Western Magazine | Spring 2024

The

LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION & GIVING BACK TO WIU ROY ALBIANI `84

magazine for Alumni of Western Illinois University | Spring 2024

WESTERN

Magazine Designer

Justin Derry `16

Contributing Writers

Drew Donahoo MS `11

Jordan Rouse `24

Lexi Yoggerst

Scott Holland `04

Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations

Amy Spelman MS `98

Interim Assistant Vice President, University Communications and Marketing

Alisha Barnett Looney MA `13

Executive Officer of the WIU Foundation and Vice President, Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Athletics

Clare Thompson, CFRE

President of the WIU Alumni Council

Eldon Brown `96 Western Illinois University Interim President

Kristi Mindrup MS `00

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Have tips, questions or comments for the Western Magazine? Email AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu. To send us your news, see pg. 39.

SPECIAL NOTE:

The Alumni Association launched the 2024 Western Illinois University Alumni Directory Project, a collaborative effort with Publishing Concepts (PCI). WIU graduates will be contacted over the next six months via postcard and email by PCI asking for their participation in the upcoming alumni directory.

LETTER FROM

THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR ALUMNI RELATIONS

Dear Alumni & Friends,

It has been an honor to serve Western Illinois University and its nearly 140,000 Alumni for the last 30 years in Development and Alumni Relations. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands and thousands of Alumni and Friends around the world who have shared their Western stories, and who care deeply for our University.

In the following pages, you will read about the many exciting changes happening. Construction began on the Center for Performing Arts that will enhance our students’ experiences and be a cultural and performing arts destination in our region. To address the rural teacher shortage, the Seymour Center for Rural Education was established and now serves as the only rural education center in the state, and a new Finance and Commodities Trading Lab project has begun in the College of Business and Technology, both made possible through donor support from WIU alumni and friends. Philanthropy truly makes a difference.

Our alumni have gone on to do amazing work in their professions, in their communities and on behalf WIU. You will read about four of them: Roy Albiani `84, Joe Creed `97, Melody Betts `09 and Robert Haley `85 MA `87 who have excelled at the highest levels, have supported their University and have made their alma mater proud. Our focus is to provide opportunities for each of you to be engaged with WIU. I hope you will share the positive news about the University, attend an event, recommend Western to a student or give back. And in return, we will do our very best to provide opportunities for you to network, connect, share and support.

All the best,

Amy E. Spelman `98 Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations

HARMONY ON BROADWAY

In the fast paced world of Broadway, this alumna stands as a shining example of talent, resilience, and purpose. Page 12

As Illinois’ one and only rural education center, WIU is working to meet the needs of rural educators in Illinois.

LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, & GIVING BACK TO WIU

A 1984 Western Illinois University Marketing alumnus has made his way as a leader in the corporate world, leaving a large mark on the global stage.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

MARCHING LEATHERNECKS SHINE IN UNFORGETTABLE SEASON AT METALLICA MARCHING BAND COMPETITION

The WIU Marching Leathernecks left their mark on the Metallica marching band competition, placing in the top six overall.

The highlight of this remarkable season lies not just in the time spent in the competition but in the significant move from Division II/III to Division I. Competing against powerhouse schools such as Auburn, the University of Iowa and UT-Austin elevated the stakes for the Marching Leathernecks. The acknowledgment from top band professionals amidst such fierce competition underscores the band's exceptional achievement.

The Marching Leathernecks, composed of students from diverse disciplines, and the direction of WIU Band Director Matt Thomas, embodies a commitment to excellence that has become a part of the University's legacy. Known for their powerful sound and innovative performances, the band has captivated audiences across the Midwest, regularly participating in local and regional events and fostering a close bond with the Macomb community. Their repertoire includes halftime shows for NFL teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears, as well as standout performances at prestigious competitions in St. Louis and Indianapolis.

Read more about the Leathernecks’ Metallica competition at go.wiu.edu/Metallica.

To watch their Metallica performance, visit go.wiu.edu/MetallicaVid.

WIU NOMINATED FOR 2023 STUDENT VETERAN LEADER AND VETERAN CHAMPION OF THE YEAR IN HIGHER-ED BY G.I. JOBS

Western Illinois University had one student leader and one faculty member selected out of all institutions of higher learning in the nation as one of the top 30 Student Veteran Leaders and one of the top 40 Veteran Champions of the Year in Higher Education for 2023 by G.I. Jobs. WIU student veteran Michael Hendrickson `23 and WIU Associate Professor of Recreation, Park, Tourism, and Hospitality (RPTH) Jeremy Robinett were selected for these respective awards.

Hendrickson's background in electronics engineering and computer science, along with his academic achievements and 6 Sigma Yellow Belt Certification as an IPC Specialist, make him an exceptional student.

The G.I. Jobs Student Veteran Leader exemplifies excellence throughout academics and has made meaningful contributions to their school, fellow student veterans and the community they serve. These leaders embody the spirit of leadership, teamwork and contribute to campus and community activities and initiatives.

For more information on WIU's Veterans Resource Center, visit wiu.edu/veterans or call (309) 298-3505.

Marching Leathernecks performing during a Fall football game in 2023.

WIU RECEIVES RPED GRANT FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

LEATHERNECK WOMEN MAKING ATHLETIC HISTORY

Western Illinois University has been named as one of only 22 national higher education institutions to receive a Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The goal of the RPED grant program is to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment and completion among rural students in the region.

The grant provides WIU with $2.2 million over four years for its Addressing Equity Gaps Among Rural Students (AEGARS) project.

The AEGARS project has four core objectives:

• Increase enrollment for secondary students by improving college readiness and access to postsecondary education through coordination with rural education agencies.

• Increase first-year retention for students by improving support for new incoming freshmen transitioning from rural high schools to a four-year institution.

• Increase third-year retention rates among students by developing targeted programs.

• Increase post-graduation employment rates of students by supporting workforce development and enhancing academic career pathways in rural culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

WIU Political Science Professor Julia Albarracín serves as the AEGARS project principal investigator, and Justin Schuch, WIU Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment, serves as co-principal investigator.

To read the full article, visit go.wiu.edu/RPED.

WIU’s athletic teams are rich with impressive performers. Two Leatherneck women set a new standard in their sports during WIU’s first season in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).

Sophomore Aliyah Adams, from Wentzville, MO, has been a standout during the 2023-24 indoor track & field season. She has earned OVC Athlete of the Week honors and has marked outstanding performances in multiple events, including long jump, the triple jump, and 60-meter hurdles.

At WIU’s inaugural trip to the OVC indoor championships in February, Adams placed first in long jump and triple jump and second in the 50-meter hurdles, setting a new program record in the process. Adams is the first Leatherneck woman to earn an indoor conference title since 2020 and the first double-event indoor winner since 2013. Adams was rewarded for her efforts with the title of Female Athlete of the Championship.

On the basketball court, freshman Raegan McCowan, from Lebanon, MO, is making a major name for herself. Thanks to her incredible in-game performances, McCowan earned OVC Freshman of the Week honors an unprecedented 13 times. She has also been named Player of the Week four times this season.

McCowan performed incredibly well at the February 24 game against

Southern Indiana. When the final buzzer sounded, McCowan had racked up a career-high 45 points in the game, setting a new record for the most points scored by a women’s basketball player in Western Hall. WIth this performance, McCown now places in the top five for most points scored in a single game in the nation, tied with University of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.

At the end of the regular season, McCowan was awarded the OVC Freshman of the Year and named to the All-OVC Women’s Basketball First Team and Newcomer Team.

With all-stars like Adams and McCowan, Leatherneck women’s teams are off to a strong start as WIU wraps up its inaugural year in the OVC.

Aliyah Adams Raegan McCowan

UNIVERSITY NEWS

WIU PHYSICS STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL RECOGNITION

WQPT RECEIVES 2023 MID-AMERICA REGIONAL EMMY AWARD

WESTERN CHALLENGE SET FOR APRIL 24

The Western Illinois University chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), locally known as the Physics Club, has won an Outstanding Chapter Award from the SPS National Office.

Before the recognition, the Physics Club received the Distinguished SPS Chapter recognition for 2017-18, Outstanding SPS Chapter designation for 2018-19 and Notable SPS Chapter award for 2019-20. This is the fourth time the chapter has been recognized for its excellence and second time as a top-tier student-led physics organization, given to fewer than 10% of all SPS chapters in the U.S. and internationally.

The SPS chapter at WIU is advised by WIU Physics Professor P.K. Babu and led by student officers.

The 2023-24 club officers are Gabriel Sojka, president, Amisha Rane, vice president; and R.J. Tillman, treasurer. Board members are Chelsie Henderson, Kenneth Vanzuiden, John Reed, Samantha Nahlik, Allie Strack, and Thomas Chu.

“This achievement is a great honor for WIU and it was an honor to be a part of the process. This was only possible with the support and efforts of the WIU community,” Sojka said.

For more information on WIU’s Physics program, visit wiu.edu/physics or call (309) 298-1596.

WQPT PBS was recently awarded the 2023 Best Historical Documentary Emmy Award for “Snapshots: Your Dutch Friend.”

Locally written and produced by Lora Adams-Kopriva, WQPT's recently retired director of local content, this documentary tells the story of how two young sisters, Juanita and Betty Wagner of Danville, IA, became pen pals with Anne Frank and her sister Margo, just as Nazi Germany occupied Amsterdam on May 10, 1940.

In addition to this year's winning documentary, WQPT also received a nomination for its local documentary “Snapshots: Norma Jean, the Elephant,” also written and produced by Adams-Kopriva.

As a public media service of Western Illinois University, WQPT PBS actively serves a diverse viewing audience of approximately 335,000 households representing a population of 824,000 people throughout West Central Illinois and Eastern lowa regions. WQPT transcends television. Their integrated educational model includes in-person outreach, complementing its over-the-air and streaming programming, to create a pathway for education and provide lifelong learning opportunities throughout the region. Now celebrating its 40th Anniversary, WQPT broadcasts two channels, providing educational, entertaining programming 24 hours a day.

To view these nominated programs online, visit WQPT.org/snapshots.

April 24 has double meaning for Leathernecks across the globe. Western Illinois University first celebrated Purple & Gold Day on April 24, 2000, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the day in 1899 when the Illinois Legislature approved the establishment of the institution that would become WIU. The WIU Alumni Association is planning activities throughout the day on April 24 this year to celebrate.

In addition to the annual celebration of the creation of WIU, April 24, 2024 also marks the ninth year of the Western Challenge, an annual one-day fundraising initiative.

After the success of the 2023 Western Challenge, which boasted record-breaking participation and fundraising numbers, including more than 1,200 individual donors and more than $228,000 raised, the WIU annual giving team has set an ambitious goal for 2024.

“In 2024, we want to continue to engage alumni and friends of WIU to support the areas of campus most meaningful to them. This year, we are building our strategy to set a new record of individual donors and engage 50 more donors than last year, shooting for 1,252 unique donors,” Director of Annual Giving Tim Hallinan `95 said.

The team also hopes to reach new areas of the United States this year during the Western Challenge, themed “The ‘Necks’ Big Thing.”

During the 24-hour event, friends and alumni can direct their support to any area of Western. Gifts can be made online at wiu.edu/westernchallenge. To learn more about participating in the Western Challenge through advocacy or by offering a Match or Challenge gift, email westernchallenge@wiu.edu or call (309) 298-1861.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STUDENTS LEARNING FROM BEST-IN-CLASS SOFTWARE

A new partnership with Ireland-based software company D4H is yielding great success for the WIU Emergency Management program and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) housed in Tanner Hall.

D4H’s intuitive emergency management software platform, which is now being used in the EOC and in WIU classrooms, is empowering WIU students with realworld experiences and arming them with unparalleled skills to take out into the workforce. Students are leveraging D4H’s technology to streamline information, communicate effectively with external stakeholders, and make data-driven decisions during emergencies.

D4H selected WIU as its first, and currently only, university partner, thanks to work led by Jamie Johnson `97 MS `98, WIU School of Law Enforcement & Justice Administration assistant director.

Through the partnerships Johnson has solicited with these two industry-leading companies, and the follow-up work he continues to do now that the platforms are being utilized on-campus, WIU students and staff are gaining invaluable skills at no cost to WIU.

By having access to both of those top-tier platforms, WIU students are graduating and entering the workforce with experiences, skills, and expertise their peers are not able to gain in school. Johnson confirmed WIU students are getting a foot in the door for internships and full-time jobs when employers see D4H mentioned on students’ resumes.

WIU FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE OFFICER RETIRES

After an impressive 40-year tenure at Western Illinois University, WIU Foundation Executive Officer Brad Bainter `79 MS `83 officially hung up his hat in December 2023.

Bainter graduated from WIU with his bachelor's degree in management and a master's degree in sport management, and he began his professional career at WIU in 1983 as an admissions counselor. In 1986, he moved to assistant to the dean for development in the College of Business & Technology.

Bainter transitioned to the WIU Foundation in 1996, serving as director of Planned and Major Giving. He moved to director of University Development and Planned Giving and the executive officer of the WIU Foundation in 2009. In 2010, Bainter was named the vice president for Advancement and Public Services and retained his role as executive officer. In 2019, his focus shifted fully to his work as executive officer.

With his retirement comes a new title. At the December 2023 Board of Trustees meeting, BOT Chair Carin Stutz `78 read a proclamation of appreciation and awarded Bainter with the title of Vice President Emeritus, recognizing his dedication to WIU, Macomb, and Illinois.

Clare Thompson was hired as the Vice President for Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Athletics in June 2023 and assumed the role of Executive Officer of the Foundation in January 2024.

WIU COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR STIPES RENOVATION

The first floor of Stipes Hall will soon look different when alumni make their next trip back to campus. The College of Business & Technology (CBT) is moving forward with a plan to enhance multiple spaces and transform them into a new, state-of-the-art finance and commodity trading lab.

This new laboratory space will provide students with real-time experience with traditional investment instruments and training in commodity markets, merchandising, futures, and options.

Additional upgrades are planned for elsewhere on the first floor of Stipes, including the lobby, a new University Technology tech lounge, and enhanced lighting throughout.

Funding for this best-in-class facility is made possible through donor support. While multiple leadership gifts have been acquired to support this project, additional investments are welcome.

Are you interested in learning more about how you can be part of this bold next step for the College of Business & Technology? Contact Liz Gougeon `08, director of development for CBT, at e-gougeon@wiu.edu or call (309) 762-3999 to discuss supporting this new facility.

From Leadership to Legacy:

Retired Academic Leaders Fund New Award Program

By Drew Donahoo MS `11

A new initiative to recognize the performance and dedication of civil service employees at Western Illinois University has recently been established by College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Emeritus Sue Martinelli-Fernandez and Sociology Professor Emeritus and founding Chair of the Department of Women’s Studies Polly Radosh. Together, they have established an award to recognize civil service employees at WIU through an endowment fund and an annual award program.

Martinelli-Fernandez, who is affectionately known as “Dean Sue,” and Radosh have been friends and colleagues for many years and have frequently discussed their shared interest in recognizing the value of work performed by civil service clerical employees. Both worked in some form of clerical or staff work early in their lives. Over the years, they discussed the important role of clerical workers in the smooth functioning of the University, despite the fact that they are often the most underpaid staff in their divisions and departments.

Both Martinelli-Fernandez and Radosh have had personal and professional interests in documenting the disparities in salaries and professional opportunities in fields dominated by women as opposed to those dominated by men. Clerical work is among those traditionally female occupations consistently remunerated

at a lower level of compensation than a traditionally male job. While they recognize that this award does not fix that disparity, it is their way of recognizing that the work that is performed by civil service employees matters, despite the low compensation.

“The indirect leadership exerted by civil service employees, who often run departments, should be recognized and we hope this will bring attention to those who are the backbone of our departments and divisions.” Radosh said.

The establishment of an annual award program signifies Radosh’s and Martinelli-Fernandez’s commitment to acknowledging outstanding achievement, leadership and dedication among civil service employees. The awards of $500 each, recognize and reward exceptional service within specific departments and across the University. The two awards are possible with a total endowment exceeding $27,000.

“One award will be given explicitly to a CAS clerical member and another to any clerical member across departments,” Martinelli-Fernandez said.

Martinelli-Fernandez acknowledges the impact Radosh has had on her personal and professional life, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. Their shared values center around respect, improvement in the lives of others and a commitment to positive change, in this case positive recognition for civil

service employees.

“We have had many faculty, staff and even some students give to the fund,” Radosh said. “The recognition is long overdue and will continue as the fund grows and awards are given.”

“We need to continue the momentum gained, as well as recognize the need for collective action to address the wage gap,” Martinelli-Fernandez said.

“We have already seen a positive impact on morale and motivation through the award initiative ,” Radosh said. “Actions speak louder than words, and this initiative provides tangible support to those who are often not acknowledged.”

Radosh and Martinelli-Fernandez call on the broader WIU community to actively participate and contribute to the success of the endowment fund and the annual award program.

“Our hope is that this initiative stands as an inspiration to recognize, respect and support the unseen heroes of WIU: the civil service employees who play a vital role in shaping the University's success,” Martinelli-Fernandez said.

Donations can be made online at go.wiu.edu/Martinelli-Radosh.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS

After 20 plus years of waiting, a project was put into motion 17 months ago by Governor J.B. Pritzker with the groundbreaking of the Center for Performing Arts (CPA) on the WIU Macomb Campus. This landmark center will become the hub for local, regional, and even national art. The CPA will transform the campus landscape and enhance the student experience for all WIU students and serve as the center of cultural and performing arts destination for our region.

We did not arrive here by accident. Our talented students and faculty, dedicated alumni, and our passionate community persevered in their unwavering support to bring a world-class center to Macomb. The Center for Performing Arts represents the heart of our region, where audiences and artists alike can search for ideas and inspiration and, yes, meaning. The Arts provide us outlets for connection, understanding, and of course, entertainment.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the Center for Performing Arts as we aim to create an endowment to fund the operations of the CPA. Your philanthropic support strengthens our ability to educate our students, enhances the campus experience for all WIU students, and brings the arts to the local community. Watching the CPA rise from the ground is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

We are excited to see the progress and cannot wait to have you become a part of our journey.

Create Legacy within the CPA Naming Opportunities

• The Building

• Great Hall Theatre & Stage

• Studio Theatre & Green Room

• Dance & Jazz Studios

• Box Seats

• Dressing Rooms

• Conference Room

• Director's Office

• Many more naming opportunities

Student Spotlight — THE MAGIC OF THEATRE AT WIU

By Lexi Yoggerst

Meet Riley Francis, a senior musical theatre major from Dayton, OH. Francis’ vibrant personality and love for storytelling have shaped her journey at Western Illinois University.

The passion Francis has for theatre started at a young age, driven by her love for singing. From early renditions of Barney songs to her first productions in third grade, she found herself invested in the magic of theatre. As she grew older, the realization that she could turn her passion into a lifelong career fueled her decision to pursue a major in Theatre.

“Ever since I was a young girl, I loved to sing,” Francis said. “When I was young, my mother took me to see “The Lion King” on Broadway. My small little eyes were glued to the performers on that stage. Unknowingly, I think that is the moment the seed was planted inside me for the love of something that is and was so much bigger than me at the time: A love for the kind of magic you experience when you walk into a theatre, the magic of something that can never be recreated.”

Among the many productions at WIU, Francis highlights her unforgettable experience as Elvira in "Blithe Spirit." The joy and playfulness she discovered in portraying the ethereal ghost left a mark on her theatrical journey.

She acknowledges the challenges of the acting profession, including imposter syndrome and self-doubt. However, she believes that these challenges contribute to the fulfillment of her role as an actress. Francis shared her experience playing Diana Goodman in "Next to Normal," pushing her

boundaries and providing a rewarding, emotionally exhausting, journey.

“Deep down, despite all of the possible doubt and worry, I know that this is what I am meant to do. And that is something I can always fall back on, including all of the wonderful people here who believe in me and my potential as an artist,” Francis said.

Francis is an active member of the University Dance Company, serving on the board and contributing as a dancer and choreographer. Her involvement in the theatre community has been at the forefront of her college experience, creating deep connections with friends and mentors.

Lysa Fox, associate professor and chair of the Musical Theatre Department at WIU, holds a special place in Francis' heart. Fox’s guidance has not only influenced Francis’ approach to theatre but also instilled the importance of embracing vulnerability and learning from failure.

“Lysa has helped shape me in more ways than one,” Francis said. “I absolutely adore her, and she has instilled so many things within me as both an artist and human being, such as kindness and the importance of being someone that directors want to have in the room. She is one of my most trusted mentors and someone I know will continually be in my life forever even after I graduate. Lysa has influenced my approach to theatre by giving me the freedom to fail and get back up again.”

Francis’ career aspirations in theatre revolve around creating impactful art that makes a difference. She envisions a future filled with connecting with

audiences and collaborating within a community that encourages individuality.

“Don’t be afraid to show who you really are to people, to be authentic and truthful and to not let anyone tell you who you should or shouldn’t be. Be silly and goofy and fun, and let your light show when you walk into a room instead of hiding it. And don’t let your fear of failure hold you back. I spent so much time being afraid when all it took was my belief in myself for me to fly,” Francis said.

Balancing academics, rehearsals, and personal life is a challenge, but her organizational and prioritization skills help her maintain a healthy balance. She emphasizes the significance of self-care and the learning curve associated with navigating the demands of the field.

Apart from her theatrical pursuits, Francis has a passion for reading and writing poetry, loves peonies, enjoys writing letters to people, and cherishes the childhood classic "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein.

“I wish I would have known ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’ when I was younger,” Francis said. “Theatre has helped me learn so much about myself and has me constantly being so self aware and connected to my emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It has allowed my heart to become even more soft and understanding and has opened up a world of possibilities in ways of my capability to be vulnerable and compassionate in both my artistic life and human relationships.”

Blithe Spirit

What I Know Now: JOE CREED

Joe Creed `97 has come a long way from the small town of Auburn, IL, to his current executive leadership role at Caterpillar Inc.

Creed graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a job offer from Caterpillar. His success in the years since is a testament to the profound impact of early life lessons and the unwavering influence of his parents' arduous work ethic.

From mastering the CPA exam after graduation to his current role as chief operating officer at Caterpillar, Creed’s journey is a reflection of his competitive drive and propensity to embrace challenges with a passion for both people and innovation. Beyond the rigors of corporate life, his personal story is one marked by love, family and a passion for community service. He previously served on the WIU Advisory Board for the Department of Accountancy and is now a member of the President’s National Advisory Council.

Given Joe's breadth of experiences, here are a few things he's learned over his career.

FAMILY FIRST

By Lexi Yoggerst

No matter the job, the opportunities and achievements need to be managed in the context of life at home. I don’t always get work-life balance right, but I have learned that it is up to us to manage our time. Our jobs and lives are busier than ever. We could work 24 hours a day if we let ourselves, so prioritizing and guarding your calendar is important. Make it a top priority to be active in your home life.

PRIORITIZE PEOPLE

You can make the greatest machinery in the world, but people will determine the success of your organization. When you invest in your people, challenge them with a clear purpose, give them room to operate and support them along the way, the dividends are huge. As leaders, there is no higher calling than building great teams and developing talent.

STAY CURIOUS

Be intellectually curious. Ask a lot of questions. Surround yourself with people who do the same. In fact, intellectual curiosity is a key attribute we look for in our people at Caterpillar. No matter your functional expertise, it’s important you understand the business starting with the customer and working your way back.

THINK DIFFERENTLY

To keep pace, sometimes we need to challenge the status quo. That can be especially hard in larger companies or organizations with tremendous histories like Caterpillar. It doesn’t mean the past wasn’t successful or that we shouldn’t respect and learn from our history. But sometimes what makes an organization great is knowing what worked for the last 100 years isn’t what will make us great for the next 100. Think differently, avoid “groupthink” and tackle challenges with solutions or approaches that haven’t been tried before. That kind of creativity is how to innovate for tomorrow.

GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

One thing I’ve figured out is that if I’m comfortable in my role, it’s probably time for a new one. Learning to be comfortable being slightly uncomfortable is how to stretch yourself and grow throughout your career. You may ask yourself “am I ready for this?” but taking that challenge can be the most rewarding career move. Dig deep and lean on the competitive fire inside to succeed. And, more than ever, trust and lean on your teammates.

SET A CLEAR VISION AND BE CONSISTENT

It’s important to set the vision and strategy for where you want an organization to go. Big organizations

can get caught up in day-to-day tasks and struggle with competing priorities, so leaders must provide clarity on the definition of winning and be consistent. Often, we can fall into the trap of measuring activities and lose sight of the true goal. Be clear on how you define and measure success, then hold yourself and the organization accountable to deliver results.

NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR VALUES

How you deliver results matters. At Caterpillar, we put a lot of emphasis on living our values. That includes prioritizing safety and compliance for everyone, every day. That attitude starts at the top. The organization watches and acts on what we as leaders do more than what we say. The same goes for personal values. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions and the answers aren’t always clear. Approaching the decision with integrity, honesty and humility invariably gets you to the right place.

HAVE SOME FUN

Work, careers and life can all be a grind at times. Have fun along the way. Get to know your teammates on a personal level and have fun while you’re doing the hard work. Laugh a little. It’s good for you and can lift the energy of the team when times are tough.

BE A PRODUCT OF YOUR EXPERIENCES

WIU was an important chapter in my life, and played a key role in getting me to where I am today. It was the right place for this small-town central Illinois kid to get a great education and launch an amazing career. I want to make sure Western continues to be the place for all kids, including other small-town Midwestern kids like me, to have the same opportunity in the future. Giving back is the most impactful way to do that, whether it’s financially or by getting involved.

Joe understands that the strength of Caterpillar is its people, so he makes a point to visit the company’s various manufacturing and test facilities, hearing about the latest technology directly from the team involved in the product development.

Joe is an approachable leader who believes there is no higher calling than building great teams and developing talent.

Joe is a leader who is equally at home on the shop floor and the C-suite.

HARMONY ON BROADWAY:

MELODY A. BETTS' JOURNEY

By Lexi Yoggerst

In the fast paced world of Broadway, Melody A. Betts `09 stands as a shining example of talent, resilience and purpose. A graduate of Western Illinois University, Betts earned a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, laying the groundwork for an eventful career.

Betts’ journey from WIU to capturing the attention of many with her role in “The Wiz” sheds light on auditions, working with Broadway peers and experiencing many cherishable moments.

“During my time at Western, I had the privilege of being taught by professors who loved and respected the art of acting. They set me up for success by ensuring that I understood the fundamentals of the craft and by giving me opportunities to practice what I learned. I was fortunate enough to experience a good blend of academic learning and performance experience at Western which helped to prepare me to be a successful performer,” Betts said.

Her road to “The Wiz” involved an extensive audition process, from a self-tape at home to callbacks in New York.

“I remember being comfortable in the room. Grateful. I wore my rhinestone encrusted loafers which were like my own version of Dorothy’s silver slippers. I auditioned in front of Amber Ruffin and director Schele Williams. I felt really good about my audition. It wasn’t perfect, but I remember feeling confident and calm. I felt like I showed

During my time at Western, I had the privilege of being taught by professors that loved and respected the art of acting. They set me up for success!

Melody A. Betts performing as Evillene in The Wiz.

them what I was capable of and was satisfied with that,” Betts said.

Betts later learned that she had secured the role and was overjoyed, especially considering she had initially turned down the offer for the role of Aunt Em/Glinda and Evillene's understudy on both the tour and Broadway. Initially accepting the offer for the understudy roles, a fortuitous turn of events during the first workshop allowed her to read for Evillene. The original candidate for Evillene failed to show up, providing Betts with an unexpected opportunity.

Following the workshop, the dynamics shifted, and Betts found herself being offered the roles of Aunt Em and Evillene, with an additional proposal to understudy Evillene on Broadway. Declining this offer, she asserted her stance, feeling that her dedication to the Evillene role during the workshop warranted a more significant opportunity, and she believed she deserved the chance to portray Evillene on Broadway outright.

Fortunately, the production team revisited the offer and presented Betts with an improved proposition, which included playing both Aunt Em and Evillene on tour, as well as securing coveted roles on Broadway. Betts’ determination not only reflects her commitment to her craft but also the success that awaited her in the chapters of her career.

Betts often reflects on the significance of Williams's vision for “The Wiz,” particularly in telling a coming-of-age story through the lens of a young black woman.

As the founder and former president of the Dumela Alumni Council, Betts brings a new approach to the organization's mission. Dumela aims to bridge gaps in inclusivity, creating safe spaces for students of color in WIU's Department of Theatre and Dance.

“Dumela is the organization I wish I had while attending Western. The

Top: Melody in WIU Production of Blithe Spirit. Bottom: Melody and Hosea Sanders, a news anchor for ABC7 Chicago and a dear friend.

experience that students of color have while attending a predominantly White institution needs support. The issue that most predominantly White institutions have is that they lack inclusivity. Usually, it’s not on purpose but they have never had to be concerned about anyone else’s

experience so many things that are important to their minority and marginalized student base fly under the radar,” Betts said.

Betts expresses her experience with “The Wiz,” pointing to the scene where Dorothy defeats Evillene as

particularly impactful.

“What we see, literally, is Dorothy pouring water onto the witch and killing her. But underneath all of that, she is facing and conquering her fears so that she can get back home. Home could represent a plethora of things…sanity, wholeness, peace and confidence. The options are endless. It’s a lesson that we all learn. It’s a universal experience with which we all can relate,” Betts said.

With Betts’ wealth of experience in theatre and musical presence, the performer offers invaluable advice for aspiring performers.

“Acting is enriched by understanding, and you can’t fully understand until you experience it. Live life and learn what you can from that and also, study the craft,” Betts said.

Betts reflects on the significance of alumni involvement for WIU's growth.

The pride that WIU alumni have for Western is what fuels our desire to maintain its legacy while also making Western better for those that are coming behind us!

In the grand scheme of Broadway, Betts has made her way and showcased not only exceptional talent but also a commitment to empowering the next generation of performers. As the spotlight continues to shine on this WIU alumna, she serves as an inspiring testament to the passion, persistence and purpose of musical theatre.

To help create new experiences for our performing arts majors, or to further the work of Dumela, connect with Mick Cumbie, Director of Development for the College of Fine Arts & Communication at m-cumbie@wiu.edu.

Top: Melody A. Betts headshot. Bottom: Melody in WIU Production of Othello.

CLOSING THE DIVIDE: TACKLING RURAL TEACHER SHORTAGE HEAD-ON

By Drew Donahoo MS `11

In the closing paragraph of his book, First Century: A Pictorial History of Western Illinois University, author, and WIU professor emeritus, John E. Hallwas writes, ” [It] is well to remember that everything Western [Illinois University] has become, or will ever be, started with a small normal school composed of faculty and students with shared ideals, people who were striving to raise the quality of education in a still-isolated… part of the country.”

Those words are as relevant today as when Hallwas wrote them in 1999 and point to a crucial historic matter: From its founding, WIU has built a strong reputation for preparing and training rural educators. Over more than a century, WIU has developed and shaped thousands of teachers and school leaders—for both West Central Illinois and the entire state.

In today’s world, that work has perhaps never been more important. According to Richard M. Ingersoll and Henry Tran’s 2023 study “Teacher Shortages and Turnover in Rural Schools in the US: An Organizational Analysis,” over the last three decades, the teacher workforce in rural America has decreased by 19%.

In the last three decades, the rural teacher workforce has decreased by 19%

Research and Support

Recognizing the need to further explore and support rural education in Illinois, the Illinois Board of Higher Education approved WIU as the site for the state’s one and only rural education center in November 2020. Located in Horrabin Hall, the Arlington and Arlene Seymour Center for Rural Education Advocacy, Policy, and Research was established to provide continuing support for the needs of rural educators in Illinois and at the national level and provides workspace for the Rural Schools Collaborative and the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS).

The Center’s mission will be realized through five sustainable priorities: developing a system to expand the teacher applicant pool for rural school districts in the region; advocating for rural education contexts through the development of research-based policy and legislation; conducting research on rural educational contexts; creating a network of rural educators and rural schools to support partnering on advocacy, policy, and research; and generally advocating for rural educators and schools at the local, state, and national level.

"This center will have a longlasting impact on the research, policy and advocacy on behalf of Illinois rural schools and rural education,” AIRSS Executive Director David M. Ardrey said.

Original crest used to identify Western Ilinois State Teachers College (WISTC) back in 1899 before it would later become Western Illinois University.

“It is an honor for AIRSS to partner with the Seymour Center to advance rural issues throughout the state and region."

“Being the only one of its kind in Illinois, this initiative will support and extend the historic core mission of WIU: developing quality teachers and visionary school leaders for the West Central Illinois region,” WIU College of Education and Human Services Interim Dean Eric Sheffield said. “The Center’s focus on advocacy, policy, and research in support of rural educational contexts is something that has been sorely missing and sorely needed in Illinois for many, many years. The Seymour Center will, via its advocacy, policydevelopment, and research, turn a spotlight on issues particular to rural contexts—contexts that have often been ignored and/or forgotten in light of ongoing demographic shifts. I am excited to support the work of the Center and look forward to seeing its impact on our region and Illinois more generally.”

Teacher Preparation

WIU has been on the forefront of fighting this rural teacher shortage since 2018, with the founding of the Great River Teacher Corps (GRTC). Through the GRTC program, students receive up to $14,000 in scholarship support and commit to teaching in a rural school district in a 22-county region in Illinois for a minimum of three years.

"The Great River Teacher Corps is a commitment to our mission to support teacher candidates pedagogically with place based educational perspectives and financially with scholarship opportunities to return to their regional rural districts,” WIU Director of the School of Education Jim LaPrad said.

Emilee Rains, a 2020 WIU graduate who now teaches second grade at George O. Barr Elementary School in Silvis, was the first graduate of the GRTC.

"I have always known I wanted to become an elementary school teacher, and I had many great teachers who influenced my decision to start teaching. I was ecstatic when I heard that I received this grant because I had no prior knowledge on the impact rural schools can have on students," Rains said in a 2021 interview.

Madison Boyer, current GRTC member from Milan who will graduate in May 2024, also recently spoke about her experience in the program. "My time in the Great River Teacher Corps has taught me the importance of place-based education," Boyer said. “As a teacher, I hope to establish a classroom environment that is safe and supportive for my students. My goal is to be a positive role model for the children I work with.”

NEED FOR RURAL TEACHERS:

58% of school districts in IL are considered rural

Since 2008 enrollment in IL teacher prep programs has dropped by 55%

Illinois needs an est. 24,000+ new teachers

The GRTC program has created partnerships with Regional Offices of Education, district superintendents, and local communities in 22 counties to ensure they are recommending scholarship applicants and hiring GRTC graduates.

Private Support

Opportunities like the Seymour Center and the Great River Teacher Corps program are made possible at WIU by the support of many private donors.

Arlington `53 and Arlene Seymour committed an initial leadership gift in 1997 to establish the Arlington and Arlene Seymour Teacher Education Endowment, with the goal of supporting students interested in teaching in rural communities. In 2009, Arlington (Arlie) and Arlene committed an additional $1 million planned gift.

In recognition of the Seymours’ generous support, the Center for Rural education was named in their honor in 2020. Following Arlie’s passing in January 2023, an official ribbon cutting was held at the Seymour Center in October to celebrate the Seymours’ long history of support and the future of rural education in Illinois.

At the ceremony, Vice President Emeritus Brad Bainter `79 MS `83 announced an updated total from the Seymours' estate. In all, the Seymours have provided more than $3 million to WIU through annual gifts and their realized bequest.

The Tracy Family Foundation in Mt. Sterling has also been instrumental in providing funding for the GRTC, contributing more than $200,000 in financial support since 2018.

"The Tracy Family Foundation wants west central Illinois' schools to inspire life-long learners, leaders and problemsolvers, but we can't achieve this goal

without excellent teachers," said Dan Teefey, executive director of the Tracy Family Foundation in 2021. "The Great River Teacher Corps recruits and trains the next generation of educators that will be vital for academic excellence in our region."

Speaking at the ribbon cutting event, Boyer shared a message of gratitude for the many donors who have provided financial support for the GRTC. "To those of you in attendance today who have made the Great River Teacher Corps program possible, thank you for investing in students like myself. The generosity of people like you and the Seymours is making a huge difference in the lives of many WIU students today and for years to come. Your support is changing lives here at WIU in our rural schools," Boyer said.

The final words of Hallwas’ book perfectly encapsulate not only the faculty and students on campus in the 1900s, but also the faculty and students at WIU today: “They were crusaders for the common good, people who believed that better education could change things. They were American dreamers not for themselves, but for others. And at this fine University their dream continues.”

Developing the next generation of educators takes all of us. Would you like to explore how you can support our efforts in championing rural education? Contact Emily Gillett `02, director of development for the College of Education & Human Services at e-gillett@wiu.edu or call (309) 298-1690.

Madison Boyer, current GRTC member from Milan, was at the Seymour Center ribbon cutting.

Arlington (Arlie) `53 and Arlene Seymour provided over $3 million to WIU to further their dream.

— A PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR'S TALE Straight from a Student

By Jordan Rouse - Senior History Education Major

My journey at Western Illinois University began with an email that changed my life. Selected as a Presidential Scholar, I found myself drawn to WIU not just for the scholarship, but for the promise of a new adventure. WIU quickly became my home, and its people, my family. What started as a scholarship opportunity transformed into a series of life-changing experiences.

My time at WIU has been a journey of self-discovery. From a timid freshman to a confident leader who can find a friend in every stranger, the transformation has been profound. The academic challenges, coupled with the supportive campus environment, molded me into a well-rounded individual ready to face the world beyond graduation.

As a Centennial Honors Student, my academic journey is diverse and challenging. From Anthropology to a Wealth Management course, Honors projects and a significant Honors thesis, the Centennial Honors College provided me with opportunities beyond my expectations. Serving as the student representative to the Honors Council added a dynamic layer to my academic experience.

Western has afforded me the opportunity to serve in many leadership positions in organizations such as Inter-Hall Council, WIU Food Pantry, WIU Wesley Foundation and National Residence Hall Honorary, and my involvement in extracurricular activities has been enjoyable and insightful. Additionally, I hosted the Regional Leadership Conference, which broadened my network and knowledge.

Among the many who shaped my college experience, Assistant Director for Residence Life Greta Dieter MS `19 stands out. She is more than an advisor, she has been a mentor and a friend. Her guidance has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth.

To future students, my biggest piece of advice is to get involved. Even one organization or two will help you transition into college and grow as a

By Lexi Yoggerst

Roy Albiani `84, an esteemed Western Illinois University Marketing alumnus, has made his way as a leader in the corporate world, leaving an indelible mark on the world stage. As the director of Global Brand Protection for Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) $30 billion MedTech business, Albiani's career spans more than 35 years, marked by groundbreaking contributions to brand protection, leadership, and advocacy.

Beyond his corporate success, Albiani has been a tireless advocate for the

advancement and diversity of his profession. He believes in continuous support of seekers, encouraging youth, and mentoring the next generation. Through writing articles, delivering podcasts, teaching college seminars at both the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Southern California, and speaking at conferences, he shares his wealth of knowledge and experience.

Reflecting on his years at WIU, Albiani credits the University for shaping him into a leader. WIU provided him with a solid college experience, encouraging

academic success and a lifelong desire to learn.

“Through campus groups and exposure to diversity, WIU laid the foundation for me to be successful,” Albiani said.

Born and raised with a passion for business, Albiani's journey began at WIU, where he was actively involved in the Student Orientation Board and Student Government Association. Albiani was not just a student, he was a leader, serving as the Macomb City Council Liaison and playing a pivotal role in founding Sigma Nu Fraternity.

LEADERSHIP,/// INNOVATION & GIVING BACK TO WIU 1983 SIGMA

Albiani's academic excellence was acknowledged through his membership in Western’s academic societies including, Blue Key, Order of Omega, and Mortar Board, graduating summa cum laude. His dedication continued at Southern Methodist University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration with honors.

Despite living in California, Albiani remains deeply connected to WIU, attending alumni events and homecoming regularly, and he serves as a new WIU Alumni Council member. His commitment to giving back stems from the belief that passionate alumni play a vital role in preserving and evolving WIU's future.

“I enjoy dedicating time to engage with students and those who are looking for guidance in their journey,” Albiani said. “If I can provide them new approaches and a fresh perspective through my many unique experiences, perhaps I can make a difference in someone’s life.”

Albiani emphasizes the importance of alumni involvement in overcoming challenges faced by WIU, such as changing demographics and state budget cuts. He cites the success of the "Campaign for Western," where alumni and friends have raised more than $56 million so far for student success, learning innovation, and scholarly support.

Albiani highlights the growing impact of alumni contributions on students' lives. He believes alumni can share valuable insights and perspectives gained from their professional journeys, enriching the student experience.

Before his current position at J&J, Albiani was an award-winning leader at the forefront of global brand protection, channel compliance, and leading multiple health care marketing organizations for more than 20 years.

With a groundbreaking start at J&J in 2003, he developed Global Brand Protection and established it as a best-in-class industry leader. In his

Through campus groups and exposure to diversity, WIU laid the foundation for me to be successful.

current role, Albiani is tasked with the responsibility of leading, developing, and executing strategies to safeguard patients and J&J's brand goodwill from illicit trade, including counterfeiting, tampering, and other brand attacks. His team’s holistic cross-functional approach involves investigations and enforcement actions that disrupt global illicit supply chains, implementation of product protection technology, global market monitoring, customer communications, and the use of predictive intelligence to proactively identify potential concerns and minimize impact.

His team also engages in robust strategic external partnerships with law enforcement, government affairs, industry, and academia to collectively combat illicit trade.

In 2020, Albiani received the Brand Protection Hero Award from Michigan State University's Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Brand Protection, showcasing his outstanding contributions to ensuring global public safety against product counterfeiting. Featured in the American Healthcare Leader Magazine and recipient of J&J Leadership Awards, Albiani's achievements have made a significant impact on the healthcare industry.

“This recognition from my peers at Michigan State further underscores the importance of our collective efforts in ensuring the integrity and security of brands,” Albiani said.

In his philanthropic journey, Albiani envisions leaving a lasting legacy as a WIU advocate, shaping the University's future.

Giving back not only shapes students' time but the experiences they can foster.

Albiani shares five key lessons learned since his time at WIU, emphasizing flexibility, taking the path less traveled, trying new opportunities, following one's passion, and being responsible for one's career.

Albiani was a 2023 recipient of the WIU Alumni Achievement Award, presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions in one or more of the following areas: outstanding accomplishment in their chosen field of endeavor, remarkable service in community affairs at the local, state or national levels and extraordinary dedication to the advancement and sustained excellence of WIU.

“Some advice I like to provide students is to stay open-minded, try new things, and prioritize your passions in your career and life,” Albiani said. “My career in Brand Protection started by accident when I took a path less traveled to solve a problem. I ended up leaving a long-established and successful career in marketing. Some folks thought I was crazy to go into an area no one had heard of, but it turned out to be my most rewarding career move, and I never regretted it!”

Outside of his professional career, Albiani is an avid enthusiast of an active lifestyle which includes hiking, cycling, running, weight training, skiing, and pickleball. His dedication to family is evident in his 35-year marriage to Lori Davis Albiani. Together, they have three adult children and one granddaughter, Logan; also known as “baby LoLo.”

"Other enablers to my success included my parents Ronald and Coral and friends who taught me to be resilient in the face of adversity, lead with humility and integrity, care for others, empathy and inclusivity." Albiani said.

WIU is full of future business leaders like Roy Albiani. To support the next generation of Leatherneck world changes, contact Liz Gougeon, Director of Development for the College of Business & Technology at e-gougeon@wiu.edu or call (309) 762-3999.

In all aspects of life, if an endeavor doesn't resonate with your heart, move on. Engage in what you are truly passionate about and find purpose in; if something feels amiss, find a new path, and often that path is the one less traveled! "The key to a thriving marriage is embracing flexibility, shared core values, and understanding that it's perfectly acceptable to pursue individual interests and be passionate about entirely different things. It also helps to have a short memory and thick skin!

The Gift of Opportunity: Alumnus Commits $1 Million to Fund Scholarships

By Drew Donahoo MS `11

In the fall of 1981, Robert Haley `85, MS `87 made the 160 mile trip north from East St. Louis to Macomb to begin his time as a student at Western Illinois University. More than four decades later, Haley is now helping other students from his hometown on their Leatherneck journeys.

Haley recently committed a transformational $1 million pledge to fund scholarships for students from the 618 area code. The Robert H. Haley Education Excellence Scholarship Fund will provide financial assistance to up to 40 students from the 37 counties in the southern Illinois region.

During his time at WIU, Haley was actively involved in

the Black Students Association and worked as a graduate assistant in the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center.

I cherish my time at Western. WIU allowed me to develop relationships with people from different parts of the world and gain a greater knowledge of cultural backgrounds that are different from mine.

The relationships he had and the knowledge he gained equipped Haley for his professional career. Today, Haley

is the CEO and chairperson of QIS Behavioral Health, an opioid treatment center outside Cincinnati, OH, which he opened in 2020. In 2017, Haley was instrumental in the opening of Choices Behavioral Health Care in Middletown, OH, a treatment center for adults with opiate dependence. Previously, Haley served as director of Premier Care of Ohio and Premier Care of Illinois.

After more than three decades of serving individuals with drug dependence, Haley is ready to lay a foundation of success for WIU students. With the Haley Education Excellence Scholarship, Haley will reduce financial burdens for students and provide them access to the necessary resources needed to pursue their degrees. Haley cares deeply about communities, including Cincinnati, Macomb and his hometown. His dedication to helping AfricanAmerican students extends beyond his scholarship commitment and will also include mentorship when he returns to campus this spring.

With this inspirational gift to For the W: The Campaign for Western Illinois University, Haley provides a powerful, lasting impact on WIU. Countless students will benefit from his generosity for decades to come.

“Robert’s $1 million commitment to WIU students embodies the spirit of philanthropy and the incredible impact WIU alumni make in developing the next generation of Leathernecks. We are deeply grateful for Robert’s generosity and his commitment to advancing educational opportunities for our deserving students,” Vice President for Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Athletics Clare Thompson said.

Director of Development for the College of Arts Sciences Amy Crosby `11 MS `17 has developed a strong relationship with

Haley and is eager for the opportunity to provide to students.

“The first scholarships will be awarded for the 2024-25 academic year," Crosby said.

When developing the criteria, Haley and Crosby worked to remove any potential barriers associated with the scholarship application.

It was important to me that we not require an application essay to expand the potential reach of this opportunity and support as many deserving students as possible.

“In my conversations with Robert, it became clear that, while this significant gift will provide much-needed support to WIU students, Robert also hopes to inspire others to answer the call and create more educational opportunities at WIU,” Crosby said.

“I am very excited for this opportunity to emphasize to WIU students and others how any goal can be achieved, regardless of the uncontrollable barriers that exist in our society,” Haley said.

Establishing a scholarship fund is an impactful way to provide financial support for Leathernecks across campus. If you are interested in endowing a new fund at WIU, or would like more information on including WIU in your estate plans, contact Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences Amy Crosby at al-crosby@wiu.edu or call (309) 298-1828.

By Lexi Yoggerst & Scott Holland `04

wESTERN ILLINOIS ATHLETICS

In the heartland of the United States, where determination and athletic excellence fill the air, Western Illinois University embarked on a transformative journey, switching from the Summit League and Missouri Valley Football Conference to the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). This move wasn't just a change; it marked the beginning of a new era for the Leathernecks.

As WIU embraced the challenges and possibilities of the OVC, a wave of excitement has echoed across campus. This strategic decision aligned Western with the traditions and fierce competition of the OVC, putting us in MidAmerica and keeping us in the NCAA Division I.

Since the switch to OVC, Women’s Volleyball ended their season making it to the conference tournament for the first time in more than a decade. This triumph underscored the team's resilience and determination, adding another chapter to WIU's storied history.

"Participating in the OVC conference has been a transformative experience for both my team and me. It has not only strengthened us mentally and physically but also placed academics at the forefront of our priorities,” WIU Volleyball Captain, Student Athlete

Advisory Committee Vice President and multiple award nominee Maggie Craker said. “The coaches' unwavering support and motivation have instilled in us a determination to excel in every aspect, whether it be training, matches, leadership, or academics.

The competitive pressure of the OVC has signaled a positive growth, teaching our student athletes

Amongst this era of change, the OVC along with ESPN, provided a broader platform for showcasing Leathernecks' achievements and competitions.

As the fall seasons unfolded, Leathernecks across various sports achieved substantial milestones, showcasing a forward-focused approach and commitment to excellence.

how to thrive under challenging circumstances. It has been instrumental in refining Western's ability to handle intense situations, both on and off the field.

Among the changes, the introduction of a new football coach, Joe Davis, marked a pivotal moment for the Leathernecks. The fresh leadership brought a renewed sense of purpose and direction, signaling Western’s commitment to success in all aspects of collegiate athletics.

“My family and I are humbled and honored to serve WIU and the Macomb Community as the Head Football Coach for the Leathernecks,” Davis said. “I plan to bring in a relationship driven staff that will look to create a life changing experience for our student athletes. I can’t wait to see Hanson Field rocking this fall!”

women’s Volleyball:

In their debut in the Ohio Valley Conference, the Leathernecks went 8-10 in league play, the most conference victories since the 2007 season. Keyana Cruse led the team, earning First Team All-Conference honors and becoming the first Leatherneck named to the First Team since 2007. Cruse excelled in offensive categories, earning OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Football:

Three Leathernecks earned recognition for the All Missouri Valley Football Conference team. Quarterback Matt Morrissey `23, linebacker Juan DelaCruz, and return specialist Jay Parker `23 were named Honorable Mention All MVFC.

Offensive lineman Ryan Merklinger earned a spot on the Missouri Valley Football Conference Second Team Scholar Athlete Team.

Men’s Soccer:

WIU Men's Soccer alumni established a nearly $30,000 endowed scholarship in honor of Coach John MacKenzie, to provide financial support to current and future Leatherneck men's soccer student-athletes.

women’s Soccer:

Sachiko Gamo received OVC All-Newcomer team honors, and senior goalkeeper Isabel Navas Rodriguez was named OVC Goaltender of the week three times.

Cross Country:

Logan Lommel `22 earned the Ohio Valley Conference Award, leading the men's team with a 17th place overall finish. Aylana Cezar paced the women's team, finishing 20th overall.

As the Leathernecks venture into this new chapter, the OVC provides a canvas for rivalries to be born, and dreams to come true. The increased opportunities for competition foster a sense of motivation within teams that will ultimately take them to new heights. The story of Western Illinois University's transition to the Ohio Valley Conference has become a narrative of unity, competition and evolution in WIU’s athletic history.

In the echoes of every cheer, the pounding of every spike, and the stride of every runner, WIU’s presence in the OVC became a testament to Western's willingness to embrace change, face challenges head-on, and carve out a legacy that will endure for generations to come. As the Leathernecks continue to make their mark in the OVC, Wrstern's story remains an inspiration for all those dreamers.

“Work with your teammates and those in your future network to build those relationships,” Lommel said. “Most importantly, know there are so many good people out there that are on your side.”

Private support is crucial to the continued success of our athletic teams. Are you interested in learning what your role could be in supporting our student athletes? Contact Tayler Onion, Assistant Athletic Director for Development, at t-onion@wiu.edu or call (309) 298-1190.

August 31* at Northern Illinois University

September 7* at Indiana University

September 14* at Illinois State University

September 28

vs. McKendree University

October 5 at Charleston Southern University

October 12*

vs. UT Martin

October 19

vs. Tennessee Tech University

October 26 at Lindenwood

November 2 at Eastern Illinois University

November 9

vs. Tennessee State University

November 16

at Southeast Missouri State University

November 23

vs. Gardner-Webb University

October 11-12, 2024

60s

David Ramacitti `64, Rock Island, writing under the pen name Dave Lager has published Sniper’s Day, the fifth novel in his Ro Delahanty Series.

70s

Vicki Nelson Pelton `70, Ottawa, is retired.

Becky Potter Staab `71, Novi, MI, is a truancy officer at Waterford School Dist.

Dan Toney `71 MS-ED `78, Henderson, NV, is retired from both State of IL and AZ as a rehabilitation specialist and presently volunteers for the SE Veteran’s Clinic, the Mine Experience, and SNVGS.

Debby Haight Hackbarth `72, Fairhope, AL, is an artist, author, and tutor and has published 4 children`s books and received a black belt in MMA.

Janet Meyer Trigg `72, Slinger, WI, is retired.

Dianna Watson Biernat `73, Plainfield, is a retired elementary school teacher.

Thomas Dugan `73, Grand Rapids, MI, is retired from Infrastructure Alternatives.

Mark Hudson `73, Avondale, AZ, is retired from American Airlines/teaching.

Carol Maureen Cavanaugh Dugan `74, Grand Rapids, MI, is retired.

Cleveland Townsend `74, Baton Rouge, LA, is a sr. loan officer at Gilmore Lending.

Donald Whitacre `74, Green Cove Springs, FL, is retired.

Teresa Mock Krause `75, Geneseo, is retired from Kumu Farms in Maui, HI.

Daniel Moehring `75, Lincoln, is retired from First Mid Ag Services as farm mgr. AVP in Decatur.

Marvin Bausman MS `76, Beloit, WI, is retired.

Terry Clarke `76, Fontana, WI, is retired.

Laurance Drish, Sr. `76, St. Charles, is a retired Sergeant after 41 yrs. with Cook Co. Sheriff’s Police Dept.

John Maddock `76 MS `78, Amherst, NY, was appointed pres. of Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.

Gary Stallman `76, Oxford, WI, is the owner of Dakotafence.

Deborah DiPietro Liebendorfer `77, Lockport, is retired from Silver Cross Hospital.

Tom Nazar `77, Park Ridge, is retired from Willis Towers Watson as sr. VP/sr. casualty broker in Chicago after 17 yrs.

Debra Krucek Rasper `77, Wheaton, is a part-time seasonal worker at DuPage Co. Treasurer’s Office.

James Milano `78, Bettendorf, IA, is retired from Lending Solutions, Inc.

Jerry Myers `78, Clinton, IA, is retired from Colony Brands.

David Roeser `78, Punta Gorda, FL, is the pres. at Waters Edge Asset Mgt.

Fredrick Lehrman `79 M. ACCT `80, Wheaton, works in IT audit at Richardson Electronics, Ltd. in LaFox.

Gregory Rushin `79, Plano, TX, is retired after a 43yr. career in law enforcement as the deputy city mgr.

Artie Travis `79 MA `82, Frostburg, MD, has been awarded the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award.

Charles Weech `79, Davis, is a retired Circuit Judge for the State of IL 22nd Judicial Circuit in Woodstock.

80s

Vicki Bruning Madigan `80, Huntley, is an agency/owner at Madigan Ins. Group, Inc.

Clydea Perkins Allaire `81, APO AE, is the pres./CEO of Allaires IT Mgt. Consulting Firm.

Gregory Bozonelos `81, Sheffield, AL, is the VP-IT at American Income Life Ins. Co.

CLASS NOTES

Paula McNaughton Frangella `81, Oak Forest, is a retired instructional designer.

James Hull `81, Georgetown, TX, is retired.

Geoffrey Nokes `81, Woodstock, is retired from CN.

Cynthia Soroka Rushin `79, Plano, TX, is a retired RN.

Robert Schmidtke `81, Terrell, TX, is retired.

James White `81, Dakota, is an IT consultant for Nationwide Ins.

Randall Rock `82, Charleston, is retired from Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Mark Hartman `83, Savoy, is a child welfare admin. case reviewer for the IL DCFS in Urbana.

Christine Maher Hawkinson `83, Prairie Du Sac, WI, is a sr. communications writer at U of WI-Madison and is the author of 50 Years in the Bleachers –What Modern Sports Parents Can Learn from a Title IX Pioneer and the blog Lessons from the Driveway.

Jeffery Lapp `83, Springfield, is a special agent for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency in Boyers, PA.

Feridoon Najmabadi MS `83, Chicago, is a researcher at UIC.

Kevin Crandall `84, Lake St. Louis, is the reg. mortgage site leader at U.S. Bancorp.

Phillip Dasso `84, Springfield, is the chief internal auditor for IL DCFS.

Ed Murray `85, Wilmington, NC, was named managing partner at Human Capital Solutions.

Gloria Arguello Osborn `85, Galesburg, is retired from the City of Galesburg as the dir. of finance and information systems.

Elizabeth Forrester Bartos MS `86, Rockford, is a LCPC at Focused Behavioral Health.

Mary Hamann Crowe `86, Manteno, is retired from teaching jr. high pe for 34 yrs. at Prairie Jr. High School/SD #126 and coached basketball, volleyball, softball & track/

field. She is now a permanent sub. teacher in Manteno SD #5 and is also an IHSA official in volleyball, basketball & softball.

Kimberly Parker Ray `86, Center, MO, is retired.

John Schlaf `87, Galesburg, is the interim city mgr. for the City of Galesburg.

John Ward `87, Springfield, is a sr. loss control reg. dir. for Cincinnati Ins. Co.

Robert Elliott `88 MA `96, Crossville, TN, is a self-employed author and research consultant and wrote Citizen Soldier: From the Land of Lincoln to Iraq and Back.

Karen Peitzmeier `88, Talent, OR, is retired.

Susan Kaufman Schuytema `88, Depoe Bay, OR, is the dir. of communications at Lincoln Co. School Dist. in Newport.

Missy McCartney Cooke `89, Ft. Myers, FL, is a sr. construction specialist at Zurich Ins.

Joe Cunningham `89, Tinley Park, is the tech coord. for the SW Cook Co. Coop Assoc. for Special Ed.

Kim Gaither MBA `89, Canton, MO, is the interim provost/VP for Academic Affairs at Culver-Stockton College.

Steven Jones `89, Homewood, is an adult transition instructor at Thornton Township HS Dist. # 205.

David Krull `89, Westmont, retired as chief of police from the Maple Park Police Dept.

Libby Macomber `89, Carmel, IN, is the pres. of Celemi, Inc.

David Scanlon `89, Chicago, is an attorney for the Cook Co. Public Defenders Office and is a retired int’l flight attendant for American Airlines.

Jill Beedy Shreve `89, Carol Stream, is a sr. underwriting consultant for Legal & General America.

Gregory Williams `89, Las Vegas, NV, is the VP of service operations at AIS.

90s

Curtis Frerichs `90, Colona, is a retired battalion chief from the E. Moline Fire Dept.

Karen Johnson MS-ED `90, Burlington, IA, is a retired teacher.

Britt Husman `91, Dousman, WI, is a sr. tech. implementation consultant for Wolters Kluwer in The Netherlands.

Shari Gresham Rich `91 MS `93, Deer Creek, earned a doctorate degree in Higher Ed Leadership from Wilmington Univ. and is the dir. of academic advising at IL Wesleyan Univ. in Bloomington.

Susan Drew MS `92, Kirksville, MO, is a retired speech-language pathologist from Kirksville Schools.

Misty Cook Schierer `92, Chatham, is a graphic design specialist at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.

Joe Clarke `93, Warsaw, is the dir. of quality at Allied Blending, LP in Keokuk, IA, and is a co-owner of Warsaw Caviar, LLC.

Paul Lundgren `93, Ames, IA, is a dir. l for the IA State Univ. Foundation.

David Holcomb `93, Berryville, VA, has published his first book, Building A Data Culture: The Usage and Flow Data Model.

Amber Schade Olson `93, Omaha, NE, is the dir. of risk mgt. at Dynamic Ed. Systems, Inc.

Jackie Niemietz Camacho `94, Rosamond, CA, is retired from the U.S. Air Force.

Amy Hettel `94, Oak Lawn, is the general and vocal music teacher for Cook Co. S. Dist. # 130.

Tiong Ho `94, Selangor, Malaysia, is the dir. of Asia pacific region for O. Mustad & Sons PTE, LTD.

Joseph Lampinen `94, Algonquin, is the product development mgr. at Masonite in W. Chicago.

Scott Mighell `94, Macomb, is a medical coder for Springfield Clinic.

Alan Pasley `94 MA `05, Springfield, is retired from IL Dept. of Corrections.

Kim Ferguson `95, Niota, is retired from Ft. Madison Community School Dist.

Monique Marcotte Jesiolowski `95, Valparaiso, IN, is a professor at IN Wesleyan Univ. in Marion.

Dan Tripp `95, Hanover Park, is the mgr. of athletics at Glen Ellyn Park Dist. and is the co-owner of T4 Volleyball Club in Carol Stream. Ross Bjork MS `96, College Station, TX, is the AD at Ohio State.

Cindy Sanders Moore `96, Waldorf, MD, is a school counselor at Charles Co. Public Schools.

Amy VanOosten Powell `96, Eldridge, IA, is an interior design consultant for Diamond Builders.

Heather Nelson Stokes `96, Bolingbrook, is a 3rd grade teacher at Plainfield School Dist. # 202.

Corey Bennett `97, Merrill, WI, is the chief of police for the City of Merrill.

Rachel Baughman Gianessi `97 MS-ED `12, Green Valley, is an 8th grade ELA teacher at Morton CUSD # 709.

Demetrius Johnson MS `97, Fairfax, VA, has been named dean of students at Hood College in Frederick, MD.

Fred Nelson `97, Charlotte, VT, is a special agent for the U.S. Dept. of State.

Joanna Webb-Gauvin `97, Springfield, will serve on the IL Employment Security Advisory Board.

Catherine Hadley `98, Casper, WY, is a state agronomist for the USDA-NRCS.

Kevin LeGate `98, Galesburg, is the Deputy Police Chief for the Galesburg Police Dept.

Kerry Lemaster

McBride `98 MA `00 MS-ED `08, Rockledge, FL, is an assoc. lean process engineer.

Jerome Morton `98, Galesburg, is a global IT/cloud engineer mgr. at BCG.

Eric Schaefer `99, Springfield, OH, is a special agent for the OH Attorney General.

Adam Stock `99, Petersburg, is a building grounds laborer for the IL Dept. of Ag. in Springfield.

Dutch Waterways

April 22 – 30

Grand Cities of Central Europe

May 28 – June 6

Coastal Gems of the Emerald Isle

May 26 – June 7

Icelandic Revelation

July 6 – 17

Alaskan Heritage & Wildlife

July 28 – Aug.4

Northern Delights

July 30 – Aug. 10

The Charm of the Amalfi Coast

Sept. 18 – 26

Basque Country Spain & France

Oct. 19 – 27

Renaissance Triumphs

Nov. 3 – 14

Holiday Markets Cruise: The Festive Rhine River

Dec. 3 – 11

00s

Stacey Jolley Ireland `00, Danville, is a branch examiner for LPL Financial.

Bradley Kranich `00, Spring Grove, is the first VP –div. head at Signature Bank.

Tara Beveroth `01 MS `03, Seymour, is an assoc. avian ecologist for the IL Natural History Survey for the U of I.

Erica Crider `01, Galesburg, is a sr. officer specialist at the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Pekin.

Marie Moose Potocki `01, O’Fallon, MO, is the owner of Buzymom LLC.

Tae Kyun An `02, Suwon, Kyeong-Gi, is a dir. at Shin-Won Industrial Co. Ltd.

Tarjius Cox `02, Waycross, GA, is retired from the lab at Sparta Community Hospital in Sparta, IL.

Cory Duesterhaus `02, Quincy, is a strategic buyer for Knapheide Manufacturing.

Timothy Griffin PB-CER `02 MA `03, Tinley Park, is the police chief for the La Grange Police Dept.

Crystal Patterson Nelson `02, Canton, MO, is an elementary art teacher at Canton R-V School Dist.

Robert Riddick `02, New Orleans, LA, is a deputy for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Donald Cummings `03, Bolingbrook, is the police chief for the Carol Stream Police Dept.

Joshua Johnson `03, Dyer, IN, is an educator at Homewood School Dist. # 153.

Lisa Lyons `03, Chicago, is the general academic advisor at U of IL at Chicago.

Shawn Nelson `03, Monroe, NC, is a police officer for the City of Charlotte.

Karin Koning Spader `03 MA` 07, Madison, WI, is the assoc. dir. of prof. programming for the U of WI-Madison in the WI School of Business.

Amber Barnes `04, Atlantic Beach, FL, is an asst. prof. at U of N. FL in Jacksonville.

Theresa Lynch Kelsey `04, New Lenox, is a sp. ed teacher for Dist. # 228.

Kate Briney Norburg `04, Frisco, TX, is a reading specialist at Little Elm ISD.

Seth Norburg `04 MA `06, Frisco, TX, is an integrated CX strategy mgr. for Caterpillar Inc.

Keith Peterson `04 MBA `14, Warm Springs, GA, is a semiretired teacher at Flint River Academy in Woodbury.

Jason Cunningham `05, Coventry, RI, is a sr. internal communications officer at Lifespan in Providence.

Calean David Kokjohn `05, Ft. Madison, IA, is a project mgr. business development at Cryotech.

Jason Rager `05, Winnebago, is self-employed at Thrive Café.

Sarah Carlsen Schwartz `05 PB-CER `07 MS `08, Burlington, IA, is a TRIO student support services project advisor at Southeastern Community College in W. Burlington.

Michelle Roscoe Spatafora-Blau `05, Yorkville, is a sp. ed teacher at Minooka CCSD # 201 and earned a Master’s degree from Nat’l Louis in sp. ed and ESL.

Erika Ward Duke `06, Ottawa, is the kid’s dir. at Crossbridge Community Church.

Michelle Gross MS `06, West Allis, WI, is the project coord. at Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Courtney Warning Johnson `06, Chesterfield, MO, is the MO state liaison for the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation.

Angela Woods Lamb `06, Montgomery, is a sr. analyst merchandising operations at VF Corp: Dickies in Ft. Worth, TX.

Patrick Lesher `06, Ottawa, is the GM for Green Thumb Industries in Oglesby.

CLASS NOTES

Jessica Parker Behymer `07, Adair, is a shipping supervisor for Seedbox Solution in Good Hope.

Elizabeth Parsons Butler `07, Dubuque, IA, is a nat’l sales learning tech rep for McGraw Hill Higher Education.

Christina Forbes `07, Conroe, TX, is retired.

Jess Dawson Monahan `07 MS `15, Milwaukee, WI, released her first children’s book, Elaina and the Dragon.

Michael Oblinger MS `07, Coventry, CT, is the AD for UNCW.

Ashley Sparks `07, Charlotte, IA, owns her own private law firm, Sparks Law, PLLC and serves as a Boone Co. Magistrate and was appointed as a dist. court judge for the Judicial Election Dist. 2B.

Frank Delo MM `08, Downers Grove, is the author of 5 Angels: The Practical Fundamentals Of The World Of Filipino Martial Arts Of Escrima, Arnis, & Kali.

Nicole Vittori DiVirgilio `08, Gurnee, is a 911 dispatcher for the Vlg. of Gurnee.

Christopher Hogsett `08, Plainfield, IN, is the branch mgr. at the Indianapolis Public Library.

Patrick McDonagh `08, Libertyville, is the exec. dir. at J.P. Morgan.

Amanda Smith `08, E. Peoria, is a user experience architect at Caterpillar, Inc.

Michael Todd `08 Greencastle, IN, is a location mgr. for United Prairie.

James Williams `08, Palos Hts., is the VP portfolio mgr. at Wintrust Commercial Bank in Willowbrook.

Larenzo Bredeck `09, Olathe, KS, is a software engineer sr. for Garmin Int’l.

Melissa Maddox `09, Chicago, is the office experience sr. mgr. at the Boston Consulting Group.

Emily Jacob Rudesill `09, Tremont, was awarded the Women’s Fund of Central IL Business Award.

Gina Wadas `09 MS `15, Oella, MD, is a communications assoc. for Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBio Technology and received the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Community Service from the Johns Hopkins Univ. & Medicine.

10s

Bryan Baca `10 MA `13, Macomb, is retired from the State of IL and works part-time for the Brown Co. Sheriff’s Dept.

Matt Barr `10 M.ACCT `11, Bettendorf, IA, was inducted into the Leatherneck Hall of Fame for WIU.

Nicholas Dowdal `10, Winthrop Harbor, is an authorization specialist at City of Hope in Zion, and was elected school board pres. of Winthrop Harbor School Dist. # 1.

Robert Godinez `10, Chicago, is an asst. principal for the Chicago Public Schools at Peace & Education Coalition High School.

David Kerfman PB-CER `10 MA `11, Big Spring, TX, is a criminal justice assoc. prof. at Howard College.

David Kober `10, Tremont, is a mgr. of acct. mgt. for C.H. Robinson in Peoria.

Mia Suarez MS-ED `10 MS-ED `16, Joliet, is the asst. principal at Gompers Jr. High School at the Joliet Public Schools Dist. # 86.

Stephen Bessette `11, St. Charles, is the superintendent of parks & planning at the Hanover Park Dist.

Bobby Elliott II `11, Ft. Myers, FL, is an authorized retail acct. mgr. for AT&T.

Kendall Fitzgerald Mander `11, Plainfield, is a childcare supervisor for the Naperville Park Dist.

Samantha Phillips `11, Caledonia, is a paraprofessional at BCUSD # 100.

Amanda Shoemaker MS `11, Urbana, is the dir. of advancement operation for the U of IL college of ag, consumer and environmental sciences.

Manpreet Kaur Sidhu MBA `11, San Diego, CA, is a staff BA for Illumina.

Trista Trone `11 MS `17, Chicago, is a recruitment and engagement specialist for the Univ. of Chicago, div. of humanities.

Deborah Waymack `11, Milan, works in global occupational health at John Deere in Moline.

Dawn Baldwin `12, Brookfield, is an on-site team lead/ child & adolescent therapist at Kenneth Young Ctr. in Elk Grove Vlg.

Janet Mandro Danesi `12, Lindenhurst, is a school psychologist at Exceptional Learners Collaborative in Vernon Hills.

Steph Snipes Dasso `12, Rock Island, is a business partner at UnityPoint Health.

David Melie `12, Miami, FL, is the head of partnerships at FirstIgnite.

Michael Ready `12, Bloomington, is a tech analyst at State Farm.

Kerry Gardner Stephens `12, Peoria, is the owner/therapist at Through the Woods Counseling Services LLC.

Jessica Stachulak

Dillingham MS `13, Plymouth, WI, is the program dir. of Camp Anokijig.

Angela Rupert Hale `13, Canton, is the preschool for all dir. for all IL Cadence Academy preschools and was elected council woman for the City of Canton.

Jamee Boyer Hudson `13, Donnellson, IA, is the maternal & child-adolescent health dir. for Lee Co. Health Dept.

Byanka Casas `14, Streamwood, is a pricing mgr. at PLZ Corp.

Lauren Betts Eurales `14, Galesburg, is an upward bound math-science advisor at Carl Sandburg College.

Dana Fulton `14, Cross Plains, WI, is a meteorologist at WKOW on 27 News Wake Up Wisconsin weekdays.

Mitchell Riley `14, Naperville, works in procurement at Alstom.

Bobbi Trout MS `14, Winnemucca, NV, is a natural resources specialist for the

Bureau of Land Mgt.

Robert True `14, Austin, TX, is a biologist at MTEM.

Shelby McAvoy Borchardt MS `15, Bushnell, is the asst. AD for internal operations and sr. woman admin.at WIU.

Greg Kirlin `15, Camp Point, is the co. exec. dir. for Pike Co. Farm Service Agency in Pittsfield.

Jodi Pospeschil MLA & S `15, Macomb, is the dir. of the Carl Sandburg College branch in Carthage.

Cody Presny `15 MS `19, Springfield, VA, was awarded the 2022 USDA Asst. Secretary for Admin. Award.

Sarah Wilcer `15, Maryville, TN, is a park ranger for Nat’l Park Service.

Abby Wilson `15 MBA `16, Decatur, is a climate smart origination mgr. at ADM.

Patrick Knudtson `16, Aurora, is a detective at the Kane Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Jonathan Oberreiter `16, Decatur, is the distribution acct. mgr. at ADM.

John Edmondson `17 MBA `21, Amelia, OH, is a sr. dir. of procurement at SW OH Reg. Transit Authority in Cincinnati.

Darren Lillard `17 PB-CER `18, Hannibal, MO, is the band dir. at Hannibal Public Schools.

Abbie Pfaff `17, Dunlap, is a self-employed audiobook narrator.

Shavez Rosenthal `17, Chicago, has joined Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry, P.C. firm as an assoc.

Emily Thomas `17, Hampton, is a chemistry instructor at Black Hawk College in Moline.

Casey Askew `18, Hartford, AL, is an inventory accountant for John Deere.

Nancy Dixon Benz `18, Quincy, was the recipient of the “Gem of the Gem City” Award from the Young Professionals of Quincy.

T. Kathy Dinger EDD `18, Keokuk, IA, is the superintendent for the Keokuk School Dist.

a Psychology degree, and assumed Command of 2-82nd Assault Helicopter Battalion in June of 2023. SGT Rajamanickam recently graduated the Army Basic Leader Course as the distinguished honor graduate and returned to WIU this spring.

Courtney Gear Lillard MA `18, Hannibal, MO, is an admin. asst. at BCBSNE.

Adam Patchik `18, Portland, OR, is a free lance photographer.

Khalen Saunders `18, Overland Park, KS, is the host of the Captains Corner for the New Orleans Saints’ parody show.

Baile Althoff `19 MS `21, St. Charles, MO, is a real time embedded software engineer at Boeing.

Carlos Ortega MA `19, Decatur, is the exec. dir. of Downtown Springfield, Inc.

Trevor Torrance `19, Tuscola, is an agronomist for United Prairie.

20s

Kiley Dix MA `20, Springfield, is a fatal data investigator specialist for IDOT.

Joseph Jugovich `20 MA `23, Chicago, is a deputy sheriff for Cook Co. Sheriff’s Dept and received his master’s of arts in

public safety admin. at WIU.

Danielle Kyle `20, Chicago, is a development mgr. for Nat’l Minority Supplier Development Council.

Brendan Reidy `21, Chicago, was promoted to sports dir./sports anchor for evening news at WGEM in Quincy.

Jesus Nava `22, Athens, is a production assoc. for Bayer in Illiopolis.

Brittany Van Tine Weis `22, Peoria, is a registered clinical dietitian for OSF at the RiverPlex Ctr.

Kenro Black `23, Macomb, is a bus driver for GoWest Transit/MCPT.

Iman Griffin `23, Great Lakes, is a prof. affairs regulatory coord. at NABP.

Charly Mampuya MBA `23, Chattanooga, TN, is a sr. supply chain advisor for USAID.

Jazmine Valdez `23, Schaumburg, is a police officer at the Brentwood Police Dept.

Tori Werkheiser `23, Aledo, is a vet tech at Country Oaks Vet Clinic in Woodhul.

Left, SGT Cyiara Rajamanickam (Junior, Forensic Psychology), right, LTC Jeffrey P. Moore `04 hold a WIU flag as the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade replaces the 85th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade at Camp Buehring Kuwait. LTC Moore graduated with

Marriages

Kelsey Fischer `17 and Brodie Dakin MS `21, Aug. 19, 2023.

Eric Oller `89 and Lisa Roskamp `93, July 15, 2023.

Nada Stonebraker `18 and Carson Bloomberg `18, Oct. 7, 2023.

Trevor Torrance `19 and Megan Myerscough, Dec. 2, 2023.

Brittany Van Tine `22 and Jordan Weis, Nov. 7, 2023.

Ericka Ward `06 and Zachary Duke, Mar. 22, 2023.

Births & Adoptions

Rebecca Krase Behnke `12, Kira Louise, May 30, 2023

Caitlin Lohman Berkley `11 and Dave, Lucie Rae, Sept. 18, 2023

Polly Cheeseman `09, Randy Francis, Oct. 20, 2023

Zach Clark `16 and Sarah Peterson Clark `17, Reid Alvy, June 1, 2023

Sarah Knapp Dean `11 and Jason Dean `11, Blaire, Oct. 2023

Cassidy Depoy `16 MS `19, Phoebe Jean Daffodil, Aug. 8, 2023.

Justin Derry `16 and Kenzie Derry, Drew Legend, Nov. 2022

Lauren Armstead Dillon `12 and Chris, Samuel, June 2022

Bobby Elliott II `11 and Kelly, Camryn Kathleen, Jan. 15, 2023

Tommy Gallagher `12 MS `14 and Alicia, Lainey Sue, July 30, 2023

Trevor Garner `10 and Kelly, Aubrey Jo, Nov. 30, 2023

Shelby Smith Gort `19

Maisie Anne, Mar. 15, 2023

Ashley Wetherill Haines `19 and Cody, Callie, Aug. 24, 2023

Nadia Saracco Jones `18

McKenna, Nov. 14, 2023

Elena Ryan Kelly `14 and Dennis, Callahan, Nov. 10, 2023

Zack Kerr `16 and Alyssa Russo Kerr `17, Alina Capri, Apr. 12, 2023

Bethany Corbin Leary `13 and Nick, Natalie Sue, Nov. 12, 2023

Blake Lowderman `19 and Caley Rumler `20, Scotty Rose, Mar. 7, 2023

Caleb Markey `14 MBA `23 and Michelle Stone Markey `13 M. ACCT `14, Annalise Alene, Nov. 13, 2023

Heather Melarkey Menconi `05

Elliana, Oct. 2, 2023

Elyse Simcock Minhas `09 and Kaiser, Noah Joseph, May 22, 2023

Josh Palmer `12 and Kristen, Willow Grace, Feb. 13, 2023

Sharla Novak Quesnel `07, Oliver Douglas, Mar. 2023

Ellen Bowen Richardson `15, Lottie Ann, May 23, 2023

Kathleen Murbarger Roberts `03 and Jason, Margaret Louise “Maisie,” Aug. 14, 2022

Ketra Russell

Roselieb `09 MBA `11 and Joe Roselieb `07 MS `09, twins, Grace Lynn & Braxton Alan, Dec. 12, 2023

Emily Klarkowski Silzer `04 and Eric,

Eliza, Mar. 2, 2022

Lisa Hauser Slater `06, Briella Rose, Aug. 7, 2022

Lindsay Higgins Snipes `08 and Gregory Snipes `13, Eleanor Leigh, Jan. 8, 2023

Kathryn Schultz Sobol `17 and Matthew Sobol`16, Vanessa Carson, Mar. 2023

Leisha Swillum Stevenson `18 and Trent Stevenson `19, Aubrey Celeste, May 6, 2023

Allie Zaerr Walch `17 and Jake Walch `22, Stella Marie, Mar. 27, 2023

Kiersten Dorethy Zaehringer `14 & Mark Zaehringer `15, Harper Grace, Feb. 11, 2023

Deaths

1941 Frances E. Reed Huston, La Harpe, Aug. 30, 2023

1943 Kathryn M. Kincaid Page, Springfield, Apr. 11, 2023

1944 Mary L. Forsythe Stipanowich, Macomb, Mar. 15, 2023

1944 Martha Fravil Simons, Colorado Springs, CO, July 28, 2022

1947 E. Roberta "Andy" Anderson Rader, Aledo, Mar. 16, 2023

1949 Betty Jean A. Cramm Evans, Golden, July 8, 2023

1949 Beverly Ann Powell Rosine, Englewood, CO, Dec. 17, 2023

1950 Natalie S. "Sue" Brooks Dufrain, Morton, Sept. 26, 2023

1950 Sarkis W. "Stan" Malkasian, Sacramento, CA, Aug. 13, 2023

1950 Mary Lou Newell, Hot Springs Vlg., AR, Jan. 12, 2024

1951 Norma H. Hierman Dolan, Sullivan, Feb. 26, 2023

1951 Joyce L. Carter Pinks, Chicago, Feb. 21, 2023.

1951 Wesley B. Wynes MS `59, Easton, PA, Sept. 12, 2023

1952 Carolyn J. Brackensick, Tucson, AZ, Sept. 28, 2023

1953 Thelma M. Williams Bovard MSE `57, Normal, June 19, 2023

1953 Nancy E. Hamilton, Jerseyville, Nov. 13, 2023

1953 Phyllis Decker Lathrop, Annawan, June 9, 2022

1953 Marilyn M. Lindstrom Peake, Galesburg, Mar. 2, 2023

1953 Charles A. Rosenberry, Grayslake, July 2, 2023

1953 Duane Smith, Freeport, Nov. 18, 2023

1953 Charlotte E. Grimm Winship, Canton, May 29, 2022

1954 Patricia J. Williams Gibb, Monmouth, Aug. 17, 2023

1954 Don E. Miller, Wauconda, June 22, 2023

1954 Lois T. Cox Smith, Peoria, Aug. 21, 2023

1954 William E. "Earl" Wear, Jr., Moline, Sept. 26, 2023

1955 Patricia A. Deweese Cooper, Roseville, Dec. 30, 2023

1955 James P. Duffy, Quincy, Sept. 21, 2023

1955 Mona C. Yard Sawyer, N. Stamford, CT, Nov. 30, 2023

1956 Jacqueline Devens, Hampshire, Dec. 11, 2023

1956 Mary G. "Georgeanna" Fowler, La Harpe, Aug. 19, 2021

1956 Charles P. Knapp, Knoxville, June 27, 2023

1956 Betty S. "Sue" Mullins Melton MS-ED `57, Macomb, May 6, 2023

1956 Jon M. Mullen MS-ED `63, Granite City, Dec. 17, 2022

1956 Jack J. Pickard MSE `60, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Aug. 21, 2023

1957 Dana V. Pearson Depew, Columbus, OH, Mar. 17, 2023

1957 Don A. Gustine, Normal, July 3, 2023

1957 John R. Liljeberg MS-ED `60, Arlington Hts., Dec. 17, 2023

1957 Roberta V. Morris Lloyd, Aledo, Oct. 1, 2023

1957 Ronald R. Ritchhart, Lincoln, June 22, 2023

1957 Charles M. Schramm, Deerfield, July 12, 2023

1957 Martha A. Siepker, Vernon Hills, Mar. 10, 2023

1958 Charles R. Behrends, Pewaukee, WI, Sept. 6, 2018

1958 John W. Cates, Desert Hot Springs, CA, Sept. 17, 2023

1958 George R. Dowell, Rockford, Apr. 15, 2023

1958 Doris A. Ward Howell, Quincy, Mar. 31, 2023

1958 Donald G. Resler MS `64, Rock Island, Dec. 11, 2023

1958 John J. VonKerens, Lockport, Aug. 20, 2018

1959 Arthur W. Ossman, Jr., Canton, Dec. 25, 2023

1959 Bernard C. Peters, Marquette, MI, Aug. 12, 2023

1960 Carol J. Machesney Bonynge, Danville, Oct. 11, 2023

1960 Donald E. Heberling, Macomb, Mar. 2, 2023

1960 Harold M. "Hal" Weaver MS-ED `64, Dixon, June 18, 2021

1961 Barbara A. Butler, Blaine, WA, Apr. 29, 2021

Western Illinois University students become MEMBERS of the Alumni Association the day they graduate! As non-dues paying members, all graduates are entitled to the following benefits and services provided by the Alumni Association:

• Free bi-yearly issues of the Western Alumni Magazine

• Networking opportunities with other alumni at more than 50 events hosted by the Alumni Association around the world each year

• Use of Western’s Leslie F. Malpass Library

• Access to benefits provided by WIU’s Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement

• The opportunity to purchase membership to the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center

• Disability, dental and travel insurance opportunities

• WIU Debit Card

• Alumni Travel Abroad programs

• Alumni class rings, diploma frames and WIU Illinois license plates

• 21 scholarships given each year to children or grandchildren of alumni

• Access to the online directory exclusively for WIU graduates!

• Monthly issues of RockeNews, an eNewsletter from the WIU Alumni Association

• Exciting Alumni Benefit Announcement: Farmers Insurance® has teamed with the Western Illinois Alumni Association!

The Western Illinois University Alumni Association strives to develop and sustain lifelong relationships with students, alumni and friends to advance the mission of the University.

1961 Warren W. "Wally" Dew `63, Olathe, KS, June 4, 2023

1961 Larry D. Ehmen, Quincy, Jan. 4, 2023

1961 Judy A. Smysor Herbig, Pinehurst, NC, July 8, 2023

1961 Dale E. Schonewis, Springfield, Aug. 2, 2023

1961 William L. Setser, Macomb, Aug. 20, 2023

1961 Charles D. Sopher, Washington, NC, May 14, 2023

1961 William H. Vasen MSE, Canton, July 30, 2022

1962 James F. Boesen, Birchwood, WI, July 1, 2018

1962 Jarrett E. "Jerry" Cunningham, Schaumburg, Aug. 23, 2023

1962 Paul W. Johnson, Peotone, July 11,2023

1962 Robert J. Pribyl, Kouts, IN, Apr. 8, 2023

1962 Charles H. Smith, Jr., Barrington, Sept. 24, 2022

1962 Ronald L. Thompson, Morton, Apr. 28, 2022

1962 Richard E. Vrstal, Lena, Mar. 13, 2023

1963 Donald Ault, Estero, FL, June 9, 2023

1963 E. Elaine Dunn Lowry, Roseville, Apr. 16, 2023

1963 Glen G. Possley, Morgan Hill, CA, Apr. 17, 2023

1963 Marian J. Young, Golden, Dec. 12, 2023

1964 Sharon Horack, Morrison, Nov. 21, 2018

1964 Ronald K. Loos, Washington, Aug. 3, 2022

1964 Carl A. Nelson MS-ED `69, ED-SP `94, Galva, Jan. 27, 2023

1964 Sue E. Reneau Newell, Carthage, Dec. 19, 2023

1964 Avis M. Sexton, Macomb, Nov. 10, 2023

1964 Jerry Stocker MS-ED `68, ED-SP `73, Winchester, June 4, 2022

1965 Edith A. Allender, Marseilles, Nov. 29, 2023

1965 Terry A. Beam, Cuba, June 20, 2023

1965 Richard W. Crone, Chillicothe, Nov, 3, 2023

1965 John A. Elliott, Sr., Naperville, Dec. 2, 2023

1965 Frederick J. Harms MS-`69, Canton, Oct. 10, 2023

1965 Gary I. Johnson, Osco, Apr. 25, 2023

1965 Shirley L. Strand Johnson, Macomb, Jan. 31, 2024

1965 Jacqueline Kaelke, Quincy, Aug. 18, 2023

1965 Steve Pyevich MS-ED `71, ED-SP `75, Carbon Cliff, July 13, 2023

1965 Kathryn J. Luck Ring, Macomb, May 16, 2023

1965 Kenneth W. Ward, Cape Coral, FL, Oct. 21, 2023

1966 Wilfred K. "Ken" Flesner MS-ED, CAS `69, Golden, Apr. 2, 2023

1966 John J. Guanci, Jr., Woodstock, Jan. 21, 2024

1966 Kathleen Johnson, Silvis, Sept. 24, 2023

1966 Richard L. Redlinger, Streamwood, Nov. 20, 2023

1966 Sarah D. "Sally" Sallee MS-ED `72, ED-SP `78, Macomb, Dec. 24, 2023

1967 Richard R. Alexander, Lincoln, Oct. 23, 2023

1967 Laverne E. Aspling, Galesburg, July 7, 2021

1967 Jean O. Carlson, Springfield, Nov. 4, 2020

1967 Victoria E. Schneider Finfrock, Mahomet, June 21, 2023

1967 Carol G. Leslie Lichtsinn, Columbus, Apr. 14, 2023

1967 Barbara K. Stringfield Link, Abingdon, July 2023

1967 Joan Mary Dobbels Morris, Kewanee, Nov. 20, 2023

1967 Marsha K. Post, New York, July 2022

1967 David A. Rodgers, E. Peoria, May 28, 2022

1967 George H. Straetker MS-ED, Davenport, IA, Mar. 13, 2023

1968 Richard Arthur MS-ED `79, Monmouth, Dec. 12, 2023

1968 Linda S. Schaeffer Brinkman `85, Winnebago, July 21, 2023

1968 William B. Carter, Chatham, Oct. 5, 2023

1968 Rodney P. Galyean, E. Moline, June 23, 2023

1968 John W. "Bill" Gilman, Greer, SC, Oct. 16, 2018

1968 Steven J. Heinzel, Springfield, Mar. 23, 2022

1968 Ronald Love, Peoria, Sept. 29, 2023

1968 Bonnie J. Cearlock Myers, Springfield, Nov. 7, 2023

1968 Richard P. Schmidt, LaGrange Park, Mar. 11, 2021

1968 Stanley C. Urban, Prophetstown, Aug. 31, 2023

1969 Karen L. Bartlett, Wheaton, Aug. 25, 2023

1969 Christine A. White Dahl Briegel MA `75, Lexington, TN, Aug. 15, 2022

1969 Deanna S. "Sue" Pogeman Cording MA-`92, Galena, July 20, 2023

1969 Gary Crum, Rushville, Mar. 21, 2022

1969 Jerry L. Faber, Jackson, MO, Oct. 2, 2022

1969 Mary L. Fislar MS `89, Rock Island, Sept. 13, 2023

1969 Martha L. Maxson, Wheeling, Apr. 13, 2021

1969 Naoma J. "Jean" Michelsen, Mt. Sterling, Dec. 10, 2020

1969 Dean O. Olson, Geneseo, June 4, 2023

1969 Leslie L. Whiteaker, Lockport, Jan. 15, 2024

1969 Lloyd Wolf, Ft. Madison, IA, Apr. 22, 2023

1970 Susan "Suki" Aragon, Loveland, Co, Nov. 22, 2023

1970 Kenneth G. Barnes, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 5, 2023

1970 Barbara L. Breckenridge, Richton Park, July 26, 2023

1970 Kathryn E. Larson Duy, Marco Island, FL, July 26, 2023

1970 Jerry L. Faber, Jackson, MO, Oct. 2, 2022

1970 Stephen C. Horn, Florence, SC, Apr. 8, 2023

1970 Russell D. Hudson, Elizabethtown, PA, Aug. 23, 2023

1970 Randall E. Kehr, Alexis, Oct. 4, 2023

1970 Donna M. Meminger Landon, Trivoli, Apr. 7, 2023

1970 John W. Modlin, Macomb, Sept. 17, 2023

1970 Ronald D. Myers, Bettendorf, IA, Dec. 1, 2022

1970 Henry H. "Ace" Rogers MS, Ashland, OR, July 2, 2023

1970

Michael R. Sallee, Bloomington, July 22, 2023

1970

Maureen Coleman Streetz, Mt. Prospect, Mar. 9, 2022

1971

John P. Abramczyk, Homewood, Oct. 7, 2023

1971 John A. Chenault MBA `73, Vlg of Lakewood, Feb. 16, 2023

1971 Carl W. Goff MS-ED, Cambridge, Apr. 26, 2023

1971 Dennis J. Heiman MS `76, Grimes, IA, May 15, 2023

1971 Lynn K. Kelsh Henry, Mountain Home, AR, Dec. 31, 2022.

1971

James M. "Mike" Hobbs, Galesburg, Mar. 15, 2023

1971 Stephen C. Horn, Florence, SC, Apr. 8, 2023

1971 Raymond W. Morrill, Jr., Wheaton, Aug. 27, 2023

1971 Karen L. Mostrom Larson MS-ED `76, Macomb, May 18, 2023

1971 Mary E. Peter Rea MS-ED `81, Carthage, Jan. 25, 2024

1971 Rollin W. Roselle, Galva. Mar. 17, 2023

1971 Pamela K. Hoag Tighe, Champaign, Nov. 21, 2023

1971 Andrew J. Ulavege, Morton, May 26, 2023

1971 David J. Vahldick, Lisle, Jan. 4, 2024

1971 Emma S. Eglex VanAusdall, Quincy, July 21, 2023

1971 Richard P. Vogel, Fulton, July 12, 2023

1972 Kristine Oberle Adden, McCormick, SC, Oct. 11, 2023

1972 John Carlson, Tucson, AZ, July 5, 2023

1972 Joseph Cosalvo MBA `73, Jupiter, FL, Oct 15, 2020

1972 Richard L. Guerine, Melrose Park, Dec. 7, 2021

1972 Francis R. Klocke, Jr., South Bend, IN, Dec. 27, 2023

1972 Charles G. Maki MA, Rock Island, Feb. 21, 2023

1972 Diana L. Meincke MS-ED `90, Moline, Dec. 14, 2023

1972 Mary S. Strong Merritt, Rushville, Aug. 23, 2023

1972 Patricia J. Suman Mille, Matthews, NC, Oct. 16, 2022

1972 David G. Parks, Freeport, Mar. 15, 2023

1972 Howard K. Toland, Augusta, Nov. 13, 2023

1972 Stephen M. Wright, Naperville, Dec. 20, 2022

1973 Teresa L. Adair, Niota, Oct. 27, 2023

1973 Randy L. Aeschliman, Peoria, Feb. 18, 2020

1973 Michelle A."Mickey" Brown, Shabbona, Nov. 11, 2023

1973 Dennis A. Buzzelli, Tinley Park, Sept. 2, 2018

1973 Ronald J. Gard, Chicago, 2019

1973 Robert Hoffmeister, Monument, CO, May 8, 2023

1973 Jacqueline S. Johnston MS `79, Naples, FL, Mar. 19, 2020

1973 Kathy Mackenzie, Colchester, July 9, 2023

1973 Gary W. Miller, Kewanee, Apr. 14, 2023

1973 Hassan A. Mirza, Scottsdale, AZ, May 21, 2023

1973 Paulette L. Pszenny Porter MS-ED `74, Sandusky, OH, Dec. 3, 2022

1973 Stephen E. Starwalt, Westfield, Aug. 6, 2023

1973 Cynthia A. Pfeiffer Stell, Wood Dale, July 22, 2023

1973 Evelyn J. Stroud, Alpha, Nov. 28, 2023

1973 Robin C. Roberts Taft, Rochester, Apr. 11, 2023

1973 Thomas A. Tikusis, Waukesha, WI, Feb. 10, 2019

1973 Frederick A. Zant, Metamora, May 31, 2021

1974 Thomas S. Barber, Lincoln, NE, Nov. 19, 2023

1974 Thomas W. Bradley, Bettendorf, IA, Aug. 25, 2023

1974 Sharla S. Dimmitt Campbell, Athens, GA, Jan. 23, 2023

1974 William R. France, Taylorville, Aug. 10, 2023

1974 William J. Gauwitz, Jr., Washington, Feb. 15, 2023

1974 Robert J. Hahn, Joliet, Jan. 15, 2022

1974 Clarence Krepps, Jr., Alta, IN, Dec. 20, 2023

1974 Lora Tomlin Neale, Sherman, July 3, 2023

1974 Timothy A. Rafferty, Surprise, AZ, Feb. 19, 2022

1974 Timothy T. Roark, Salem, OR, Nov. 5, 2022

1975 William R. Bouma, Mt. Pleasant, WI, Nov. 6, 2022.

1975 John K. Burke, New Canaan, CT, Sept. 8, 2023

1975 James R. Collier, Marengo, Oct. 1, 2023

1975 Thomas Cusack, Stanley, VA, Feb. 25, 2022

1975 Sharon P. Goodwin Dixon MS-ED `99, Moline, Feb. 17, 2023

1975 Keith A. Hall, Bettendorf, IA, June. 16, 2021

1975 Suzanne M. Grudd Hornecker, Lusby, MD, Jan. 29, 2022

1975 Philip M. "Phil" Koch, Liberty, June 27, 2023

1975 Kenneth Kohberger MS-`99, Madison, WI, Oct. 9, 2023

1975 J. Christopher Mahaffey, The Villages, FL Jan. 30, 2023

1975 John P. Moran, Arlington, TX, Nov. 12, 2019

1975 Rebecca L. McQuown Price, Merriam, KS, Dec. 30, 2019

1975 Kathleen A. Lanolt Rountree, Rancho Mirage, CA, Dec. 8, 2023

1976 Harry R. Arvanis, E. Moline, Jan. 13, 2024

1976 Andrew S. Bitta II, Libertyville, May 22, 2023

1976 Michael J. Butkus, Oklahoma City, OK, Dec. 9, 2023

1976 Keith Fink, Dallas, TX, Sept. 6, 2023

1976 Janice S. Wells Grady, Denver, CO, Feb. 14, 2023

1976 Marita A. Koller, Kewanee, Nov. 27, 2023

1976 Thomas E. Michel, Waverly, IA, Jan. 2, 2024

The world needs more Leathernecks. Do you know a student who would make a great freshman or transfer student at WIU?

• In-state tuition for students in all 50 states - all US students pay the same as Illinois residents!

• Automatic four-year tuition guarantee - your per-hour credit cost will stay the same for four years!

• Leatherneck Legacy Scholarships - up to 21 scholarships are given each year to children or grandchildren of alumni.

• Alumni Legacy Scholarships - up to $1,000 awarded per year to all children and grandchildren of WIU graduates.

1976 Judith A. Roegge, Urbana, Sept. 29, 2023

1976 Luanne M. Sanner, Macomb, Aug. 31, 2023

Scan this QR code to or go to go.wiu.edu/recommend to share their contact information with our Undergraduate Admissions team.

1976 Ronald E. Spry, Story City, IA, Feb. 18, 2023

1976 Susan F. Young, Ashton, Mar. 23, 2023

1977 Hamid Bahari-Kashani MBA, Monmouth, Apr. 9, 2021

1977 Craig F. Barenbrugge, Naperville, Dec. 19, 2023

1977 David C. Clauss, Lancaster, CA, June 7, 2023

1977 John W. Fisk, Belvidere, Apr. 9, 2023

1977 Thomas A. Jansen, Rock Island, Sept. 1, 2023

1977 Gregory F. Kubik, Jackson, MO, Apr. 3, 2021

1977 Robert L. Mings, Roseville, June 8, 2023

1977 Robert H. Morton, Arlington Hts., Jan 1, 2024

1977 Don R. Mutch MS `95, Moline, Aug. 11, 2023

1977 Robert W. Peterson MS-ED `06, Oglesby, Nov. 21, 2023

1977 Ronald D. Ray, Yukon, OK, July 24, 2023

1977 Christy A. Rowland MA `88, Smithfield, July 28, 2019

1977 Richard D. Shores MS-ED `86, Beardstown, Mar. 21, 2021

1977 John M. Zimmerman III, Edmond, OK, Aug. 1, 2023

1978 James W. "Jim" Bowers `81, Silver Spring, MD, May 11, 2020

1978 Dean M. Cannon, Sherwood, OR, Feb. 21, 2021

1978 Kenneth Craig, Tinley Park, Feb. 25, 2020

1978 Kevin P. DeDecker, Hillsdale, Jan. 6, 2024

1978 Pamela A. Vandenberg Dodds, W. Burlington, IA, Jan. 16, 2024

1978 Patrick C. Duffy, Roberts, June 16, 2023

1978 Carl F. Greenburg, Ahwatukke, AZ, Jan 12, 2021

1978 Oliver S. Hoard, Keokuk, IA, Jan. 18, 2024

1978 Robert J. Klapproth, Prophetstown, Sept. 29, 2023

1978 Mary J. "Jackie" Kronsted MBA `80, Galesburg, Sept. 5, 2023

1978 Steven M. Lovekamp, Findlay, Oct. 4, 2023

1978 James A. Moore, Sun City West, AZ, Mar. 5, 2023

1978 John K. Tunney, Mt. Prospect, June 20, 2023

1978 Andrea WeinbergChestnut, Huntley, Dec. 12, 2023

1978 June E. Holstine Zimmerman MS-ED `90, Cuba, Apr. 2, 2022

1979 Lawrence L. Coultas, Winchester, Sept. 5, 2023

1979 Dale E. Cruse, Chatham, Dec. 2, 2023

1979 Barbara L. Freeman Grady, Davenport, IA, Dec. 20, 2023

1979 David L. Griffin, Milan, Nov. 2, 2022

1979 Wayne E. Laechelt, Sugar Grove, May 9, 2023

1979 Paul W. McLean, Galesburg, July 31, 2023

1979 Larry L. Miller, Charlottesville, VA, Dec. 9, 2020

1979 Ronald L. Rawson, Geneva, Oct. 14, 2022

1979 Evelyn A. Thiel-Kerke, N. Riverside, Aug. 19,2023

1979 Mark R. Wolf, Washington, May 1, 2023

1980 Christopher Barker III MS `82, Horseshoe Bay, TX, Mar. 19, 2022

1980 Lori G. Kratzenberg Blosser, Poynette, WI, July 1, 2023

1980 Gregory S. "Scott" Campion, Godfrey, Jan. 12, 2024

1980 Vivian J. Nelson Coeur MS-`86, Hamilton, Oct. 26, 2023

1980 Joseph L. Hakes, Bristow, VA, Jan. 23, 2023

1980 Karin R. Kahler MS-ED, E. Moline, July 12, 2022

1980 Terry C. Taylor, Andover, May 29, 2023

1980 Anita S. Tiemeyer, Indianapolis, IN, Nov. 17, 2023

1981 Ramona Blackard-Stone, Ft. Collins, CO, Apr. 23, 2022

1981 Kevin Morris, Mesa, AZ, Dec. 29, 2022

1981 Kevin C. Neville, Libertyville, May 2, 2023

1981 Vincent R. Stewart, Aldie, VA, Apr. 28, 2023

1981 Anthony W. "Bill" Strunk, Tacoma, WA, Mar. 2, 2023

1981 David A. Wehrli, Yorkville, Sept. 28, 2023

1982 Kevin R. Miller, Naperville, Nov. 9, 2023

1983 Kenneth W. Batten, Rock Island, Sept 17, 2021

1983 Patrick D. Benjamin, Brookfield, Oct. 16, 2023

1983 Jeannette Y. Brooks Ferguson MS-ED, Galesburg, Mar. 8, 2023

1983 Laurel A. Egnelking Heine, Ft. Myers, FL, Sept. 1, 2021

1983 Bruce W. Hitt, Canon City, CO, Aug. 4, 2023

1983 Gary D. Kline MA `85, Williamsburg, IA, Oct. 16, 2023

1983 Daniel J. Koss, San Diego, CA, Jan. 10, 2022

1983 Ronald W. McGraw MS-`84, Bloomington, Oct. 13, 2023

1983 Michael W. Pribyl, Keokuk, IA, Jan. 19, 2024

1984 Cliff Becker, Edwardsville, KS, Dec. 30, 2023

1984 Robert T. "Speedy" Chaplin MS-ED `88, Macomb, May 17, 2023

1984 Susan E. Carthcart Glandon, Huntsville, AL, Mar. 31, 2023

1985 Bradford Mach, Irving, TX, Sept. 3, 2021

1985 Joyce L. "JL" McCall MA, Adair, Apr. 18, 2023

1985 Jody McCamey, Cuba, July 6, 2023

1985 Dana A. Reis Rossmiller MS-ED, Moline, Feb. 23, 2023

1985 William W. Runkel, Floyds Knobs, IN, Aug. 26, 2023

1985 Scott J. Stulir, Robinson, TX, July 29, 2023

1986 Chester G. Lien, Macomb, Nov. 16, 2023

1986 Thomas J. Palermini, Keokuk, IA, May 3, 2023

1986 Kevin S. Stewart, Milwaukee, WI, Sept. 20, 2023

1987 Linda Blickman, Normal, May 30, 2023

1987 Phyllis Pfadenhauer McIlhenny, Burlington, IA, Dec. 18, 2020

1988 Ned S "Scott" Bennett, Lewistown, June 18, 2023

1988 Michael W. Dickson, Macomb, Dec. 15, 2022

1988 Connie L. "Lynn" Parrish, Peoria, Dec. 21, 2023

1988 Ann M. Heintz Sowlles, Hamilton, Apr. 27, 2023

1989 Jeffrey S. Christensen, Manitou Springs, CO, Mar 17, 2023

1989 Bartell Desch, Sycamore, Nov. 6, 2023

1989 John J. Pancrazio, E. Moline, May 11, 2023

1990 Bartholomew R. Balla, Park Ridge, Dec. 8, 2023

1990 James S. Lane MA `92, Elgin, Jan. 15, 2024

1990 Samir G. Tadros, Huntley, Oct. 2020

1991 Verna L. Justice Hays, Rockford, Mar. 22, 2020

1991 Jeffrey A. Jacoby, Buffalo Grove, June 6, 2023

1991 Sally A. Smith Misciasci, Rochelle, May 20, 2022

1991 Judith G. Gustafson Mullins, Moline, June 20, 2022

1991 Mark E. Wise, Rogers, AR, Oct. 29, 2023

1992 Tonye B. Amachree, Okemos, MI, July 12, 2023

1992 Michael P. Kelly, Keokuk, IA, July 24, 2023

1993 Jason D. Christensen, Lake Oswego, OR, Mar. 28, 2023

1993 Jeffrey L. Ferguson, Maquoketa, IA, Sept. 13, 2023

1993 Shane E. McLaughlin, Arlington, TX, Nov. 17, 2021

1993 Trudy A. Taulker Slocum MS, Burlington, IA, June 12, 2022

1993 Robert J. Wilson, Coeur d'Alene, ID, Mar. 12, 2023

1994 Brittney L. Goodman MA, Fargo, ND, Mar. 8, 2023

1994 Walter A. "Alan" Stewart, Sullivan, Dec. 22, 2022

1995 Sarah L. Bloecks, LaGrange, Nov. 2, 2023

1995 Terrence J. "TJ" Flanagan III, Lemont, Mar. 17, 2023

1995 Kathy Kruse Foslein, Moline, Nov. 20, 2022

1995 Jerome J. Green, Moline, July 26, 2023

1995 Jerry A. Moon, Weston, MO, Sept. 21, 2023

1995 Eric M. Noyd, Cambridge, Feb. 21, 2019

1995 Danny R. Pippen, Chatham, June 13, 2022

1995 John D. "Bubba" Provine, W. Liberty, IA, May 31, 2022

1995 Timothy Walker, Willis, TX, Dec. 27, 2023

1995 Billy J. "John" Weathersby, Braidwood, Sept. 24, 2023

1996 Mary L. Laffey Holmes MA `97, Augusta, Mar. 23, 2023

1996 Lara K. Kruse, Naperville, Apr. 9, 2023

1996 Linda R. Waller, Augusta, Apr. 10, 2023

1997 Dennis D. Beske, Sheboygan, WI, Oct. 28, 2023

1997 Doris F. Dieckmann MS-ED `05, Bowen, May 3, 2023

1997 Richard L. Marks, Columbia, MD, Sept. 19, 2022

1997 Jill M. Pisman, Hampton, Apr. 9, 2023

1997 Paula Rosebeck-Lambert, Port Richey, FL, Jan. 3, 2024

1998 Christopher S. Bolay, Olathe, KS, Aug. 13, 2022

1998 Penelope A. Carlson MS-ED, Mesa, AZ, Jan. 19, 2024

1998 Randy L. Drake, Des Moines, IA, Nov. 13, 2022

1998 Brent N. Fohrman, Mooresville, NC, Dec. 10, 2021

1998 Philip E. Hecht MS-ED `01, Fort Madison, IA, Sept. 23, 2023

1998 Elwood L. "Lee" Wilson MS `98, Twin Falls, ID, Nov. 2, 2023

1999 Betty J. Graham, Moline, Sept. 15, 2023

2000 Gina N. Pellegrini Hammond, Chicago, Aug. 19, 2023

2000 James D. Walker, Perkins, OK, June 9, 2023

2001 Gary A. Bibby, Moline, Nov. 22, 2023

2001 Raymond R. Bunk III, Bonney Lake, WA, Dec. 17, 2023

2001 Susan Kay Fischer MS, Naperville, Oct. 1, 2023

2001 Amanda M. Harms MS-ED `09, Geneseo, Jan. 18, 2024

2001 Ellen E. Spizzo McAvoy, Indian Shores, FL, May 27, 2022

2001 Patrick C. O'Brien, Moline, Dec. 10, 2023

2002 Cama S. Creger, Sherrard, Sept. 4, 2022

2002 Barbara E. Latchaw, Davenport, IA, Mar. 31, 2023

2002 Michael F. McIntyre, Arlington Hts., Dec. 12, 2023

2002 Scott A. Porter MS, Geneseo, May 16, 2023

2003 Douglas L. Rogers, Warrenville, May 28, 2023

2005 Carolyn A. Huerta, Chicago, Sept. 28, 2020

2006 Brian J. Edwards, Lisle, Sept. 26, 2020

2007 Kassandra E. Ringer, New Orleans, LA, July 31, 2023

2008 Eric A. Navis, Waupun, WI, Mar. 31, 2023

2009 Nicholas Hernandez-Renfro, Springfield, July 9, 2023

2009 Amber K. Schultz Most, Oregon, Apr. 22, 2023

2009 Katelyn D. Schmidt, Frankfort, Aug. 21, 2023

2009 Joshua Smith, Port Byron, Dec. 22, 2023

2010 Billy L. Waite, Moline, Feb. 1, 2023

2011 Erin K. Clark, Long Beach, CA, Sept. 13, 2023

2011 Lisa Woodrum Beck, Macomb, June 24, 2023

2012 David W. Perepechko, Orland Park, Jan. 20, 2021

2012 Roger A. Sweet, Garrett, IN, Mar. 6, 2023

2013 Jimmy E. Arrington, Highland, Sept. 23, 2023

2013 Joshua B. Gambrel, Heyworth, July 10, 2020

2016 Laura A. Magee, Rock Island, Oct. 12, 2023

2017 Tyanda N. Thomas, Kewanee, Mar. 13, 2023

2018 Blenda L. Ontiveros HD, Moline, Mar. 11, 2023.

2022 Olivia M. Bishop, Alexis, Nov. 27, 2023

Friends of WIU

Jack C. Annett, Santa Rosa, CA, Oct. 14, 2023

Norbert "Arch" Archbold, Savoy, Oct. 10, 2023

Donald G. Arnold, Macomb, Oct. 26, 2023

Bonnie J. Becker, Colchester, IL, Nov. 10, 2022

Donna J. Hollister Bainter, Macomb, Mar. 4, 2023

Larry W. Borders, Bushnell, May 5, 2023

David G. Braverman, E. Longmeadow, MA, Feb. 8, 2023

Bobby Britt, Sheffield, Dec. 3, 2023

H. Leroy Brown, Macomb, Jan. 11, 2024

Patricia A. Brown, Raritan, May 7, 2023.

Gerald E. Carlson, Springfield, Oct. 27, 2023

Gary L. Clampitt, Augusta, Mar. 28, 2023

Faith Clark, Concord, NH, May 2, 2023

Charles Clemens, Vandalia, OH, June 22, 2023

Richard A. Collins, Kewanee, Aug. 9, 2023

Henry G. Courtois, Warsaw, Apr. 6, 2023

Vernon L. Cracraft, Macomb, Jan. 9, 2024

Ferrol L. Cramer, Macomb, Dec. 16, 2023

Theodore F. Cunio, Waconia, MN, May 18, 2023

Michael T. Ellis, Macomb, June 18, 2023

Joseph A. "Tony" Ensenberger, Macomb, Dec. 22, 2023

Marilyn J. Evans, Burlington, IA, Dec. 28, 2023

Kay Flodin, Loves Park, Mar. 11, 2021

Alice E. "Elaine" France, Macomb, May 27, 2023

Mary Goeckner, Knoxville, TN, July 7, 2023

Rick L. Goins, Woodstock, Mar. 31, 2023

Harvey G. Green, Geneseo, May 17, 2023.

Mary Ann Griffin, Lake Oswego, OR, Apr. 19, 2023

Sharon A. Hall, Macomb, Mar. 2, 2023

Careen M. Curtis Hamman, Longwood, FL, Mar. 14, 2023

Mary A. Haney, Decatur, Nov. 6, 2020

Thomas G. Harrison, Warsaw, Sept. 14, 2023

Marjorie L. Hartwig, Bushnell, Apr. 9, 2023

George E. Hopkins, Peoria, Sept. 28, 2023

Robert W. Hull, Macomb, Aug. 7, 2023

Adrian K. Johnson, Hot Springs, AR, Jan. 30, 2023

John A. Juett, Clayton, Oct. 21, 2023

Phillip Keefauver, Colchester, Dec. 30, 2023

James B. Keeley, Colorado Springs, CO, July 28, 2023

Lionel Kinney, Peoria, Jan. 10, 2024

James L. Kleinschmidt, Beardstown, Nov. 26, 2023

Marjorie A. Kline, Cedar Rapids, IA, June 23, 2023

Arlene M. Landis, Galva, Nov. 29, 2023

Nathaniel Lawrence, E. Moline, Aug. 15, 2023

Norman E. "Gene" Leibovitz, Colona, May 28, 2023

Donald R. Logan, Tennessee, Aug. 21, 2023

Dwight E. Loy, Dixon, Sept.22, 2023

Albert C. "Bud" Lucas, Sr., Osage Beach, MO, Dec. 30, 2023

Cecelia M. "Ceal" Majeres, Macomb, June 30, 2023

Donald F. Mapes, Naperville, Dec. 20, 2023

Nancy E. McDaniel, Macomb, Jan. 2, 2024

Jean M. McEwen, Bushnell, Jan. 28, 2024

Velma G. Messmore, Macomb, Aug. 16, 2023

Beth L. McClure Miller, Macomb, Jan. 16, 2023

Peggy J. Thiele Moma, Blue Mound, Jan. 5, 2022

Sherryl E. Moore, Dallas City, Sept. 14, 2023

Katelyn S. Nelson, Western Springs, Apr. 28, 2023

James E. Neumann, Iowa City, IA, July 11, 2023

Larrance M. O'Flaherty, Macomb, Mar. 19, 2023

Russell D. Orwig, N. Henderson, Dec. 5, 2023

Mary L. Parks, Macomb, Aug. 18, 2023

Rose M. Rossman, Crown Point, IN, Dec. 25, 2019

James L. Rule, Macomb, Oct. 30, 2023

Kim M. Schroth, Morrison, June 30, 2022

Azelia M. Severs, Macomb, Nov. 10, 2023

Roberts B. Sherwood, Macomb, Nov. 4, 2023

Patricia A. Shryack, Macomb, Feb. 25, 2023

Larry F. Sipes, Quincy, Dec. 18, 2023

Charles R. Slater, Bushnell, May 2, 2023

George R. Thompson, Bushnell, July 25, 2023

Aaron P. Thorpe, Macomb, Dec. 11, 2023

William T. Tracy, Davenport, IA, Aug. 23, 2023

Alfred B. Villanueva, Tucson, AZ, May 16, 2023

Albert L. Voight, Quincy, Apr. 3, 2023

Richard Wallen, Macomb, Aug. 4, 2023

Susan E. Wanninger, Macomb, Jan. 25, 2024

Darleen J. Weber, Sheffield, Aug. 4, 2023

John O. Wilber, Lake Orion, MI, Jan. 30, 2022

Franklin H. Woolam, Macomb, Mar. 24, 2023

Information received will be published in the next edition if any of the following have occurred in the past 12 months: a job change, promotion, special honor, retirement, marriage (include date), births or adoptions (include date).

Information will be listed by year of first degree earned. Due to the high volume of address changes, information will not be published if there simply has been a change of address.

Information will be included in the Western magazine, our online directory and in the online magazine at wiu.edu/alumni.

Visit wiu.edu/alumni and select the “Update Us” button.

Email your news to A-Association@wiu.edu.

Mail your update to WIU Alumni Association, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Please include your graduation year, major, maiden name if applicable and phone number. Message

PHOTO FINISH

Leatherneck Softball celebrated the senior players ahead of the last home game of the 2023 season at Mary Ellen McKee stadium in Macomb, IL.

Photo by PDP Photgrapher Rachael Keating