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Our Distinguished Alumni
2010 Distinguished
Alum
Michael Shonrock
Previous Distinguished Alumni
Our Alumni, Donors & Friends
Retired teachers Arlington ("Arlie") and Arlene Seymour recently put a capstone on their tradition of generosity by making a $1 million planned gift to Western Illinois
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"My biggest challenge is
gaining the trust and respect of a client because the majority of them have been
through some sort of traumatic experience." - Lyneir Cole
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"My two-year stint as the coordinator of the Bowl Championship Series was also a very interesting challenge.
During that time, we had to negotiate a major new television
contract for the Series." - Kevin Weiberg
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Distinguished Alumni 2010
Quote from Michael Shonrock…
“I had the opportunity to complete my undergraduate degree at Western Illinois University where, frankly, I majored in student activities and minored in college. As a fairly engaged undergraduate student, I had great admiration and respect for a number of WIU staff and faculty who clearly enjoyed their career in the university setting. Without a doubt, pursuing a degree in College Student Personnel was significantly influenced by my interaction, particularly with Student Affairs staff (you know who you are), and a desire to give back to both the university and the profession that gave me a plethora of opportunities to grow during my undergraduate years.”
Distinguished Alumni 2009
Joe Decker
Decker graduated from WIU in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, and was the recipient of the College of Education and Human Services' 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Once overweight and out of shape, Decker is an ultra-endurance power athlete, renowned fitness trainer and syndicated columnist who has helped thousands of women, men, kids and seniors get into shape and lose weight. Decker is a personal testament to overcoming addictions and obstacles, and he has founded his own high-speed fitness company working with individuals, groups and corporate clients. In addition, Decker is regularly involved in charity work and has established a research fund at WIU for childhood obesity from his winnings on the television show "The Weakest Link."
He owns Gut Check Fitness, a premier fitness company with one basic goal in mind: to get you in the best shape of your life, for life, while having a great time! He recently placed first in the Death Race and had August 3 declared as "Joe Decker Day" in San Diego County.
Distinguished Alumni 2008
Richard Schroth
Schroth received his bachelor's degree in 1972 from Western, is the CEO of Executive Insights in Rockville, MD, and is considered to be one of the world's top experts in technology, business strategy and strategic sourcing. The U.S. Senior Fulbright Scholar was recently named one of Consulting magazine's 2008 Top 25 Consultants in the World. Schroth received the 2008 COEHS Distinguished Alumni Award.
As part of a five-year Fulbright Senior Scholar term, Schroth will lead a major technology and public policy strategy effort at The National University of Ireland in Galway. While in Ireland, Schroth will serve as Distinguished Visiting Professor and will be responsible for developing the strategic initiatives for the Center for Innovation and Structural Change and the Digital Enterprise Research Institute.
He received his master's degree from the University of Illinois and his doctorate from Indiana University.
Distinguished Alumni 2007
Charalambos 'Pambos' Vrasidas
Charalambos "Pambos" Vrasidas who received his bachelor's degree (1994) and a master's degree in education (1995) from Western, is the founder and executive director of CARDET – Centre for the Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology, a nonprofit international organization based in Cyprus. He is also an associate professor of learning technologies at Intercollege in Cyprus and is the editor-in-chief of the Educational Media International Journal. Vrasidas was recognized as receiving the 2007 COEHS Distinguished Alumni Award.
Through CARDET, Vrasidas has worked on more than 15 research and development grants during the last five years, which have received more than 10 million Euro. He has been a Fulbright Scholar and received best paper awards at numerous professional conferences. Vrasidas has also published five books and more than 60 articles in professional journals, and presented papers at more than 100 conferences worldwide.
Vrasidas received his doctorate in curriculum and instruction (educational media and computers) from Arizona State University in Tempe.
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