Christopher D. Merrett, longtime director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University, has been named dean of innovation and economic development, as well as special adviser to the president for innovation, at WIU.
Norm Walzer moderated a program on rural policy at the 32nd annual Rural Affairs Conference last Thursday by the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University.
That’s only natural Walzer started the event more than three decades ago. The institute’s director emeritus said the program is designed to help rural communities across Illinois.
“We wanted to get the best minds from across the country to help Illinois deal with rural challenges. We have continued that approach all 32 years,” he said.
This year the conference was held virtually due to the pandemic with speakers Zooming in from different parts of the country.
Virtual Conference Touches on Rural Opportunities, Challenges During Pandemic wglt.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wglt.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.