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Alumni Council

Made up of 25 alumni appointed to three-year terms and the president of the Student Alumni Association, this board meets on a quarterly basis at WIU. Members represent the interests of alumni and serve as liaisons to 25 University areas. The council assists in the recruitment of students, selects Alumni Award recipients, and was instrumental in establishing the Student Alumni Association.

NEXT MEETING: Saturday, April 27, 2013
Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois

For more information, join the Alumni Council group on RockeNetwork .

2013 Alumni Council Meetings
Saturday, January 19
Saturday, April 27
Friday, October 11

A letter from the Alumni Council President
(from the Fall 2011 Western News)

It is a privilege and an honor to serve Western Illinois University and the Alumni Association as the president of the Alumni Council. This is a time of change for our alma mater, but we are on a path that will lead to achieving the goals laid out in the University Strategic Plan of Higher Values in Higher Education. Change comes in the form of a new administration with our 11th President, Jack Thomas, and new vice presidents and deans. Change is visible in the progress at WIU-Quad Cities with the construction on the Riverfront Campus. And change comes in all the things, sometimes not so evident, that are done by faculty, staff and students to make Western a great place to learn and grow.

Just over 20 years ago, as a graduate student at WIU, I conducted research and wrote a major paper on alumni involvement.

From that experience, I broadened my understanding of what it means to be involved. It means being an active participant and having a sense of belonging. It is also about connections and being able to contribute. With that in mind, I invite you to become involved alumni of Western Illinois University, and I challenge you to actively participate. Over the next two years, take advantage of at least two of these opportunities: 1) Return to WIU for Homecoming. This is our pinnacle event annually as alumni. 2) Attend an alumni and friends event. The Alumni Association hosts events throughout the country (and even internationally), so please come and actively participate. 3) Share the WIU story. Talk to family, friends and colleagues about your experiences at Western and how they have influenced who you are. 4) Reconnect. With the variety of social media available today, it has become easier to make contact with former roommates, classmates, professors and administrators. Utilize the social media links on the alumni web site. Tell an old friend "hi" or a former professor "thank you." 5) Recruit. The strength of most organizations lies in its future members. For the Alumni Association, that starts with students. Identify friends and family exploring college, and individuals who may be seeking advancement through graduate studies, and encourage them to consider Western.

I look forward to my tenure as president of the association and assessing your progress towards meeting the above challenge. I hope to see many of you at the events I attend and hear about your Western experiences.

With Western Illinois University Pride,
Kristopher L. Kelly '90 MS '92

Alumni Council Members Sought

The WIU Alumni Association is looking for dedicated leaders of all ages, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, career fields, etc. to serve on the WIU Alumni Council. If you or someone you know is an active alumnus that would be a good candidate, please send the nomination form and resume to the Alumni Association at 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455 or fax (309)298-2914. The deadline is March 1. (You may save and email your form to A-Association@wiu.edu only if your computer has Adobe Acrobat Professional, not Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Or, click here to print off and then fill out the nomination form.

2012 - 2013 Council Members

• Harvey Ahitow 1968
• Mishelle Banas 1997
• Matt Bills 1999
• Katie Borth 2003, 2004
• James Carter 1975
• Roger Clawson 1977 - Past President
• Jerry Cremer 1989
• Mona D'Antonio 1976
• Kirk W. Dillard 1977 (Ex Officio Member)
• Chuck Giger 1970
• Brett Goad 1974, 1976
• Rhonda Haffner 1987
• Kris Kelly 1990 1992 - President
• Fred Longacre 1964
• Lisa Lyons 2003, 2005
• Jeff McElroy 1997 - Vice President
• Vian Neally 1996, 2002
• Jay O'Brien 1978
• Shari Rich 1991, 1993
• Matt Saey 2006
• John Sanders 1974
• Brian Savage 1973
• Carol Scott 1970 - Secretary
• Devan Spears 2013
• Kathy Sullivan 1978
• Dan Szajna 2000
• Matthew Toland 2005, 2010

Alumni Council Featured Member

Jerry Cremer 1989

Degree: BS in Agriculture Business from WIU

Email: cremrz@macomb.com

Business Information: Farm management officer at Citizens, a division of Morton Community Bank in Macomb.

Advice for Freshman: Incoming freshman need to become involved in campus life as well as the classroom. The contacts you make will prove to be a great value through out your working career.

Favorite WIU Memory: Getting a diploma is my favorite memory.

Family Information: I am married to Diana (a WIU grad) who is a teacher in Early Chidhood Education. We have three sons Adam, Aaron & Aric. I enjoy my dogs, volunteer work, and WIU athletic events.