In this Issue
WIU Homecoming, Reunion and Old Stompin' Ground 5K - This Weekend
Alumni Patio Dedication Set for October 2
C.T. Vivian to Serve as WIU Homecoming Grand Marshal
W. Garry Johnson Receives 2015 Honorary Alumni Award
Tom Claudon Receives 2015 Town and Gown Award
WIU: U.S. News Best Midwestern University
WIU to Host St. Louis Reception
Next Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Rosemont, IL October 7 and Quad Cities November 4
Join Your Alumni Association in Ohio in October
Are you ready for some football? WIU vs. ISU, Bears vs. Chiefs and Bears vs. Rams
WIU Homecoming, Reunion and Old Stompin' Ground 5K - This Weekend
This weekend return to campus and join us for WIU's 92nd Homecoming on Oct. 2-3. We will also honor the 25/40/50 Year Reunion classes of 1965, 1975 & 1990. Register today!
2015 Homecoming and Reunion schedules, information and registrations.
Alumni Patio Dedication Set for October 2
This weekend, hundreds of Western Illinois University alumni and friends will trek back to campus for Homecoming 2015, where they'll gather to reminisce, watch the Homecoming parade and cheer on the Fighting Leathernecks. Homecoming is the perfect opportunity for Western alumni and friends to meet at a favorite old stomping ground, and this year, they'll have a new place to call their own.
At 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 the Jim & Betty Garner Alumni Legacy Patio Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony will be held at the front of the Alumni House on Adams Street, as part of the Homecoming weekend celebration. This project was brought to life thanks to a gift from Susan Wenzel '86 and her husband, Tom, who wanted to honor Susan's late parents in a meaningful way. Wenzels' gift in honor of the Garners funded Phase II of the Alumni Legacy Project, improving the front of the Alumni House and grounds, creating better accessibility and more space for activities. Phase I was completed in 2012.
Read more.
C.T. Vivian to Serve as WIU Homecoming Grand Marshal
The road from Macomb, Illinois, led renowned Civil Rights activist the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian to a remarkable life and career. Vivian has been named the grand marshal for the Western Illinois University 2015 Homecoming Celebration.
Vivian will return to his hometown to preside over the 2015 activities, including the Oct. 3 Homecoming Parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. He will also be recognized at half-time of the Leatherneck football game.
Read more.
W. Garry Johnson Receives 2015 Honorary Alumni Award
Western Illinois University presented the 2015 Honorary Alumni Award to W. Garry Johnson, WIU vice president emeritus for student services, during the annual Town & Gown celebration Sept. 24, hosted by the WIU Alumni Association.
"Although he is retired now, Garry continues to be a part of our community, and supports Western Illinois University," said Amy Spelman, director of Alumni Programs. "He devoted his career to making Western a better place, and his loyalty to WIU is the definition of this award. Garry served as vice president for 13 years, and as his nominators stated he 'put Western Illinois University on the map in the world of higher education. There has been no bigger cheerleader for Western than Garry Johnson.' He has truly been a visionary."
Read more.

Tom Claudon and W. Garry Johnson
Tom Claudon Receives 2015 Town and Gown Award
To recognize his contributions for exceptional service in continuing the partnership between Western Illinois University and the Macomb community, Tom Claudon, president of MidAmerica National Bank, has been named the recipient of the 2015 Town & Gown Award from the WIU Alumni Association. The award was announced at the Sept. 24 Town & Gown Celebration.
As president of MidAmerica's Macomb branch, and as a Macomb resident, Claudon has professionally and personally supported numerous Western ventures throughout the years. The bank participates in the University's College of Fine Arts and Communication Rocky on Parade public art project, and under his leadership, MidAmerica has taken part in the University's Think Purple campaign every year since the program's inception. In addition, he is a member of Western's Performing Arts Society (PAS), including serving on the society's executive board.
"Tom Claudon's efforts in building our town and gown relationship truly epitomize this award," said Alumni Programs Director Amy Spelman.
Read more.
WIU: U.S. News Best Midwestern University
Western Illinois University has been recognized for the 11th consecutive year as a "Best Midwestern University" by U.S.News and World Report.
In the U.S. News and World Report 2015 rankings, Western is listed 46th of 113 public and private schools on the top tier list of "Best Regional Universities."
Along with the "Best Midwestern" ranking, Western is also recognized as a "best" institution by U.S. News and World Report for best online degree programs.
Read more.
WIU to Host St. Louis Reception
Western Illinois University President Jack Thomas and Alumni Programs Director Amy Spelman will host a special Alumni and Friends event in St. Louis Thursday, Oct. 8 to share the University's updates and future goals. St. Louis-area businesses, corporations and organizations are also invited.
The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Kemoll's (Top of the Met), 211 N. Broadway St., St. Louis. A brief program will begin at 6:45 p.m., featuring Thomas and other University officials outlining Western's Missouri-area recruitment efforts and partnership opportunities, along with updates on WIU's recent achievements and more.
Read more.
Next Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Rosemont, IL October 7 and Quad Cities November 4

Wednesday, October 7 at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar in Rosemont, IL
Save the Date - Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Davenport on November 4 at Front Street Brewery
Join Your Alumni Association in Ohio in October

Columbus (OH) Area Alumni & Friends Social Wednesday, October 21 at The Wine Bistro

Cincinnati (OH) Alumni & Friends Social Thursday, October 22 at Unwind Wine Bar
Are you ready for some football? WIU vs. ISU, Bears vs. Chiefs and Bears vs. Rams

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears Pregame Social & Football Game
Sunday, October 11
Arrowhead Stadium, One Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, MO
WIU vs. ISU Pregame Social & Football Game
Saturday, October 24
Redbird Tent Zone, (Field 2 behind the U-High parking lot), Normal, IL
St. Louis Rams vs. Chicago Bears Pregame Social & Football Game
Sunday, November 15
Edward Jones Dome, 901 N. Broadway, St. Louis, MO

Can you find this exact Rocky (in black and white) somewhere else in the eNewsletter? If you find him, email us at
A-Association@wiu.edu and let us know where he was placed. One winner will be picked from all the entries emailed on the first day of the month and will get a WIU Prize Pack! Good luck!
****Congratulations to the September winner--Katie Thomas '13. She discovered Rocky on the Career Development Center page.****

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