Alumni
Student Alumni Leadership Council
Once a Student, Forever an Alum
The Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) strives to strengthen the bond between alumni and current students at WIU. This student run organization provides outstanding leadership opportunities for its members. The SALC is an extension of the Western Illinois University Alumni Association.
What does the SALC do?
Completed applications can be emailed to saa@wiu.edu or dropped off at the Alumni House, 1009 W Adams Street (across from Corbin-Olson).
Have questions or want more information?
Contact the SALC by calling (309)298.1914 or emailing saa@wiu.edu.
The Student Alumni Leadership Council has had another exciting year. We are thrilled to update you on the many noteworthy, student-led projects that have kept us busy over the past year. Visit the SALC Pipeline to read all about what SALC has been up to and stay up to date with this year's latest developments.
Signature Events
Paint the Paws
Paint the Paws is an activity performed just before Homecoming with a diverse group of campus organizations participating. The paws along Western Avenue and University Drive are re-painted yellow by organizations. This event is a collaborative project with the Office of Student Activities Homecoming Committee.
Paint the Paws is a time-honored tradition where the entire WIU Community comes out and repaints the Leathernecks Paws along University Drive and Western Avenue. This wonderful event signifies the beginning of Homecoming as members of the community show alumni and friends the way to come back home to Western.
Grad Blast
Grad Blast is an annual event held in the spring semester in honor of the seniors graduating in May, August, and December of that year. It is always held at a local Macomb establishment and the Alumni Relations committee provides graduating seniors with important information about the benefits and services of the WIU Alumni Association, including access to the Online Social Network, issues of RockeNews and Western News, health and auto insurance, and other benefits as Western Alumni. The Alumni Relations committee also coordinates free food, soda and raffle prizes to give to the seniors in a celebration of their accomplishments at Western Illinois University.
Scholarships
Kerstin Taylor
The Student Alumni Association Scholarship is given in memory of Kerstin S. Taylor who was an active member of the Student Alumni Association and served as vice president in 2010. Two scholarships of $200 are awarded every spring semester. These scholarships are provided to promising student leaders. In order to be eligible, students must attend Western full-time, be sophomores or juniors, and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. They are also asked to send in one letter of recommendation. Other factors include their level of involvement on campus, how they see themselves as an active alumnus and how the interaction between an alumnus and student can benefit current WIU students. It is important that these students demonstrate their ability to be in leadership positions and to be successful. Since we try to establish connections between students and alumni, it is important for us to make sure the applicants are actively promoting Western and that they will continue to be supportive of the University after they graduate.
Kerstin S. Taylor Student Alumni Association Scholarship application
Fundraising
During finals, your student has to deal with stress and probably other obligations for a variety of activities. Send a gift to brighten his or her day. Survival SAAcks are care packages carefully prepared and delivered by Our Campus Market and are sponsored by the Student Alumni Association of Western Illinois University!
Western Illinois University Ambassadors
Alumni Events
Student Alumni Leadership Council members are often given the opportunity to assist Alumni Association staff with Association events. These events are a valuable chance for students to network with Alums, a powerful resource for any future graduate.
Homecoming
The Student Alumni Leadership Council is a vital part of all Homecoming activities. Each year, they host the Paint the Paws event prior to Homecoming. During Homecoming weekend, they assist by hosting the Alumni & Friends Social at the Alumni House on Friday evening, work registration for the Old Stompin' Ground Run Around, set up for the parade, and visit with Alumni & Friends at the cookout prior to the football game. It is an excellent opportunity for the students to visit with alumni as well as allowing alumni to reconnect to the current student body.
Town & Gown
Annually the Student Alumni Leadership Council helps to celebrate the relationship between the greater Macomb community and Western. SALC members assist with this Alumni Association sponsored event where community and university leaders are recognized for their work.
Discover Western Tours
Discover Western is a program established through the Admissions Office. Prospective students are invited to visit WIU for a day. Students and their families come to a Discover Western, have a continental breakfast in the University Union, have the opportunity to tour academic departments and learn more about the major programs at WIU. Following the academic presentation, there is a student panel question and answer session that is staffed by Student Ambassadors from Student Alumni Leadership Council as well as Admissions staff members, followed by lunch and a guided walking tour, also given by SALC Student Ambassadors. The tour ends with an informal question and answer session with Admissions counselors. Prospective students and their families can also tour a residence hall at the end of the day.
Saturday Tours
In addition to Discover Western events, Student Alumni Leadership Council members have the opportunity to interact with future Leathernecks on Saturday admissions tours. These tours allow members to discuss their passion for Western.
Connect with the Alumni Association: