Des Plaines History Center names new executive director

• Philip Mohr was named executive director of the Des Plaines History Center. Mohr, who previously served as the history center's senior curator and acting director, brings a wealth of education and relevant experience to his new role.

Mohr earned a bachelor's degree in history from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, where he interned at the National Churchill Museum. He earned his master's degrees in history and in historical administration, both from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston. During his time at Eastern, Mohr worked at the Booth Library and the Illinois Regional Archives Depository.

His personal areas of focus are the history of written communication, Western music theory and culture, post-Civil War agrarianism and American architecture.

• Jerry Dobbs, Palatine High School's athletic director, was awarded Athletic Director of the Year by the Illinois Athletic Director Association for 2018. Dobbs has worked as the school's athletic director for 20 years. He was honored during the association's annual conference May 6.

Over the course of his career, Dobbs has served in a variety of positions, both at Palatine High School and with the association.

"It's very humbling to know that your colleagues feel you are excelling in the same job they are doing each and every day," Dobbs said. "I'm very proud of the reputation and work ethic of our athletic staff at Palatine High School."

• Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 named Eli Rogers Student Services coordinator. Rogers, who will begin his new role in August, has served as principal of Aptakisic Junior High School since August of 2016. He was the assistant principal of Meridian Middle School from 2013-2016 and previously served as a school psychologist in District 102.

Rogers holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Northern Illinois University; a Specialist in School Psychology degree from Western Illinois University; and a master's degree in educational leadership from The American College of Education.

• U.S. Air Force Airman Antonio E. Rivera graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Rivera, the son of Adriana and Alex Rivera of Des Plaines, is a 2017 graduate of Maine West High School.

• Congratulations to Bernie Majewski, a State Farm agent in Mount Prospect, who just completed 50 years of service on June 1. During his career, Majewski has received several agent awards, including the Legion of Honor, Bronze Tablet and the Silver Scroll.

• Presence St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary presented 10 scholarships to students in the Fox Valley area for 2018. The students will pursue careers in medicine, nursing, physical therapy and biomedical engineering. Among the winners were Maryam Ahmed and Olivia Stangierski, both from Bartlett High School.

The auxiliary committee members consider academic achievement, financial need, extra curricular activities, a personal essay and letters of recommendation in their decisions. The auxiliary has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships since 1977.

• Send your 'Neighbors in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.