A retired executive search consultant and entrepreneur, Fred Wackerle ’61 continues to play an active and prominent role for his alma mater.

Wackerle has devoted over 25 years to the Monmouth College Board of Trustees and has made many generous contributions to the institution, most notably the establishment of the Wackerle Career and Leadership Center in 1996.

Wackerle is the retired CEO of Fred Wackerle, Inc., a Chicago-based executive search consulting firm specializing in CEO succession. Wackerle graduated from MC in 1961 and entered the field of executive search in 1964. He went on to be named one of the nation’s top five general management search consultants and was a frequent speaker and writer on CEO succession.

His book, titled "The Right CEO: Straight Talk About Making Tough CEO Selection Decisions" was published by Jossey-Bass in 2001. Having served on the board of trustees since 1979, Wackerle has also served as a member of the executive committee since 1994.

Wackerle collaborated closely with the college to create the career and leadership center that has bore his name since 1996. In developing the Wackerle Center, efforts were focused on a commitment to helping students explore their career and leadership potential through service learning, involvement, and development programs, things to which Wackerle is deeply committed himself.

Wackerle has also endowed the Buck-Wackerle Scholarship in honor of his parents.

"Monmouth College made a commitment to educate me and, in doing so, gave me a nurturing environment in which to grow, learn and mature," said Wackerle. "The college has blessed me with a lifetime of memories. The Wackerle Center (is a way) that I’m able to give something back."