Career news and alumni updates

Jeffrey Westhoff, Jour ’87, sold his first novel, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, to Intrigue Publishing, and it will be published in summer 2015. The young adult spy adventure chronicles the story of a suburban Milwaukee teenage boy who is drawn into international intrigue while on a summer trip to Europe.

Regina Dixon-Reeves, Jour ’82, was promoted to executive director of the office of diversity and inclusion at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine and Division of Biological Sciences.

Dennis Byrne, Jour ’63, adapted his award-winning historical novel, Madness: The War of 1812, for young adult readers. It promotes early and ongoing adolescent literacy development for K–12 children.

Dennis Herrick, Jour ’64, had his mystery book, A Brother’s Cold Case, published in 2014. The story is set in the American Southwest.

Jeff Maillet, Jour ’94, is deputy sports editor at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Gregory Kot, Jour ’78, critically acclaimed biographer, Chicago Tribune music critic and co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show Sound Opinions, wrote I’ll Take You There; Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the March Up Freedom’s Highway.

Troy Bankord, Jour ’86, appeared on Sweden’s top reality show, Allt For Sverige.

Bill Grimes , Jour ’81, received the Robert M. Cole Award for best school board coverage at the Illinois Press Association convention in Springfield, Ill. It’s the third statewide first-place award he has won in more than 30 years of journalism.