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Dr. Brattain served for over 24 years as Director of the University Union and later as Associate Vice President for Student Services at WIU. He provided leadership opportunities for hundreds of students, chaired the National Association of Campus Activities Board of Directors, and authored The Administration of College Unions and Campus Activities. He was also active in community leadership, serving on the Carl Sandburg College Board of Trustees, the Bureau of Cultural Affairs, and the Performing Arts Society. During his tenure, he helped lead the construction of WIU’s first student-focused facility, the Spencer Student Recreation Center.

One graduating senior will be selected to receive this award. The award recipient will be announced at the awards ceremony, attend a special lunch with their parents/guardians before commencement, and have their name added to the University Union Wall of Honor plaque.

Considered Applicants will have the following qualifications:

• Outstanding academic growth and achievement
• Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA
• Senior graduating in May, August, or December of 2026
• Demonstrated outstanding contributions to the WIU campus and Macomb community
• Leadership and participation in activities and organizations
• Overall quality and presentation of contributions are considered by the awards committee

Individuals nominated for any of the Brattain, Miner, or Johnson awards will be considered for all three. Past nominees may be considered again if they have not won the awards before.

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

Jim Miner served as Director of Campus Recreation at Western Illinois University until his retirement in 2005. In his 32 years at Western, he also held the positions of Associate Director of Campus Recreation, Director of Student Activities, Assistant Director of Student Activities, and Men’s Activities Advisor. Prior to his career at Western, he served as a Chapter Services Director and Assistant Executive Director for Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity. He received his B.B (1972) from Western Illinois University in Personnel Management and his M.S. (1973) in Education with an emphasis in College Student Personnel. As an undergraduate, Miner held major leadership positions inthe Student Government Association, Interfraternity Council, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, and Blue Key National Honor Fraternity. During his tenure as Director of Student Activities, he oversaw the creation of a comprehensive student leadership development program that featured leadership classes, conferences, workshops, and mentoring opportunities for students. The office also served as a training ground for young professionals and graduate assistants who would go on to make significant contributions and mentor students at colleges and universities throughout the nation.

Five graduating seniors will be selected to receive this award. The recipients will be announced at the awards ceremony, and their names will be added to a permanent plaque on the University Union Wall of Honor.

Considered Applicants will have the following qualifications:

• Excellence in involvement with a student governance organization (SGA, Inter-Hall Council, STU, BSA, LASO, IFC, MGC, NPHC, PHC, or International Friendship Club)
• Proven leadership abilities
• Demonstrated impact on campus issues
• Dedication to improving the WIU campus community
• Quality and depth of governance involvement are prioritized over the number of activities
• GPA is considered only when candidates have equal qualifications

Individuals nominated for any of the Brattain, Miner, or Johnson awards will be considered for all three. Past nominees may be considered again if they have not won the awards before.

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

Gordon A. Taylor served Western Illinois University for over 35 years, including 28 years as the director of Western’s award-winning alumni program. During his leadership, WIU earned multiple CASE awards recognizing student involvement initiatives, alumni programs, and overall program excellence. He also created the WIN (Western Illinois Now) alumni fundraising program. Since retiring in 2006, Gordy has remained active at WIU and in the Macomb community through WIUTV3 interviews, motivational speaking, and ongoing service and charity work.

Five graduating seniors will be selected to receive this award. The recipients will be announced at the annual Leadership Awards Ceremony, and their names will be added to a permanent plaque on the University Union Wall of Honor.

Considered Applicants will have the following qualifications:

• Outstanding leadership and accomplishments within a registered student organization or club
• Significant contributions that go beyond the basic requirements of their leadership position
• Quality and depth of contributions prioritized over quantity
• Graduating in May, August, or December
• Past nominees may be considered again if they have not won the Brattain, Taylor, or Johnson leadership awards

Individuals nominated for any of the Brattain, Miner, or Johnson awards will be considered for all three. Past nominees may be considered again if they have not won the awards before.

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

Dr. Ralph Wagoner served Western Illinois University for seventeen years, ten as Vice President for Public Affairs and Development and seven as President. He was deeply involved in community affairs, serving on the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce Board and the Macomb Area Industrial Development Corporation. Dr. Wagoner strongly believed in building positive relationships between WIU and the Macomb community and consistently encouraged volunteerism among students and community members.

One individual will be selected to receive this award. The recipient will be announced at the annual Leadership Awards Ceremony, and their name will be added to a permanent plaque on the University Union Wall of Honor.

Considered Applicants will have the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated outstanding and extensive volunteer service to WIU, the Macomb community, and the surrounding area
• Evidence of personal growth through community service
• High-quality and meaningful community service outreach (quality and quantity both considered)
• Care and respect are shown through their service work
• Efforts that inspire others to give back to the campus and local community

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

The Ronald D. Gierhan Award for Outstanding Quiet Influence by an Individual recognizes a student who has served as a quiet but powerful influence within a campus organization. The nominee does not need to have held an executive position; instead, this award honors those whose steady commitment, involvement, and impact have made a meaningful difference. Emphasis is placed on the quality of their contributions rather than the number of activities they have participated in.

One student will be selected to receive this award, which will be presented at the annual Leadership Awards Ceremony.

Considered Applicants will have the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated impact on their organization through new ideas, services, or programs
• Effective use of teamwork and collaboration
• Evidence of personal growth through co-curricular and extracurricular involvement
• Ability to lead by example
• Strong personal commitment shown through significant dedication of time and energy to the organization

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award recognizes a student in their first three semesters of involvement who demonstrates strong potential to become an impactful student leader at Western Illinois University. Nominees are not required to hold a formal leadership position; instead, they will be evaluated on the quality of their contributions, their commitment to their student organization(s), and the positive impact they have on fellow students.

Nominators will need to provide:

• A list of all organizations the nominee is involved in, and the length of involvement with each
• Specific examples of how the nominee is making an impact on other students and their organization(s)
• An explanation of the leadership skills the nominee is developing and how those abilities will support their future leadership growth

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

The Award for Executive Board Member of the Year is given to an individual who has served as a strong, inspirational, and influential leader within their organization. To be considered, applicants must have held an executive office within the 2025-2026 school year.

Additionally, they should display excellent communication skills and show a strong commitment to the organization. Applicants will be reviewed on the quality of their contributions and not just the quantity of activities in which they are involved.

Nominators will need to provide the following information:

• How has the nominee impacted the organization through the creation of new ideas, services, and programs?
• How has the nominee demonstrated effective team leadership?
• How has the nominee demonstrated their personal commitment of time and energy to the organization?
• How has the nominee grown personally from involvement in this organization?

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award will recognize a Graduate Assistant who has made a significant contribution to student engagement and success at Western Illinois University. The main goal of this award is to recognize a Graduate Assistant who has gone above and beyond in their job description of their assistantship.

Nominators will need to provide:

• A brief introduction of the nominee
• Description of the nominees' contributions to their assistantship site
• Examples of contributions that the nominee has made to student engagement and success

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award serves as a way to recognize advisors who have gone above and beyond their student organization’s expectations and have been a significant resource for its officers and members throughout the year. Up to three full-time faculty and professional staff advisors may receive this recognition.

If you are interested in nominating a Graduate Assistant for an award, please consider nominating them for the Outstanding Graduate Assistant Practitioner Award.

Nominators will need to provide:

• How the advisor exceeded the normal expectations of what an advisor does for the organization
• How the advisor facilitated the growth of both individual members and the organization
• Specific examples of how this advisor has been a significant resource to both members and officers of the organization throughout the year

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award will be presented to an undergraduate student who has sought to address marginalization, oppression, and/or privilege. This award will honor those who have shown their passion and commitment to the work of fostering human dignity and compassion for all with a social justice focus.

Nominators will need to provide:

• How the student has addressed marginalization, oppression, and/or privilege
• How did the students’ actions impact the greater community and the advancement of social justice

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award recognizes and honors up to three student organizations for the success and support of student development, leadership, and campus involvement. Student organizations will be judged based on the extent of their contributions to the campus community, the quality of their work, and the presentation of their success. Applicants should provide specific examples of work done to show they are deserving of the recognition. Any student organization registered and in good standing with the Office of Student Engagement is eligible to apply.

Nominators will need to provide:

• How the organization encouraged student development (academically, socially, in the community, etc.)
• How the organization works to build leadership in the group and on campus
• How the organization made an impact on the campus and the Macomb community
• How the organization promotes the university's mission and vision

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

Each year, organizations strive to improve their membership, their involvement on campus, and try to reach the other goals they set for themselves. This award recognizes those organizations that are successful in improving their organization as a whole. Those organizations nominated will be reviewed on the overall quality and presentation of their work and proof of improvement. All student organizations registered and in good standing with the Office of Student Engagement are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Nominators will need to provide:

• How the organization improved its members' involvement on campus
• How the organization tried to reach the goals it set for itself
• How the organization made a significant advancement towardits organizational goals
• Any outstanding accomplishments of the organization

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award recognizes an organization whose overall mission strives to create a space in our community that is inclusive to varying identities and perspectives. Organizations must show a dedicated effort working within both the WIU community and the larger Macomb community.

Nominators will need to provide:

• How does the organization create opportunities for members to foster respect across differences?
• How did the organization advocate for the interests of underrepresented and minoritized groups?
• Any events in the WIU and Macomb community that promote inclusivity
• Evidence that the organization intentionally invited all voices to the table

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award recognizes a registered student organization for its community service efforts and contributions. Organizations nominated for this award demonstrate volunteer service that benefits the larger community. This community could be the WIU community, the Macomb community, or the global community. This award is to recognize a student organization that has gone above and beyond the normal or required amount of community or volunteer service.

Nominators will need to provide:

• Details on what community services the organization took part in
• How the organization and its members grew through community service
• How can these services inspire others to act within the organization and campus community

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award is given to an organization that has exceeded the expectations of its philanthropy. This could be achieved in a number of ways: an increase in funds raised, an increase in the outreach of the philanthropic event(s), a more innovative way to present or market the philanthropic event(s), etc.

Nominators will need to provide:

• How the organization has contributed meaningfully and exceedingly to benefit an outside organization, group, or individual this year.
• How the organization has improved its ability to inspire others to act within the organization and campus community
• A list of improvements/increases in the organization’s philanthropic programs

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award recognizes an organization that has made great efforts to not only brand itself uniquely, but also promote its values. This award is presented to an organization that demonstrates successful and intentional PR/marketing to promote membership or a specific event/program through any social media outlet (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc)

Nominators will need to provide:

• Letter of recommendation providing a description of the organization’s social media presence and campaigns utilized during the current academic year (2024-2025).
• The context of the marketing and how it helped or influenced participation in your organization's events.
• Organizations can include the marketing plan created by the organization that was utilized to promote a positive organizational image
• Examples (images/posts) for easy reference for the judges

If you are interested in nominating an individual’s efforts in Marketing and Social Media, please consider nominating them for the Outstanding Executive Board Member Award.

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award will be presented to a program that has sought to address marginalization, oppression, and/or privilege. This award will honor those who have shown their passion and commitment to the work of fostering human dignity and compassion for all with a social justice focus.

Nominators will need to provide:

• How this program has addressed marginalization, oppression, and/or privilege
• Specific details of the event
• Description of the student population served by the event
• How the program impacted the greater community and the advancement of social justice

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award will recognize a student organization that has planned and implemented a program that has made a positive impact on the campus community. Programs being considered for this award can involve live performances, special events, games and activities, educational experiences, and other forms of entertainment or student involvement. The main goal of this award is to promote the active participation of students in the planning and implementation of programs that positively contribute to the quality of campus life. These programs could be in-person or virtual.

Nominators will need to provide:

• Thorough description of the program (including but not limited to inspiration, purpose, location, attendance, student population served, etc.)
• Explain the level of involvement of the student in the planning and implementation of the program
• Explain how the program positively contributed to the quality of campus life

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

This award is intended to recognize two or more organizations for their combined efforts to plan and implement a successful in-person or virtual program on campus. Nominations will be evaluated based on their ability to explain how the collaborating organizations worked together to successfully plan and implement the event.

Nominators will need to provide:

• A thorough explanation of the event
• How did the collaborating organizations work together to make this event successful before, during, and after the event?
• How has this collaboration impacted the relationships among the collaborating organizations?

Nominators will be required to upload a letter of nomination to Leatherneck Link.

WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Sherman Hall / 1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455 USA

Phone: (309) 298-1414
info@wiu.edu