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Director's Column

   


In this Issue

Open Letter to our Alumni and Friends
Announcing New and Restructured Benefits for WIU Alumni
Travel Back to Macomb for a Celebration of Wetzel Hall
Join WIU for Cards v Cubs | Head West with WIU in July!
Homecoming 2012 and the 25, 40 and 50 year Reunion


Open Letter to our Alumni and Friends

Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Brad Bainter '79 MS '83 and Col Rock III
Brad and Col Rock III

I am sure you have a story about your first time on campus.

It was August 1975 when I first set foot on the Western Illinois University campus. And it was nuts! I stood in a line that stretched from the southeast side of Horrabin Hall to Stipes Hall to register for my fall quarter classes. And when I finally made it into the gym I found myself waiting in more lines to pick up my class cards. And then I did it all over again for the winter quarter... and the spring quarter... but in a big open room on the second floor of Sherman Hall.

I’m sure you have stories about the good times you had at Western after your first day on campus, and about the impact that Western has had on your life.

My job has led me all over the United States and has allowed me to hear your stories. It has allowed me to talk with alumni who have graduated in every decade from the 1920s to today. Everywhere I go, I sense a feeling of pride and commitment to Western. You talk about making lifelong friends; or of the professor who made a difference in your life; or of meeting your spouse or significant other at Western and going back for visits with your kids; or your favorite eating spot or bar; or Lake Argyle; or how Western gave you the opportunity to learn and grow and through that experience land a job and start a career.

It is gratifying to know that so many of you who credit Western with assisting in the successes in your lives have stepped forward to support our current $60 million campaign. We are now over $50 million toward our goal and I have no doubt that by Dec. 31, 2013, when the campaign ends, we will have exceeded our goal. The question is: “By how much?” And that depends on how many of you who have not yet contributed to the campaign do so in the coming year.

Full story here.

*EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this letter was first published in the summer issue of Western News, legislation is currently pending that, if signed by Gov. Pat Quinn, will reduce Western's state appropriated funding by $3.4 million, from its current $55.5 million to $52.1 million. In addition, the state still owes Western $19.1 million for Fiscal Year 2012 reimbursements.


Announcing New and Restructured Benefits for WIU Alumni

Your WIU Alumni Association is pleased to announce some exciting changes to many of the benefits and services we provide for our graduates! As many know, the day you graduate from Western, you automatically become a member of the WIU Alumni Association and along with that membership comes a number of benefits and services, many of which we've restructured to better fit the needs of our alumni.

"We kick off our new and restructured programs July 1 and hope you will join us in showing your WIU pride!" said Alumni Director Amy Spelman MS '98. "It was time to take a closer look at ways we could provide better opportunities for our alumni to be reconnected with their alma mater, including more economical options to show how proud they are to be Leathernecks. In addition, we searched for new companies that were really committed to being partners with the Alumni Association and our graduates."

Kicking Off July 1...
Diploma frameDiploma Display Frame--We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Church Hill Classics for custom Western Illinois University diploma frames. You’ve worked so hard to earn your diploma…now it’s time to preserve it and show it off! Frame prices start at $56; order yours today online or by calling 800-477-9005. Please mention membership code WIUAA when ordering by phone.

WIU Class Ring--Would you like to design your own WIU class ring? Show your Western pride by designing and ordering your class ring through Jostens. Your school...your style...your choice...the design is in your hands. Start the design process online or call 800-854-7464 for more information.

Class ring


RomeTravel Abroad Programs--We've missed traveling with you! The WIU Alumni Association is excited to share our newly-restructured Travel Abroad Program. We offer more trips, more travel dates and a wide range of prices by working with three travel partners. We hope you can join us on the journey(s) as we head to Ireland, Switzerland, Alaska and many more places with us in 2013. Visit our travel page to start your journey today!


Travel Back to Macomb for a Celebration of Wetzel Hall

Wetzel demolitionWetzel demolition

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opened in September of 1970, Wetzel Hall was used for nearly four decades as a home for over 22,000 Western students. Wetzel will officially be decommissioned at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2012 (weather permitting). The celebration will include an evening dinner on Friday, July 13, the morning viewing of the implosion on Saturday followed by an afternoon golf outing. Complete details, including the Wetzel Hall webcam, are available from the Wetzel Celebration web page. Join us for the weekend celebration!

July 13
6:30 p.m. Dinner
Tent on the campus mall
$15/person

July 14
6:45 a.m. Short program will begin
The viewing area designated in the "Q" Parking Lot
Light breakfast items and coffee will be available.

7 a.m. Wetzel implosion
After the implosion, housing staff will be available to give tours of certain buildings (based on renovation schedules).

After lunch - Golf
Mussato Golf Course
$30/person (includes greens fees and cart)

Register today online.


Join Us in Chicago in July for a Wrigleyville Rooftop Event

Join the Western Illinois University Alumni Association

on the Roof!

Wrigleyville Rooftop Alumni & Friends Event

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs

Saturday July 28, 2012 |Rooftop doors open at 11:30 a.m. |First pitch at 12:05 p.m.

Wrigleyville

For more information about this event, please visit us online.

 

Head West with WIU in July!

Join President Jack Thomas, Vice President Brad Bainter '79 '83 and Alumni Director Amy Spelman '98 for these two great events in California!


California Zoo

Sunday, July 15
Sunset at the Zoo
Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Santa Ana, CA
5 p.m. dinner in picnic area
Co-hosted by
Alumni Achievement Award recipient Roseanne Bye '69 and Richard Bye
Admission into zoo, social, light dinner and drinks $10/person


Cal C LevelIsland PrimeMonday, July 16
San Diego
Alumni & Friends Social
Island Prime
C Level Cabanas
880 Harbor Island Dr.
San Diego, CA
6-8 p.m.
Delectable hors d'oeuvres and cash bar $10/person

 

Save the Date for the 2012 Homecoming Events and the 25, 40 and 50 year Reunion

Homecoming and Reunion

Get the latest Homecoming and Reunion information online.

 


****Congratulations to the July winner--Carol Clemons '85. She found Rocky in the header on every page.****
****Congratulations to the June winner--Niles Fleege '76. He found Rocky on the Foundation and Development webpage.****
Rocky

Can you find this exact Rocky (in black and white) somewhere else in the eNewsletter? If you find him, email us at
A-Association@wiu.edu
and let us know where he was placed. One winner will be picked from all the entries emailed on the first day of the month and will get a WIU Prize Pack! Good luck!

 

 

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Western Illinois University
1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455
309-298-1914