General Information • Application • Current Members

Alumni Council

Made up of 24 alumni appointed to three-year terms and the president of the Student Alumni Association, this board meets four times a year. Members represent the interests of alumni and serve as liaisons to 25 University areas. The council assists in the recruitment of students, selects Alumni Award recipients, and was instrumental in establishing the Student Alumni Association.

WIU Alumni Association Survey - Alumni Council President Eldon Brown '96

eldon

Dear WIU Alumni-

Thank to our WIU Alumni that filled out our survey regarding the University's leadership. The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Dec. 6 to appoint Kristi Mindrup as the University's 13th president, effective immediately, making her the first female president in Western's history. The Board will approve Mindrup's salary and contract at its March meeting. Read more HERE.

eldon

 

 

Eldon Brown `96

President, WIU Alumni Council

Interested in joining the Alumni Council?

The WIU Alumni Association is looking for dedicated leaders of all ages, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, career fields, etc. to serve on the WIU Alumni Council. The Alumni Council strives to include a broad range of members that accurately reflects our student body and alumni community. Applicants are evaluated based on a number of factors, including engagement since graduating (e.g. attendance, giving back to WIU financially, referring students, returning to campus to speak to classes, offering career mentorship, etc.) and general Leatherneck Pride. If you or someone you know is an active alumnus that would be a good candidate, please fill out our online application form. The deadline is April 1.

2025 Alumni Council Meetings

  • Saturday, April 12
  • Saturday, July 19

2024 - 2025 Council Members

Alumni Council Featured Member

bobBob Klannukarn 1990

Degree: BA in Political Science in 1990 from WIU. MBA in 2005 from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Business Information:  Before joining MITRE as a Lead Cybersecurity Engineer in 2019, I worked at Raytheon in several technical positions implementing information technology, cybersecurity, and information assurance solutions for domestic and international customers. I hold several IT and cybersecurity certifications including the CCSK, CEH, and CISSP.

Advice for Freshmen: Are you sure freshman want advice from someone who graduated with a liberal arts degree and is now working in cybersecurity?

Favorite WIU Memory: I stayed in Macomb during the summer of 1988 as a student worker for Student Residential Programs (Today’s UHDS). I experienced WIU and the Western Illinois region in a way few students do. One of those experiences was seeing Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine create a massive conga line at Burlington Steamboat Days. Who knew those farmers could feel the rhythm of that music?

Family Information/Special Interests and Hobbies: I enjoy exploring, gaming, reading and photography when I have some time for myself.