University News

Western Challenge Day of Giving, Purple & Gold Day Celebration Set for April 24

April 10, 2023

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University alumni and friends from across the country and around the world will come together Monday, April 24 as one Leatherneck community for WIU's seventh annual Western Challenge online day of giving/annual Purple & Gold Day celebration.

This 24-hour online giving event unites the Leatherneck community in giving back to support their favorite colleges, departments, programs, teams and causes at Western.

"We are thrilled to continue Western's tradition of giving back and showcasing the collective impact giving has on our students, faculty, staff and our University as a whole," said Tim Hallinan, director of Annual Giving.

Whether it is an academic area, sports team, scholarship or cause, The Western Challenge allows alumni, friends, faculty and staff, parents and students to support what matters to them at Western while making a resounding statement about their love for WIU students and pride in the University.

"Gifts of all sizes truly make a difference," Hallinan added. "A gift of $50 can quickly turn into $5,000 or more when pooled with other gifts. So, we call upon every Leatherneck everywhere to make a gift on April 24 and encourage others to do the same."

Donors can also take advantage of unique challenge opportunities and matching funds to make their gift go even further and even set up their own match or challenge at wiu.edu/westernchallenge.

In addition to giving, Leathernecks are encouraged to join the celebration by going "thoroughly purple (and gold)" on social media during the 24-hour event, sharing the campaign page, posting photos of their time at Western and sharing what they support and why using #LeathernecksGive.

WIU's Purple & Gold Day will also be celebrated April 24. WIU Alumni Relations will host a Purple & Gold Day Alumni social at The Sports Corner in downtown Macomb from 4:30-7 p.m.

The tradition of celebrating Purple & Gold Day at Western began April 24, 2000, with the close of the University's 100-year celebration. The date in 2000 marked the 100-year anniversary of the day in 1899 when the Illinois Legislature approved the creation of what would become WIU.

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