General Information • Application • Current Members

Alumni Council

Made up of 24 alumni appointed to three-year terms and the president of the Student Alumni Association, this board meets four times a year. Members represent the interests of alumni and serve as liaisons to 25 University areas. The council assists in the recruitment of students, selects Alumni Award recipients, and was instrumental in establishing the Student Alumni Association.

 

Molly

Letter from Incoming President Molly B. Holmes

Dear Members of the Western Illinois University Alumni Community,

I’m Molly B. Holmes (she/her) and proud double alum ’01 ’04. It is an honor to be your next Alumni Council President. After serving on the council since 2020, and as secretary for the last two years, serving in this role is an exciting opportunity at critical time for WIU.

When I became a member of this council, I was motivated to do so because of the impact my years at Western had on my life and career. From the academic and practical experiences, to being involved as a student leader, to attending Leatherneck (and Westerwind!) athletic events, to the friendships and connections that came from succeeding and being challenged in and outside of the classroom, I felt motivated to give back. Further, I wanted to contribute this energy as an alum for future students and future alumni. One of my goals as president is to support the council and all alumni in becoming the best ambassadors for WIU as it is, and where it can go in the years ahead.

Western has had challenges, is tackling the impact of challenges, and continues to be challenged by a variety of forces. As alumni, we have strength in our voices and in how we can make a positive and supportive impact on what the future of Western will be. I hope that members of our Alumni community will consider engaging with the council—joining us at the many upcoming Alumni events, including Homecoming, consider assisting with recruitment events, and consider seeing yourself as a future member of this council. 

My fellow 140,000 alumni—thank you for this opportunity to serve, and I look forward to working with the council and for you in support of this wonderful institution. Go Western!

Marching on for Western,

 

Molly B. Holmes `01 `04

President, WIU Alumni Council

Letter from Outgoing President Eldon Brown

 

Interested in joining the Alumni Council?

The WIU Alumni Association is looking for dedicated leaders of all ages, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, career fields, etc. to serve on the WIU Alumni Council. The Alumni Council strives to include a broad range of members that accurately reflects our student body and alumni community. Applicants are evaluated based on a number of factors, including engagement since graduating (e.g. attendance, giving back to WIU financially, referring students, returning to campus to speak to classes, offering career mentorship, etc.) and general Leatherneck Pride. If you or someone you know is an active alumnus that would be a good candidate, please fill out our online application form. The deadline is April 1.

2025-2026 Alumni Council Meetings

  • Saturday, July 19
  • Friday, October 17
  • Saturday, January 17, 2026

2025 - 2026 Council Members

Alumni Council Featured Member

Victoria Kappel 2016, 2018


Degree: BS in Communication Sciences & Disorders in 2016, BA in Spanish in 2016 and MS in Communications Sciences & Disorders in 2018 from WIUVictoria

Business Information: Medical Speech Language Pathologist for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Rehabilitation Hospital in Chicago, Illinois

Advice for Freshmen: WIU is a catalyst for success. If you: have a passion, see a need for a call to action, need advice from a professor, do it. Some of the most influential people I have in my life (mentors, best friends, colleagues,etc.) are from WIU and the Macomb Community. Use your resources!

Favorite WIU Memory: Most favorite: The day I found out I advanced to the interview rounds for the Rhodes Scholarship...but golly I can’t pick just one! Overall LOVED being able to represent WIU on the soccer pitch for 4 years, giving the Honors Convocation Graduation Speaker in 2016, being a teaching assistant in the Department of Communication for Public Speaking, the WIU football tailgates, WIU football conference victories, CONNECKS (organization for individuals with special needs) events.

Family Information/Special Interests and Hobbies: I currently live in the Chicagoland suburbs with my mini Goldendoodle, Oliver. When not working at The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Rehabilitation Hospital or in the private practice setting, I stay very involved with my passions: sports, outdoor activities (running, hiking, kayaking, skiing,etc) music (piano & cello), traveling (everywhere!), reading, healthy cooking, and watching ‘The Housewives’ on Bravo, to name a few. I am a coach for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) for soccer players who have dreams to play at the national level. In addition, I volunteer and look for every opportunity to help individuals with special needs by volunteering for Special Olympics. I thrive on living life to the fullest and embrace life’s most simple but amazing moments with the people I love and cherish. GO NECKS