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Marilyn Johnson

September 23, 2005

Homecoming Week Sept. 23-Oct. 2; Marilyn Johnson Named Parade Grand Marshal

Homecoming Royalty Court
Parade Route

MACOMB, IL - - A week of activities will lead up to Western Illinois University’s Homecoming, “Cartoons are Alive in 2005,” and Homecoming Day Saturday, Oct. 1.

Planned activities include:
● Friday, Sept. 23 – Paint the Paws, campus
● Saturday, Sept. 24 – Paint the Town, Macomb Square
● Sunday, Sept. 25 (1 p.m.) – Rocky’s Regatta, Everly Park (rain date Sept. 26 at 4 p.m.)
● Tuesday, Sept. 27 (6:30 p.m.) – Variety Show, including crowning of the King and Queen, Western Hall
● Wednesday, Sept. 28 – Deck the Campus, Union Mall
● Thursday, Sept. 29 (6:30 p.m.) – Yell Like Hell pep rally, Western Hall
● Friday, Sept. 30 (5-10 p.m.) – All Alumni Social, Alumni House

A busy Homecoming Day Saturday (Oct. 1) starts with the 8 a.m. Old Stompin’ Ground Runaround 5K Run/1.5 mile Walk, a 9 a.m. continental breakfast at the Alumni House and the 9:30 a.m. Homecoming Parade, with Grand Marshal Marilyn Johnson, numerous floats and nearly a dozen bands, featuring, of course, Western’s own Marching Leathernecks.

High school bands from Macomb, Knoxville, Kewanee Wethersfield, Beardstown, West Prairie-LaHarpe, London Mills Spoon River Valley, Ohio Community, Kinderhook West Pike and Mt. Sterling Brown County are also scheduled to march.

Marilyn Johnson retired in July following 38 years of service to Western and 30 years of service as executive secretary to four University presidents. She also served as the secretary to Western’s Board of Trustees since the Board’s establishment in 1996.

In addition to her work at Western, Johnson has been an enthusiastic volunteer in numerous University and community endeavors. She served as co-chair of the Western Illinois University Centennial celebration opening event and has served as a member of the WIU Performing Arts Society and the Western Athletic Club. In the community she has worked with the Fulton and McDonough County Community Mental Health Board, the McDonough County 708 Mental Health Board and McDonough County United Way. She was also named one of 50 Women of Western during the University’s Centennial in 1999.

The Parade will begin near the Macomb Square on the corner of Washington and Lafayette streets. Floats and bands will make their way north through the Square and exit onto Carroll Street, heading west over Jackson Street. The parade will turn right (north) at the corner of Clay Street and Carroll Street, then proceed from Clay Street onto Adams Street., passing both Sherman Hall and the Alumni House. The route will then take a north turn onto Western Avenue, turn east onto C.T. Vivian Way (Murray Street) and end in front of the University Union.

Alumni are invited to watch the Homecoming Parade from the Alumni House and Gwendolyn Brooks Park and then enjoy the alumni cookout from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hanson Field is the site for the 1:05 p.m. Leathernecks football kickoff versus the University of Northern Iowa. After the game is the 5th Quarter Alumni Social at the Alumni House.

For the complete list of Homecoming activities provided through the Office of Student Activities, visit www.student.services.wiu.edu/uub/homecoming.asp. For events sponsored by the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center, visit www.student.services.wiu.edu/gbcc/events.asp. For alumni information, visit www.wiu.edu/alumni.

Posted By: Bonnie Barker, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606