Four Galesburg-Augusta High School graduates will be recognized at the G-A Inspirational Alumni Award ceremony April 18 at 9 a.m. at G-A High School in the gym.
This year’s inductees are Steven Erickson (2002), Jill Goodrich (1992), Joyce Henson (1973) and Rod Smith (1969).
The biographies below were provided by the G-A IAA Committee.
Steven Erickson “loved G-A with every ounce of his being and displayed so much G-A pride with his academic and extracurricular involvement.” A former student said it best: “He inspired me to graduate on time and pushed me to look for a better future for myself.”
Following his graduation from G-A in 2002, Steven attended Ferris State University where he received a B.S. in Secondary Education. There he met his wife Lena and together they shared the joy of a daughter, Kahlan.
Lena has shared that Steven “spent his life serving G-A schools” and the entire community. He served as a substitute teacher and was always willing to help or be a listening ear. He served an integral role in shaping and creating an alternative education program at G-A. He worked passionately to help struggling students to obtain their diplomas. “He accepted anyone and helped them with anything he could.” During the summers his focus was Sherman Lake YMCA where he served for 15 years, at one point creating curriculum for some of their programming.
Steven Erickson was well known for going above and beyond. His colleagues fondly remember and treasure the superhero figurines he shared at Christmas time. Many students and colleagues loved his “extravagant costuming for all holidays and celebrations.” Unfortunately, we lost Steven in 2018, but his life epitomized the Inspirational Alumni Award—his kindness and goodness inspired all who knew him. His spirit lives on.
A 1992 G-A graduate, Jill Goodrich “speaks out to promote empowerment, civil rights, and social action. Her career has been an impactful one with real purpose, supporting important causes and helping people in the community through her professional and volunteer activities.”
Following her graduation, Jill Goodrich received a B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. in Business from the University of Phoenix. From 1999-2003, Jill was a financial analyst for First Data Corporation in Atlanta. From 2009-2013, while living in Amsterdam, Netherlands, she was an English Second Language Teacher. Since 2002, Jill has been president and CEO of Xukor, a nationwide provider of employment screening and background checks.
Since 2016, Jill has served as the President & CEO of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta, Georgia, which was reorganized under Jill’s direction and includes an active International Women’s division. Jill maintains an extremely busy schedule as she is in demand as a keynote speaker, panelist, mentor, and organizer for conferences and forums. She participated in a Girl Scout event celebrating the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote and dropped the ceremonial puck at the Atlanta Gladiators hockey game.
Jill Goodrich proudly represents G-A in all her many activities. “She has been a voice to support those who are underserved and underrepresented.”
Some G-A alumni have traveled far. Some have remained on the local scene to make a difference. There is much more to say, but here is the short version.
Joyce Henson, class of 1973, is a person “whose presence exudes maroon and gold.” She serves with the idea of leaving an imprint and bettering “those around her for the greater good.”
Following her graduation from Adrian College, Joyce began a 28-year career in the banking industry, rising to the position of Senior Vice President in the Trust Department, breaking glass ceilings for herself and others in her industry. The names of the banking system she worked for changed several times, but Joyce remained consistent. As a manager, she was able to assist several G-A grads along the way.
Community service is second nature for Joyce Henson. She served as choir director at her church and assisted with many other activities such as birthday celebrations at Laurels. In the community she has assisted with Greater Galesburg Day, other community projects, and many school programs, such as seniors writing their college essays or youngsters making apple sauce. She is currently the President for the Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Foundation as it provides scholarship opportunities for students. Joyce loves to stay busy—during the pandemic, she made over 1,000 masks; and she also makes lap quilts for the cancer center.
A current G-A administrator credits her as follows: She is rooted in our G-A community, seeks ways to keep our traditions alive, better our community, and does it all with positivity, love and RAM spirit!
It is amazing to realize that a G-A graduate, while working for IBM, collaborated with the U.S. women’s cycling pursuit team to solve the problem of quickly accessing data about their performances ahead of the Rio Olympic Games. Rod Smith’s 35 years at IBM made him a well-recognized technical leader. According to WMU News, “Smith enjoys a sustained record of achievement in the software business due to his ability to identify key emerging technologies well before they become mainstream.”
A 1969 graduate of G-A, Rod Smith worked at Brown Paper Mill while putting himself through college at WMU. His B.A. was in economics and his master’s degree was in Computer Science. While at IBM, he held positions of increasing responsibility such as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Strategist and Vice President for emerging technologies. In 2003 he was awarded the designation of becoming an IBM Fellow, the highest honor achievable at IBM. In 2007, Rod received the WMU Alumni Excellence Award.
Rod Smith and his wife Dr. Leslie Joyce are strong advocates for STEM and have established a Graduate Fellows fund at North Carolina State. He has been a mentor for WMU graduates working at IBM and for Georgia Tech students. Here at G-A, Rod serves on the Board for the G-A Foundation. He recently developed an automated method for students to apply for scholarships and teachers to apply for grants. He loves classic cars, collecting guitars, cooking, and traveling.
Rod Smith has excelled because of hard work and determination, but he credits a special teacher at G-A, Jim Daily who taught math for many years, for making a difference. His impact is tremendous and long-lasting.
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