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Capt. Bill Gardner (left) presenting an award to Cadet David Benning at the WIU ROTC Spring Awards April 3.
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Gardner Heads WIU ROTC Scholarship/Enrollment

April 13, 2007

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University's assistant professor of military science Capt. John William "Bill" Gardner was named the scholarship/enrollment officer for the department's ROTC Bulldog Battalion, effective March 30.

In this role Gardner is responsible not only for enrollment and scholarship opportunities for ROTC cadets, but also working closely with the cadets in their academic progress and obtaining their commission as Army officers.

He joined Western's military science department December 1, 2006, after returning from Afghanistan, where he served as the fire support officer for Seventh Special Forces Group. He has also served as a rifle platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, fire director officer, executive officer for a firing battery and battalion maintenance officer.

Gardner, who has more than 14 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard, is also the commander of the B Battery, 2/123 field artillery battalion, located in Macomb. In June, he will lead approximately 100 B Battery soldiers and officers – the majority of whom are Western Illinois students or alumni – on a 16-day exchange training exercise to England. In July, the 2/123 field artillery battalion will serve as host to the British soldiers, giving them a taste of U.S. military life.

Gardner has lived in the Macomb area since 1991, working as an independent insurance agent.

Raised in Chatham (IL), Gardner is a graduate of Illinois State University (B.A. Business Education, 1985) and Western Illinois University (M.A. Business Education, 1988).

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