Meixner, Johnson Recognized at Town & Gown Events

Meixner, Johnson Recognized at Town & Gown Events

Two longtime Macomb residents were recognized Tuesday evening at the annual Western Illinois University/City of Macomb Town & Gown event as part of WIU’s Homecoming Week Festivities. Retired Regional Superintendent of Schools #26, WIU alumnus and Macomb High graduate John Meixner received the 2026 Town & Gown Award, while retired longtime WIU Soccer Coach Eric Johnson received this year’s Honorary Alumnus Award. The event was co-hosted by Mayor Mike Inman and Provost Mark Mossman.

The Town & Gown Award is presented to an individual who has provided exceptional service in continuing the partnership between WIU and the Macomb community. The Honorary Alumni Award is presented to an individual who is not a WIU graduate but who has provided exceptional service to the WIU community.

Meixner, who recently retired as the regional superintendent, is now serving as the regional office’s director of legislative and community initiatives. Meixner served as the elected chief executive officer of ROE26 for more than 15 years, guiding the organization with a mission to “Champion Our Community.” Over that time, he has been re-elected multiple times, most recently in 2022, reflecting the trust placed in his leadership by the region’s voters. A 50-plus-year resident of McDonough County, Meixner’s connection to the community runs deep. A graduate of Macomb High School, he attended Spoon River College and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WIU. He was a teacher and coach before stepping into administrative roles.

During his tenure, Meixner successfully led the 2015 consolidation of two regional offices into what is now ROE26, creating the unified structure serving Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler counties. According to his nominator, Meixner also developed and maintained important partnerships with WIU’s College of Education, which provided opportunities for hundreds of students, many of whom went on to remain in the area and contribute to the strength of rural education throughout the region. Beyond his professional role, he has remained engaged in the community through organizations including the WIU Performing Arts Society, WIU Alumni Council, Macomb Lions Club, Macomb Elks Lodge, Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and multiple youth and workforce development initiatives. Through his financial support of WIU, Meixner has been recognized as a Sherman Circle donor and at the Partners level of the Foundation Fellows Society.

In November 2025, Johnson, the winningest coach in WIU’s Soccer program history, retired following a distinguished 29-year career leading the Leathernecks. During his tenure, Johnson guided Western Illinois to six NCAA Tournament appearances, four regular-season conference titles and six conference tournament championships across the Mid-Continent Conference, the Summit League, and the Ohio Valley Conference. He was named Conference Coach of the Year five times, solidifying his legacy as one of the most successful coaches in WIU athletics history. Johnson also served as WIU’s women’s soccer head coach from 2016–2021, embracing the challenge of leading both programs concurrently. Johnson continues to remain involved with the Leatherneck soccer program in a volunteer role.

According to his nominator, Johnson’s contributions extend far beyond the soccer field. As a coach, mentor, adjunct faculty member and University representative, he understood that collegiate athletics is fundamentally about developing young people. He challenged his players to become better teammates, leaders, students, citizens and human beings. The lessons he taught about discipline, perseverance, accountability, teamwork and overcoming adversity remain with his student-athletes long after their playing careers have ended.

Johnson has also poured back into Leatherneck Athletics through his personal philanthropy, earning recognition as a Sherman Circle donor and at the Directors level of the Foundation Fellows Society.