The Illinois Valley Community College Foundation has selected five individuals for induction in the IVCC-LPO Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Inductees include Susan D. (Stachowicz) Ruppert, class of 1974 and 1975; Joseph “Joe” Devera, who attended 1972 to 1974; Gary Peterlin, class of 1969; Francis “Fran” Brolley, who attended 1978 to 1980, and Therese (Brongel) Cotton-Uphaus, LPO Class of 1959.

The induction ceremony will be Saturday, June 6 at 2 p.m. in IVCC’s Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre. The ceremony is open to the public and will be livestreamed. To view the ceremony, visit https://www.youtube.com/live/f1zr86M7MnE. A gathering will follow the ceremony in the Ralph Scriba Conference Center, CTC 124/125.

• Susan Ruppert holds a master’s degree and a PhD in nursing. She is a nursing professor, associate dean, and maintains a practice as a nurse practitioner. She is a first-generation college student who continues to impact patient care, education, and healthcare policy on a national and international scale. Throughout her 50-year career, she has received the most notable honor of being named a Fellow in many national organizations.
• Joe Devera is a Principal Scientist of Paleontology at the Illinois State Geological Survey. He has authored or co-authored 59 geologic maps covering Southern Illinois, discovered new fossil species, mentored students who have gone on to publish groundbreaking research, and spent 25 years inspiring thousands of schoolchildren through fossil education programs.
• Gary Peterlin exemplifies a lifelong commitment to public service, education, and youth advocacy. Peterlin attended John Marshall Law School at night while working full-time as a LaSalle County probation officer and went on to serve two terms as LaSalle County State’s Attorney (1980–1988), where he was recognized for his thoughtful and prevention‑focused approach to justice. As a member of the Illinois Gaming Board, he was recognized for his commitment to bringing honesty and integrity to the industry.
• Fran Brolley is recognized for his remarkable career of service and leadership at IVCC. After 34 years, Brolley retired as the most prolific fundraiser in the college’s history, raising more than $2.2 million for transformative IVCC projects. He has inspired hundreds of donors, supported countless students through scholarships, and earned recognition as a finalist for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association Ethical Leadership Award.  
• Therese Cotton-Uphaus was an internationally recognized chemist and research pioneer. Her groundbreaking work in Raman spectroscopy helped lay the foundation for modern virus detection (including COVID‑19), cancer diagnostics, and environmental and food safety testing. A top researcher during Iowa State’s nationally ranked analytical chemistry era, she published extensively while remaining a kind, humble, and deeply respected teacher. A tireless advocate for women in science, she created training opportunities and modeled perseverance as a non‑traditional student and mother of four. She died in 1997.

To view the list of past Hall of Fame inductees, visit the IVCC-LPO Hall of Fame page at https://www.ivcc.edu/halloffame.  Additionally, if you know an outstanding individual who should be on this list, nominations are now open for the 2027 IVCC-LPO Hall of Fame class at www.ivcc.edu/halloffame. For more information, contact Susan Monroe, Alumni and Donor Relations Coordinator at susan_monroe@ivcc.edu or call (815) 224-0549.