University News

125 Anniversary Celebration: Kasey Johnson

December 4, 2024

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MACOMB, IL - - There are many avenues of thought that 2015 graduate Kasey Johnson thinks about when reflecting on her time at Western Illinois University. It could be the fun Johnson had with new and old friends, her time working through the Anthropology and Sociology program, but settled on the profound personal impact her professors had during one of the toughest moments of her life.

"In the summer of my sophomore year, I was attending a music festival when a rotted tree broke 15 feet up, and crushed me down a foot into the mud," Johnson said. "Since then, I've had 14 major surgeries, including the amputation of my lower right leg. I went against all doctor recommendations of taking a semester off. I loved all my classes so much, I couldn't do it. I spent that next semester in a wheelchair, but I still took on a full schedule and finished with all A's. During the rest of my undergrad career, I can't even put into words how much Heather McIlvaine-Newsad did for me."

After graduation, Johnson worked for ADA Compliance and ADA Customer Service programs for large-scale music festivals across the U.S.

"I found my passion at WIU, due to the support I got through my professors and my university," Johnson said. "WIU taught me my administrative skills and how to focus on getting through the hard things no matter how much you don't want to do them. It also taught me how to network and reach out when you need help — sometimes it takes a village."

After Johnson's journey through WIU, she tells students to take advantage of the time spent in college to create memories and relationships that will last a lifetime.

"Take the leap," Johnson said. "Make as many friendships as you can, they can last a lifetime. WIU gives you the space and confidence to find yourself, especially if you use the networks and resources at hand. Get to know your professors, there is basically a plethora of free life coaches if you look in the right places. Take pride in your school, your classes, and your growth and you will never regret it!"

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 by filling out this form, or contact University Communications at U-Communications@wiu.edu to participate.

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