Illinois College names Marcia Short ’86 Homecoming Marshal

Illinois College will honor longtime College leader, alumna and dedicated supporter Marcia Short '86 as the 2026 Homecoming Marshal during Homecoming festivities October 9-10.

Short's connection to Illinois College spans more than four decades, beginning with her years as a student and continuing through a 31-year career serving her alma mater. She remains deeply connected to the College today through her philanthropy and support for future generations of Illinois College students.

Short began working at Illinois College immediately after graduation, first serving as an admissions counselor before moving into the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Over the next three decades, she held numerous leadership roles in alumni relations, annual giving, major gifts, donor stewardship and development, eventually serving as executive director of development and alumni relations from 2014 until her retirement from the College in 2018.

Throughout that career, Short helped generations of alumni and friends strengthen their relationships with Illinois College and understand the impact their generosity could have on students. Her own giving reflects the same commitment she spent her career fostering in others.

Short is a Sturtevant Society member and a member of the Heritage Circle at the Society of 1829 giving level. Her contributions have invested personally in the students, programs and opportunities she championed throughout her career.

Her selection as Homecoming Marshal brings Short's Illinois College story full circle. Forty years after graduating and serving as co-chair of the student Homecoming Committee, she will help lead a celebration that brings alumni back to the Hilltop and strengthens the connections she spent much of her career building.

Today, Short serves as executive assistant at the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, a position she has held since 2019.

Illinois College's Homecoming will take place October 9-10 and will welcome alumni, families and friends back to campus for a weekend of events, including the annual Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 10.

For a complete schedule of Homecoming events and additional information, visit ic.edu/Homecoming.