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EIU Foundation

Meet the Board of Directors

2023-2024


Ms. Dawn Johnson - President - Ballwin, Missouri

Dawn Johnson VP 2023

Dawn graduated from EIU in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism.  She is an officer and shareholder in the law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. in St. Louis, Missouri. As a leader of the firm’s Franchising & Distribution industry group, she leads a team of transactional and litigation attorneys who represent clients nationally and internationally, from start-ups to some of the largest and most recognized brands. Her litigation practice focuses on all aspects of the dealer, distributor, and franchise relationship. She represents franchisors in state and federal courts across the country, and in mediation and arbitration. She is a Certified Franchise Executive through the International Franchise Association and is active with the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising.

Dawn is also a member of the International Franchise Association and International Distribution Institute and serves as an Associate Editor for The Franchise Lawyer. In 2022 and 2023, she was named St. Louis area Franchise Law Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in America. She has also been listed by Who’s Who Legal: Franchise numerous times. Before attending law school, she was an award-winning reporter for the Decatur Herald & Review daily newspaper in her hometown of Decatur, Illinois. After graduating from Washington University School of Law in 1993, she continued to use her writing experience as a law clerk to a federal judge in St. Louis. She is active within her community, having served most recently on the Boards of Directors for Focus St. Louis and Safe Connections. She currently serves on her law firm’s Board of Directors. EIU named her a Distinguished Alumna in 2022.


Dr. Kelvin Lane,  Vice President - Buffalo Grove, Illinois 

Kelvin Lane Treasure 2023

Kelvin graduated from EIU in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in technology education. He was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated while at EIU in the Spring of 1977. In 1988 he obtained a Master of Arts in computer teacher education from Governor State University. He graduated from Roosevelt University in 1993 with a Master of Arts in administration and supervision. He obtained his Doctorate from Loyola University in curriculum and instruction. He started his career in Education teaching industrial arts and then later computer technology in Wheeling, Illinois until 1993. Much of his career was dedicated to high school administration.

His most recent role was as the Coordinator of Student Discipline for the second-largest School District in Illinois, Elgin U46, from 2009 until his retirement in 2014. Lane has dedicated his career to helping students reach their full potential regardless of their learning style in a safe and nurturing environment. He continues to consult with school districts, focusing on student life and discipline.


Mr. Randall Wright, Treasurer, Houston, Texas

Randy Wright Secretary 2023

Randy graduated from EIU in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics.  After completing a master’s in business administration degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Randy began a career in healthcare administration on the staff of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield.  In 1979 he moved to Houston to work for The Methodist Hospital.  Over a 20-year period at Methodist, he held various leadership roles including Administrator for the Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Vice President over the for-profit programs of the hospital, and then Senior Vice President responsible for the Hospital’s Diagnostic and Therapeutic programs. In 2000, Randy moved to Texas Children’s Hospital, the nation’s largest children’s hospital.  He served in many different executive roles at TCH including Chief Information Officer, Acting Chief Financial Officer, President of the Texas Children’s Health Plan, and interim Administrator of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. His major responsibility was as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and he retired from TCH in 2016. Randy and his wife Brenda (Bachelor of Science in Education 1970) have strong ties to EIU, particularly the Physics Department. 

They created endowed scholarships honoring Dr. Glenn Q Lefler who was Department Chairman from 1950-1970 and Dr. Bill Butler who was Department Chairman from 1970-1087.  Brenda and Randy, along with Dr. P Scott Smith, a long-serving faculty member, provided a significant part of the funding for the development of an Observatory to support the Astronomy program. In 2004 Randy was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service for his support of EIU.  In 2016 he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus by the EIU Alumni Association.  In 2017, Randy and his wife Brenda were honored by the EIU Foundation as Distinguished philanthropists.  Randy currently serves on the Board of the Children's Hospital of San Antonio Foundation and is a member of the M D Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. 


Ms. Bonita Tillman, Secretary, St. Louis, Missouri

Bonita Tillman 2022Bonita graduated from Eastern in 1980 with B.A. degrees in Journalism and Political Science and a teaching certificate. After a brief stint as a substitute teacher, she spent 15 years as an editor and reporter for the Suburban Journals newspaper chain in the Metro-East communities of Granite City, Edwardsville, East St. Louis, and Belleville. In 1996, she transferred her skills to a public relations position at Nestle’s Purina pet products company in St. Louis where she worked for 22 years. She retired in 2018 as Manager of Corporate Public Relations.

Since that time, Bonita started Aries Communications LLC and contributes regularly as a freelance writer to the St. Louis Business Journal and its affiliates in Tampa Bay and Orlando, Fla. She also continues to support the profession via the St. Louis Press Club and the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists where she has been treasurer for 10 years. At Eastern, Bonita helped initiate the EIU Black Student Reunion celebration and served on the EIU Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2010 to 2019.


Dr. Nathaniel Anderson, Belleville, Illinois

Nate AndersonNate Anderson has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Eastern Illinois University dating back to the 1970s. Known as "Nate the Great," Anderson played on the Panther football team as a running back and held numerous rushing records while attending EIU. In 1973, he was named first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. Graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, he continued his education at his alma mater and later earned a Master of Science in Education in 1977 from Eastern. Anderson earned his Specialist in Education degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1991 and his doctorate in Educational Administration from Illinois State University in 1998.

He has spent over 25 years working in educational administration, offering expertise and guidance within large community districts, being employed as a principal at Rock Island High School and a superintendent of the East St. Louis school district. He has worked at the University of Illinois-Springfield, teaching educational leadership courses at the graduate level. Throughout the years, Nate Anderson has served EIU in many capacities. He has devoted time through service on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Educational Administration Advisory Committee, and the University Board of Trustees as both a member and board chair. He also has been a member of the Panther Club. The Nate Anderson Scholarship was established in 2004 in his honor and as a testament to his beliefs in education and improving services for children.


Mr. Robert Glover, Dallas Texas 

Bob Glover

Robert F. Glover graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Political Science.  While at Eastern, Bob was a Student Senator and was elected twice to Student Body President from 1980 through 1982.  Bob received the Outstanding Senior Award in 1982 for his leadership in creating the Student Legal Service, Grade Appeals Policy, Athletic Fee Referendum, and many other achievements.  Bob was a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board from 2002 through 2008. 

Bob has endowed two Eastern scholarships, the Glover Student Leadership Award, and the Gerardo Solis Latino/Latina Scholarship award.  In 2005, Bob received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and in 2008 the inaugural Political Science Distinguished Alumni Award.  Bob was the Eastern Commencement Speaker for the fall semester in 2007.  Since graduation, Bob has been a Vice President with Cardinal Health for over 30 years and in 2018, joined TIDI Products as Senior Director, Health Systems as part of the RoundTable Health Partners private equity firm in Lake Forest, IL. Bob has received several national customer and company awards for his service, contract negotiation, and mentoring.                


Dr. Judith James, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Judith James 2022Dr. Judith James, an accomplished EIU retiree professor, began her journey teaching in the Zoology Department on a temporary basis, prior to completing her doctorate in 1987. After earning her Ph. D. in Genetics from Illinois State University, she taught a variety of genetics courses, ranging from “Heredity and Society” through the required genetics courses for majors and honors and a graduate course in Human Genetics. She served as Pre-Medical Studies Chair and University Personnel Committee Chair, as well as on the Faculty Senate, Intercollegiate Athletic Board, Student Health Advisory Board, and Library Advisory Board. Academically, she published various professional articles on developmental genetics, presenting her research at myriad national and professional meetings. 

In addition, Judith also served on the Board of Directors of the Central Association of Advisors for Health Professions for six years. Judith’s invaluable dedication to the EIU earned her two Faculty Excellence Awards. Her greatest passion was the major support she provided to autistic students and funds for graduate assistants and diagnostic tests for children. After a fulfilling career, including so many memorable and crucial contributions to EIU, she retired from the university in 2001.


Dr. Charles Maris -Charleston, Illinois

Chuck Maris 2022Chuck earned his BS in Zoology with a Chemistry minor from EIU in 1971 and an MD from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1975. After medical school, he completed full residencies in General Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Chuck entered private practice in 1982 as a Sarah Bush Lincoln Medical Staff Member. During his tenure at Sarah Bush, he served in multiple medical staff positions which included service as Chief of Surgery and three terms as Medical Staff President. In 1996 Chuck became an associate of the Carle Clinic Association based in Urbana, IL.  Chuck progressed through multiple medical administrative assignments.  He retired from medical administration as Chief of Surgery and Medical Director of Surgical Services in 2014. During his career, he has served on the volunteer medical faculty of the UIUC College of Medicine and most recently with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Maris is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. He is a past member of the IL ACS Committee on Trauma and a State Faculty member for the ACS Advanced Trauma Life Support Course for Physicians. He was instrumental in bringing the ATLS Course to downstate IL acting as course director for the first ATLS courses at the Carle Level 1 Trauma Center. 

He served as a member of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Foundation and served as a physician member of the Carle Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Maris and his wife Karen are EIU Alumni Association Members and recently endowed a scholarship for students enrolled in the new EIU Electrical Engineering Program. While an EIU undergraduate, Chuck was a founding member of the EIU Eta Mu Chapter of Sigma Chi. In July of this year, he was honored as a Significant Sig at the fraternity’s Grand Chapter meeting in Scottsdale, AZ. Chuck retired as a Colonel from the US Army Reserve in 2011 after 34 years of combined reserve and active-duty service. His most memorable assignments include mobilization to the Persian Gulf in 1990-91 as Assistant Chief of Surgery for the 159th MASH, four years as Command Surgeon of the 3rd COSCOM in Des Moines, IA, and four years of duty as the Command Surgeon for the 89th Regional Readiness Command in Wichita, KS. 


Mr. Elmer Pullen, Brookport, Illinois

Elmer Pullen 2022

Elmer is a 1970 graduate of EIU with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and a Master of Science in education in 1973. He served as a financial aid counselor at EIU for over 30 years. Elmer has volunteered on numerous non-profit and university committees. Selected in 1978 as “Big Brother of the Year” by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coles County Organization, he also served on the Big Brother organization’s Board of Directors. Pullen was chosen as “Boss of the Year” by Eastern’s Office Staff Support Group in 1989. He was a member of the Charleston Rotary Club and served on the Board of Directors of the Central East Alcohol and Drug Council. Since retiring to Brookport, IL, Elmer has continued to serve the local and regional community on several committees and boards. He is a veteran of the US Army.

 

 


Mr. John Schmitt, Chicago, Illinois

John Schmitt 2022John D. Schmitt, EIU Alumnus. Graduated from EIU with a Bachelor of Arts, in '76, and a Master of Arts in Political Science, in '78.  John served as a Graduate Assistant in the Political Science department during graduate school and assisted Dr. Peter Leigh and Dr. Charles Hollister.  John was involved with Greek activities on campus through his involvement with his fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha of which he was a founding and charter member. John has been involved with the EIU Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity all throughout his alumni years having served as Chapter Advisor and as Treasurer and Secretary of the EIU Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Association. John also served his International Fraternity serving as Chairman of the Alumni Advisory Board. 

The Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity awarded him the Order of Merit for Alumni Service in 1996. John is currently serving as the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Foundations Chairman of the Founders Day of Giving Committee. John spent 35 years working in Illinois Government, Not-for-Profits, Local Government, and Higher Education (State Senate, Department of Energy and Natural Resources, Department of Conservation, Office of Illinois Governor James R. Thompson). He participated in a trade mission to the former USSR and a mission to France. John also served as Executive Director of the Nature of Illinois Foundation and was the first Executive Director of the Illinois Conservation Foundation which raised over $16 million. His last position of over seven years was with his beloved Alma Mater Eastern Illinois University in which he served as the Director of Development/Philanthropy for the Chicagoland region. John has been a long-time member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and served as President of the Chicago Chapter in 2012. The Chicago Chapter of AFP at the time was the largest Chapter with over 1,000 members.

John has been a long-standing member of the EIU Alumni Association and served on the Board of Directors from 1983-1986. He was awarded the EIU Alumni Association's Lou Hencken Alumni Service Award in 2004. He established the John D. Schmitt Scholarship which annually awards an officer of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at EIU. John has also been instrumental in leading to the creation of three other EIU scholarships benefiting undergraduate members of Lambda Alpha Chi: the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Founders Scholarship, the Lambda Chi Alpha Scholastic Incentive Scholarship, and the Jack R. Kelly Scholarship. In 2022 John Schmitt was named the EIU Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal. In 2018 the EIU Foundation honored John Schmitt with the Outstanding Member Award.


Ms. Susan Young, Mahomet, Illinois

Susan Young 2022

Susan graduated from EIU in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Science degree in taxation in 1990 from DePaul University. Young serves as Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Chief Financial Officer at the University of Illinois’ Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, where she’s worked for more than ten years. In her role, she oversees the annual financial operations, capital project funding, and human resources for the division.

Additional areas under Susan’s supervision include the State Farm Center, Orange and Blue Golf Course, Atkins Tennis Center, and IT services. Before her tenure with U of I, she spent nearly six years as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust Wealth Management Division in Mattoon. She is an accomplished executive with more than 30 years of tax, financial planning, and investment advisory experience for several firms, including Ernst & Young, Fel-Pro Incorporated, and KKP Group. Susan has been very involved in the Eastern Illinois University Alumni Association, serving as president from 2004-05 and as a board member from 2001 to 2010.

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