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In this Issue

Inaugural Address of President Thomas | Best Midwestern College, Top Tier University Among WIU Honors | Homecoming is Here | Western After Hours | Join us in Galena, Utica, Hermann & St. Louis | Calling All Sport Clubs Alumni

Investiture and Inaugural Address of President Jack Thomas

"Today, we observe the inauguration and founding of Western Illinois University. It is a day of celebration, a day of hope, and a day where we observe the past, the present and the future."

Those are the words of WIU President Jack Thomas, as he addressed members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, the University community and others at the 2011 Founders' Day/Inaugural Celebration held on September 23 in Western Hall.

Read more of the Inaugural Address.

Photo: Western Illinois University President Jack Thomas, center, at his Inauguration and 2011 Founders' Day Celebration. Pictured helping with his investiture, at left, is WIU President Emeritus Al Goldfarb and right, is Board of Trustees Chair Mike Houston.

Best Midwestern College, Top Tier University Among WIU Honors

For the seventh consecutive year, The Princeton Review has named Western Illinois University a "Best Midwestern College," and Western is ranked among the top tier of best regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's Annual College Rankings 2012 edition.

Western was one of 153 regional universities, and one of three Illinois public institutions, named a "Best Midwestern College" by The Princeton Review. In the U.S. News and World Report rankings, Western is ranked 14th as a top public school among Midwestern Regional Universities. Western is one of 37 public universities included among the 110 Midwestern college and universities recognized as top tier "Best Regional Universities" by U.S. News and World Report.

Read more.

Homecoming is Here

Homecoming 2011 has finally arrived! The WIU Alumni Association is excited to welcome all alumni and friends back to campus. If you are reading this on Oct. 1, we invite you to stop by campus today and join us for this year's festivities. From the 5K Fun Run to the Homecoming breakfast to the Homecoming parade to the luncheon at The Right Place tent, there is something for everyone. Then, at 3 p.m., help us cheer on the Fighting Leathernecks as they face Southern Illinois University. After the game, join us for the Saturday Night All-Alumni Social and Reunion Recognition Event at the Alumni House. Homecoming 2011 is here so we hope you stop by; Past, Present and Future: Once a Leatherneck, Always a Leatherneck.

If you were unable to join us this year, be sure to check the WIU Alumni website to view pictures from all of the weekend's events.

Introducing Western After Hours

Your WIU Alumni Association is starting a fun new tradition! Join us on the first Thursday of each month for Western After Hours in the Chicago-area.

Our first Western After Hours is scheduled for Thursday, November 3 at Public House in downtown Chicago. Enjoy complimentary light appetizers (while they last) and the unique Table Tender System, which allows guests to view, learn more about and monitor their selections on a sleek LED screen! Read more.

Save the date for these upcoming Western After Hours:

December 1, 2011 - Libertyville

January 5, 2012 - Downtown Chicago

February 2, 2012 - Homewood

March 1, 2012 - Downtown Chicago

April 5, 2012 - Schaumburg

May 3, 2012 - Downtown Chicago

June 7, 2012 - Naperville

July 5, 2012 - Downtown Chicago

August 2, 2012 - Chicago suburb

September 6, 2012 - Downtown Chicago

October 4, 2012 - Chicago suburb

Join us in Galena (IL), Utica (IL), Hermann (MO) & St. Louis

October is a busy month for the WIU Alumni Association! On Thursday, October 13, join us for great wine and great fun in Galena (IL)! Our Galena Alumni & Friends Event begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery. On Saturday, October 22, we will visit "one of the most beautiful places in Illinois" for our Utica Alumni & Friends Event at Starved Rock. On Saturday, October 29, join us at Stone Hill Winery & Restaurant in Missouri for the Hermann Alumni & Friends Wine Tour. Then on Sunday, October 30, the St. Louis Rams vs. New Orleans Saints
Pregame Social & Football Game begins with a 10:00 a.m. social in the Missouri Athletic Club parking lot in St. Louis. We hope to see you there!

Galena Alumni & Friends Event
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery
4746 N. Ford Rd. (just off Stagecoach Trail)
Galena, IL

Utica Alumni & Friends Event at Starved Rock
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center
Utica Room (first floor)
Routes 178 & 71
Utica, IL

Hermann Alumni & Friends Wine Tour
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Stone Hill Winery & Restaurant
1110 Stone Hill Highway
Hermann, MO

St. Louis Rams vs. New Orleans Saints
Pregame Social & Football Game
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Social: Missouri Athletic Club Parking Lot
405 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO
Game: Edward Jones Dome
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO

Calling All Sport Clubs Alumni

Attention all WIU Sport Clubs Alumni! WIU Campus Recreation is creating a Sport Clubs Hall of Fame, which will be located in the Spencer Student Recreation Center. Beginning in Spring 2012, WIU Sport Clubs Alumni will be honored for their outstanding sport clubs careers at WIU.  

If you participated in WIU Sport Clubs and remember a teammate who was All-Tournament, All-Conference or just simply outstanding, send us the following information:

1) Name
2) Sport club(s) played
3) Years attended
4) Specific sport club accomplishments

Please email this information to Nick Knowles, Assistant Director of Sport Clubs & Facilities at WIU Campus Recreation, at NS-Knowles@wiu.edu. If you have any questions, call Nick at 309-298-1228.

Help us select the first class of the WIU Sport Clubs Hall of Fame!

****Congratulations to the October winner--Wendy Hurst '07. She found Rocky on the Student Life webpage.

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!

****Congratulations to the September winner--Kirk Garber '99. He found Rocky on the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies webpage.

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