University News
WIU Army ROTC to Sponsor Blood Drive
February 22, 2007
MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University's military science department's Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion will sponsor a blood drive in support of the American Red Cross from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 7 in the Horrabin Hall gymnasium.
Donors are encouraged to pre-register from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 or from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 at tables in the University Union Concourse. Registration is also available by contacting Rich Homan at the ROTC reception desk, Horrabin Hall 120, 309/298-1161, or by visiting www.givebloodgivelife.org. Donors may also walk-in March 7 in the Horrabin Hall gym.
The cadets' goal for the drive, which the Bulldog Battalion sponsors each semester, is 75 pints. This is just one of many community service activities Western's cadets perform throughout the school year.
"We are proud to serve our community and support the local Red Cross," said Major Steven Rosson, chair of Western's military science department. "The Red Cross has traditionally been a strong supporter of the United States military, and this is our opportunity to give back to them."
Since 1997, Western's Battalion has commissioned more than 195 lieutenants, making it one of the largest ROTC departments in the nation. Over the last three years, ROTC has averaged 272 students enrolled in the military science department; and annually, cadets are awarded 50 scholarships worth more than $450,000, Rosson added.
Western's Bulldog Battalion was named the best large program in the 10th Brigade – headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and including 22 programs in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma – and a top 15 percent school in all of Cadet Command's 272 programs in 2005. From 2001-2006, only seven non-military universities across the nation produced more Army officers than Western.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: