Western Illinois University

Only 24 hours left! We need 100 more donors before our campaign ends at 1:30 pm (CST) this Saturday, August 31. If we hit our goal, we'll unlock an additional $1,000 in scholarship support at Western. Help Col. Rock IV 'Ray' earn the title of 'Goodest Boy in Illinois' with your gift of $5 or more! https://go.wiu.edu/GoodestBoyinIL

Meet Schuyler Emerick, a Spring 2024 graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business. He recently began a career with DICKEY-john, an agricultural technology company. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/4d2zPBv

This week on the What to do...series we are covering Camps Orchard, located about 20 minutes outside of Macomb!🍎🍏 Their opening day is Sunday, September 1st 8am-6pm! Lots of fall fun and goodies! Make sure to take a trip out there soon!

Western Illinois University was selected by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to join the latest cohort of the Aspen-AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/4e3oGB1

Western Illinois University alumna Jodi Ruffner will have her solo exhibition "Snapshots of Reverie" on display Tuesday, Sept. 3 - Thursday, Sept. 26, at the ANNEX Gallery. Admission is open free to the public. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/4g3lnvz

Part 5 of our 125 series!💛💜 Being a Leatherneck is all about strength and standing out, according to Western Illinois University Management instructor Andre DuPlessis. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3MrxOE2

TODAY!! The Western Illinois University Multicultural Center (MCC) invites students to its Fall Open House from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. Refreshments, games, music, and prizes will be provided. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3AJypye

An annual fall tradition is making its return to Western Illinois University. The 10th celebration of Lodge & Libations will be held Saturday, September 21 at Horn Field Campus (HFC). Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3AEOcy6

🐾 Ray needs YOUR HELP! Give now to help crown Colonel Rock WIU Live Mascot the Goodest Boy in Illinois. 🐾

WIU's and NIU's live mascots are neck and neck for the title of the Goodest Boy in Illinois. Every gift of $5 or more to student scholarships now through 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 brings us closer to victory! Leathernecks, let's rally and BEAT Northern! 💜

👉 Give Now: https://go.wiu.edu/GoodestBoyinIL

TOMORROW!!💜💛

We’re kicking off the semester with some sweet treats and a chance to reconnect! 🍦 Come by Stipes Lawn this Wednesday, August 28, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM to enjoy free ice cream and meet your business faculty.

It’s the perfect way to start the year—fun, food, and friendly faces! See you there!

💛 #4 of the 125 series!!💜

Graduation day was one of the best moments at Western Illinois University for alum Vikitha Ram Bommagani. After earning her Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics in 2023, she was able to feel proud of her accomplishments. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3yVCRcv

Olivia Raymond, an Art Studio major with a minor in Event Planning, exemplifies the impact WIU has on its students and the broader community.

"At first, I was not sure where I wanted to go," Raymond said. "But after some convincing, I decided to commit to our local university. I love being able to commute from home and still participate in everything. Students at Western are like one big family and the support and kindness are unbeatable!" Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/4cGcoO8

The Western Illinois University Autism Center of Excellence (WACE) was recently announced as a recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri. WIU Speech Pathology and Audiology Instructor and WACE Co-Coordinator Nicole Pierson attended the Community Foundation's awards presentation on Tuesday, August 13. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3Z18lsl

Just Hired! Meet Clayton Walch, a Spring 2024 graduate in Agriculture Science, focusing on Agronomy and Precision Ag, who recently accepted a position at Nutrien Ag Solutions as a Crop Consultant at the Sullivan, IL, retail branch. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3YZ23JO

Due to the extreme summer temperatures and high humidity that will affect the region this week, Western Illinois University's Corbin/Olson commons and University Union are designated as cooling centers for area residents. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3Xlg5nO

🐾 Happy National Dog Day to our boy Colonel Rock WIU Live Mascot "Ray."

Do you think Ray is the goodest boy? Make it official and help crown him the Goodest Boy in Illinois, by giving now. WIU's and NIU's live mascots are going head to head for the title of the Goodest Boy in Illinois. Every gift of $5 or more to student scholarships now through 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 brings us closer to victory!

👉 Give Now: https://go.wiu.edu/GoodestBoyinIL

This week on what to do... we are covering Ball Fore Family Entertainment Center! ⛳ ⚾ Located 9575 US Hwy 136, Macomb, IL 61455, Ball Fore is filled with fun like mini golf, batting cages, park golf, sand volleyball, basketball courts, and a playground! Hours are Friday: 5-10pm Saturday: 1-10pm and Sunday: 1-6pm. Come out and see for yourself!

The Block Party is TODAY!! 💛 💜

BUS ROUTE: At 4:10 pm, our driver will put “Special Event” on the marquee and will start the route at Linc/Wash, then going to Corbin/Olson, Thompson, Charles/Elting, University Village, Charles/Adams, then to the City Center, arriving approx. 4:20 pm. Then, for any stragglers, the driver will go back and at approx. 4:25 pm will start the same route again, still using “Special Event” on the marquee and going to the same stops as before, arriving back at the City Center at approx. 4:40 pm.

See you there! 4:30-6:30pm!

Are you ready? Faculty, staff, students, alumni and the entire Western Illinois University community are invited to join the 31st annual Founders' Day Celebration and kick off Western's 125th-anniversary year-long festivities. The celebration will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, in the University Union Brattain Lounge. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3yN8eGa

Supporters of Western Illinois University can take part in a fun challenge versus Northern Illinois University now through the end of the month. In a competition that pits each school's lovable dog mascots against each other, the 'Goodest Boy in Illinois' fundraising challenge runs until 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 (one hour before the WIU vs. NIU football kickoff). Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/4dv8loU

Experiences are what makes memories at Western Illinois University, according to 2018 graduate Lisa Fornoff.

Fornoff graduated from WIU with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and said her best memories were playing with the Marching Leathernecks, WIU's marching band, with one specific memory coming from a holiday event. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/4dKN8Y4

TOMORROW is the Block Party! 💛 💜 Make sure you know how to get there!

At 4:10 pm, our driver will put “Special Event” on the marquee and will start the route at Linc/Wash, then going to Corbin/Olson, Thompson, Charles/Elting, University Village, Charles/Adams, then to the City Center, arriving approx. 4:20 pm. Then, for any stragglers, the driver will go back and at approx. 4:25 pm will start the same route again, still using “Special Event” on the marquee and going to the same stops as before, arriving back at the City Center at approx. 4:40 pm.

This coming Monday Social Work is having an open house! Come see us at Horrabin Hall, rm 8 2:30-4:30pm!!💜 💛

Are you planning on going to the Block Party this Friday??💜 💛

Make sure you know the GoWest bus route! At 4:10 pm, our driver will put “Special Event” on the marquee and will start the route at Linc/Wash, then going to Corbin/Olson, Thompson, Charles/Elting, University Village, Charles/Adams, then to the City Center, arriving approx. 4:20 pm. Then, for any stragglers, the driver will go back and at approx. 4:25 pm will start the same route again, still using “Special Event” on the marquee and going to the same stops as before, arriving back at the City Center at approx. 4:40 pm.

See you there! 4:30-6:30pm!

As the fall semester begins, a dozen first-year Leathernecks are starting the year with an in-depth understanding of the functions and opportunities at Western Illinois University. From July 14 to August 9, this group of students, including participants from as far as Texas and New York, spent four weeks living on-campus and participating in the annual Liftoff! Summer Bridge Program. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/4dvgOIR

Today is the Student Organization Fair!💜 💛 Come and see all the fun groups our University has to offer! At Campus Mall, 3-5pm! See you there!

Hey Leathernecks! The Western EMS team is looking for you! Apply today!

Are you looking for student employment that will add a nice column to your resume? Check out our Western EMS team! It's a great group of people, and a great job.

Western EMS is a student-led department focused on providing non-transport basic life support services to students, faculty, and guests on WIU's campus. They are sponsored by the Office of Public Safety, and can be reached in an emergency situation via the OPS number: (309) 298-1949. Our services are free and available every night from 7 PM to 7 AM except on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

WEMS is recruiting new members this semester, and no experience is required to apply. We provide a free Emergency Medical Responder course to new members.

They will be hosting an interest meeting on September 4th at 7PM in the Corbin-Olson E-Classroom.

Applications are due September 7th, 2023 at midnight. Applications are available at the link below.

With questions, contact Captain Alyssa Stropes ([email protected]) or the WEMS email ([email protected]).

Application Link: https://forms.gle/du9PhRE7FXRoApVT8

This is the first in a series of stories about Western Illinois University students, alumni, and community members, highlighting their experiences during our 125th anniversary celebration. We will feature 125 individuals from August 2024 to August 2025.

WIU Nutrition and Dietetics major Ashley Bowles is a senior Macomb native who feels Western is preparing her to pursue a successful career. Read more: https://go.wiu.edu/3Xc3fID