Director's Corner

News from Your Alumni Association

Amy Spelman I happen to be one who claims what many of us from Western Illinois University do - that I must have purple and gold running through my veins as passionate as I am about this place. As I began writing “Director' Corner” I realized it was time to tell you a little about myself.

I moved to Macomb 12 years ago and began my career here as the Director of Annual Giving. I graduated from WIU in 1998 with my master's in Kinesiology. However, what most do not know is that my undergraduate degree is from Northern Illinois University. The opportunities to mention this are often few and far between. Today, though, I have never been more proud to call NIU my "alma mater" as I have called Western for so many years. While Western and Northern are separated by miles, cornfields, programs and people, today - we are one.

We are one in our mourning, one in our camaraderie and one in our common goal to, as in the words of NIU President John Peters, “show the world that a single act of violence does not define us and will not keep us from being the individuals or the university community that I know we can be.”

It is at a time like this that I realize just how truly special Western Illinois University is. I have no doubt just how much of a family we really are. You formed a bond with WIU the first day you arrived on this campus as a student, and it has transcended through the years. That bond, that lifetime connection, is now quite evident as you are alumni of this great University. It's easy to see in the letters and e-mails you write, in the gifts you give, and in the distances you travel to come to see us. President Goldfarb and I have been around the world and back this past year, and no matter where our travels have led us, the message we hear time and time again is always the same: There is something special about Western Illinois University.

As we take time in the coming months to express our sympathies to our friends and colleagues at Northern, I hope each of you will take a moment to reflect on just how much Western means to you. And, if you have a chance, take a few moments to see us when we are in your area. Let us share with you all that is Western and help you remember just how special your relationship to your alma mater really is. Whether it began just four years ago or if it was 40, I know you will be proud to call Western your alma mater today and everyday for the rest of your lives.

Amy Spelman

Amy Spelman MS '98