University News

Celebrate Ray's Eighth Birthday with WIU on Feb. 13

February 4, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - - It's time to get out the party hats, streamers and cup cakes for Colonel Rock IV's eighth birthday!

Western Illinois University's live mascot, Colonel Rock IV, aka "Ray," will have a birthday party from noon-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, just ahead of his eighth birthday on Saturday, Feb. 14. The party is being supported by the WIU Live Mascot Program, Casa Latina Cultural Center, Chingonx Afrocentric Queers, Chubby Chewy's Gourmet Dog Treats and the Multicultural Center.

There will be several activities at the party, including dog toy making, pet treat decorating and the opportunity to take pictures with the canine guest of honor. Additionally, the bookstore located on campus will host a sale Friday in honor of the birthday boy with 20% off Col. Rock bobbleheads in store.


Col. Rock IV (also known as Ray, after WIU's legendary longtime coach and athletic director Ray "Rock" Hanson) arrived in Macomb in June 2018. WIU alumni and Assistant Vice President for Student Success Joe Roselieb and Vice President for Finance and Administration Ketra Roselieb, along with their four-year-old son Aiden, and two-year-old twins, Grace and Braxton house and train (and chauffeur) Ray. Col. Rock IV came to Western through the generosity of the Siess family, the WIU Foundation and private donors.

"We look forward to this special day each year," Joe Roselieb said. "We really enjoy getting out and celebrating with the WIU campus community. A special thank you to all of the student organizations in the MCC who have helped to make this day special."

Col. Rock IV is an AKC-certified English bulldog obtained from Richard and Beth Siess of the Siess Ranch in Seneca, KS. All Pets Veterinary Clinic, the WIU School of Agriculture, Farm to Pet Dog Treats and Pet Supplies Plus, along with other University and community organizations and individuals, make sure that Col. Rock IV's needs are tended to.

To help supplement funding for Col. Rock IV's care, the WIU Foundation established the Colonel Rock Live Mascot Fund. Donating is simple and can be done by visiting wiu.edu/livemascot. Donations, made payable to WIU Foundation, can also be sent to: WIU Foundation, 303 Sherman Hall, 1 University Cir., Macomb, IL 61455. Contributors who send in donations are asked to include a note that designates the gifts for Colonel Rock's Live Mascot Fund.

To follow Col. Rock IV on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Col.RockMascot. Visit wiu.edu/livemascot for additional information about WIU's Live Mascot Program.

For more information regarding the Colonel Rock Live Mascot Fund, contact the WIU Foundation Office at (309) 298-1861.

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