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In this Issue
Alumni Association Welcomes New Members
Melz-Jennings Named Interim Athletics Director
Lorenzen Named University Libraries Dean
Western Graduate Stars in Evian Commercial
Western Wednesdays in Chicago | 2013 WIU Golf Outings
Join WIU in Wrigleyville for a Social during the Cards-Cubs Game
Save the Dates for Fall 2013 Events
Alumni Association Welcomes New Members
 Western Illinois University welcomed the newest members to the Alumni Association during commencement ceremonies on May 10-11 in Macomb and May 12 in the Quad Cities. Nearly 1,800 of the 2,400 students (75 percent) eligible to walk in the Spring 2013 ceremonies participated. They now join a network of more than 115,000 alumni around the world.
During the Saturday ceremonies, John Garvey '78, senior vice president at NERA Economic Consulting, and Karen Kolodzey '78, retired president and managing partner of Brigandi+Associates (b+a) each received the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Read more.
Melz-Jennings Named Interim Athletics Director
Tim M. Van Alstine, director of intercollegiate athletics at Western Illinois University, resigned from the position, on May 21. Van Alstine had served as athletics director at Western since July 2001.
"We have accepted his decision to resign and we wish him well in his future endeavors. Tim has served WIU with distinction over the past 12 years. We would like to thank Dr. Van Alstine for his dedication to Western Illinois University," said Vice President for Student Services Gary Biller.
According to Biller, Lisa Melz-Jennings M.S. '94, assistant director of intercollegiate athletics and senior women's administrator, was named interim director of intercollegiate athletics. Melz-Jennings has been a member of the intercollegiate athletics staff since 1998. A national search will begin this summer.
Read more.
Lorenzen Named University Libraries Dean
Michael Lorenzen, associate dean for public services at Western Washington University (WWU), has been named dean of University Libraries at Western Illinois University, effective July 15. He replaces Phyllis Self who retired April 30 after seven years of service at WIU.
Lorenzen has served as associate dean for public services at WWU since April 2011. Previously, he was the assistant dean for public services and an associate professor at WWU from April 2010 to March 2011.
"Dr. Lorenzen comes to Western with an excellent background in the library science," said WIU Provost and Academic Vice President Ken Hawkinson. "His expertise will continue to move University Libraries forward and build upon the outstanding efforts of former Dean Phyllis Self."
Read more.
Western Graduate Stars in Evian Commercial
 A Western Illinois University graduate is using his musical theatre education as the lead actor in a new television commercial for evian.
Micah Spayer, a 2009 graduate with a BFA degree in musical theatre who now lives in New York, is featured in the new commercial, which shows Spayer walking down the sidewalk and noticing that his reflection in the mirror shows the face of a baby. The commercial was released in April and already has millions of views on You Tube.
Spayer said he was initially called in to play the commercial's role as a mustached cyclist. After an audition, which included dancing and pretending to look in a mirror and see a baby looking back, the producers from Iconoclast Productions rewrote the commercial and cast Spayer in the lead role.
Read more.
Western Wednesdays in Chicago
 If you missed us last time in Deer Park, be sure to join us for our next installment of Western Wednesdays in downtown Chicago at Untitled on June 5 from 5 - 7 p.m. Hundreds of alumni have joined us on the first Wednesday of each month for great food, great conversation and a few beverages!
Western Wednesdays
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Untitled
111 West Kinzie
Chicago, IL
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
(There is no charge for this event.)
Social, light appetizers while they last & cash bar - FREE
Pre-registration is preferred, however walk-ins are welcome. To pre-register, please call 309-298-1914 or email A-Association@wiu.edu.
WIU 2013 Golf Outings
Join Western Illinois University and President Jack Thomas on the links for one or both of these great golf outings!
The Western Open Chicago Golf Outing
Monday, June 10, 2013
Seven Bridges Golf Club
One Mulligan Drive
Woodridge, IL
11:00 a.m. Registration
12:30 p.m. Shotgun start
5:00 p.m. Social
6:00 p.m. Dinner
(times are subject to change)
Golf & Social/dinner: $120/18 holes of golf, greens fees & cart, registration gift (WIU polo shirt), social/dinner
Social/dinner only: $22/person
Hole sponsorships available for $1000: includes 18 holes of golf, greens fees & cart, registration gift, social/dinner for four plus signage.
Quad Cities Golf Outing
Monday, June 17, 2013
TPC Deere Run
3100 Heather Knoll
Silvis, IL
11:00 a.m. Registration
12:00 p.m. Shotgun start, 4 person scramble
5:00 p.m. Social
6:00 p.m. Dinner
(times are subject to change)
Golf & Social/dinner: $100/18 holes of golf, greens fees & cart, registration gift (WIU polo shirt), social/dinner
Social/dinner only: $23/person
Hole sponsorships available for $500: includes 18 holes of golf, greens fees & cart, registration gift, social/dinner for four plus signage.
Register online or call 309-298-1914.
Join WIU in Wrigleyville for a Social during the Cards-Cubs Game
Deuce's & The Diamond Club
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Owned by WIU Alumnus Kevin Killermann
3505 North Clark St.
Chicago, IL
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (game begins at 6:15 p.m.)
Watch the game with WIU in the Diamond Club Room!
Social, food, and drink package (well liquor cocktails, domestic bottled beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages) - $42/person
Register online or call 309-298-1914.
Save the Dates for these Fall 2013 WIU Alumni & Friends Events
Celebrating Town & Gown 2013
 New this year--WIU will unveil Rocky on Parade. Join the 13 sponsors in seeing the 13 special Rocky sculptures as they are unveiled for the very first time! Rocky on Parade is a public art project that celebrates the University’s traditions, strengthens the unity of campus and community, contributes to the economic vitality and quality of life in Macomb, and supports student scholarships. Imagine a “pack” of larger-than-life fiberglass bulldog sculptures, designed and created by regional artists, on long-term public display. Each bulldog will have a unique design and will be placed throughout the WIU campus and Macomb community.
Other upcoming WIU Alumni & Friends Events
Saturday, September 14, 2013
WIU vs. University of Minnesota Pregame Social & Football Game
Saturday, September 21, 2013
WIU vs. University of Las Vegas Pregame Social & Football Game
Saturday, October 5, 2013
WIU vs. Illinois State Pregame Social & Football Game
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Alumni and Friends event: "A New Deal for Illinois - The Federal Art Project of Western Illinois University"
Friday, October 11 - Saturday, October 12, 2013
Homecoming 2013
Friday, October 11 - Saturday, October 12, 2013
25, 40, 50 & 60 Year Reunion Celebration and Half-Century Club Induction
Register for any of the above events online, call 309-298-1914 or fax 309-298-2914.
 Can you find this exact Rocky (in black and white) somewhere 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 May winner--Sadie Luper '04. She discovered Rocky on the Centennial Honors College page. Congratulations to the June winner--Lisa Sims '81. She discovered Rocky on the Athletics page.****
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