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Craft & Connect with the Crafty Coop
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Students in Western Illinois University’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management course will host Craft & Connect, a hands-on, community building event held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Lamoine Room of the University Union.
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Graduate committee chairs and undergraduate team members of Management 474(G): Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
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WIU Management Class Hosts Craft & Connect Dec. 4

December 3, 2025

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MACOMB, IL - - Students in Western Illinois University's Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management course will host Craft & Connect, a hands-on, community building event held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Lamoine Room of the University Union.

Craft & Connect was designed to bring WIU students together before finals week while spreading holiday cheer and creating opportunities for connections across campus.

This student-led project encourages problem solving, collaboration, communication, leadership, applied learning and other skillsets employers seek in new hires. Students are responsible for all aspects of event planning, management and execution, providing them with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, teamwork, marketing and operations.

The management class consists of both graduate and undergraduate students. To earn graduate credit, graduate students are required to complete additional coursework and serve as committee captains, leading sub-teams responsible for key event areas such as marketing, logistics, finance and programming.

The highlight of the evening will be a ceramic ornament painting workshop led by Laci Todd from The Crafty Coop, a local small business. Participants will also enjoy light refreshments, games, holiday music, and door prizes.

Following the event, Todd will take the ornaments back to her studio for firing. Once completed, the competitive aspect of the event will commence. A panel of celebrity judges will select the top three ornaments from among 15 finalists chosen by the class.

Finalists will be invited to attend the WIU Women's Basketball Game on December 13, where the winners will be announced and prizes awarded.

This event is made possible through a combination of student fundraising efforts on and off campus and support from WIU's Office of Student Engagement (OSE) & Multicultural Center (MCC).

The first 100 people to attend will receive a free ornament. Ornaments after the first 100 will cost $10. Purple and gold points will be rewarded for attending.

For information about the Craft & Connect, email Professor Sarah Shike at se-shike@wiu.edu.

For more information about WIU's Management program, visit wiu.edu/cbt/management_and_marketing.

Posted By: Keyana Cruse (k-cruse@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing