University News

Macomb Mayor Mike Inman, Town & Gown Award recipient Stan Clayton, Honorary Alumnus Dr. Kenneth Wright & Acting President Martin Abraham
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Clayton: Town & Gown; Wright: Honorary Alumnus

September 27, 2019

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- To recognize their service to Western Illinois University and/or the Macomb community, WIU retiree Stan Clayton, former broadcast engineer for Television Services at WIU, and McDonough County area veterinarian Dr. Kenneth Wright received the 2019 Town & Gown Award and the 2019 Honorary Alumni Award, respectively, during the annual Town & Gown celebration Sept. 26, hosted by the WIU Alumni Association.

Clayton: Town & Gown Award

Clayton started at Western in October 1991 as an electronics technician in the University Union, where he was responsible for sound equipment and television repair for the Union, sound for Leatherneck home football games and cable television maintenance in the residence halls. He was reclassified as an electronics technician I in January 1998. Clayton joined University Television (UTV) in August 2001 as a broadcasting engineer. In addition to his duties in UTV, Clayton has assisted in the maintenance of the campus' carillon, and he also helps set up sound systems for University events, including graduation, holiday events and more.

Clayton's nominator, Joe Roselieb, noted, "Stan is a remarkable human being and one of the things I admire most about him is his loyalty to WIU. During some difficult times at Western, Stan was affected. But it was during this time that his character truly shined through. He didn't complain or blame. Instead, he remained an advocate for WIU, remained positive and still provided guidance.

"Stan's generosity and character has been described as not being in it for glory or recognition, but because he loves what he does and enjoys helping people," Roselieb added. "We often think of these types of awards going to someone who may be in the spotlight, but for Stan, it's the opposite. He's the person behind the scenes making sure things work and work well."

Clayton is a familiar face around Macomb as he as organized and managed the sound for numerous community events for more than 30 years, including Heritage Days and Fourth of July, and for summer festivals in neighboring communities, as well as for the Rams Training Camp. He extends his service and expertise to the community, including running the sound for Maple Avenue Christian Church. Clayton has also served as a local television and electronics repair person for many years.

"Stan is an example of someone who gives back to his community and truly believes in public service," said Amy Spelman, director of Alumni Programs. "As his nominator said, Stan's character is beyond compare. He has a positive attitude, is always willing to help. Stan truly does bleed purple and gold (and orange and black) and he has made a significant impact at our University and in our community."

Previous recipients of the Town & Gown Award include Joe Roselieb (2018), Duke Oursler (2017); John Nelson (2016), Tom Claudon (2015), Todd Lester (2014), Bill Howard (2013), Tom Carper (2012), Mick Wisslead (2011), Lin Stults (2010), Jerry Cremer (2009), John Maguire (2008) and Charles Gilbert (2007).

--

Wright: Honorary Alumni

Wright, a longtime Blandinsville veterinarian, grew up in Macomb – literally next door to the Western Illinois University campus – and in 2007 he and Betty, his wife of 44 years, decided to donate his boyhood home to WIU and make it a permanent part of the WIU campus. The Wright House at 333 N. Ward St. has served as the WIU Veterans Resource Center since 2009.

In addition to donating his boyhood home to Western, the Wrights also established the Kenneth T. and Betty L. Wright Scholarship for qualifying students entering Western as freshmen who graduated from a Hancock, Henderson or McDonough county high school.

"We are so pleased to award the 2019 Honorary Alumni Award to Dr. Ken Wright," said Amy Spelman, director of Alumni Programs. "Now that he's an 'official' alumnus of WIU, his new school colors of purple and gold certainly fit the legacy he has left at Western Illinois University."

Wright is a graduate of Western High School, which was located in Simpkins Hall, just across the street from his home in 1956, and he attended Western for two years before transferring to the University of Illinois, where he earned his degree in veterinary medicine. While attending the University of Illinois, Wright still came back to Macomb each summer and took courses at Western, returning to Urbana in the fall. When he graduated with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1962, he came back to west-central Illinois to join the Blandinsville practice of Dr. C. M. Rodgers. When Rodgers retired in 1973, Wright purchased his current building on the east end of Blandinsville on Route 9 and has been in private practice since. Like her husband, Western holds a special place in Betty's heart: her mother and her mother's six siblings all graduated from Western Illinois State Teacher's College.

"We are honored by and grateful for Ken's and Betty's many contributions to WIU over the years," said Brad Bainter, executive officer of the WIU Foundation and Wright's nominator. "Because of Ken's father's service in the U.S. Navy, it's fitting that the Wright House is serving our student-veterans. It's truly a place they can call home thanks to the Wrights' generosity and their affinity for WIU."

This is the 23rd year for the WIU Honorary Alumni Award presentation. Previous recipients include LaVern McEntire (2018); C. Don Weston (posthumously, 2017); Jeff Mabrey (2016); Garry Johnson (2015); John Biernbaum (2014); Dan O'Neill (2013); Lisa Ward (2012); Al Goldfarb (2011); Gil Belles and Marion Blackinton (2010); Bob Anstine (2009); Jack Stites (2008); Bill Brattain (2007), Marilyn Johnson (2005); Donald Dexter (2004); Mark Martin (2003); Mel and Judy Kerr (2002); Charlene Callison (2001); Ed Holzwarth (2000); Donald S. Spencer (1999); Laura Kent Donahue (1998); Cathy Early (1997); Dick Miller (1995) and Dennis Iversen (1994).


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