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Miner, a longtime WIU leader and Macomb native, reflects on his decades of service to WIU, where he earned two degrees and spent 27 years shaping student life.
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Jim Miner: A Lifetime of Service and Philanthropy at WIU

July 2, 2026

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This feature is written and edited by Justyne Lane-Mitchell, WIU Theatre graduate assistant.

MACOMB, IL - - Jim Miner is a familiar face to many people in Macomb and Western Illinois University. As a lifelong resident, Miner earned both a bachelor of Business degree and a master's degree in Student Personnel from WIU in the early 1970s. His years at the University shaped not only his professional career but also his personal life, where he met his wife, raised a family and established a lifelong commitment to the institution.

Following the completion of his graduate degree, Miner began his career at WIU as the Men's Activities advisor, serving in that role for five years before becoming director of Student Activities, a position he held for 22 years. Reflecting on his career, Miner explained that he remained because "this place was great." During much of his tenure, he worked under the leadership of former university president Alvin "Al" Goldfarb, whom he deeply admired. Miner stated, "I had great respect for the man. He was one of the best presidents that I've seen here."

The vision for what is now the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts was first proposed in 1970 while Miner was a graduate student. Decades later, as a retiree and donor, Miner has the opportunity to help bring that vision to life, creating a meaningful full-circle moment in his relationship with the University. The Goldfarb Center will serve the Western Illinois region by hosting performances in music, dance and theatre while also providing a modern educational environment for current and future students.

Throughout his career, Miner remained committed to student success.

"We're about the students. The growth and development of students," Miner said.

Miner described himself as having been "unbelievably blessed to have worked" at WIU and expressed gratitude for the opportunities the University and its retirement program provided him throughout his career. He views his contribution to the Goldfarb Center as an opportunity to give back to an institution that has profoundly influenced both his professional and personal life. As Miner stated, he has been "very fortunate," and he hopes to "pay that back."

Miner has a long history of philanthropic support for WIU. Together with his daughter, he established the Suzi Miner Scholarship for Dance in memory of his late wife, Suzanne "Suzi" Miner. This scholarship reflects the family's enduring commitment to arts education and student success. Miner views his contribution to the Goldfarb Center as another meaningful way to honor his wife's legacy while supporting future generations of students.

Suzanne Miner earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Speech Pathology and Audiology from WIU before serving as assistant director of Alumni Programs. During her time at the University, she was a charter member and advisor of the Chi Omega sorority, a chapter that remains active today. Beyond the University, she was deeply involved in the Macomb community, including serving as president of the Macomb High School Band Boosters. Her legacy continues through the scholarship established in her name, her family's ongoing philanthropy and their support of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts.

Reflecting on philanthropy, Miner summarized his motivation by stating, "It's when opportunity meets emotion."

Looking toward the future, Miner is enthusiastic about the impact the Goldfarb Center will have on students. He explained that he is excited about "the opportunities it will provide for students to expand their horizons in the arts—dance, theatre—and the technological advances that we can't do under the current situation." His appreciation for the performing arts was strengthened through the experiences of his daughter, Maureen "Mo" Miner-Bell, who began dancing in Macomb and later performed for four years with the WIU University Dance Company. Through her involvement, Miner said she "opened [his] eyes to dance and arts." His gift is dedicated to supporting students and honoring his daughter by helping provide future Leathernecks with opportunities similar to those that shaped his family's experience at WIU.

"It's a small donation, but it's part of something really big," Miner said.

For more information on the GCPA, visit wiu.edu/gcpa.

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