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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.
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Letter from Incoming President Molly B. Holmes
Dear Members of the Âé¶¹Éç 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 Âé¶¹Éç.
When I became a member of this council, I was motivated to do so because of the impact my years at Âé¶¹Éç 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 Âé¶¹Éç as it is, and where it can go in the years ahead.
Âé¶¹Éç 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 Âé¶¹Éç 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.Ìý
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 Âé¶¹Éç!
Marching on for Âé¶¹Éç,
Molly B. Holmes `01 `04
President, Âé¶¹Éç Alumni Council
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Interested in joining the Alumni Council?
The Âé¶¹Éç Alumni Association is looking for dedicated leaders of all ages, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, career fields, etc. to serve on the Âé¶¹Éç 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 Âé¶¹Éç 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.
2025-2026 Alumni Council Meetings
- Friday, October 17
- Saturday, January 17, 2026
2025 - 2026 Council Members
- Roy Albiani 1984 - Valencia, CA
- Eldon Brown 1996 - Past President - Vancouver, WA
- Scott Clarke 1981 - Springfield, IL
- Kevin Froehlich 2005 - Naperville, IL
- Phil Giles 1984 - Pinehurst, NC
- Darryl Hollimon 1983, 1993 - Country Club Hills, IL
- Molly Holmes 2001, 2004 - President - Huntley, IL
- Conrad "Connie" Kowal 1974 - Libertyville, IL
- Leslie T. Jefferson 1981,1995 - Macomb, IL
- Gary Johnson 1984 - Mount Pleasant, SC
- Shelvis Lewis 1986 - Austin, TX
- Monte Lowderman 1990 - Macomb, IL
- Emily Manley 2017 Jefferson City, MO
- Jose Marroquin 2008 - Berwyn, IL
- Christopher Mortimer 2010 - Alexandria, VA
- Denver Murphy 2010 - USAF Academy, CO
- Steve Nelson 1970 - Moline, IL
- Maggie O'Brien 2012 - Alton, IL
- Charleston Owensby 2017 - Chicago, IL
- Carla Murray Presnell 1993, 1998 - Canton, 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
Molly Holmes 2001, 2004
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Health Education-Teacher Education (2001), Master of Science in College Student Personnel (2004)
Business Information: Director, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, Northern Illinois University
Advice for Freshmen: Discover who you are at Âé¶¹Éç. Challenge yourself to try something new, and find your connection to both the Leatherneck community, and discover who you want to be come. Âé¶¹Éç gives a variety of opportunities to become connected and involved, so continue to find what positively challenges you and supports your goals. Also, there are many who want to be there for you along the way: staff, faculty, advisors, RAs, and upperclass/graduate student mentors. Don't be afraid to reach out.
Favorite Âé¶¹Éç Memory: I came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community at Âé¶¹Éç. I found support in friends, joining Unity as an undergraduate, and later in re-developing the Safe Space program as a graduate student. The support of staff and faculty mentors, while learning alongside peers, ignited a passion to advocate for and support LGBTQ+ students today. One of the reasons I established Âé¶¹Éç's Supporting LGBTQ+ Leathernecks Scholarship is to convey this gratitude and demonstrate that future LGBTQ+ Âé¶¹Éç students have support in those of us who came before.
Family Information/Special Interests and Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, spending time with my child and my partner, watching documentaries, advocating for social justice, and finding ways to laugh in an ever-changing world.
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