The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.
July 28, 2026 Past President Lynne Campbell called the Rotary Club’s 4th meeting to order with the ringing of the Rotary Bell at the First Presbyterian Church in Macomb. Max Pierson delivered the invocation, and Mayor Mike Inman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Steve Tibbitts reported attendance of 19 members in person and three members via Zoom, representing 39% of the club’s membership. With five guests present, total participation was 27 individuals. Guests included the featured speaker, Dr. Jamie Johnson, Director of the WIU Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) Department; WIU President Dr. Kristi Windrup; and three members of the WIU LEJA Advisory Board: former Mayor Tom Carper, who attended in person, and Martin Green and Jerry Johnson, who attended via Zoom.
Happy Money followed, with four Rotarians sharing special events from the past week. During the 50/50 drawing, Kim McKee held the winning ticket and had the opportunity to claim the $149 prize by drawing the 9 of Hearts from the remaining 32 cards.
Unfortunately, she drew the 9 of Spadess and did not win this week. Past President Lynne announced that the club’s Raffle Fundraiser will kick off August 18, 2026, and we will have a table for Farmers Market September 12, 2026. A Signup will be sent prior to that date.
Emily Gillette then introduced Dr. Jamie Johnson, who serves as School Director for the Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) Department at Western Illinois University. Dr.
Johnson is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, and emergency management expert with two decades of experience in higher education. He earned his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University and has presented at state, national, and international conferences. He has also published extensively in areas related to WIU’s academic programs. Dr.
Johnson is committed to fostering opportunities that prepare students to become highly skilled professionals equipped to address today’s complex emergency management challenges.
Dr. Johnson began by presenting the national rankings achieved by WIU’s LEJA program. WIU’s Law Enforcement program is ranked fifth in the nation and first in the State of Illinois; its Fire Protection program is ranked tenth in the nation; and its Emergency Management program is ranked twelfth in the nation. He also highlighted recent technological advancements, including a $3.4 million corporate sponsorship and new equipment that provides technology not commonly available at universities nationwide. Dr.
Johnson noted that the program also maintains a 97% placement rate for WIU graduates.
Dr. Johnson stated that his goal is to develop the most technologically advanced curriculum and practitioner model in the country.
He emphasized the importance of hands-on training for WIU students. He also identified outreach as a key priority, including programs for prospective WIU students as well as students at high schools and community colleges.
Dr. Johnson also described free apprenticeship training opportunities that provide students with instruction in various skills, along with a podcast and videocast that showcase faculty members and experts in the field. One recent offering received 300,000 views.
He discussed additional programs and upgrades he has implemented to help maintain WIU’s position among the leading programs in the country. Dr. Johnson invited the Rotary Club to visit the department’s new building location and observe the many additions made since the club’s previous tour.
Following the presentation, Dr.
Johnson responded to questions from club members, who expressed appreciation for the significant developments taking place within WIU’s LEJA Department.
Members thanked Dr. Johnson for delivering a highly informative program.
The meeting concluded with the recitation of the “Four-Way Test” and the sounding of the Rotary Bell, encouraging all members to make Rotary part of their lives and to “Unite for Good.”
