Western Receives Land Near Campus for Hands-on Science Study

Finks establish environmental studies field laboratory and conservancy

Western students from a variety of degree programs will have the opportunity to study diverse ecologies and habitats, without traveling outside of the county, thanks to a recent donation by Rodney and Bertha Fink MS ‘76 of Macomb, both former WIU employees. Rodney was the dean of the College of Applied Sciences; Bertha served as an instructor of health sciences.

Bertha MS '76 and Rodney Fink, (bottom row left and right), with President Al Goldfarb (center), College of Arts and Sciences Dean Inessa Levi (Back left) and Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Dan Hendricks.The Finks have donated 77 acres of land on West Adams Street, approximately 2.5 miles west of the WIU-Macomb campus, to establish the Rodney and Bertha Fink Environmental Studies Field Laboratory and Conservancy. The property also contains nearly one-half mile of East Lamoine River frontage and is governed by three United States Department of Agriculture conservancy agreements.

“We are grateful for the Finks' contribution to expand student and faculty learning and research opportunities,” said Roger Viadero, director of Western's Institute for Environmental Studies (IES), which will oversee management of the property. “The field laboratory will provide new experiences to work in environmental conditions which are distinctly different from other sites and will provide unrestricted water access. Because of the proximity to campus, undergraduate and graduate students can become engaged in ‘hands-on' applications that complement their classroom studies.”

According to College of Arts and Sciences Dean Inessa Levi, the variety of habitats on the property will provide students from many disciplines, such as biological sciences, geography and geology, with opportunities to work both individually and in multidisciplinary teams.

“The Finks have been strong advocates of Western Illinois University and continue to be involved,” said President Al Goldfarb. “We are appreciative of their commitment to the University. Through this gift, our students and faculty will have the chance to conduct even more research activities to further benefit their studies and professional work.”

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