From the President

I know that all of us live complex, busy and hurried lives, and we are all confronted with professional, familial and personal responsibilities. In the midst of our daily lives, it is hard to imagine adding one more event or activity. Still, I would like to encourage all of you to consider attending one alumni event this year and to rebuild your Western connections. Those of you who already participate in our events know the great joy of interacting with alumni from all generations and meeting with faculty and staff members. In addition, you have the opportunity to learn about new initiatives at Western and to ask questions about current campus issues.

I know that I am always rejuvenated when attending alumni events. It is wonderful to hear our alumni reminisce about their experiences at our wonderful university. And no matter when those alums attended Western, the memories are quite similar. Faculty and staff who provided personal attention and assistance are always mentioned. The university experience led to lifelong friendships (and in some cases to discovering lifelong partners). My wife and I always comment that while we have attended alumni events at other universities, there is something special about a Western gathering. The love for the University and for the unique Western Illinois University experience is always palpable. That is why I encourage you to attend.

During 2007 I had the pleasure of joining Alumni Director Amy Spelman MS ‘98 and other University staff at numerous alumni events. We started the year with a social and program at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, followed by a black-tie scholarship event sponsored by Western's Black Alumni. In March, we broke new ground as we traveled abroad for an inaugural international trip to meet with our many distinguished alumni and friends in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The outreach continued back in the United States in April with events in Atlanta, Chicago and Macomb.

The end of an academic semester actually allows us to travel to even more alumni events. In May 2007 we were again in Chicago, as well as Nashville and Memphis. In June, as part of my annual New York trip for the Macomb community, we hosted a night at the Broadway theatre for our alumni. We hope to do a similar event in New York again this coming June.

“I want to thank those who took time out of their busy schedules to attend events this past year and hope that you will continue to attend future events.”

As if New York in June wasn't enough, the Alumni Association also hosted an event at the Niabi Zoo in the Quad Cities, where 1992 WIU graduate Tom Stalf serves as director; followed by a golf outing in Chicago and a Quincy Gems Collegiate League baseball game. In August, we hosted alumni in Chicago for a Cubs versus Cardinals game (hoping not to break up any friendships) as well as a trip to St. Louis to attend a game at that city's new stadium.

September and October events included stops in California (where Al ‘72 and Andrea Boyer hosted a spectacular event at the Bel Air Country Club), Texas and at the University of Illinois (where we battled the Illini in football). Homecoming was a huge success and we hope you will consider joining us back on campus in 2008. We also hosted alumni in Normal prior to the Leathernecks defeating the Redbirds. (Many of you may know that I spent 25 years of my career at ISU so that was a special victory.)

As should be obvious, we host a wide range of alumni events throughout the country. Our hope is to reunite alumni with their alma mater. We know that Western continues to be a university of which its alumni can be proud. We want to spread that message while reconnecting graduates, friends, faculty, staff and administrators. We will continue to host a wide range of activities in 2008 and I hope to attend many of them and meet many of you there.

I want to thank those who took time out of their busy schedules to attend events this past year and hope that you will continue to attend future events. I want to encourage those who have not attended to do so this year; I know you will not be disappointed. And I look forward to meeting all of you soon. All my best wishes for a great New Year.