College of DuPage honors 2022 Class of Distinguished Alumni
The College of DuPage Foundation recently honored five alumni who have forged notable careers and have attained outstanding achievements during the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards reception.
Honored for their accomplishments are Maureen Dunne, David Govertsen, Lamorne Morris, Lori Swanson and Angel M. Traub.
"It is such an honor for College of DuPage to pay homage to these remarkable individuals," said COD Vice President of Institutional Advancement Walter Johnson. "This year's five honorees exemplify leadership and success in their professional achievements and symbolize the transformative power of a College of DuPage education."
Learn more about COD's 2022 Distinguished Alumni:
• Maureen Dunne, Entrepreneur and Community Leader (Class of 1995)
Dunne graduated from COD with her Associate in Arts degree in 1995. She then obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Chicago, a master's from the London School of Economics and a doctorate in cognitive sciences from Oxford University, where she attended as the first-ever community college graduate to be granted the Rhodes Scholarship. Dunne is co-founder/managing partner of the first social impact investment association focused on neurodiversity as well as Senior Advisor/Neurodiversity Expert at the Lego Foundation. She currently serves on the Association of Community College Trustees Board of Directors, as ICCTA President and as Board Chair for the COD Board of Trustees.
• David Govertsen, Opera Singer (Class of 1999)
Majoring in music, Govertsen graduated from COD in 1999. He then went on to obtain degrees from Northwestern University and Northern Illinois University. He is an alumnus of both the Santa Fe Opera and Central City Opera apprentice programs, as well as the Ryan Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Govertsen made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2011 as the Herald in Otello with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti. Locally in Chicago, he has performed as a soloist with many fine arts organizations including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony and the Grant Park Orchestra.
• Lamorne Morris, Actor (Class of 2003)
Morris was a theater major at COD from 2001 to 2003 receiving an acting scholarship during his time at the college. He has gone on to become a professional actor, comedian and television personality whose accomplishments include performing at Chicago's famed Second City, appearing as a series regular on the TV sitcom "New Girl" for seven seasons as well as having roles in numerous movies including "Game Night" and "Jumanji: The Next Level."
Most recently, Morris starred in the Hulu comedy "Woke" and is known to visit the college and specifically the theater department when he is in the area.
• Lori Swanson, philanthropist (Class of 2015)
Swanson graduated from COD twice, obtaining her Associate in General Studies in 2015 and her Paralegal Certification in 2018. With a passion for giving back, she served on the board of directors for four years at the Clare Woods Academy, a non-public nonprofit day school that provides a specialized educational environment in a therapeutic day school setting. To further aid students with special needs, Swanson has been a staunch supporter of COD's COACH program. She also provides funding for paralegal students in need at the college.
• Angel M. Traub, Attorney (Class of 1996)
Traub received her Associate in Arts from COD in 1996. She went on to receive her bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications from Northern Illinois University, summa cum laude, and then her Juris Doctorate from UIC Law, magna cum laude. Traub is currently a family, estates and mediation attorney and principal owner of the all-female law firm of A. Traub & Associates with offices in Lombard, Arlington Heights and Wheaton. Among her many notable achievements, Traub currently serves as the president of the DuPage County Bar Association. She has remained active at the College by serving on the College of DuPage Foundation Board as well as the Chaparral Alumni Network Executive Committee and has served on several committees along the way.