Maguire receives town & gown award; Stites named honorary alumnus

Two members of the Macomb community were honored by the WIU Alumni Association at the “Celebrating Town & Gown” event in April.

To recognize his contributions to Western Illinois University and the Macomb community, John Maguire ‘73 MS ‘80 was named recipient of the 2008 Town & Gown Award. The award is presented to an individual who has provided exceptional service to WIU and the community.

John MaguireMaguire, who is director of public relations and fund development at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, retired as WIU's assistant vice president for University Relations in 2007. He joined Western as assistant director of news services in 1977, and was named director of news services in 1982. Five years later Maguire was appointed director of University Relations and was named assistant vice president for University Relations in 1994.

At WIU, Maguire directed Western's news, web development, visual production and publication efforts. Maguire was an associate member of the graduate faculty in the educational and interdisciplinary studies department, teaching in the college student personnel program.

Maguire has also served the Macomb community in numerous capacities over the years. He served as a City of Macomb alderman for more than 25 years; and he was a member of the Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (MACVB) Board for 17 years, including five terms as board chair.

In his roles within the community, Maguire actively promoted and lobbied Amtrak's Macomb route; promoted city and community events through his weekly radio show; co-chaired the 1999 Heritage Days committee; supported the annual Balloon Rally; worked with city officials during the eight years of St. Louis Rams Camp at WIU; and served as the liaison between WIU and the community. Maguire is also a long-serving member of the Macomb Area Industrial Development Corporation, in connection with his position on the Macomb/McDonough County Enterprise Zone Management Board, on which he continues to serve.

“John's substantial contributions to both Western and the community make the Town & Gown Award an appropriate tribute to his career at WIU —and now at MDH—and for his outstanding work in the community,” said Amy Spelman MS ‘98, director of Alumni Programs.

Jack StitesJack Stites, retired Macomb pharmacist and a member of the WIU Foundation Board, received the Honorary Alumni Award. This award is presented annually to an individual who is not a WIU graduate but who has provided exceptional service to the WIU community.

“The General,” as he is known to those close to him, played one season of basketball at Western and was an infielder on the 1944 Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) championship baseball team, which swept a doubleheader against Northern Illinois University to capture the state title with just nine players.

Upon his return from a stint in the U.S. Navy as a pharmacist mate, Stites earned his bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the University of Illinois in 1952, then opened Stites Pharmacy in Macomb, which operated for nearly 50 years. In 1982 he added Stites Medical Service to his ventures.

The Industry native has served on Western's Athletic Advising Board since its inception and has served as past president of the WIU Foundation. He was one of the first members of the McDonough County Board of Health, appointed in 1975. Thirty-two years later he remains on the board, serving as treasurer. Stites has been the recipient of the WIU/Macomb Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award and was inducted into the WIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.

Jack and Margaret Stites donated $10,000 toward the renovation of the WIU baseball stadium, and following Margaret's death, Stites established the Margaret and Jack Stites Pre-Pharmacy Scholarship to honor Margaret.

In 2006, Jack pledged $50,000 to name the Leatherneck Baseball Stadium press box in Margaret's memory.

“Jack's loyalty to this University and the Alumni Association is simply outstanding,” said Spelman. “His dedication and commitment to Western have been remarkable.”

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