University News

Welcome Back from WIU Interim President Martin Abraham

January 6, 2020

Share |
Printer friendly version

Dear University Community,

As we begin a new semester at Western Illinois University, I'd like to welcome back our returning students, faculty and staff, and, to the newest members of our Leatherneck family, welcome to WIU. I hope you had a restful holiday break and are ready to kick off the Spring 2020 semester.

When I was originally hired at WIU in May 2019, I was selected as the institution's provost. Instead, I arrived at Western in July as the acting president, and in October, the Board selected me to serve as your interim president. It has been a pleasure serving Western in this capacity for the past seven months.

We have made great strides in just a short time, implementing new programs and ideas to make our recruitment and retention processes stronger; creating new scholarship programs and admissions criteria to ensure accessibility and success; reestablishing community relationships to ensure a welcoming and inclusive community for our students, faculty, and staff, and much more. The University and community are in the beginning stages of rebuilding relationships so we can improve the student experience at Western Illinois University. While I've led these charges, I've by no means undertaken these tasks alone. We've come together as a University and community for the good of Western, and many people have been working incredibly hard to build a stronger WIU.

While the Board voted at its meeting last month to conduct a national search for Western's 12th president, I want you to know that I continue to be committed to our University and our host communities. I ask that you remain positive, dedicated, and motivated to continue our efforts. We have gained significant momentum in recent months, and I look forward to continuing to work with all of you as we keep that momentum going strong.

I greatly appreciate your support of my leadership, and for your tireless efforts as we move Western forward. I am proud to be a member of the WIU, Macomb and Quad Cities communities, and I look forward to the bright future that we have as both a University and community.

Thank you.

Martin Abraham
Interim President

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