GivingTuesday Sets New WIU Record

Dec 04 2025

For the fourth straight year, Western Illinois University is thrilled to announce a record-breaking GivingTuesday campaign on Dec. 2.

Four Selected for 2025 Alumni Achievement Award

Dec 04 2025

Four Western Illinois University alumni have been selected to receive the 2025 WIU Alumni Achievement Award. The recipients will be honored at the Saturday, Dec. 20 Commencement exercises.

WIU Alumnus Establishes ROTC Scholarship for Future Military Leaders

Nov 19 2025

Western Illinois University alumnus Kenneth S. Hawkinson, B.A. `78, M.A. `79, has established a scholarship to support junior and senior students enrolled in the Advanced Course of Military Science (ROTC) at WIU.

WIU Wins CASE Best of District V Awards

Nov 17 2025

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recently announced Western Illinois University as the winner of two 2025 Best of District V Awards, recognizing the creativity and innovative ideas produced by WIU’s staff in 2024.

2025 Fallen Soldiers 5K Raises $19,000; Surpasses $250,000 Total Raised

Nov 11 2025

The 2025 Fallen Soldiers 5K took place on Saturday, Oct. 4. This year’s event drew in more than 350 participants and raised more than $22,000 for student scholarships.

Alumni Association Seeks Alumni Award Nominations

Nov 10 2025

The Western Illinois University Alumni Association is currently accepting nominations for the 2026 Young Alumni Excellence and Distinguished Alumni Award. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, Dec. 15.

Western Illinois University Autism Center Receives Continued Support from Tracy Family Foundation Gr

Nov 06 2025

MACOMB, IL - - The Western Illinois University Autism Clinic of Excellence (WACE) has been awarded a $61,868 grant from the Tracy Family Foundation (TFF).

WIU Alumni Council Releases 2025 Ornament

Oct 30 2025

One of the sure signs that the holidays are around the corner is when the Western Illinois University Alumni Council releases its annual tree ornament. The 2025 ornament is available now and features the facade of WIU’s newest construction project, the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts. Now is the perfect time to own a piece of WIU history, with the Goldfarb Center slated to open in 2026.

WIU Recognizes 2025 Town & Gown and Honorary Alumni Award Recipients

Oct 20 2025

WIU Photography Lab Manager Sarah Ritter `12 `17 and Engraving by Lin Owner Lin Stults were presented with the 2025 Town & Gown and Honorary Alumni Awards during the community reception for the inauguration of Western Illinois University President Kristi Mindrup on Thursday, Oct. 16. The two were selected in recognition of their impressive support of WIU and the Macomb community.

Leatherneck Heritage: Three Generations of Educators

Oct 15 2025

For McKenna Churchill-Spangler `24, attending Western Illinois University wasn’t just a choice—it was a continuation of a proud family legacy. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Spring McDaniel-Churchill, and her great-grandmother, Phyllis Palmer-McDaniel, McKenna represents the third generation of McDaniel-Churchill women to earn their teaching degrees from WIU.

Woodworths to Serve as Grand Marshals at WIU Homecoming

Oct 13 2025

Western Illinois University will honor a pair of alumni as grand marshals of the 2025 homecoming parade during this year’s homecoming celebration, Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18.

Neck to Neck: Two Generations of Leathernecks Meet to Discuss Their Paths

Oct 10 2025

On a dreary morning in early 2025, two men met for the first time at a conference table on the 43rd story of a downtown Chicago skyscraper. As the clouds filled the windows with a blanket of white, the two chatted about their time as WIU students, their experiences as fraternity men and their interests in law careers.

WIU Welcomes New Development Officers

Oct 07 2025

Western Illinois University is pleased to introduce two new development officers, Cameron Caldwell-Conner and Michael Blaesing, to the University.

Leathernecks Ready to "Bring it On" at Homecoming 2025

Oct 02 2025

Western Illinois University is ready to welcome back all current, future and former Leathernecks for Homecoming 2025 with the theme, “Bring it On,” from Sunday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 19.

Retired Professor Commits $3 Million for Scholarships

Oct 01 2025

The 2025 Western Illinois University Foundation donor banquet, held on Friday, Sept. 12, featured an exciting announcement about a transformational investment from a retired WIU professor and his wife. Jim and Judy Niss, of Winter Park, FL have arranged to endow two scholarship funds via a $3 million estate gift.

A Decade of Impact: Westen Endowment Turns 10

Oct 01 2025

In 1971, a WIU Football legacy began in Macomb that has lasted more than half a century. That was the year Coach Brodie Westen, along with his wife, Jane, moved from Champaign, IL, to begin his Leatherneck coaching career.

Wehrly Memorial Plaza Dedicated

Sep 18 2025

A new space for rest and reflection is now available on the Western Illinois University campus, following a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 13. The newly-completed Drs. Bea and Jim Wehrly Memorial Plaza is located between Stipes Hall and Hanson Field.

Wehrly Memorial Plaza Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for September 13

Sep 04 2025

The Western Illinois University and Macomb communities are invited to attend a special ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the newly-completed Bea and Jim Wehrly Memorial Plaza on the WIU Macomb campus at 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 in a ceremony dedicating the new space.

2008 Alumna Memorialized Through New Scholarship Fund

Aug 28 2025

A 2008 Western Illinois University graduate is being remembered through a new scholarship benefitting students in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Early Childhood Education and Medical Sciences.

Alumni Association Seeks Alumni Award Nominations

Aug 07 2025

The Western Illinois University Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Alumni Achievement Award. Nominations will be accepted until Sunday, Aug. 31.

Alumni Association Hosting Tailgates for Visits to Illinois, Northwestern

Aug 01 2025

The Western Illinois University Alumni Association and WIU Athletics will host pregame tailgates before the Fighting Leathernecks take on Big Ten opponents University of Illinois Friday, Aug. 29 and Northwestern University Friday, Sept. 5 in Western’s first two games of the season.

WIU, Hy-Vee Partner Up with 'Fuel Point W' Campaign

Jul 14 2025

The Western Illinois University Foundation and Hy-Vee have launched a new initiative to benefit the WIU Veterans Resource Center.

2025 Fallen Soldiers 5K Registration Open

Jul 07 2025

Registration is now open for the 14th running of the Fallen Soldiers 5K. The 2025 run/walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 on the Western Illinois University Macomb campus.

WIU Students Raising Funds for Annual Special Education Advocacy Summit

May 16 2025

The Western Illinois University student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children is preparing for its second annual trip to Washington, D.C. for the Special Education Leadership Summit (SELS). The 2025 SELS will take place July 13-16 and eight WIU students are fundraising to attend.

Alumni Donate Garrison Flag to ROTC Department

May 01 2025

On Thursday, April 17, Christine (Chris) Standard and Mitch Standard presented a 20-by-38 foot American flag to the Western Illinois University Department of Military Science for their use.

New Endowed Fund Provides Aid to English Education Students

Apr 30 2025

Western Illinois University English Education majors are benefitting from a new fund established to honor the memory of a life-long educator.

WIU Receives Tremendous Support Through 2025 Western Challenge

Apr 29 2025

Western Illinois University’s supporting community showed their generosity in a big way for the 2025 Western Challenge Day of Giving on April 24.

2019 Graduate Remembered Through New Scholarship Fund

Apr 21 2025

The life of a recent Western Illinois University graduate is being memorialized through a new scholarship fund.

Tenth Western Challenge Asks Alumni to "Give Purple. Give Gold. Give Back."

Apr 17 2025

Western Illinois University is excited to announce its 10th annual Western Challenge Day of Giving, scheduled for Thursday, April 24. This year’s theme is "Give Purple. Give Gold. Give Back."

Author and WIU Alum Dave Markward Discusses New Book

Apr 17 2025

Western Illinois University alum Dave Markward MS Ed `76 returned to campus in March to discuss his recently published book, “From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America.”

New Scholarship Provides Aid to Art Majors

Apr 11 2025

The life of a Macomb local is being honored through a new scholarship for freshman art majors at Western Illinois University.

Five WIU Students Featured at NCSB Conference

Apr 09 2025

Five Western Illinois University students and their faculty mentor, Sharon Hunter, presented papers at the National Council for Black Studies (NCBS) conference held March 19-23 in Cincinnati, OH.

WIU Prepared for Day of Giving April 24

Apr 02 2025

The 2025 Western Challenge, Western Illinois University’s 10th annual day of giving will take place Thursday, April 24.

Crosby to Lead Advancement and Alumni Relations for University

Mar 03 2025

As part of a strategic realignment, Director of Development for the College of Arts and Sciences Amy Crosby has been named Interim Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations and Interim Executive Officer of the WIU Foundation, effective immediately. Crosby has served in her current role for seven years. Previously, the Division of Advancement, Alumni Relations and Athletics was led by Vice President Clare Thompson. Athletics will move to the Division of Student Success. Crosby will report directly to the President.

Pre-Law Excellence Fund Established

Feb 27 2025

A newly established excellence fund aims to provide financial support for Western Illinois University students interested in furthering their education in law school.

Holan Named Advancement Communications Intern

Jan 30 2025

Taylor Holan, a senior English major, has joined the Division of Advancement & Alumni Relations as an advancement communications intern for the spring 2025 semester.

Iversons Continue Legacy of Support for WIU SummerStage

Jan 27 2025

The Hainline Theatre lights will continue shining on local talent for years to come, thanks to the generosity of retired physician Dr. Richard (Rick) Iverson and his wife Monica.

Alumni Association Seeks Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations

Jan 23 2025

The Western Illinois University Alumni Association is currently accepting nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, Feb. 10.

WIU Scholarship Portal Open for 2025-26

Jan 22 2025

The Western Illinois University Scholarship Portal is open for the 2025-26 academic year. Through this single application process, students can apply for more than 600 unique scholarships for the upcoming school year.

WIU Foundation Holiday Hours and Year-End Gifts

Dec 18 2024

The Western Illinois University campuses, including the WIU Foundation, will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, and reopen at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

Studio Art Major Designs Annual Holiday Card

Dec 17 2024

Each year, the Western Illinois University Foundation partners with the Department of Art and Design to create its annual holiday greeting card for donors and friends of the university. This yearly tradition provides a WIU student the opportunity to showcase their artistic abilities and shine a spotlight on a special campus scene.

Foundation, Office of Sponsord Projects Award Grants for Summer 2025

Dec 13 2024

Three Western Illinois University faculty have been awarded grants from the WIU Foundation and the Office of Sponsored Projects for Summer 2025.

Betts, Hensley Selected for 2024 Alumni Achievement Award

Dec 11 2024

Two Western Illinois University alumni have been selected to receive the 2024 WIU Alumni Achievement Award. The recipients will be honored at the Saturday, Dec. 14 Commencement exercises.

WIU Donors Break Records for 2024 Giving Tuesday Campaign

Dec 04 2024

For the second straight year, Western Illinois University is thrilled to announce a record-breaking Giving Tuesday campaign on Dec. 3.

WIU to Celebrate GivingTuesday Dec. 3

Nov 26 2024

Western Illinois University is proud to announce its participation in GivingTuesday, Dec. 3, a day that encourages philanthropy and generosity to support meaningful causes.

WIU Foundation Launches Sherman Circle, 655 Inaugural Members Recognized

Nov 19 2024

The WIU Foundation has launched a new recognition program, the Sherman Circle, celebrating the generosity and impact of donors who provide support of $1,000 annually.

$22,000 Raised Through 2024 Fallen Soldiers 5K

Nov 13 2024

Western Illinois University kicked off Military Appreciation week by hosting the 13th annual Fallen Soldiers 5K, on Saturday, Nov. 2. This year’s event drew in more than 450 participants and raised more than $22,000 for student scholarships.

WIU Recognizes Hedblade with Town & Gown Award, Balsamo as Honorary Alumnus

Nov 01 2024

During the annual Town & Gown celebration in October, Larry T. Balsamo, WIU Department of History Chairperson Emeritus, was named the 2024 Honorary Alumnus and Jock Hedblade, Executive Director of Macomb Convention and Visitors Bureau, was named the 2024 Town & Gown Award recipient in recognition of their service to WIU and the Macomb community.

New Scholarship Fund Aims to Reduce Nursing Shortage, First Recipient Recognized

Oct 25 2024

A new endowed scholarship fund in the Western Illinois University School of Nursing is poised to accomplish multiple goals: provide financial support for WIU students, secure post-graduate employment for Leathernecks and meet the need for nurses in central Illinois.

University Libraries Celebrate WIU’s 125th; Reception Oct. 18

Oct 10 2024

University Libraries at Western Illinois University is celebrating WIU’s 125th birthday by looking to the past.

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