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WIU Purple and Gold Day April 24

April 21, 2014

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Purple and Gold Day Schedule Update (2:40 p.m. April 23)
Due to the April 24 forecast for rain, the effort to put up the Purple and Gold flutter flags (along University Drive) is cancelled (originally scheduled at 7 a.m. April 24, with a meeting place at the entrance of Al Boyer Stadium).

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Western Illinois University will commemorate Purple and Gold Day Thursday, April 24, and members of the University community are encouraged to wear the colors to express their school spirit. This year, University Relations and the Alumni Association are sponsoring two contests and several activities to celebrate the annual event.

A student "I ♥ WIU," as well as "Alumni ♥ WIU" photo contests kicked off last week. Individuals are invited to submit their images of their school spirit/pride (see www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=11560 for info. about student contest and www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=11575 for info. about alumni contest).

Other Purple & Gold Day Spirit Events
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to decorate their residence hall rooms or department offices with Purple and Gold.

From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in the University Union Concourse, the Alumni Association will be handing out "Rocky" temporary tattoos to wear on Purple & Gold Day, and a Purple & Gold Day group photo, including all those who want to take part, will be taken on Hanson Field at 1:15 p.m. Be sure to wear Purple and Gold!

Finally, the inaugural Purple and Gold Rocky Run will be held the Saturday following Purple and Gold Day 2014 (see www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=11587 for race details).

History of Purple and Gold Day
The Purple and Gold Day celebration began April 24, 2000, when the University closed its year-long 100-year celebration with the "Centennial Finale: A Celebration of Purple and Gold." That date in 2000 marked 100 years to the day (April 24, 1899) that the Illinois Legislature approved the creation of Western Illinois University, then Western Illinois State Normal School.

At the ceremony, Western's Board of Trustees then-Chair Lorraine Epperson read a proclamation declaring April 24 as "Purple and Gold Day." According to the proclamation, the founding fathers of Western selected the colors of purple and gold "due to the vast golden prairie strewn with purple coneflowers," to symbolize this University in color.

"To celebrate the marking of a new era at Western Illinois University in Macomb, the University community wishes to establish a tradition that builds on the history of WIU and the pride that is felt by the alumni, faculty and students," the proclamation continued. "April 24 of each year will mark 'Purple and Gold Day' at WIU."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing