University High School 2008 Alumni Awards

The University High School Alumni Association recently announced the recipients of its 2008 Alumni Awards.

Dr. James W. Miller '55 is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award based on his dedication to advancing surgical procedures and results in the field of otolaryngology. Following medical school, Miller spent two years as chief flight surgeon at Wurtsmith Air Force Base.  In 1966, he was selected out of 150 applicants as one of three ear, nose, and throat residents to be trained at the University of California - San Francisco.  He began private practice in 1970 and between 1970 and 1998, performed 5,000 surgeries.  Miller pioneered microscopic ear, major head and neck, as well as facial fracture surgeries and developed a new operation for intractable nose bleeds. 

Curt Christenson is the recipient of the 2008 Friends of U-High award for his 24 years of service as a U-High faculty associate and administrator. He has served as a coach for wrestling, football and track, a faculty associate in physical education, health education and driver education, as activities/athletic director, and as assistant principal.  Christenson retired from the activities/athletic director position in May 2008.

Kathy Coyle Murdoch '81 is the recipient of the Pioneer Alumni Service Award. While at U-High, Murdoch received the Pioneer Award, was selected a member of the National Honor Society, was a class officer and student senate officer, and received journalism awards.  After graduation, Murdoch completed a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science at Illinois State.  She has extensive service with the University High School Alumni Association (UHSAA), as she has been a board member since 1997. 

Sister Mary John Harvey '44 has been named a member of the Pioneer Hall of Fame to honor her life of service and leadership within The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, located in East Peoria.  Sister Harvey attended both Thomas Metcalf School and U-High.  She received a bachelor of science in pharmacy from Creighton University, completed a master's degree in philosophy at The Catholic University of America and a master's degree in counseling and guidance at Illinois State University.  Sister Harvey has served as a pharmacist at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria and as a pharmacology instructor at the Medical Center's School of Nursing. 

Tom Kendall '67 has been named a member of the Pioneer Hall of Fame.  After graduation, Kendall completed bachelors and master's degrees in ceramics from Illinois State.  His ceramic works have been included in several permanent corporate collections, including the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Citicorp, and the States of Illinois and Michigan.  Kendall also created a porcelain and bronze U-High seal, which was dedicated in September 2006 and is hung in the school near the library.           

Vince Quevedo '81 has been named a member of the Pioneer Hall of Fame.  After graduation, Quevedo earned degrees in clothing and textiles and workforce education and development.  He is currently a tenured associate professor in the Shannon Rogers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising at Kent State University.  His position as a faculty member has allowed him to sponsor more than 25 undergraduate and graduate students in international design competitions.  He has designed apparel, known as wearable arts, and jointly holds three patents for the functional design of firefighting turnout gear.