From a star pupil to a star pediatrician, Dr. Oliver Crawford has set new medical standards and has broken many racial barriers since he walked across the East High stage 73 years ago!

Ranked seventh in the East High Class of 1937, Dr. Crawford was a member of the National Honor Society and played on the basketball and football teams.  He took this dedication to excellence with him as began his journey into the world of medicine.

Dr. Crawford earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Medicine at the University of Chicago.  He continued on to complete his M.D. at the famed Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, the premiere training institution for African-American doctors then and now.  Dr. Crawford completed his residency at Provident Hospital and Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Certified in Pediatrics, Allergies, and Immunology, Dr. Crawford joined the faculty Northwestern University School of Medicine, the first American-American to do so.  He also utilized his knowledge and skills as a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corp during the Korean War.  Throughout his career, he served as the President of the Chicago Pediatric Society, a leader in the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a trusted advisor to the Chicago Board of Health.

After his retirement in 1991, Dr. Crawford founded Volunteers in Medicine in Hilton Head, SC. Nearly two decades later, this non-profit organization still provides free medical care to underprivileged families on Hilton Head Island.  Medical professionals in over 50 cities in the United States of America have duplicated the model of Volunteers in Medicine.

His four children, two of whom are physicians, one a hospital administrator, and one a teacher are carrying on Dr. Crawford’s legacy.  He and his wife now reside in Silver Spring, Maryland.

At East High, he was a leading student in the classroom, on the court, and on the field.  Today, he has paved the way in the counseling field to become one of the nation’s leading scholars.

While at East High, Dr. Aaron Stills was a star athlete in track, cross country, and basketball.  After graduation, Dr. Stills attended Western Illinois University  and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology.  Stills then matriculated to Indiana State University  and completed his Doctoral Degree in Counseling and Psychological Services.

Today, Dr. Aaron Stills is the Chairman of the Department of Human Development at the prestigious Howard University in Washington, D.C.  His department produces more doctoral degrees for African-American students in the areas of counseling and psychology than any other college in the United States of America.

Dr. Stills 35 year career in counseling has distinguished him as one of the premiere national and international scholars in the area of Multicultural Counseling.  He is the Founding President of the National Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, a division of the American Association of Counseling.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Multicultural Management Systems, Dr. Stills has served as a consultant to mental health facilities, schools, and some of the most successful Fortune 500 Companies for over three decades.  In addition, he is a published author of many studies and chapters on psychological issues.

In 1999, Dr. Aaron stills was inducted into the East Aurora Sports Hall of Fame.

Dr. Aaron Stills and his wife, Gloria, live in Ellicott City, Maryland.

From a distinguished student-athlete young at East Aurora High School to a celebrated firefighter who became the Fire Chief of the second largest city in Illinois, Chief Tim Oelker personifies excellence in service.

As a student at East High, Oelker was a member of the band, tennis team, and swimming team.  He was also the manager of the football team.  During his teenage years, he was an Eagle Scout who received the prestigious Eagle Scout Award.

After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was trained in the coveted Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALS (BUDS) Training Program.  This training is extremely demanding, both mentally and physically, and produces the world's best maritime warriors.  Oelker used specialized skills when he participated in the recovery of the Apollo 17 Capsule in December 1972.

After his tenure in the United States Navy, Timothy Oelker returned to Aurora to begin his 26-year career with the Aurora Fire Department where he made steady progress through the ranks.  He served as Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief of Operations, and Deputy Chief Administrative Assistant prior to his appointment to Fire Chief in November 2005.  He retired in 2009.

Chief Oiler’s career was honored with numerous awards including a nomination for Firefighter of the Year and two commendations from the Aurora Police Department for his service and collaborations.

Chief Oelker and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Aurora.

He set ranked in the top of his class at East High and now he ranks as one of the leading osteopathic emergency physicians.

Dr. Kevin Aister graduated in the top ten percent of East Aurora’s Class of 1973 and was the captain of the Tomcat Football Team.  He continued his academic excellence at Carthage College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology.  After college graduation, Dr. Aister joined the United States army where he served for nine years and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

During his time in the Army, Dr. Aister enrolled in and completed medical school.  He earned a Doctor of Osteopathy degree at the Chicago School of Osteopathic Medicine, which is now Midwestern University, and completed his internship at Osteopathic Hospital in South Bend, Indiana.

Dr. Aister, who is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, has put his superb skills to use at twelve different hospitals throughout the nation.  He currently practices at Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona.  Banner Gateway is part of part of one of the largest nonprofit hospital systems in the country.  In addition, he has served as a Physician Mentor for osteopathic students for the last fourteen years.

Committed to the community, Dr. Aister is the past President of the Wheaton Park District Board of Directors.  He also coached the Wheaton/Warrenville South High School Football Team and won three State Championships!

Dr. Aister and his wife, Nicole, have five children and reside in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Dr. John Avendano, Class of 1980

From being a first generation Mexican-American to attend college to becoming the President of a college, Dr. John Avendano has opened the door for thousands of other students to achieve their educational goals.

A natural leader at East Aurora High School, Dr. Avendano was a stellar student and athlete.  He was a member of the varsity football and baseball teams.  He was recruited to play baseball for Waubonsee Community College, where he served as Team Captain and made the All-Skyway Conference Team.  

He transferred to Northern Illinois University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and later a Master’s degree in Adult Continuing Education.  He felt so strongly about community colleges and the education that they offer, Dr. Avendano then returned to Waubonsee Community College after obtaining his Master’s degree to obtain an Associate’s degree in Science.  Dr. Avendano later earned a Doctorate degree in Educational Administration and Foundations from Illinois State University.  

Dr. Avendano has changed thousands of lives during his 26 years in higher education administration.  He has served as Associate Dean of Student Life at Waubonsee Community College and Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Student Development at Illinois Central College.  In 2009, Dr. Avendano took the helm as the sixth president of Kankakee Community College, the first Latino to hold the position.

In his stellar career, Dr. Avendano has served as President of the Illinois Community College Chief Student Officers Board and a member of the Illinois Community College Presidents’ Council.  In 2007, he received the Waubonsee Community College Fab 40 Award and in 2009, he received the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Administrator Award.  

Dr. John Avendano and his wife, Janet, have three children and reside in Morton, IL.

Alderman Richard Irvin - Class of 1988

The first African-American male to serve on Aurora’s City Council, Alderman-at-Large Richard C. Irvin made history when he was elected in 2007.

After graduating from East Aurora High School in 1988, Richard joined the United States Army.  He served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield as Transport Specialist where he transported supplies and personnel to the front line of the war.  He received numerous commendations and an Honorable Discharge for his service.

Richard then returned to his hometown and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Robert Morris College where he graduated Suma Cum Laude.  He then earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law.  While attending NIU, he was a member of the Moot Court Society and the Vice President of the Black Law Students Association.

In 1997, Alderman Irvin began his stellar public service career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Dekalb County, Cook County, and Kane County.  During his tenure as Assistant States Attorney and Community Prosecutor for Kane County, Richard helped to rid communities of gangs and drugs and restore a family environment in many neighborhoods in Aurora.

Richard came to citywide prominence during his campaign to be elected Mayor of Aurora in the 2005 elections.  His motto of One Aurora attempted to unite the second largest city in Illinois.  He ran a second campaign in the 2009 elections.

In 2006, Richard Irvin opened the Laws of Offices of Richard C. Irvin in Aurora and has now expanded his successful practice to Elgin as well.  He remains active in the greater Aurora community by serving on a number of Boards for non-profit organizations.

He and his wife, Crystal, live in Aurora with their two children.