From the President

Celebrating 50 Years as a University

This year will mark a significant moment in Western Illinois University's history, and we look forward to celebrating this special occasion with our alumni and friends.

Fifty years ago, Western Illinois State College became Western Illinois University. Illinois Governor William G. Stratton approved the change on July 5, 1957 and Western began its transformation into a university offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees and certification programs to prepare a diverse student population to thrive in, and contribute to, our global society.

To celebrate Western's Golden Anniversary as a university, we have several events planned throughout the year. Our May 2007 Major Donor banquet will highlight the University's anniversary, as well as the 50th anniversary of the WIU Foundation, which was established by President Beu in 1957. On July 4, one day before the actual 50th anniversary of Governor Stratton's approval of the name change, we will host a community-university event near Hanson Field, in conjunction with our annual fireworks display. Our New Student Convocation in August and Founders' Day in September will also highlight Western's 50 years as a university.

Homecoming 2007-which also features the Alumni Reunions-will be especially memorable as we renew lifelong relationships and experiences. At this time we will recognize those many alumni and friends who were at Western in 1957 and were among some of the first to obtain a degree from the new Western Illinois University.

As we celebrate Western's past 50 years as a four-year public university, we also look to the future. Just as numerous new academic programs at Western were established soon after 1957, the next few years will also bring additional programs that will further enhance our stature and prominence as a leading university known for personal attention and student success. Guided by our Higher Values in Higher Education strategic plan, we are developing the curricular proposals for the University's new School of Nursing, which will offer students the opportunity to complete a bachelor of science in nursing. We hope to present the proposals to our Board of Trustees this summer. We are developing a bachelor of liberal arts and sciences degree program to meet the academic and professional demands of our Quad Cities students, especially those transferring from community colleges. We are also developing an online Board of Trustees bachelor of arts degree program allowing students to complete their degree from any location. The College of Business and Technology is reviewing new program initiatives that will meet the demand for business degrees, engineering and technology in the Quad Cities region.

Guided by our campus Master Plan, we are enhancing our facilities in both Macomb and the Quad Cities to support our new initiatives as well as current programs. We are completing the architectural and engineering work for the first building on our Riverfront Campus in Moline and for our new Performing Arts Center in Macomb. Renovations are underway in Memorial Hall and Hanson Field, and we have opened the new Alfred D. Boyer Baseball Stadium and the new Document and Publications Services/Property Accounting and Redistribution facility. We will be starting construction in the near future on our new Multicultural Center and on the expansion of the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center.

Please know that I am honored and proud to be a part of Western's longstanding traditions, values and commitment to education. I look forward to celebrating the achievements of the past 50 years, and working on these important initiatives for our future.