Spring Break
Maguire to retire after 30 years
Scott Waldyn
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: News
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From Student Government Association president in the 1970s to Assistant Vice President for University Relations, John Maguire has served the Western Illinois University community for almost 40 years.
On Nov. 16, Maguire will retire from his current position, ending a career dedicated to Western.
Maguire was introduced to Western early in his life. He is a Macomb native and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Western. He later received a doctorate from Illinois State University only to return and begin a career at Western in 1977 as assistant director of news services. In 1982, he was named the director of news services and was appointed director of University Relations in 1987. In 1994, Maguire moved on to the position he currently holds, one in which he oversees many facets of Western's media outlets. The University Relations Assistant Vice President handles news, Web development, visual production and publication efforts.
"In 30-plus years as a Western administrator, I have had the opportunity to promote WIU to multiple audiences: general public, alumni, prospective students, community leaders and government officials," he said. "It has been an enjoyable experience and one where every day can be a little bit different."
Aside from the aforementioned tasks, Maguire worked with the Board of Trustees, served as chief spokesman for Western, acted as policy adviser for public relations and taught classes. He is also an associate member of the graduate faculty in the education and interdisciplinary studies department, where he teaches in the college student personnel program.
"Certainly I have met numerous government officials, outstanding speakers, entertainers and the like who come to Western and provide enrichment to the campus community," Maguire said in reflection on his service and career at Western. "The most challenging part of the job is communicating when the news or circumstances are not positive, but a reality of a university as a reflection of the things that go on throughout the world - accidents, budget problems, disasters, student and employee deaths."
On Nov. 16, Maguire will retire from his current position, ending a career dedicated to Western.
Maguire was introduced to Western early in his life. He is a Macomb native and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Western. He later received a doctorate from Illinois State University only to return and begin a career at Western in 1977 as assistant director of news services. In 1982, he was named the director of news services and was appointed director of University Relations in 1987. In 1994, Maguire moved on to the position he currently holds, one in which he oversees many facets of Western's media outlets. The University Relations Assistant Vice President handles news, Web development, visual production and publication efforts.
"In 30-plus years as a Western administrator, I have had the opportunity to promote WIU to multiple audiences: general public, alumni, prospective students, community leaders and government officials," he said. "It has been an enjoyable experience and one where every day can be a little bit different."
Aside from the aforementioned tasks, Maguire worked with the Board of Trustees, served as chief spokesman for Western, acted as policy adviser for public relations and taught classes. He is also an associate member of the graduate faculty in the education and interdisciplinary studies department, where he teaches in the college student personnel program.
"Certainly I have met numerous government officials, outstanding speakers, entertainers and the like who come to Western and provide enrichment to the campus community," Maguire said in reflection on his service and career at Western. "The most challenging part of the job is communicating when the news or circumstances are not positive, but a reality of a university as a reflection of the things that go on throughout the world - accidents, budget problems, disasters, student and employee deaths."
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