Alumni

Featured Alumnus - Jackie Speer Thompson '85 '94

Jackie ThompsonEmeritus Vice President for Administrative Services Jackie Speer Thompson’s relationship with Western Illinois University spans nearly six decades, and her commitment to her alma mater both professionally and personally have never wavered. What began with her growing up in the small town of Table Grove, just outside of Macomb, and earning her bachelor’s degree in 1985 and her master’s degree in 1994 from WIU while working full-time for the University, eventually led to her retirement in 2011 after 41 years of service to WIU.

Thompson’s professional accomplishments and those in support of WIU are remarkable. Over those 41 years, she supported many areas of campus. She funded and fully endowed the Jackie and Dave Thompson Scholarship through payroll deduction for a VIT High School graduate, and together she and her husband Dave, a 1972 WIU graduate and Alumni Achievement Award recipient, funded an additional scholarship for a Macomb High School graduate with preference to a student with a parent who serves or has served in the military (committed by Dave at her retirement in honor of her service to Western); fully funded the WIU Wellness Program;  were sponsors of the 2015 Rocky on Parade public art project on the WIU campus and in Macomb; helped sponsor and participated in the Fallen Soldiers 5k run and they support Colonel Rock III—Western’s official mascot. Most recently, they made a major commitment to fund the creation of a life-size statue of legendary war hero and long-time WIU coach and athletic director Ray "Rock" Hanson to be placed on the Macomb campus. On an annual basis, they continue to support several other scholarships, athletics, the Alumni Association, the Performing Arts Society and many more.

Thompson received Western Illinois University’s Alumni Achievement Award, Outstanding Community Service Award, Affirmative Action Director’s Award and McDonough County United Way’s Isaac and Ethel Leighty Award.

She was named Vice President for Administrative Services at Western in December 1997. Having started as a secretary at WIU, she then served as director of auxiliary services, special assistant to the Vice President for Administrative Services, interim vice president and spent the last 14 years as vice president for administrative services.

As Vice President for Administrative Services, Thompson served as the University’s chief administrator, business, and financial officer and as treasurer for the Board of Trustees. She was responsible for contract approval and administration, management of the University’s facilities and construction programs, and Western’s legal compliance in conjunction with contracted legal counsel. Thompson also served as the University liaison to the Civil Service Employees Council and the Council of Administrative Personnel.

Under her leadership, numerous electronic business processes were established, including electronic timekeeping and electronic deposits. Programming was implemented to diversify the Civil Service workforce at Western, and several construction projects and upgrades were completed, including the restoration of Lake Ruth.  Also under her direction, Western created a wellness program for University employees that includes Western Walks and a full-time employee in Human Resources dedicated to training and development.

In the community, she has served as a member of the 911 Emergency Telephone Systems Board and on the executive board of the Joint Commissions Board for Macomb and McDonough County, the McDonough County Waste Management Advisory Council, the McDonough County United Way, and the McDonough County Republican Central Committee.  

Since retirement, she is a Republican Precinct Committeeman and continues to be leader in Republican activities. She is currently the President of both the WIU Foundation Board of Directors and the WIU chapter of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA).