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

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!