Dr. William Knox (2006 - 2011)

William Knox was Director of the Centennial Honors College from 2006 until 2011. Earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Illinois State University, he taught composition as a full-time instructor at Western Illinois University and in the first year of WESL. Accepting a joint appointment at Illinois State University, he served as Instructor-Tutor of English in the High Potential Students Program.

As a doctoral student in English and Education at the University of Michigan, he was privileged to serve as Resident Fellow, Resident Director for Academics, and Assistant Building Director in the Pilot Program--a well-established living-learning project.

After earning his degree, he moved to Northern Michigan University where he earned the rank of professor. While there, he was appointed Director of Freshman English, a lead committee member for the First Year Experience Program, and, for six years, Charter Director of the University Honors Program. In that role, he developed curriculum, faculty appointments, student recruitment, academic advisement, budget, and the first program scholarship. Another colleague and Professor Knox chartered the campus chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, one national first-year student academic honors society.

Returning to Western Illinois University after many years to direct the Centennial Honors College, Professor Knox created initiatives in the academic program; student recruitment and retention; service and activities; assessment, scholarships and the Honors Living-Learning Community. He also guided expansion of campus Undergraduate Research Day and participation in state, regional, and national honors councils. To help widen honors culture on campus, he re-chartered Phi Eta Sigma, a companion national first-year student academic honors society, and established a chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Returning to English for his WIU departmental duties, Professor Knox taught again for WESL and participated in the First Year Experience Program. Continuing to teach in the Centennial Honors College, he has also served on the Honors Council, represented Illinois in the Upper Midwest Honors Council, presented papers at honors conferences and in publications, and supervised applications for national scholarships.

Dr. Thomas Helm (1998 - 2006)

Dr. John Klasner (1994 - 1998)

Dr. Jutta Helm (1989 - 1993)

Dr. Eric Stiffler (1987 - 1989)

Dr. Eric Stiffler was the Director of the Centennial Honors College between 1987 and 1989. He got his bachelor’s from Yale University and his master’s and PhD at the University of Chicago. He was hired at Western Illinois University as a faculty member from 1977 to 1989, director of the Honors Program from 1987 to 1989, assistant provost from 1989 to 1991, associate provost from 1991 to 2001 and acting provost from 2001 to 2003. He returned to the faculty from 2003 to 2005 before his retirement on June 1, 2005.

He was on the WIU/BOG Multicultural Conference Steering Committee 1990 to 1991, Steering Committee for the Review of Graduate Education as ex officio, 1990 to 1991, Council of Curricular Programs and Instruction as ex officio 1989 to 1991, Dean’s Council as recording secretary 1989 to 1991, Undergraduate Catalog Committee 1989 1991, Ad Hoc Committee on Publication Policies for Graduate and Undergraduate Materials 19 89to 1990, Calendar Committee 1989 to 1990, University Honors Council as chair 1987 to 1989, University Committee of Critical Thinking 1985 to 1988, Council of Humanities Forum 1981 to 1988, WIU Faculty Senate 1984 to 1987, WIU Research Council 1983 to 1986, Faculty Mentors Steering Committee 1983 to 1985, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Search Committee 1983 to 1985, Council on Admission, Graduation and Academic Standards 1981 to 1984, and North Central Association Accreditation Review Steering Committee 1979 to 1980.

He was also vice president and program chair 1984 to 1986 and secretary-treasurer 1979 to 1981 at the Illinois Philosophical Association.

Dr. Sterling Kernek (1984 - 1987)

Dr. Gordon Kirk (1983 - 1984)

Dr. Gordon Kirk was the founding director of the Honors College, serving in 1983 and 1984. Kirk earned his B.A. in History from Hope College in 1963, his M.A. in History from Bowling Green State University in 1965, and a Ph.D. in History from Michigan State University in 1963. Following a fellowship to study at the Inter-University Consortium for Political research, Kirk first began teaching at Michigan State University until he would take a teaching position at Saint Louis University in 1970. Dr. Kirk first came to Western Illinois University in 1972 as assistant professor, reaching full professorship in 1981.

While at Western, Kirk was a professor of urban history and was instrumental in the establishment of the University Honors Program in 1983, serving as its first director. He was the chair of the Department of History from 1984-1986 and again from 1989-1999. He also served as assistant provost from 1986-1989, and was active in the faculty union, serving as chief negotiator for two contracts, and faculty governance, serving four terms as chair of the Faculty Senate. While at Western, he started hosting activities that would bring students together with faculty. Kirk has a number of publications in his name including two books and a number of journal articles.

Dr. Kirk has made considerable contributions to the History Department, including the establishment of the Gordon W. Kirk Associated Students of History (ASH) Endowment Fund and Gordon W. Kirk Honors History Scholarship. These two endowments support the students of WIU in their pursuit of a well-rounded education in the field of history. Kirk is credited for creating a culture of giving among the faculty members of the History Department.