On Friday, May 20, Debra (Steigerwaldt) Waller became chairman of the Carthage Board of Trustees, succeeding Edward W. Smeds, who assumes emeritus status. The succession was announced during the College's New Alumni Convocation program, a part of Commencement weekend.

Edward Smeds and Debra Waller at the May 19 celebration of Mr. Smeds' service to the College.

Mrs. Waller is chairman and chief executive officer of Jockey International, Inc. She received a bachelor's degree in elementary and special education from Carthage in 1978, and has served as a trustee since 1999.

Mrs. Waller assumed her position at Jockey in 2001. She joined the company as an administrative assistant in 1982 and quickly ascended into the role of merchandise manager of Jockey for Her in 1983. Mrs. Waller's growth within Jockey continued when, in 1991, she was named director of women's merchandising. She became Vice President/General Merchandise Manager of Jockey for Her, and in 1994, was named Senior Vice President of Special Markets. In 1995, she became Executive Vice President and Assistant to the President until 2000, when she was named Vice Chairman of the Board and Assistant to the President.

Prior to joining Jockey, Mrs. Waller taught special education for one year in Evanston, Ill. She also spent two years working as a teller supervisor at a savings and loan in Northbrook, Ill.

Mrs. Waller is a director of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. In 2005, she founded Jockey Being Family, a corporate citizenship initiative committed to strengthening adoptive families for successful futures, by connecting adoptive parents and children with vital post-adoption services. In partnership with local and national nonprofit organizations, Jockey provides funding, employee volunteers, monetary and in-kind donations to support and raise awareness of post-adoption services.

Mrs. Waller lives in the Kenosha, Wis., area.

Mr. Smeds is a 1957 Carthage graduate who earned his degree in business administration. He was the first Carthage graduate to chair the Board of Trustees. He earned a master's degree in labor and industrial relations from the University of Illinois, and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard.

In 1961, Mr. Smeds joined Kraft Foods in human resources, and began a 33-year career. He became senior vice president for human resources in 1977, followed by an appointment as senior vice president of finance and administration in 1980.

Mr. Smeds went to Australia in 1984 as chairman of Kraft Foods Ltd., Australia; and president of Kraft Foods International, Asia/Pacific Region. He later was transferred to Canada, serving as president of Kraft Food Ltd., Canada. He completed his career with Kraft General Foods as president--operations, retiring in 1994.

Mr. Smeds joined the Board of Trustees in 1990, the same year he received the Distinguished Alumni Award. He was elected chairman in 1997, succeeding Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt. He assumes emeritus status, as specified in the constitution of the College for trustees who reach age 75.

He also has served as Chairman of Thrivent Mutual Funds, and a director of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.

Mr. Smeds lives in Naples, Fla., and spends summers in Northfield, Ill.