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Frederic & Sue Bockmann, both Class of 1971
Bob Givens, Class of 1966
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Peg Luy, Class of 1975
Lora Vitek, Class of 2000
Lin Stoner, Class of 1973
Ebony Guyton, Class of 2015
Becky Nims, Administrative Assistant to the Dean - Tabor School of Business
Gregory Hines, Class of 1985 – Track & Field
Gregory Hines was a standout hurdler for Big Blue Men’s Track & Field. A four-year member of the team, Hines captured the CCIW Championship in the 110-meter hurdles in 1985 and earned All-Conference honors in 1984. He capped his senior season with All-American recognition after finishing eighth in the 110-meter hurdles at the NCAA National Championships. Hines’ name still appears in Millikin’s record books, with the third all-time fastest 110-meter hurdles time (14.64) and a tie for the sixth-fastest time in the 400-meter hurdles (55.14).
In addition to his accomplishments on the track, Hines was deeply involved in campus life. He served as President of both Black Student Union and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., was a DJ for WJMU Radio and participated in numerous service projects, including food drives and volunteer tutoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Hines earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1985. He retired in 2019 after a distinguished 32-year career as a Special Enforcement Revenue Agent in the Internal Revenue Service’s Organized Crime Unit. Now self-employed as an electrician, Hines remains active in his community by mentoring apprentices, volunteering in his church and participating in service programs. An avid bowler, he has competed in United States Bowling Congress tournaments and boasts a career-high score of 297.
Hines and his wife, Arlene, live in Chicago and have three children: Britney (Bryan) Shalloway, James J. Hines and Gwendolynn Hines.
Carvel Johnson, Class of 1973 – Football
Carvel Johnson made his mark as a dominant force on the offensive line for the Big Blue Football team. He was a two-time CCIW All-Conference selection (1971, 1972) and earned recognition as an All-NAIA District 20 Offensive Lineman in 1972. Johnson was also named Millikin’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in both 1971 and 1972, anchoring a team that played a pivotal role in the first winning season for Head Coach Skip Mathieson in 1970.
Beyond the gridiron, Johnson was a leader in student life. He was a member of For Soul Only and a charter member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.’s Theta Omicron Chapter in 1973. Johnson also took part in significant student advocacy, helping establish a dedicated space on campus where Black students could gather, organize and build community — an initiative that became a foundation for greater inclusion at Millikin.
Graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing in 1973, Johnson was also a trailblazer in his career. He was the first non-Accounting major from Millikin to be hired into the sales management team at Caterpillar. Johnson later worked for Procter & Gamble and Illinois Bell, before retiring from BNSF Railway as a Supervisor in the Mechanical Department.
Committed to giving back, Johnson has volunteered with Martha’s Village, Butterfly Dreamz and numerous community organizations supporting unhoused families. He and his wife, Vanessa, live in East Chicago, Ind. They have four daughters — Shannon, Dalila, Ayrin and Safiya — one son-in-law, Chris, and two grandchildren, Skylar and CJ. Johnson also treasures the support of his extended family, including his cousins, Lee and Terri Walker.
Kalli (Farmer) Collins, Class of 2020 – Softball
Kalli Farmer Collins built one of Millikin’s most impressive résumés during her four years withBig Blue Softball. Among her many accomplishments, Collins posted a career batting average of .399, and in her senior season, she hit .488 with 12 RBI in just 13 games. She was named MVP in 2019, is a two-time Jack Swartz Award winner (2019, 2020) and earned All-Conference honors three times, including back-to-back First Team selections in 2018 and 2019. Collins was twice recognized as an Academic All-American and twice led the nation as the NCAA Statistical Champion for Toughest to Strikeout — including a perfect 2018 season without a single strikeout. She was named Millikin’s Student Athlete of the Year in 2019 and was awarded theprestigious Lindsay Medallion in 2021.
Collins left a lasting impact on campus outside of athletics. She co-founded and led Fellowship of Christian Athletes, served as Vice President of Phi Kappa Phi, was Treasurer of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and worked as an intern in Millikin’s Marketing & Media Relations Department. A Presidential Scholar, Collins graduated summa cum laude in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management.
Collins earned her master’s degree in Marketing and Communication from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where she now works as a Marketing Specialist, while also serving her alma mater as an Adjunct Professor in the Tabor School of Business.
Collins and her husband, Dalton — also a member of the Class of 2020 — live in Decatur. Her twin brother, Korbin Farmer ’20, is also a proud Big Blue alumnus.
Dion Wilson SR, Class of 2011– Football
Dion Wilson left his mark as one of the most accomplished running backs in Millikin Football history. A four-year member of the program, he tied the school record for rushing yards in a single game (278), ranks third all-time for rushing yards in a single season (1,361) and sits fifth on the career rushing list, with 2,829 yards. Wilson was a two-time CCIW All-Conference First Team selection (2009, 2010) and the conference’s leading rusher in 2009. In addition, he was a four-time CCIW Academic All-Conference honoree, served as team co-captain and was awarded the prestigious Lindsay Medallion in 2011.
During his time at Millikin, Wilson’s leadership extended beyond the field. He volunteered weekly at Good Samaritan Inn and dedicated four years to serving on student panels for prospective high school students — an experience he recalls as pivotal in building his confidence and leadership.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fitness and Sport in 2011, Wilson briefly returned to Millikin as a Defensive Back Coach and Camp Coach for Little Blue Football, before beginning his career in law enforcement. He has served as a State Trooper with the Illinois State Police for more than seven years. Wilson has remained active in mentoring youth through sports, officiating baseball games with IHSA and assisting with high school athletic programs.
Wilson and his wife, Clearetta Smith-Joe, live in Lockport, Ill. They are the proud parents of DJ, Demi and Davia. Wilson also credits the support of his parents, Dennis and Pam Wilson; sister, Denika; and in-laws Dmitri and Carlita Joe, for shaping his journey.
1974 Football Team
The 1974 Millikin University Football team remains one of the most celebrated teams in the program’s history. Under the leadership of Head Coach Skip Mathieson, the Big Blue captured the CCIW Co-Championship, finishing the regular season with an impressive 8-1 record, and completing the year with an 8-2 record overall. The team’s performance garnered national recognition, earning them the No. 9 ranking in the final NAIA Division II standings prior to the postseason.
The 1974 team was defined by both talent and leadership. Five members of the coaching staff — Merle Chapman ’59, Skip Mathieson, Guy Neibuhr, Carl Poelker ’68 and Lin Stoner ’73 — have been individually inducted into the Millikin University Athletic Hall of Fame, a testament to their enduring impact on Big Blue Football. On the field, six standout players — Stuart Arnold’77, D.J. Brown ’76, Gary Cook ’77, Louis James ’76, Doug Neibuhr ’75 and James Stringer ’75— have also been inducted into the Hall of Fame, highlighting the remarkable skill and dedication that drove the team’s success.
The seniors on the 1974 Football team graduated in 1975 and are celebrating their 50th class reunion at this year’s Homecoming festivities. This is a milestone not just for those who wore the blue, but for the entire Millikin community, commemorating decades of pride, teamwork and excellence. The legacy of the 1974 Big Blue Football team continues to inspire players, coaches and fans alike, and is a shining chapter in the history of Millikin Football.
1985 Women’s Basketball Team
The 1985 Millikin University Women’s Basketball team cemented its place in program history with a remarkable 23-3 season under the guidance of Head Coach Harriett Crannell, herself a Millikin Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee in 1990. At a time when CCIW competition had not yet been established for Women’s Basketball, the Big Blue showcased their talent and resilience on the national stage, advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Millikin’s postseason run was defined by a series of thrilling victories. The team narrowly defeated Simpson College (Iowa) 62-60, William Penn (Iowa) 67-66 and Rust College (Miss.) 80-79 in Decatur, demonstrating clutch performance and determination. Their journey continued at the Final Four in De Pere, Wis., where the team faced Scranton (N.Y.), falling 83-75 before rebounding to claim third place with a hard-fought 76-73 victory over St. Norbert (Wis.).
Individual accolades highlighted the extraordinary talent on the roster. Lori Kerans ’85 earned Central Region Most Valuable Player honors and a place on the Final Four All-Tournament Team, while Michelle Mariage ’86 was named Team MVP. Several team members have since been inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, including Terri Jones Kawczynski ’85, Paula Keller-Holtman ’88, Kerans and Mariage, cementing the lasting impact of their contributions.
The 1985 team remains a touchstone of excellence, teamwork and determination, inspiring generations of Millikin Women’s Basketball players. Their legacy is remembered not only in wins and awards, but in the competitive spirit and dedication that defined one of the program’s most outstanding seasons.
Marilyn Trainer Dechert, Women’s Golf Coach and class of 1955 (far left)
Marilyn Trainer Dechert returned to her alma mater at the age of 69 to serve as Head Coach of the Women’s Golf team, a position she held from 2002-2014. Under her leadership, the Big Blue produced three NCAA Tournament qualifiers and boasted 15 CCIW All-Conference players. Dechert’s exceptional guidance and dedication to her athletes earned her CCIW Coach of the Year honors in 2014, capping a remarkable coaching career.
A devoted mentor, Dechert nurtured the success of many athletes, including Diane Imburgia Scearce ’04, one of last year’s Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. In tribute to Dechert’s profound impact, Millikin’s home Women’s Golf tournament is named in her honor, creating a legacy that will impact generations of student-athletes.
Though coaching was the centerpiece of her career, Dechert’s personal accomplishments as a golfer were likewise remarkable. She competed for Millikin in 1951-52, winning the consolation championship at the National Collegiate Championships, and over her lifetime claimed nine Women’s Open titles and five Senior Women’s open titles. Dechert also earned a second-place finish at the Illinois Women’s Golf Association Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in 1988 and was inducted into the Illinois Women’s Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2015. Together with her husband, Dick ’54, she was bestowed with Millikin’s Merit-Loyalty award in 2021.
Dechert, who passed away in 2022, crafted a coaching career that was defined by dedication, mentorship and a lifelong passion for golf. Her leadership transformed the Big Blue, leaving a legacy of excellence, sportsmanship and inspiration. Dechert’s husband, Dick, lives in Decatur.