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
July 2014
May 2014
Freddy William Martin
July 2013
James T. Rohner
May 2013
July 2012
May 2012
July 2011
May 2011
July 2010
May 2010
July 2009
May 2009
July 2008
May 2008
July 2007
May 2007
July 2006
July 2005
July 2004
July 2001
May 2000
July 1999
July 1996
July 1995
May 1995
July 1994
May 1994
July 1993
July 1992
May 1992
July 1991
July 1990
July 1988
July 1987
July 1986
Meet Our 2024 Honorary Doctorates
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.
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.