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Where the most Inspired Musicians
become the most Inspiring Music Teachers

VanderCook College of Music

Honorary Doctorates

VanderCook's Highest Honor

The honorary Doctor of Music (D. Mus.) is the highest honor awarded by VanderCook College of Music. It is presented to noteworthy individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of music education as evidenced by their scholarly or creative achievements, outstanding service and leadership.

July 2024

William Jastrow
Christine Schyvinck

July 2023

Carl Grapentine
Ruth Rhodes

July 2022

David Kalt
Alfred L. Watkins

July 2020

Robert Sheldon

July 2019

Richard W. Colburn

May 2019

Charles “Chip” Staley

July 2018

Maurice Stanley Backun

May 2018

Frank J. Lestina
Donald Wayne Shupe

July 2017

Irwin E. Berg

May 2017

Richard Charles Crain

July 2016

Richard D. Young

May 2016

Cheryl Ann Lavender

July 2015

James D’Addario
John D’Addario Jr.

July 2014

Michael H. Balter
 

May 2014

Freddy William Martin

July 2013

James T. Rohner

May 2013

Paula A. Crider
John L. Whitwell

July 2012

Joseph M. Lamond

May 2012

Gregory Lawrence Bimm
 

July 2011

Edward J. Harris
Michael L. Harris

May 2011

Robert B. Vezzetti
 

July 2010

Everett J. “Vic” Firth
 

May 2010

Ray E. Cramer
 

July 2009

Qian Ni
 

May 2009

Himie Voxman
David A. Wells

July 2008

Morton L. Manus
 

May 2008

Kenneth M. Snoeck
 

July 2007

Remo D. Belli
 

May 2007

Duffie A. Adelson
 

July 2006

Ted Lega
 

July 2005

Keith Mardak
 

July 2004

Leo C. Harris
 

July 2001

Betty Jones Bertaux
 

May 2000

Duane E. Johnson
 

July 1999

Leo J. Henning
George A. Quinlan Sr.

July 1996

Barbara Dianne Buehlman
 

July 1995

Tim Lautzenheiser
 

May 1995

K. Ethel Merker
 

July 1994

Michael J. Davis
 

May 1994

Wilbur D. Elliott

July 1993

William R. Coyle
 

July 1992

Richard Davis
Guy F. Foreman
Lewis A. Schmidt

May 1992

Melvin L. Shelton
 

July 1991

Harris Bergh
Neil Dunlap

July 1990

Forrest Buchtel Sr.
Merle J. Isaac
Clifford Lillya
William Revelli
Victor W. Zajec

July 1988

Richard E. Brittain
Albert Richard Casavant

July 1987

Ruth E. Artman
Richard S. Peck
 

July 1986

Haskell E. Harr
Arnold Jacobs
Vaclav Nelhybel

Meet Our 2024 Honorary Doctorates

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Dr. William Jastrow

William Jastrow’s professional experience comprises 50 years of music teaching and music education administration in Illinois public schools. A retired member of the Indian Prairie School District 204 music faculty, Jastrow maintains an active schedule as a conductor, clinician, arranger, performer, and music education advocate.  He has appeared as a conductor/clinician at numerous district, state and national music conferences and festivals, including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Festival, and as director of the 2007 Illinois All-State Band.  During his tenure, Neuqua Valley H.S. was recognized as the Kennedy Center National School of Distinction in Fine Arts Education and was a multiple recipient of the GRAMMY Signature Gold and National Signature School Award.  

For twelve years, Jastrow served as a member of the Illinois Music Education Association Board of Directors, first as Band Division President and then as State President. As an executive officer Jastrow assumed a leading role in the development of a Leadership Conference for exemplary music educators, a Future Music Educators Symposium for high school students, and an All-State Percussion Ensemble.  As Past-President, Jastrow authored numerous articles for the Illinois Music Educator on the vital role music should play as part of a comprehensive K-12 education and participated in the planning of “Dream Out Loud”, a joint advocacy initiative with Yamaha and the Chicago and Symphony Orchestra.  Currently, Jastrow serves as the Associate Director of the Naperville Municipal Band, on the Board of Directors and as Principal Percussionist for the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, and as a representative for ARTSpeaks, a nonprofit association dedicated to educating communities on the value of school arts education programs. 

Jastrow holds degrees in music education from the University of Illinois and Northwestern University. He has been recognized by the Illinois Music Education Association with a Distinguished Service Award, received special recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education for “Contributions to Education,” honored by the National Association for Music Education with an Excellence in Teaching Percussion Award, a recipient of the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Illinois Bandmasters Hall of Fame.

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Dr. Christine Schyvinck

Christine Schyvinck is Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at Shure Incorporated, the world’s leading manufacturer of microphones and audio electronics. As the highest-ranking officer at the Company, she is one of a few women to hold an executive position in the pro audio industry. Her leadership has been integral to the steady growth and profitability of Shure.

During her tenure, Chris has led critical initiatives for the Company, including reducing material costs without sacrificing product quality, dramatically improving on-time delivery, and globalizing manufacturing operations. She joined Shure in 1989 as Quality Control Engineer. After several promotions, she moved into Process Engineering, becoming manager in 1997. In 1998, she was made Vice President of Corporate Quality.

Two years later, Chris was named Vice President of Operations, responsible for Corporate Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and the Company’s manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China. She was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2004 and directed the opening of Shure’s first manufacturing facility in China one year later.

In 2006, Chris was tapped to head the Global Marketing and Sales Division, assuming management of the Company’s Business Units in the Americas, Europe, Middle East/Africa, and Asia/Pacific regions as well as the strategic integration, marketing, sales, artist and public relations, technical support, and customer service functions. Sales increased by more than 78 percent during her ten-year period as Executive Vice President of GMS.

In 2015, she was designated Chief Operating Officer, and, in 2016, was appointed Shure President and CEO, becoming only the fourth such officer in the Company’s 90-year history.

Currently, Chris leads the Company’s eight divisions: Administration, Finance, Global Legal Services, Global Marketing and Sales, Human Resources, Information Technology, Operations, and Product Development.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the former Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board for the School of Mechanical Engineering at UW-Madison. Chris recognized Shure as the perfect blend of her two passions (music and engineering) and rejected employment offers from larger manufacturers. While working at Shure, she completed her Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University and is currently seated on the Industry Advisory Board for that program. Chris is actively involved in music as a member of the Palatine Concert Band. She plays French Horn.

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3140 South Federal Street
Chicago, IL 60616-3731
(312) 225-6288

The mission of VanderCook College of Music is to enrich the lives of present and future generations by developing uniquely skilled music teachers who exhibit strong character, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence.

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