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.

 

Molly

Letter from Incoming President Molly B. Holmes

Dear Members of the Western Illinois University Alumni Community,

I’m Molly B. Holmes (she/her) and proud double alum ’01 ’04. It is an honor to be your next Alumni Council President. After serving on the council since 2020, and as secretary for the last two years, serving in this role is an exciting opportunity at critical time for WIU.

When I became a member of this council, I was motivated to do so because of the impact my years at Western had on my life and career. From the academic and practical experiences, to being involved as a student leader, to attending Leatherneck (and Westerwind!) athletic events, to the friendships and connections that came from succeeding and being challenged in and outside of the classroom, I felt motivated to give back. Further, I wanted to contribute this energy as an alum for future students and future alumni. One of my goals as president is to support the council and all alumni in becoming the best ambassadors for WIU as it is, and where it can go in the years ahead.

Western has had challenges, is tackling the impact of challenges, and continues to be challenged by a variety of forces. As alumni, we have strength in our voices and in how we can make a positive and supportive impact on what the future of Western will be. I hope that members of our Alumni community will consider engaging with the council—joining us at the many upcoming Alumni events, including Homecoming, consider assisting with recruitment events, and consider seeing yourself as a future member of this council. 

My fellow 140,000 alumni—thank you for this opportunity to serve, and I look forward to working with the council and for you in support of this wonderful institution. Go Western!

Marching on for Western,

molly

Molly B. Holmes `01 `04

President, WIU Alumni Council

Letter from Outgoing President Eldon Brown

 

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.

2025-2026 Alumni Council Meetings

  • Friday, October 17
  • Saturday, January 17, 2026

2025 - 2026 Council Members

Alumni Council Featured Member

GaryGary Johnson 1984

Degree: Bachelor of Scienc degree in Law Enforcement Administration with dual minors in Security Administration and Sociology from WIU in 1984. Designated as Certified Protection Professional (CPP) by American Society for Industrial Security.

Business Information: Retired after 40 successful years in Corporate Security, leading Asset Protection Programs for brands like The Guitar Center, The Vitamin Shoppe, Barnes & Noble and Osco Drug, Inc. In 2024, was inducted into the National Retail Federation’s Ring of Honor. Now, I do some consulting and advisory board work.

Advice for Freshmen: Get involved on campus and don't be afaid to step outside your comfort zone. The connections you make and experiences you have at Western will shape your future in ways you can't imagine. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, whether in the classroom, through student organizations or just experiencing everyting WIU and Macomb offers. 

Favorite WIU Memory: Of course being a resident in Lincoln Hall and the lifelong friendships formed through those years.  And, in 1980, experiencing Van Halen and the Marshall Tucker Band in Western Hall was memorable.

Family Information/Special Interests and Hobbies:  Enjoying retirement in Charleston, SC. Married to my wife, Theresa, for 40 years (who also attended WIU). We have two sons who are successful in their careers. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, sporting events, and staying active. I remain engaged with Western Illinois University and serve as an Advisory Council member for the Law Enforcement & Justice Administration program.