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WIU in the News
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In this Issue WIU Alumni Play Role in Illinois State Legislature | WIU's Scholarship Program Named a "Best Practice" | Shoemaker Named Associate Director of Alumni Programs | Western Hosted Inauguration Ball | President's Spring Letter | Join Mike Scifres in Arizona
WIU Alumni Play Prominent Role in Illinois State LegislatureWIU alumni Sen. Kirk Dillard '77 and Sen. Kimberly Lightford '91 were two of the 59 unanimous votes in the Senate to impeach former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich when history was made on January 29. The Illinois Senate Tribunal vote against Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes him the first Illinois governor in state history to be impeached and removed from office. Both Senators voted in favor of removing the governor from office, with Dillard noting "that it was impossible to ignore the overwhelming evidence against him." "It was unfortunate of the former governor to not provide a defensive counsel for himself and ignore the process until closing arguments," said Sen. Lightford. To see and hear Sen. Dillard's reaction to the impeachment of Gov. Blagojevich, click below.
Click here to read the Western Courier article about Blagojevich's impeachment. WIU's Scholarship Program Named a "Best Practice"Western Illinois University’s Scholarship Program, administered by the Scholarship Office, was named a “best practice” by the Center for Student Opportunity (CSO). "We're very pleased to get this kind of recognition, especially since there are just two of us in the office. It's very nice to work hard and have your work recognized," said Director of University Scholarship Activities Janice Owens. "The bottom line is that we're here to serve students and we appreciate this recognition for doing just that." In highlighting Western Illinois University’s Scholarship Office a CSO article stated, “In 2006, the program distributed $2.5 million in scholarship support. Western Illinois has an ambitious scholarship program and includes a number of offerings specifically for entering minority students, including the DuSable scholarship ($1,000 per year, renewable at $500), the Western Opportunity Grant ($1,000), the Western Opportunity Scholarship ($500 to $2,000) and the Student Services Minority Achievement Access/Retention Grant (multiple awards ranging from $500 to $1,000).” Click here to read more on this recognition in the January 2009 Strategic Plan Update. Shoemaker Named Associate Director of Alumni Programs
"Amanda's level of experience is outstanding, and we look forward to her stepping into this new role," said Alumni Director Amy Spelman MS '98. Click here to read more on Shoemaker.
Western Hosted Presidential Inauguration Neighborhood Ball
Western registered their 'Neighborhood Inaugural Ball Events' on the Presidential Inaugural Committee's website in December. However, Western did not find out that they had been chosen until the night before the inauguration. A day later, several hundred students arrived in the Bayliss/Henninger Underground for the opportunity to be a part of history in the making. A company captured video images of Neighborhood Ball Events from around the world and posted them online. Select webcasts were picked up by ABC and broadcast nationally. Click here to read more. President's Spring LetterI want to welcome back faculty, students, and staff as we begin the Spring 2009 semester. While we continue facing difficult budgetary challenges from reduced state resources, I remain optimistic about our continued progress toward many of our strategic plan goals and the numerous successes we have achieved. Click here to read President Al Goldfarb's entire spring letter.
Join WIU Alumnus and San Diego Charger Mike Scifres '02 in Arizona The WIU Alumni Association is hosting the Second Annual Ultimate Alumni Day in Arizona. This year, NFL star and former Leatherneck Mike Scifres '02 will be at the events. The day begins with a golf outing at Tuscany Falls at PebbleCreek at 7:30 a.m. Then, we will head to the new home of the Chicago White Sox Spring Training--Camelback Ranch. The Sox play Texas at 1:05 p.m. Join us as early as 12:35 p.m. for a patio party; we will watch the game from the White Sox Bullpen Patio. The day culminates in an Alumni & Friends Social at The Shout House at 5 p.m. The Dueling Pianos begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information, or to register, click here.
Congratulations to the February winner-- Eric Schaefer '99 MA '02. He found Rocky on the Center for International Studies webpage. Can you find this exact Rocky (in black and white) some where else in the eNewsletter? If you find him, email us at A-Association@wiu.edu and let us know where he was placed. One winner will be picked from all the entries emailed on the first day of the month and will get a WIU Prize Pack! Good luck. **Congratulations to the January winner--Seth Elschlager '06. He found Rocky in the full Commencement story. You are receiving this newsletter because you are an alumnus or friend of Western Illinois University. Click here to unsubscribe.
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Sen. Lightford (D--4th District) has held office since 1998. In 
Amanda Shoemaker, who has served as Western Illinois University's assistant director of alumni programs since January 2005, has been named associate director of alumni programs at Western Illinois.
On Tuesday, January 20, Western Illinois University students celebrated the inauguration of President Barack Obama at their own 'Neighborhood Ball.' WIU was one of the few campuses selected as a 'Neighborhood Ball' site, an idea conceived by President Obama who wanted to include people from across the United States in all the celebrations.
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