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Sodexo Campus Services provides lead gift to CSP/Student Services Summer Institute

Jessica Butcher, Allen Nemec, Garry Johnson and Tracy Davis photoA few years back, Western Illinois University Vice President for Student Services staff and College Student Personnel (CSP) faculty had an idea for an event on Western’s campus during the summer, facilitating education along with incorporating a little fun. This idea was formed into a professional development opportunity for alumni as well as former and current staff in the profession of making a difference in the lives of students.

The first CSP/Student Services Summer Institute was offered in 2007. Following the 2008 event, the summer institute received a lead gift from Sodexo Campus Services to ensure its future and enable participants to attend with minimal financial burden to their institutions. Sodexo committed $50,000 toward endowing the institute by contributing the first of five $10,000 installments at that time.

“As I travel the globe, I have known so many people in our field that have had the connection to Western’s campus through their management time and development,” said Thomas Post, president of Campus Dining Services. “We are proud and excited to provide the lead gift for the CSP/Student Services Summer Institute. The opportunity to invest in people’s lives is such a great occasion to give back.”

“We have a fabulous network of successfully practicing student services professionals all over North America,” said Vice President for Student Services Garry Johnson. “I continue to be impressed with the high caliber professionals that our CSP program produces and the national recognition they receive. This generous gift from Sodexo will allow us to continue the tradition of inviting past students and staff back to campus to engage in continuing education and connect with peers and current staff and students.”

The 2009 summer institute took place June 25-26, leading into Macomb Heritage Days. As in the past, the institute featured a keynote presentation by an expert in the field with ties to Western (past speakers were Michael Shonrock ‘79 MS ‘81, vice president at Texas Tech University; and Joe Pica, CEO of Educational Benchmarking, Inc.), educational sessions and panels focusing on a timely theme, a golf outing and social and a closing dinner.

“In addition to helping the Summer Institute become self-sustaining, Sodexo’s gift is a significant statement about strengthening the longstanding partnership between them and Western Illinois University,” said Johnson. “We are grateful for Sodexo’s commitment to Western and our preparation of student services professionals. Together, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of former CSP students and staff.”

Photo: From l-r, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Services Jessica Butcher, Sodexo Campus Services Manager Allen Nemec, Vice President for Student Services Garry Johnson and CSP Professor Tracy Davis.

 

 

 

 

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