University News

Col. Rock IV 2021 Calendar on Sale at University Bookstore

December 1, 2020

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MACOMB, IL – For the most pawsitively terrific holiday gift, head over to the Western Illinois University Bookstore (in person or online!) and pick up the 2021 Western Illinois University Col. Rock IV (aka Ray) calendar.

The 2021 calendar, designed by University Relations Graphic Designer Mark Austin, features photos -- taken by WIU Visual Production Center photographers and by Rocky's "people" Joe and Ketra Roselieb -- of Western's much-loved mascot Ray, along with a few photos of retired mascot Rocky, along with important WIU dates, such as Founders' Day, Homecoming and Purple & Gold Day.

The calendar is on sale now at the University Bookstore for $5.50 and is also available for purchase online at tinyurl.com/WIU2021RockyCal. A portion of the proceeds from calendar sales go toward the Col. Rock Fund, established by the WIU Foundation in February 2012, which helps provide financial support for the live mascot program.

The nearly two-year-old Col. Rock IV -- aka Ray, after WIU's legendary longtime coach and athletic director Ray "Rock" Hanson -- arrived in Macomb in mid-June 2019. Rocky, who will be 11 in March 2021, officially retired in Summer 2018. He joined the WIU family in May 2010 as a 10-week-old puppy. Joe, a WIU alumnus and executive director of auxiliary facilities and risk management at Western, along with Ketra, a WIU alumna and executive director of personnel and financial affairs, are Ray's and Rocky's caretakers, trainers and chauffeurs.

The AKC-certified English bulldogs were donated to Western by Richard and Beth Siess of the Siess Ranch in Seneca, KS. Dr. Karen Blakeley of Macomb's All Pets Veterinary Clinic and the WIU School of Agriculture, along with other University and community organizations and individuals, make sure the mascot's needs are well taken care of.

To follow Ray's and Rocky's adventures on Facebook, facebook.com/Col.RockMascot.


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