni Association with Alumni dues
MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT
ALUMNI.KENDALL.EDU
SPRING ALUMNI
NETWORKING CELEBRATION
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015
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