University News

Biernbaum Receives Housing Association's Parthenon Award

June 20, 2017

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- John (JB) Biernbaum, associate vice president for student services at Western Illinois University, has received the prestigious Parthenon Award from the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I), which recognizes supreme achievement in the profession, outstanding service, leadership and contributions to the field of campus housing.

Biernbaum has been a member of the University Housing and Dining Services (UHDS) division at WIU for 23 years. To be considered for the Parthenon, members must have contributed 10 years of service to the housing, residential life or affiliated profession, as well as five years of service at the regional or international level of ACUHO-I. Biernbaum received the award at the recent ACUHO-I Annual Conference & Exposition in Rhode Island.

One of Biernbaum's nominators, Matt Bierman, vice president for administrative services at WIU, stated: "John is an individual who has given tirelessly to the housing profession and is more than deserving of such an honor. He has provided insight and direction to hundreds of students who are now housing professionals across the country. John's involvement is not limited to the housing profession. He is a member of the Macomb Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Western Athletic Club. He can often be heard at Rotary Club or other community events educating others about on-campus housing or about WIU."

Biernbaum began his professional career at WIU in 1994 as a residence hall director. Other campus roles over the years have included complex director, director of residential facilities, associate director of residential facilities and assistant director of residential facilities. Biernbaum also was the St. Louis Rams Summer Training Camp liaison at Western for nine years, and he also served as the assistant to the Rams vice president of operations advance team for Super Bowl XXXIV and Super Bowl.

In his current role as the associate vice president of student services, Biernbaum oversees the administration of the University Housing and Dining (UHDS) and residence life operations, Student Development, Campus Recreation, the Harry Mussatto Golf Course and the University Union.

"JB goes above and beyond for Western Illinois University and the housing profession," said Ron Williams, vice president for student services. "He is most deserving of this prestigious honor. His commitment to Western, to the profession and to our community is to be commended."

In addition to his role at WIU, Biernbaum is extremely active in his various professional and community organization roles. On campus, Biernbaum is a member of the Leatherneck Athletic Club Advisory Board and is the co-chair for the annual Purple and Gold Gala and Auction. In addition to ACUHO-I, he is a member of GLACUHO (Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers), NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the American College Personnel Association. In the Macomb community, he serves as a member of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of McDonough County and on the executive board for the McDonough County Humane Society Board and Macomb Chamber of Commerce, to name a few.

He was named the 2014 Western Illinois University Honorary Alumni recipient.




Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing