There is another opening on the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees.
Derek Wise resigned from the board to focus on his new job as deputy police chief in Cahokia Heights.
The other open seat became vacant in December when Doug Shaw resigned.
Trustees are appointed by the governor and must be approved by the Illinois Senate.
During his final board meeting on June 17, Wise said he believes WIU is headed in the right direction.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. Believe in what you’re doing because you’re doing the right thing. And you have a stellar team at the helm that’s going to guide the ship through these waters,” he said.
Wise said he’s grateful he had the opportunity to serve.
Chairperson Carin Stutz called Wise an outstanding trustee who understands board governance.
“He asks great questions. He asks the right questions, and he’s helped move our university forward by doing so,” Stutz said.
Wise was appointed to the WIU board in March 2023.
He retired from Illinois State Police as a major, and also worked for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the Venice Police Department.
In addition, Wise is a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as an instructor with the United States Army Primary Leadership Development School, specializing in unit leadership.
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