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

manleyEmily Manley 2017

Degree: Bachelor in Fine Arts and Communication from WIU in 2017, Master's in Public Affairs Reporter from University of Illinois Springfield in 2018.

Email: ermanley23@gmail.com

Business Information:  Missouri Chief Capitol Bureau Reporter for Nexstar Media Group

Advice for Freshmen: Try everything! This is your chance to get involved on campus and try something new! Get involved and try something outside your comfort zone! Take a shift at the student radio station or volunteer across campus. You will get out of your time at Western what you put in. Leave with a full resume! 

Favorite WIU Memory: Not only meeting my husband, but meeting lifelong friends through the broadcasting department. Also, traveling around the country for the broadcasting department for conferences and winning awards. I won two student Emmys while reporting for NEWS3, the student-run newscast in the department. 

Family Information/Special Interests and Hobbies:  I met my husband, Adam Feiner, at WIU. We both were majors in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism. Our world revolves around our son, Lukas, and our dog Marlee. We love to hike, golf, travel and spend time with family and friends. We are so blessed that our group of friends that we graduated from WIU with are still VERY close and get together two to three times a year. Go Necks!