Neighbors in the news
• Joanne Mitrenga of Naperville is the new director of development at The DuPage Community Foundation in Wheaton. Mitrenga, who previously served as executive director of Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry in Naperville, will work to increase community awareness of the foundation's mission, and develop philanthropy to help the foundation's efforts. The fFoundation seeks to raise the quality of life throughout DuPage County by developing and channeling philanthropy to meet the needs of its residents. Mitrenga received a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, and has a master's degree in Community and Organization Development from Loyola University in Chicago.
• Mike Neenan of Aurora, a science teacher at Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, was named Illinois Chess Coach of the Year after a vote was held by 121 high school chess coaches at the Illinois High School Association's state chess team tournament held in Peoria. The award recognizes a lifetime of achievement at a high school level as a chess coach.
• Bob Kurek of Bloomingdale was presented the Dennis G. Kelly Department Commander's Award by the Department of Illinois, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Given annually, the award is for distinguished service on behalf of the soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War. Kurek was recognized for overseeing the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway project that placed signs honoring the Civil War brigade along the portions of U.S. Route 12 that run through Illinois.
• Spencer Kroning, a Commander with the West Chicago Police Department in West Chicago, graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University in Evanston. The 10-week program provides upper-level college instruction in 22 core areas and nine optional areas for the law enforcement community. Kroning, who joined 33 other students participating in the 10-week session, can now be awarded up to eight units of undergraduate credit from the university for successfully completing the program.