University News

Join WIU in Celebrating Ray's Fifth Birthday Feb. 14

February 1, 2023

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MACOMB, IL - - Happy birthday, Colonel Rock IV! Let's paw-ty!

Western Illinois University mascot Colonel Rock IV, aka "Ray," will turn five Tuesday, Feb. 14. To celebrate the special day, a birthday party for Col. Rock IV will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the University Union Concourse. Participants can grab a quick photo with the birthday boy, enjoy cupcakes, grab a few freebies and sign Col. Rock IV's official birthday card.

Additionally, the bookstore located on campus will host a sale Tuesday in honor of the birthday boy with 20% off storewide, with any purchase over $14, earning a free Col. Rock IV sticker. A pre-party will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 11 in Western Hall as part of the Leathernecks men's basketball team taking on Oral Roberts.

Col. Rock IV (also known as Ray, after WIU's legendary longtime coach and athletic director Ray "Rock" Hanson) arrived in Macomb in June 2018. WIU alumni and Executive Director of Residential Auxiliary Services and Risk Management Joe Roselieb and Executive Director of Financial Affairs Ketra Russell, along with their two year old son Aiden, house and train (and chauffeur) Ray. Col. Rock IV came to Western much like how his older cousin Col. Rock III did, through the generosity of the Siess family, the WIU Foundation and private donors.

Col. Rock IV is an AKC-certified English bulldog obtained from Richard and Beth Siess of the Siess Ranch in Seneca, KS. All Pets Veterinary Clinic, the WIU School of Agriculture, Farm to Pet Dog Treats, along with other University and community organizations and individuals, make sure that Col. Rock IV's needs are tended to.

To help supplement funding for Col. Rock IV's care, the Western Illinois University Foundation established the Colonel Rock Live Mascot Fund. Donating is simple and can be done by visiting wiu.edu/livemascot. Donations, made payable to WIU Foundation, can also be sent to: WIU Foundation, 303 Sherman Hall, 1 University Cir., Macomb, IL 61455. Contributors who send in donations are asked to include a note that designates the gifts for Colonel Rock's Live Mascot Fund.

To follow Col. Rock IV on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Col.RockMascot. Visit wiu.edu/livemascot for additional information about WIU's Live Mascot Program.

For more information regarding the Colonel Rock Live Mascot Fund, contact the WIU Foundation Office at (309) 298-1861.

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