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In their leadership roles, Wittmann and Belobrajdic will continually meet with alumni and friends of the College throughout the country, introducing opportunities for philanthropy and engagement. Working closely with President Barbara A. Farley and Vice President of External Relations Stephanie Elpers Chipman, the duo will provide strategic guidance to meet the College’s fundraising goals. 

Both Wittmann and Belobrajdic have held previous professional roles at the College. Chipman says their fond memories of being students at IC, along with the insight they gained working on the Hilltop make them uniquely qualified for their new roles. 

“Illinois College is a special place, and I am thrilled to welcome back two alumni to the Hilltop who live our mission every day,” she said. “Alumni and friends of IC want to give back generously because they know what it means to be inspired and empowered, and they know their investments change students' lives. I am confident that Zach and Scott will build on the momentum of all the excellent work happening at Illinois College right now.” 

Wittmann’s ties to the Hilltop began with his grandfather, the late Edgar Franz, who taught in the mathematics department at Illinois College from the 1960s up through the 80s, then worked part-time until 1994.

“My grandpa used to tell me stories, and IC really became a part of our family history,” Wittmann explains, “When it came time for me to apply to colleges, I knew that I was going to attend IC.”

During Wittmann’s time as a student, he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and was a member of Phi Alpha literary society. After graduate school, he returned to IC holding several roles where he taught psychology, supported students as a mental health counselor and recruited incoming students as an international admissions counselor. Wittmann said he looks forward to creating new connections as a major gift officer.

“The most valuable aspect of the position so far has been the reach this role has afforded me,” Wittmann said. “I have been given an opportunity to connect with people who I would have otherwise likely never met. I feel privileged to be able to establish friendships with them and share Illinois College memories, as well as our hopes for the College moving forward.”

Shortly after Wittmann's return, Belobrajdic joined the team in January. With a career steeped in higher education, Belobrajdic has held various roles in admissions, culminating in his retirement from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville after over 15 years of service as the associate vice chancellor for enrollment management. 

During Belobrajdic’s time on campus he double majored in art and communications. He was a member of Sigma Pi literary society and met his wife Kari Calbreath '87 on the Hilltop. Belobrajdic’s first role in higher ed was at IC; he started as an admission counselor immediately after graduating with a double major in art and communications. 

“After I graduated, there was one thing I was an expert in: life in college,” he recalls. “I quickly realized as I talked to parents and students from around the country that they listened to me about the student experience at IC, and that I had something valuable to share with them.“

Belobrajdic went on to hold leadership roles on the admission team, notably helping IC surpass an enrollment of 1,000 students for the first time in history during the 90s. Today, he hopes his experiences at IC will help him connect with even more people. He said his new role at IC has already changed the way he thinks about his connection to his alma mater. 

“I used to think literally about my IC experience as this four-year window,” he explained. “Within a couple of weeks of starting this job, I had lunch with an alumnus who had graduated in 1964. We started talking about a professor who taught us both. All of a sudden I had this linkage to the 60s and Illinois College in a way that was very real. Then, Zach (Wittmann) and I were talking about the professors we shared. Now, this college experience went from four years to a 40-year expanse. This connects us. This means something to people.” 

To learn more about the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, visit ic.edu/alumni.