University News

125 Anniversary Celebration: Clare Tobin

November 8, 2024

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Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of stories about Western Illinois University students, alumni, and community members, highlighting their experiences during our 125th anniversary celebration. We will feature 125 individuals from August 2024 to August 2025.

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - After getting her education at Western Illinois University, Clare Tobin was able to use her connections and resources from WIU to quickly secure a job in her field.

Tobin, a 2021 alumna from the Museum Studies graduate program, said being a Leatherneck means being resilient and community-focused, and the people who helped Tobin through her education exemplified those traits.

"WIU helped me immensely with my career," Tobin said. "Through hands-on experience required through internships and practicum, I made lifelong personal and professional connections in the area museums."

Tobin now works as assistant director and curator of the German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport, IA. At WIU, she was a graduate assistant in the writing center and served as vice president of the Graduate Experience in Museum Studies (GEMS) Club. She still works with the Museum Studies program, offering internship opportunities to current students.

"My favorite memory was taking a trip to Kansas City with the Museum Studies program and getting behind-the-scenes tours of some of the great museums there," Tobin said.

WIU's programs helped Tobin get her start in museums and she believes WIU is a great opportunity for any student looking to get a start in their career.

"WIU is a great affordable option that has comparable resources to other area Universities," Tobin said.

As we honor 125 years of educational excellence, we invite WIU students, alumni, faculty and staff to share their stories and be featured in our series. Contact University Communications at U-Communications@wiu.edu to participate.

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