There is an open seat on the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees.
Doug Shaw participated in his final meeting on the board on Friday, Dec. 6.
“None of my actions over the years have been about me. I have no ego in this, and my focus has always been on the university, with the exception of my statue. My people will get with you for that,” Shaw said to laughter during the meeting.
“I appreciate the time with you, and I’ll see you around town.”
Shaw was one of seven new members appointed to the board in 2019, shortly after JB Pritzker took office as Illinois’ governor.
Shaw served two years as the board’s chairperson.
Current chairperson Carin Stutz said Shaw is a voice of reason who’s calm, thoughtful, and insightful.
Fellow trustee Kirk Dillard called Shaw a gentleman who served WIU well during some difficult times.
And Randy Glean, WIU Associate Vice President for Global Studies, said, “His dedication to the upliftment and advancement of his alma mater is rooted in his respect and passionate love for WIU, his recognition of the advantages of a global village, and his desire to see a bright future for the next generation.”
Shaw is a military veteran who earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from WIU.
He lives in Peoria, and is a business process specialist in IT risk management for Caterpillar. He also serves on the Peoria Board of Education.
Among others, Shaw thanked the governor’s office for appointing him to the board, and he thanked Byron Oden Shabazz of the McDonough County NAACP Branch for encouraging him to apply for the position.
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