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WIU Graduation |Lake Ruth Gets a Make-Over | WIU Mourns Death | WIU-QC at the Movies

WIU Graduates More Than 1,900

Ceremonies recognizing the academic and personal accomplishments of Western Illinois University students and alumni were held May 9-10 in Macomb and May 11 in the Quad Cities during Western's Spring 2008 Commencement Weekend.

"We are proud of all of our Western Illinois University graduates and I'd like to offer my congratulations to all of our Spring 2008 degree recipients," President Al Goldfarb said. "The Class of 2008 has all my best wishes for future academic and professional successes."

Some 1,950 students - - including more than 1,525 undergraduate and approximately 420 graduate students who have applied for graduation - - were eligible to participate in the Spring 2008 ceremonies.

The Honors Convocation and Graduate Commencement Exercises were held May 9 in Western Hall, while three Commencement ceremonies were held May 10 in Western Hall for undergraduate students.

During the first of the three graduation ceremonies, Samuel N. Oliva, a 1977 graduate with a bachelor of business degree in accountancy, was presented the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award. Oliva is a certified public accountant and managing partner of ECS Financial Services, Inc.

Commencement weekend concluded with the fifth annual combined Graduate/Undergraduate Ceremony for the Quad Cities Campus. It was held at i wireless Center in Moline.

"Graduation is the most exciting time on campus and it was a pleasure to participate in what was my first commencement since coming to Western Illinois," said Provost and Academic Vice President Jack Thomas, who led each Commencement ceremony. "We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our students."

Western's Board of Trustees also participated and Thomas recognized 2008 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Michael Romano, professor of biology and curator of reptiles and amphibians, in each Commencement ceremony. To close each ceremony, Alumni Council President Pam Hoffman '70 welcomed the 2008 graduates as the newest members of the WIU Alumni Association.

Photo: Board of Trustees Chair Bill Epperly '68, Alumni Council President Pam Rigsby Hoffman '70, Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Sam Oliva '77 and President Al Goldfarb.

Lake Ruth Gets a Make-Over

Lake Ruth is getting a make-over.

"So many of our alumni remember Lake Ruth with fond memories and it is such a cornerstone of our campus.  Because Lake Ruth was experiencing serious silting issues, WIU's Physical Plant developed a plan to remove the silt and generally improve Lake Ruth and the area surrounding it with in-house staff. We want to keep it looking beautiful for all who visit - students, faculty and staff, alumni and community members alike," said Jackie Thompson '85 MS-ED '94, Vice President for Administrative Services.  "Once the project is complete, the aquatic animals removed prior to the start of the project will be returned to Lake Ruth."

The water volume of Lake Ruth has been drastically reduced. More than 30 dump truck loads of sediment have been removed to
date from Western Illinois University's Lake Ruth as part of the massive
clean-up of the picturesque campus landmark.

The clean-up began on May 19 and is expected to be complete by the end of June.

Click here to read more on the Lake Ruth Clean-up.

WIU Mourns Death of WIU Trustee

Robert J. Cook, 70, of Macomb, a Western Illinois University Board of Trustees member and an education professor emeritus, passed away on May 22 at his residence.

"We are deeply saddened by Bob's death. Bob was an invaluable member of the Western Illinois community and our Board of Trustees; he will be greatly missed," said Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb. "Our sympathy and thoughts go out to Bob's family, colleagues and friends."

Cook was appointed to the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees in February 2006 and served the board as secretary. He supervised student teachers and taught educational administration courses at WIU for 35 years, retiring July 1, 2002. Included in his dedicated service to the University were his roles as president of the Faculty Council of the College of Education and secretary of Faculty Senate.

Click here to read more on Cook.

WIU-QC at the Movies

For those alumni and friends who enjoy going to the movies in the Quad Cities, expect an extra treat when you visit the Showcase 53 Cinemas in Davenport during this summer's blockbuster movie season. WIU-QC is participating in a new digital advertising initiative at the Showcase 53 Cinemas. Before the films begin, movie-goers will see an animated WIU-QC ad on the big screen.

Click here to read more on the WIU-QC movie ads.

**Congratulations to the June winner--Angela Altevogt '06. She found Rocky in the WIU-QC at the Movies full article. Watch for your chance to win in July!

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 May winner--Dorie Seils Vallillo '77 '81. She found Rocky in the Big Bogey Classic article on the College of Education and Human Services web page.

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