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Western's Environmental Sustainability | Summer Orientation Finishes Fourth Year | Football Coach on Medical Leave | 100th Birthday on 8-8-08

Western's Environmental Sustainability

As Western Illinois University continues to focus on environmental sustainability in all aspects of University life, our Strategic Plan, Higher Values in Higher Education 2008-2018, highlights major goals of our sustainability efforts. The two campuses of Western Illinois University are committed to advancing statewide, regional, and national leadership in environmental sustainability within all aspects of university operations, including the curriculum, community and co-curricular events, new construction, administrative operations, and outreach efforts.

According to Joe Rives, Executive Assistant to the President for Quad Cities, Planning and Technology, the Strategic Plan goals related to sustainability include: increasing green purchasing, reducing pollution and waste, facilitating green building practices, and promoting green-friendly policies. As you will see by opening the link below, much has been done already as the University communities are committed to achieving these goals.

Visit the University's Strategic Plan website for more information. Or click on the July '08 Strategic Plan Update to go directly to the Environmental Sustainability progress.

Summer Orientation Finishes Fourth Year

The school year is already underway for some Western students. In fact, for some, it began in June. No, they were not taking summer school classes, but rather, they attended Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR), a program developed four years ago to assist new students and their families with the transition to college even before move-in day. The day-and-a-half SOAR program is now held multiple times throughout June and July on the Western Illinois University campus.

Many WIU Alumni often recall the day their parents dropped them off at Western to begin college, not knowing what to expect, but the SOAR programs prepare both the students and their families for that transition. The SOAR programs are primarily for new freshmen. Each day-and-a-half session is designed to promote personal academic success and individual development. In addition, students have the opportunity to meet other students and their families, which in turn provides a group of ready-made friends when they make the journey back to Macomb in August to move into the residence halls. The programs also include informative presentations, small group discussions, academic advising, placement exercises, and class registration which are designed to help students enter the University informed and confident about their upcoming years at Western Illinois University. SOAR programs are one of the first steps that students take in their transition to Western.

"Orientation was a totally new experience for me. I did not know what to expect, but Western made the experience very memorable and informative. All my questions were answered and it left me feeling ready and excited for school," said 2008 incoming freshman Megan Ervin.

The incoming students were not the only ones who got a lot out of the program; many parents found the sessions informative as well.

"We were very pleased with the information we received during orientation. This is our first child to go to college and we have many concerns and questions. The information we received was priceless," said parents Jeff and Cindy Ervin.

"SOAR programs help students not only connect with other students but also prepare them for a good start when they do arrive on campus in August," said Tracy Scott '90, Director of WIU's Student Development and Orientation (SDO).

Click here to read more on SOAR and to meet the Orientation Team.

Football Coach Don Patterson on Medical Leave

Entering his 10th season at Western Illinois University, Head Football Coach Don Patterson has taken an immediate leave of absence due to a recent diagnosis of tonsillar cancer.

As one of the Gateway Football Conference's all-time winningest coaches (now called the Missouri Valley Football Conference), Don Patterson has guided Western Illinois to three playoff berths, a pair of Gateway Football Conference titles and a No. 1 national ranking. He will enter his 10th season in 2008 needing just four victories to become the winningest coach in Leatherneck history.

Patterson, 57, underwent a surgical procedure recently in Iowa City and is now embarking on a seven-week treatment plan, forcing him to miss preseason camp and several games early in the season. In his absence, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mark Hendrickson will serve as acting head coach.

Click here to read more on Patterson.

Alumna To Celebrate 100th Birthday on 8-8-08

Congratulations to 1929 Western Illinois University graduate Maxine Polhill who will turn 100 on August 8, 2008. We wish her a very happy birthday! Maxine received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and taught for many years in Northern Illinois. She now lives in Hilton Head, S.C. and joined us recently for our Hilton Head Event where she filled us in on some WIU history from the 1920's and beyond. Best wishes Maxine!

Future issues of the Western News, our alumni newspaper, will highlight alumni who are celebrating this milestone!

**Congratulations to the August winner--Paula Pile-Brinley '75. She found Rocky on the College of Education and Human Services webpage. Watch for your chance to win in September!

Can you find this exact Rocky (in black and white) some where else in the eNewsletter? If you find him, email us at A-Association@wiu.edu and let us know where he was placed. If you're the first one to email us, you'll win a WIU Prize Pack! Good luck.

Congratulations to the July winner--Paige Durkee MS '97. She found Rocky in the University Libraries webpage.

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