University News

WIU Alumni Council Adds Six New Members

August 3, 2026

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Six new dedicated Western Illinois University graduates began their terms on the WIU Alumni Council on July 1.

Larry Ferrere `81, Phyllis McCluskey-Titus `79 `81, Matt O'Kray `04, Dr. Shawn Shianna `80, Michael Shonrock `79 `81, and Phil Weiss `98 `17 were selected by the WIU Alumni Council membership committee and were officially installed at the Council's July meeting. They begin their terms as Emily Manley `17 moves into the role of Alumni Council President.

"We are excited to have such an amazing group of alumni joining the council," Manley said. "This year we received a high number of qualified candidates who applied to join the Alumni Council. These six alumni stood out among a very strong slate of Leathernecks. I am looking forward to what they will bring to the table and am excited to work with them over the next couple of years."

Marnie Steach, director of Alumni Engagement, also shared enthusiasm for working with the council.

"I am thrilled to be working alongside the Alumni Council in my new role at Western," Stitch said. "Together, we have an exciting opportunity to deepen alumni engagement and create meaningful experiences that keep Leathernecks connected to WIU for years to come."

Additionally, Manley shared her priorities for the council for the year.

"Over the course of the next year, the council is focused on three main priorities which include increasing engagement between students and alumni, renewing our responsibility of being cheerleaders for WIU, and challenging every alumnus to support the University in new ways. This doesn't have to be monetary. Come back for Homecoming, attend an alumni event, connect with graduates or current students. Most importantly, be a champion that bleeds purple and gold," Manley said.

Larry Ferrere
Ferrere, a 1981 business and computer science graduate, is a retired enterprise and supply chain executive, a career that spanned more than 40 years. He has held senior executive roles in multiple industry-leading organizations. Throughout his career, he has led global growth strategies, product innovation, mergers and acquisitions and market expansion for publicly traded companies, startups and private equity-backed organizations. Ferrere remains involved in strategy and business growth initiatives with private equity and venture capital firms through InterimONE, a consulting firm he founded over 20 years ago. While at WIU, Ferrere was involved in Interhall Council. Ferrere lives in Santa Rosa Beach, FL.

Phyllis McCluskey-Titus
McCluskey-Titus, a 1979 bachelor of arts in history and 1981 masters of science in College Student Personnel graduate, is a professor emerita from Illinois State University. Following her two degrees from WIU, McCluskey-Titus earned her Ed.D. in HIgher Education Administration from Florida State University. McCluskey-Titus had a 43 year career in higher education, including 23 years as a faculty member and 20 years as an administrator across six different universities. Her research interests focused on student learning and involving students in the college experience. She is highly respected in the field of higher education administration and has received numerous awards, including the NASPA Pillar of the Profession in 2022 and the ACUHO-I Award in 2024. While at WIU, McCluskey-Titus was involved in Interhall Council. McCluskey-Titus lives in Bloomington, IL.

Matt O'Kray
O'Kray, a 2004 political science graduate, is a leader in commercial sales, marketing, and industrial development. Upon completing his degree at WIU, O'Kray went on to earn a masters of science in Sports Management from Northern Illinois University. He currently serves as vice president of Commercial for Transtar, LLC, where he leads all business development efforts for the freight, transloading, industrial development, and mechanical branches of the company. He is a past president of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers and a former board member of the Geneva Community Chest. O'Kray and his wife Nicole `04 have established the Matt and Nicole O'Kray Greek Leadership Scholarship, which recognizes and supports success in the WIU fraternity and sorority community. While at WIU, O'Kray was on the staff of the Western Courier and was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. O'Kray lives in Geneva, IL.

Dr. Shawn Shianna
Shianna, a 1980 bachelor of science in zoology graduate, is a retired physician and chief medical information officer. After earning his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford and a multi-decade career, Shianna retired from FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL. Throughout his career, Shianna held various healthcare positions in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Georgia. While at WIU, Shianna was involved in Student Government Association, Interhall Council, and Delta Upsilon fraternity. Shianna lives in Freeport, IL.

Michael Shonrock
Shonrock, a 1979 bachelor of sciences in geography and 1981 masters of science in College Student Personnel graduate, is a retired federal employee and university administrator. After earning his degrees from WIU, Shonrock went on to earn a Doctor of Education in Community College Administration from Pittsburg State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Throughout his career, Shonrock held progressively responsible positions, including four years as president of Emporia State University and four years as system president for Lindenwood University. Shonrock retired as the final director of the Federal Executive Institute in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Shonrock is a past recipient of the WIU College of Education and Human Services Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010 and the WIU Alumni Achievement Award in 2012. While at WIU, he was involved in the University Union Board, Associated Student Government, Blue Key, Delta Tau Delta, and Order of Omega. Shonrock lives in Lubbock, TX.

Phil Weiss
Weiss, a 1998 bachelor of fine arts in communication and 2017 masters of science in Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration graduate, has worked at WIU since 2004. In addition to owning his own video production and photography business Phillysteak Productions, Weiss is a Television Director-Producer for WIU University Television. He has also served as an adjunct instructor for the WIU School of Music and the WIU Department of Broadcasting and Journalism. Prior to joining University Television, Weiss produced educational programming for the Satellite Education Network. Additionally, Weiss is a founding member of the Post 6 Big Band, board president for the Macomb Park District, a board member for the WIU Performing Arts Society, and a frequent volunteer for Macomb Middle School and Macomb High School theatre productions. In 2025, Weiss and his wife Gretchen `99 `13 were named the recipients of the Performing Arts Society Community Service Award. While at WIU, Weiss was involved as a resident assistant. Weiss lives in Macomb, IL.

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