Alumni

A Farewell Letter from Alumni Council President Molly Holmes `01 `04

Molly

Dear Western Illinois University Alumni Community,

I have been honored to serve as President of the Alumni Council for the last year and to have served on the council for six years.  As I transition to Past President for my seventh year, it feels both nostalgic and exciting—much like how it feels when I return to campus and Macomb.

Similarly, there’s been both tradition and new possibility reflected on the council this year, as nine new members joined, and five long-standing members completed their terms.  This combination of experience, perspective, graduation years, and professional experiences, combined with passion for Western has helped us work together for you in affirmation of the significant role WIU has played in who we are.

The council often describe ourselves as the “biggest advocates and cheerleaders” for Western, and these qualities have paired well with the momentum the institution is building.  This year, we learned about WIU’s plans for enrollment and retention and about the impact of being named an Opportunity Campus . We helped support ways to communicate about the value of investing this success , and how to best advocate for WIU’s future and higher education in the region.  This has all been communicated and shared online, in social media posts, and in RockENews--more than ever--for fellow alums near and far to help communicate news and positive updates about our alma mater from the most informed and accurate sources.

Western’s leaders, from President Mindrup to the Board of Trustees, foundation, and communications team are working diligently to focus on student success, and I’ve been grateful to learn from them, and help leverage alumni voices in best supporting work to move the institution into a new era.

If you’re an alum who wants to give back and aren’t sure where to start, I encourage you to reach out to the Alumni Council . There are many ways to financially support the institution, as you can, and, also know that your time, your input, and your curiosity about what’s next is valuable as we work together. As alumni, we may not be on campus as much, but we can positively communicate about the impact WIU has made for us and will continue to make on students for years to come.  

I extend my congratulations to incoming Council President, Emily Manley (’17), as her passion for Western and for turning enthusiasm into action will support the council and the institution’s progress.  Last but not least, I extend my gratitude for the mentorship of Eldon Brown (’96), Matthew Toland (’05, ’10), and Brian Savage (’73); and for the support of returning secretary Jose Marroquin (’08), and outgoing Vice President, Darryl Hollimon (’83, ’93). Every member of the alumni council, staff, administrators, and faculty who invested care and time into alumni relations and connections have made a lasting impact.  

Thank you, and Go Western!

elsign

Molly B. Holmes (she/her)
`01,  04