'Today we formally install Dr. Kristi Mindrup as the 13th president of Western Illinois University and the first woman president in the institution's proud history. It's a really big deal.'
Those were the words of 1991 Western Illinois University Graduate Amanda Fernandez who served as the host of the Oct. 16 investiture ceremony on the Macomb campus for Mindrup. The ceremony took place in what's recognized nationally each year as National Women in Small Business Month. Mindrup was named Western's 13th president Dec. 6, 2024 after serving as the interim president since April of that year.
'This indeed is a great day for Western Illinois University. On behalf of WIU, I thank you for joining us on this historic occasion coming at the conclusion of the 125th anniversary of our institution. As you will hear today, President Mindup's journey at WIU began more than 28 years ago as a civil service employee on our Quad Cities campus,' Fernandez told the crowd. 'Today as we celebrate this inauguration, we also celebrate what it symbolizes.
The renewal of hope. Dr. Mindrup, your leadership embodies that belief that education at its best is the most powerful act of hope there is.'
WIU Board of Trustees Chair Polly Radosh noted that Mindrup was named president because her skills, knowledge and experience set her apart as someone who is uniquely qualified to lead WIU through the many challenges the university faces as the regional, state and national challenges of higher education hit at this time.
'It may be a sidebar to many of you that she is also the first woman president, but to many others, it is a quintessential moment and one that deserves recognition,' she shared. 'This event is about our great university, its mission and taking this moment to recognize that new leadership brings an opportunity for Western Illinois University to intentionally begin a new chapter and I look forward to the future while honoring tradition and the heritage of our great institution.'
Mindrup began her formal remarks by stating that the day centered on the WIU mission that celebrates the University's shaped vision that will create a bright future for each other, the institution, its communities, and the students of today and tomorrow.
'Unique from the first 12 WIU presidents, I share a special connection with the Western Illinois University community, faculty, staff, partners and alumni because I am an alum and also because I have logged over 28 years as a Leatherneck,' Mindrup began. 'According to a paper by James Monks, only one-quarter of United States college and university presidents rise to the presidency internally. I would like to surmise that beyond that very few of those 25 percent started as a Clerk 3 at their respective university. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn the institution at that entry level from the ground up and to have worked with so many of you for at least a decade to two decades and more.'
She went on to say that Western Illinois University has a common thread that weaves the chapters of her entire life and her experiences have culminated into Thursday's investiture because of the indirect and direct effect of WIU.
'WIU has been part of my DNA in my earliest years in life. In addition to 28 years of employment, Western Illinois University has been woven into the fabric of my family for a lifetime. For much of my early childhood, I was raised by my mom, along with my grandparents. My grandparents loved Western Illinois University. My aunt Chris attended from those magical years of 1968 to 1972. While she was an undergraduate student, whether she liked it or not, my grandparents loved to visit campus,' Mindrup explained. 'My grandpa took me to visit the Macomb campus several times. I attended youth camps and music camp. As a young professional and as a graduate student at WIU, I was fortunate to encounter many mentors who inspired me to consider new opportunities to develop as a professional and to consider leadership beyond what I imagined as a young woman. Because of the supportive WIU culture and community in and out of the classroom, I felt a drive to continue the education that my grandpa always wish he had finished as a tribute to his influence on my life.
'March 2024 was an interesting time to step into the role of president at Western Illinois University and any university for that matter. The national landscape for higher education has created both challenges and opportunities for institutions like WIU willing to make bold changes and adapt to changing demographics, population shifts, long-term funding effects and public perception about the value of a four-year degree,' she added. 'Follow all of that with a major shift in the political landscape at the national and global level. During a time of significant change, Western's people and our student- centered mission keep us focused and moving forward even during the most challenging times with attention to ensuring stability and sustainability for the future.'
Mindrup stressed now is the time for Western Illinois University to emerge as a national leader in adapting, evolving and innovating with a focus on student thriving and success. 'Western's institutional priorities are centered around working together across divisions to strengthen enrollment, promoting student access across the university by cultivating a culture of ambition and further strengthening the institution's brand to acknowledge the ways Western Illinois University successfully serves and leads within the region, state and beyond,' she pointed out.
'Commitment to strengthening enrollment is more than just growing numbers. It is about expanding opportunity and opening our doors to be learners to be more accessible to learners from all backgrounds who bring potential to both increase their own capabilities and success and also to develop a toolkit to contribute to societal good,' she said. 'Fostering a campus culture of self-authorship and ambition is about challenging individuals to think deeply, engage with each other courageously and to lead with dignity, integrity during a time when division replaces dialogue.
'I believe the greatest need for innovation in this moment is educating students, our communities and our country to reclaim ownership of our national narrative about higher education and to find ways to bridge division and learn once again to work together cohesively, even among the perception and reality of difference,' Mindrup concluded. 'I am deep in gratitude and pride in WIU and unwavering optimism about the future of Western Illinois University. I invite each of you, our Leatherneck nation, to join in shaping the next evolution of Western Illinois University. Together, we will promote our strengths, celebrate our heritage, and most importantly, unite to build a future our students deserve. A future for all of us that is vibrant, inclusive, and full of promise. Thank you, Leathernecks, for all you do for WIU. The best is yet to come.'
