Gov. Pat Quinn today announced the appointment of Wheeler G. Coleman to the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees.
Wheeler G. Coleman
Coleman, 51, graduated from NIU’s nationally respected computer science program in 1983 with a degree in applied data processing. He later earned an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He currently holds the positions of vice president and chief technology officer at Health Care Service Corporation, the fourth largest health insurance company in the United States and the nation’s largest customer-owned health insurer.
Coleman, who lives in Chicago, is active in many civic organizations. He sits on the boards of the Black Ensemble Theater and the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation. He was a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago in 2006 and was named Chicago United’s Leader of Color in 2007 in recognition of his business accomplishments and civic contributions.
A member of the NIU Alumni Association Board of Directors since 2010, Coleman said that he feels a debt of gratitude to his alma mater.
“Northern changed my life. I got a great education and developed some skills that allowed me to be very successful in the business world,” Coleman said. “I am elated to join a group of people who are working to ensure that we are moving in the right direction for our students and trying to take NIU to the next level.”
Coleman will take the place of Manny Sanchez, who stepped down from the board after 15 years of service.
“I look forward to the expertise and enthusiasm that Mr. Coleman will bring to the board,” said chair of the NIU Board of Trustees Cherilyn Murer. “I am eager for his input as we strive to make NIU into the most student centered public research university in the Midwest.”
