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Parents and Family Association

The Parents and Family Association (PFA) is a dynamic membership organization that forms a vital link between parents, students, and the University. The mission of the PFA is to promote communication and interaction between Western Illinois University and the parents and family members of WIU students. Along with the enhanced communication, the PFA also provides scholarships, planned events, and partnerships to help parents through their student's college experience. Join us in our commitment to enhancing the Western experience for WIU families by filling out our membership form.

Parents and Family Association logo

Benefits

  • Scholarship(s) for eligible WIU students of PFA members.
  • Receive periodic PFA Newsletters to keep you updated about developments at WIU, as well as resources and services for your student, and upcoming activities and events on campus.
  • Annual copy of the WIU handbook with academic calendar including important dates and events on campus.
  • Increased knowledge of and involvement with cultural and campus events.
  • Opportunities to network with other parents and family members of WIU students.
  • Student Assistance & Parent Service Center serves as a consistent resource for information and referral.
  • Enhanced communication through: newsletters, E-mail, and PFA socials.
  • All of your students attending WIU can utilize PFA benefits for only one membership fee.
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Core Values

The unique aspect about the WIU Parents and Family Association is that you -parents and family members- have the opportunity to decide how you will achieve the following goals:

  • Enhance communication between parents and family members of Western Illinois University students and the University administration.
  • Improve student educational opportunity through funding of the PFA Scholarship.
  • Support the mission of Western through the promotion of educational and cultural programs, activities, and opportunities.
  • Promote and support networking with Western Illinois University administrators, student affairs professionals, alumni, and other critical stakeholders.
  • Foster collaboration and social interaction among parents and family members, student organizations, and University officials.
  • Provide a support network for parents and family members of Western Illinois University students.
  • Develop an informed and invested community for Western Illinois University.

• PFA Membership Form (use Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader).

WIU Parents and Family Association Scholarship

History

Members of the WIU Parents and Family Association established the WIU Parents and Family Association Scholarship in January 2001. The scholarship has recognized an outstanding freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior student who is pursuing a baccalaureate degree at Western.

Criteria

Applicants for this scholarship must:

Have an established WIU GPA of 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average.

Have at least one parent or family member who is currently member of Parents and Family Association.

Financial needs will be used in consideration on the selection of recipients, must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).

Faculty letter of Recommendation.

Write an essay that answers the following question: What would you say to a prospective student about Western Illinois University?

Applications

Applications may be obtained at the Student Assistance and Parent Service Center, University Union, 1st floor. Alternatively, you can download a printable version in PDF format (Adobe Reader required). Scholarship Application

Terms

$500 awarded annually

Selection Process

A Scholarship Committee consisting of two staff members from the Division of Student Services and one representative of the WIU Parents and Family Association will select the annual recipient of this scholarship. The name of the recipient(s) will be forwarded to the University Scholarship Office which will process the award.

Send Inquiries To

Student Assistance and Parent Service Center
1 University Circle
University Union, 1st Floor
Macomb, IL 61455-1390

All completed applications along with letter of at least one letter of faculty referral must be received by 4:30 PM Wednesday, January 6, 2012.

Scholarship

Two $500.00 scholarships will be given out each January

Volunteering

If you can assist in any way, please fill out a short Volunteer Request Form and a PFA representative will contact you with details on how you can help. Volunteers are always appreciated for the following committees:

  • Moms' & Dads' Weekend committee
  • Scholarship/fundraising committee
  • PFA Socials
  • Summer Orientation and Registration Program Volunteers

Tentative Upcoming Welcome Programs

  • January 21, 2012 - 1:00 till 3:00 pm
    Welcome Program - Location TBA
  • January 22, 2012 -1:00 till 3:00 pm
    Welcome Program - Location TBA

Upcoming S.O.A.R Dates

June (S.O.A.R)

  • June 5-6
  • June 8-9
  • June 12-13
  • June 14-15
  • June 19-20
  • June 27-28

July (S.O.A.R)

  • July 10-11
  • July 12-13
  • July 17-18
  • July 20-21

 

Advisory Board

Staff Email
Kathy and Bill Deatrick bill_deatrick@msn.com
Jeff and Kathy Caudill jeffcaudill@sbcglobal.net
Temple Holmes angelholmes@sbcglobal.net

Executive Board

Staff Email
President: Kathy Wissmiller sonzx3@aol.com
Vice President: Angel Holmes angelholmes@sbcglobal.net
Secretary: Karen Bielarski rbielarski@earthlink.net
Advisor: Karolynn Heuer ka-heuer@wiu.edu
Advisor: Chad Frederick ca-frederick@wiu.edu

Parent Fund

Karolynn Heuer

Karolynn Heuer, Director

Consistent with Western's strategic plan for "Higher Values in Higher Education", The Parents and Family Association Annual Fund was established in 2007 as a venue for charitable contributions. As a donor, you may choose to give to any one or more important areas- academic excellence, educational opportunities, personal growth, and social responsibility. Specifically, the majority of funds raised through the annual fund PFA's fundraising efforts go towards the following areas:

  • Over $20,000 provided in freshman scholarships
  • Over $12,000 in textbook assistance
  • Over $5,000 available in emergency assistance for students in crisis
  • Over $2,500 available in daycare assistance
  • Over $25,000 to endow the Dalcamo Leadership Scholarship
  • Over $5,000 raised for the new clock tower
  • Over $7,500 available in unrestricted funds
  • Over $1500 in Veteran Assistance 

Since 2007 school year, the Parent Fund through PFA has received contributions surpassing a total of $120,000. The Parent Fund reallocates many dollar raised back directly to students. Other contributions are used for major gifts and are often saved until funding for such purpose is met. Contributions from families like yours make this type of assistance possible. The parent organization is excited and proud of the emerging generosity of Western parents, and has established a new tradition of charitable support that will enhance the educational opportunities for our students.

Stay Involved with the University

As a partner with the University, we hope to help provide more students access to an affordable and a quality educational experience. Keeping this in mind, PFA has set an annual fund raising goal in excess of $65,000 to benefit the students of WIU. We valued your gift last academic year and hope that you will give again. If you would like to learn how you can support our students and contact Karolynn Heuer at
(309) 298-2092 or ka-heuer@wiu.edu