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Lorraine Epperson served as the Grand Marshal for the 2024 WIU Homecoming Parade.
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Epperson Serves as Grand Marshal for Homecoming Weekend

October 15, 2024

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University Distinguished Alumna, longtime friend and loyal supporter Lorraine Epperson served as the 2024 WIU Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal. WIU celebrated Homecoming 2024 Oct. 11-12, with the theme "125 Years of Purple and Gold."

Epperson earned her bachelor's degree in 1948 and master's degree in 1952 in Business Education. She is currently a real estate broker and owner of Century 21-Purdum-Epperson, Inc. in Macomb. She entered the real estate business in 1974 with the R.B. Purdum Real Estate Firm.

Lorraine and her husband, Ken, purchased the business in 1985 and in 1990 purchased the Century 21 franchise. She has received numerous professional awards throughout her career. Before turning to a business career, she was in education for many years, starting her career as a business education teacher prior to 18 years as director of guidance at Macomb High School.

Epperson's commitment to Western has continued throughout her lifetime. She and Ken met at WIU and as a student, she was the first president of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and in 1998 she received a Sigma Sigma Sigma Centennial Woman of Distinction given by the National Sorority. She served as an Illinois Board of Governor's trustee and was appointed by Gov. Jim Edgar to Western's Board of Trustees. Epperson served as vice chair and chair of the board. In addition, Epperson has served on the Performing Arts Society Board and WIU Alumni Council; received the College of Business and Technology's Distinguished Alumni Award and Western's Distinguished Alumni Award. She currently serves on the WIU Foundation Board.

She and Ken's seven-figure gift to WIU in 2013, a combination of an outright gift and a bequest, directed $1.5 million to the long-anticipated Center for Performing Arts (CPA), having worked selflessly to bring a Center for Performing Arts to the campus of Western Illinois University and the Macomb community since 1970s.

She continues to support several other areas at WIU including the Alumni Association, Athletics, scholarships, the Performing Arts Society and many more.

In the Macomb community, Epperson has been involved in many organizations and activities serving as a member of the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, on the Community Quality of Life Advisory Committee, and in 2022 received the Clyde Cronkite Award given to an individual that demonstrates outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication to the quality of life in McDonough County.

"As we celebrate 125 years of Western, there is no one more fitting to serve as Grand Marshal than Lorraine Epperson," said Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Amy Spelman. "On behalf of our more than 140,000 alumni around the world, I thank her for her 80 years of dedication to Western Illinois University."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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