Bonnie Johnson
July 01, 2025
Media ArticleWestern Illinois University announces Keela Trennepohl as the new Interim Director of its School of Agriculture. She steps into the role as of June 1 and brings with her years of teaching, advising, and leadership experience in agriculture.
"I'm excited to be the next director," Trennepohl said. "Ag is and always has been an elite signature program at WIU. We are entering a new era and setting the tone for the rebuilding that is taking place on campus. It is more important than ever to show our current, future and past students that WIU Ag is improving."
Trennepohl has taught animal science at WIU for eight years. She also advises the Hoof and Horn club, leads the WIU Ag Council, and manages the Performance Bull Test and WIU cow herd. Her connection to agriculture runs deep.
"I have been in the cattle industry my whole life, growing up on a cattle operation in southwest Wisconsin and currently my husband, Chris, and I own and operate True North Cattle, a registered Angus and Simmental operation in Macomb alongside our daughters Maroska and Kort.Trennepohl is committed to student success.
"We see you," she said. "You are the first priority, and I promise to do everything in my power to get you the best education possible in order to set you up for continued success. To our future students - majoring in Agriculture offers immense job opportunities. There are more jobs available in agriculture than there are people to fill them..."
Looking ahead, she aims to grow the program with strengths in livestock, plant breeding, sustainable agriculture, and business. She also hopes to build connections with other departments across campus.
"One of my goals is to have WIU Agriculture be one of the most sought-after programs in the country and I'm ready to work with my colleagues, students, and alumni to see that goal come to fruition."
Photo by: www.wiu.edu
