Alumni

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.

2024-2025 Alumni Council Meetings

  • Saturday, January 18, 2025
  • Saturday, April 12, 2025

2023 - 2024 Council Members

Alumni Council Featured Member

Molly Holmes 2001, 2004Holmes


Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Education-Teacher Education (2001), Master of Science in College Student Personnel (2004)

Business Information:  Director, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Northern Illinois University

Advice for Freshmen: Discover who you are at Western. Challenge yourself to try something new, and find your connection to both the Leatherneck community, and discover who you want to be come. Western gives a variety of opportunities to become connected and involved, so continue to find what positively challenges you and supports your goals. Also, there are many who want to be there for you along the way: staff, faculty, advisors, RAs, and upperclass/graduate student mentors. Don't be afraid to reach out.  

Favorite WIU Memory:  I came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community at Western. I found support in friends, joining Unity as an undergraduate, and later in re-developing the Safe Space program as a graduate student. The support of staff and faculty mentors, while learning alongside peers, ignited a passion to advocate for and support LGBTQ+ students today. One of the reasons I established WIU's Supporting LGBTQ+ Leathernecks Scholarship is to convey this gratitude and demonstrate that future LGBTQ+ WIU students have support in those of us who came before.

Family Information/Special Interests and Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, spending time with my child and my partner, watching documentaries, advocating for social justice, and finding ways to laugh in an ever-changing world.