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1946 Leathernecks Football Team [Maurice Kellogg, second row, number 28]
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Maurice & Alice Kellogg
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Kellogg to Serve as WIU Homecoming Grand Marshal

September 22, 2014

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MACOMB, IL -- Hero [heer-oh]: 1. A person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities. 2. A person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. 3.) Western Illinois University Alumnus and Education Professor Emeritus Maurice Kellogg.

To honor his service to his country, his dedication to Western Illinois University and to education, his ideals and his noble qualities, Kellogg has been named the grand marshal for the University's 2014 Homecoming Celebration, "A Hero's Homecoming: Who's Your Hero?" Kellogg will lead the annual Homecoming Parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4, and will be recognized at half-time of the Leatherneck football game. This fall marks the 70th anniversary of when Kellogg began his commitment to Western, which continues today.

Kellogg started at Western in 1944 as a student, and was a member of the Fighting Leathernecks football team under Coach Barnwell. He also lettered in wrestling. To this day, he can be seen on the sideline of nearly every home football game, cheering on his alma mater. He met his wife, Alice, at WIU when they both were part of Gymnastics Club's "gymkana" variety show. They were married in 1949. The Kelloggs both received their undergraduate and graduate degrees from WIU. Following Maurice's graduation, he taught school in Cuba, IL. In 1952, the Korean War took the Kelloggs to Raleigh, NC where he was stationed with the U.S. Army. They returned to Illinois two years later, where Maurice taught high school science in Arlington Heights. In 1958, he returned to WIU to teach science education at the lab school. One year later, Alice joined the physical education faculty. Later, Maurice became a professor in the elementary education and biology departments. Kellogg had a brief sabbatical from 1965-66 when he completed his doctorate in science education at Indiana University.

Kellogg retired in 1990, after more than 35 years of preparing future educators and keeping science education at the forefront of teacher education programs. In 1980, Kellogg created an annual forum for professional development and networking among K-8 science teachers at Western, the Science Education Update Conference, which continues today. He was a charter member of the Illinois Biology Teacher's Association; charter member, co-founder and one of the first presidents of the Illinois Science Teacher's Association; and regional director and state chair of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science.

But Kellogg's involvement with Western extended far beyond the classroom. In the 1970s, Kellogg worked with summer camps in the state designed for children with special needs and/or from underprivileged backgrounds, organizing his students to serve as volunteers and camp counselors.

"Maurie and Alice have devoted their lives to Western as students, alumni, faculty members, and donors. I cannot think of anyone more deserving to serve as the grand marshal for this year's Homecoming celebration," said Brad Bainter, vice president for advancement and public services. "Dr. Kellogg is a Leatherneck through and through. He has given so much to so many. Western is truly a better place because of the Kelloggs."

Kellogg has received several awards over the years: the third WIU Faculty Lecturer in 1972, the 1983 Distinguished Alumni Award, the 1989 Outstanding Teacher in the College of Education and the Illinois Environmental Educator of the Year in 1988. He is one of only five WIU faculty members to be selected as both the WIU Faculty Lecturer and Distinguished Alumni. In 2005, the Science Education Center in Horrabin Hall was renamed the Maurice G. Kellogg Center for Elementary and Middle School Science to honor the quality WIU science education program built by Kellogg and his colleagues.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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