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.
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Alumni Association Survey - Alumni Council President Eldon Brown '96
Dear °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Alumni-
Thank to our °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Alumni that filled out our survey regarding the University's leadership. The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ 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.
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Eldon Brown `96
President, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Alumni Council
Interested in joining the Alumni Council?
The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Alumni Association is looking for dedicated leaders of all ages, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, career fields, etc. to serve on the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ 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 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ 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 ourÌýonline application form. The deadline is April 1.
2024-2025 Alumni Council Meetings
- Saturday, January 18, 2025
- Saturday, April 12, 2025
2023 - 2024 Council Members
- Roy Albiani 1984 - Valencia, CA
- Lori Bilbrey 1990, 1996, 2008 - Macomb, IL
- Eldon Brown 1996 - President - Vancouver, WA
- Scott Clarke 1981 - Springfield, IL
- Thom Cornelis 1971 - Moline, IL
- Darryl Hollimon 1983, 1993 - Country Club Hills, IL
- Molly Holmes 2001, 2004 - Secretary - Huntley, IL
- Victoria Kappel 2016, 2018 - Orland Park, IL
- Bob Klannukarn 1990 - Herndon, VA
- Conrad "Connie" Kowal 1974 - Libertyville, IL
- Leslie T. Jefferson 1981,1995 - Macomb, IL
- Shelvis Lewis 1986 - Austin, TX
- Emily Manley 2017 Jefferson City, MO
- Caleb MarkeyÌý 2014 - Macomb, IL
- Jose Marroquin 2008 - Berwyn, IL
- Deb Miller 1984, 1986 - Bowen, IL
- Denver Murphy 2010 - USAF Academy, CO
- Charleston Owensby 2017 - Chicago, IL
- Gayle Spencer 1987 - Vice President - Savoy, IL
- Matthew Toland 2005, 2010 - Past President - Hoffman Estates, IL
- Byron Williams 1986 - Homewood, IL
- Wayne Whipps 1977 - Cedar Falls, IA
- Justin Wilson 2012 - Westfield, NJ
- Mike Woodrum 2009 - Macomb, IL
Alumni Council Featured Member
Bob Klannukarn 1990
Degree: BA in Political Science in 1990 from °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼. MBA in 2005 from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Business Information: Before joining MITRE as a Lead Cybersecurity Engineer in 2019, I worked at Raytheon in several technical positions implementing information technology, cybersecurity, and information assurance solutions for domestic and international customers. I hold several IT and cybersecurity certifications including the CCSK, CEH, and CISSP.
Advice for Freshmen: Are you sure freshman want advice from someone who graduated with a liberal arts degree and is now working in cybersecurity?
Favorite °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ Memory: I stayed in Macomb during the summer of 1988 as a student worker for Student Residential Programs (Today’s UHDS). I experienced °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÀúÊ·¼Ç¼ and the Western Illinois region in a way few students do. One of those experiences was seeing Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine create a massive conga line at Burlington Steamboat Days. Who knew those farmers could feel the rhythm of that music?
Family Information/Special Interests and Hobbies: I enjoy exploring, gaming, reading and photography when I have some time for myself.
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