The 'Necks Chapter: Recent Episodes
WIU College of Fine Arts and Communication
A bi-weekly podcast featuring Western Illinois University's College of Fine Arts and Communication alumni.
After 30 years at WIU, Buzz is retiring and moving to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. Listen to his story on how he came to WIU, his career, and about his life with his family in Macomb in this week's episode of The 'Necks Chapter.
WIU alumnus (2003) Dr. Jason Hawkins talks about his time as a undergraduate student, career as a high school teacher, and his journey back to Macomb as a School of Music professor in this week's episode.
Already working on the professional theatre circuit in NYC and regionally, alumna (2021) Amina Alexander, Freelance Lighting Designer and Black Theatre Coalition Fellow 2021, Queens, NY, talks about her learning opportunities in the WIU MFA program.
Speech Language Pathologist Patti Nemec (1977 & 1978) describes her memories of the WIU SPA department and how it prepared her for a long successful career helping children in area school districts in this week's "The 'Necks Chapter".
WIU alumnus Le Hook (1967), Technical Theatre Teacher & Professional, Manteo, N.C., talks about campus life in the 60's and how it helped grow his passion and love of theatre, leading to a long career in the field in this week's episode.
WIU alumna (2014) Linsey (Lundeen) Jackson, Goldsmith, Stone Setter & Shop Manager, House of Diamonds, Overland Park, KS, talks about her time as an Art major and the family atmosphere in the department.
Crediting a strong liberal arts education within the WIU School of Music as providing her foundation, alumna Mariah (Ward) DiGrino (2000), Real Estate Attorney, Partner, DLA Piper, Chicago, IL, talks about growing up in Macomb and her work on historic renovation and preservation projects in this week's episode.
Learn more about the world of public relations from WIU alumna Erika Davis (B.A., 2016 & M.A., 2018 in Communication), Senior Communications Associate, TAWANI Enterprises, Chicago, IL.
In this episode, we highlight the career of Kate Pohlpeter, a 1989 graduate and former Assistant Professor (retired) in the WIU Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Using museum exhibitions to tell stories is the topic of discussion in this week's episode with WIU alumna Abby Klug (M.A. in Museum Studies, 2020), Exhibits Project Manager, Edwards Creative, Milan, IL.
Hear about an amazing career path for WIU alumnus (2005) H. Russ Brown, Head of Theatre/Artistic Director, College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX, who earned his MFA in Acting, in this week's episode.
Hear the wonderful story of WIU alumnus Orlando Riveros (2018), Academic Director at Conservatorio Musicarte in Paraguay, as he talks about the influence of music in his life and his time learning in Macomb.
WIU alumnus Michael Gerrish (1997 & 1999), Chief Marketing and Experience Officer with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, talks about how the Department of Communication helped shape him personally and professionally in this week's episode.
Artist and Educator Tyanna Buie (2006), Assistant Professor/Section Chair of Printmaking, College of Creative Studies, Detroit, MI talks about her time at WIU and her development as a renowned visual artist in this week's episode.
WIU Alumna Melody Betts (MFA 2009), Actress, Singer, Songwriter, Writer, Director, Chicago, IL discusses her career which includes roles on Broadway and television.
Neville Crenshaw (2016), Manager/Special Exhibitions and Featured Experiences/Guest Services, Saint Louis Science Center, St. Louis, MO, talks about his experiences with the Museum Studies graduate program on the Quad Cities campus in this week's episode.
The 'Necks Chapter Episode #2: WIU Alumna Caitlin Egan (2012 & 2014), Speech Language Pathologist, UChicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, discusses her learning opportunities at WIU in the classroom and clinic, as well as her time as a student-athlete, in this episode.
"The 'Necks Chapter" is a podcast highlighting WIU alumni from the College of Fine Arts and Communication. In the initial episode, we talk with School of Music alumnus D.J. Alstadt (1999), Director of Bands at Naperville Central High School in Naperville, IL.