Alumni
2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards
The outstanding accomplishments of Western Illinois University graduates David L. Harlow and Shelly M. Russell will be recognized Saturday, May 16 at Western's Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies. Harlow will be recognized at the 9 a.m. ceremony and Russell will be recognized at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.
The Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 1973, recognizes alumni who have brought credit to the University and themselves through exceptional professional accomplishments and meritorious service to ensure the continued excellence of WIU and through service to their communities at the national, state or local levels.
David L. Harlow
Harlow, a 1982 Law Enforcement & Justice Administration graduate, is retired from the United States Marshals Service, the nation’s oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement agency, where he served for nearly 35 years. Harlow started his career as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Ohio in 1983. He transferred to the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria, VA, in 2007, where he served as Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal.
In 2008, Harlow was reassigned to the USMS headquarters to establish the Sex Offender Investigations Branch, where he led the development and execution of the USMS Sex Offender Apprehension Program. Additionally, he led the interagency National Sex Offender Targeting Center and developed the USMS Behavioral Analysis Unit to assist with prioritizing and targeting non-compliant and fugitive sex offenders. He was reassigned as the Deputy Assistant Director for Investigations in 2011 and promoted to the Senior Executive Service and selected as Assistant Director for Investigations in 2012. Shortly after, he was promoted to Associate Director for Operations, where he managed Investigative Operations, Judicial Security, Witness Security, Tactical Operations, Prisoner Operations and the Justice Prisoner and Alliance Transportation System.
In 2014, Harlow was promoted to Deputy Director and in 2015 was named Acting Director, holding that position until he retired in 2018. As Acting Director, Harlow oversaw 3,800 Deputy U.S. Marshals and 1,500 administrative staff in all efforts related to federal judicial security, fugitive apprehension, witness security, asset forfeiture and prisoner operations. Throughout his career, Harlow worked under President Barack Obama and President Donald J. Trump.
Harlow was a founding member of the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Foundation, which he currently supports as secretary of the Board of Directors. He is the vice chair of the U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation and is a member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. Harlow is a past member of the WIU College of Education and Human Services’ Dean’s Council and currently serves as co-chair of the WIU School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Advisory Board. He has received numerous professional awards throughout his career, including the Attorney General’s Award, Director Awards and several special act and performance awards. He was selected for the WIU Alumni Achievement Award in 2017. Harlow now lives in Loda, IL.
Read more about Harlow’s career in this article from the Winter 2018/Spring 2019 WIU Alumni magazine.
Shelly M. Russell
Russell, a 1997 graduate of the Board of Governors Degree degree program (now general studies), has served as Chief Executive Officer for Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, IA, since 2014.
Russell earned her associates degree from Carl Sandburg College and began her career at McDonough District Hospital in 1982. She progressed through clinical and leadership roles at MDH, including certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, staff nurse, house supervisor and medical management coordinator. While working full time, Russell returned to school and completed her Board of Governors degree.
In 2001, Russell relocated to Medford, WI, to serve as Director of Quality Services and Patient Safety Officer at Memorial Health Center, leading organization-wide efforts in quality improvement, patient safety and regulatory readiness. In 2006, Russell joined Aspirus, Inc. in Wausau, WI, as Operations Improvement Administrator, where she supported multiple hospitals and departments across the health system. She was promoted to Director of Care Coordinator and Population Health Management in 2010. While at Aspirus, Russell was instrumental in implementing Lean principles across the system, helping teams improve quality, outcomes and financial sustainability.
Russell joined Mitchell County Regional Health Center in 2013 as Chief Nursing Officer, where she provided leadership for nursing services as well as pharmacy, physical therapy, case management, infection control, cardiac rehabilitation, anesthesia, and operating room services. She was named Chief Executive Officer in 2014. As CEO, she has led major expansion projects that increased access to clinic services, orthopedics and surgical care, ensuring rural patients can receive high-quality care.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Russell guided the organization through unprecedented challenges with steadiness and compassion, including serving as an early adopter of PCR testing through a partnership with Yale University. Her leadership has been recognized nationally with multiple selections as a Becker’s Hospital Review Critical Access Hospital “CEO to Know,” most recently in 2025. Under her direction, Mitchell County Regional Health Center has also been named a Chartis Center for Rural Health Top 100 Critical Access Hospital five times. Mitchell County Regional Health Center has also earned multiple Performance Leadership Awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, recognizing excellence in quality of care and patient experience.
Russell serves as chair of the Iowa Hospital Association and is active with the American Hospital Association and the Substance Abuse Council. She is a member of the Osage Rotary Club, a Compassion International Child Advocate and has previously served on the Mitchell County Economic Development Board of Directors and Osage Development Council.
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