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.

2025 Alumni Council Meetings

  • Saturday, April 12
  • Saturday, July 19

2024 - 2025 Council Members

Alumni Council Featured Member

Gayle Spencer 1987

Gayle SpencerDegree: Bachelor of Science from University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1983, Master's in College Student Personnel from WIU in 1987 and Ph.D. in Student Counseling and Personnel Services from Kansas State University in 2004.

Business Information: Director, Illinois Leadership Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Advice for Freshman: Get organized and go to class. If you need help, ask for it. Ask your RA, an academic advisor or a professor. There are many wonderful people at WIU there for you!

Favorite WIU Memory: All the great events we had on campus for students. The Office of Student Activities, both staff and students, worked tirelessly to have great things for students to see and learn. My experience at WIU set me up for a wonderful career in higher education.

Family Information: Married to Dale Billam; we have two children, Kady and Thom. My favorite thing to do is to attend and watch sports. From Cubs baseball, to Blackhawks hockey, to Big Ten Sporting events; I love it all! I also love to travel.