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President Jack Thomas presents the State of the University address at the 2014 Founders' Day celebration.
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Lana Myers, a retired University employee and granddaughter of Edwin DeCamp, who first rang the bell Sept. 23, 1902 to signal the start of classes at Western Illinois State Normal School, carries on the tradition.
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WIU Founders' Day September 23

September 16, 2015

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Faculty, staff and community members are invited to celebrate "The History of Western Illinois University" at the 22nd annual Founders' Day Celebration Wednesday, Sept. 23 in University Union Grand Ballroom on the Macomb campus, and at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Rock Island County Board Community Room (Rms. 103/104) in Riverfront Hall on the WIU-QC campus.

Doors will open at 11:15 a.m., with the luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon ($10 per person) includes the choice of chicken piccata or or vegetarian stuffed peppers, served with a tossed salad, ginger-jasmine rice and glazed carrots. Registration for the Macomb event may be made online (register by Monday, Sept. 21) at https://www.wiu.com/alumni. Individuals also may register by contacting Alexa Ashenhurst at (309) 298-1874 or AL-Ashenhurst@wiu.edu. Additional information regarding the WIU-QC Founders' Day event will be posted in a separate release.

The program, including President Jack Thomas's State of the University address, will begin at 12:10 p.m. Gallery seating will be available for those who are unable to attend the luncheon. A reception will follow at 1 p.m. in the University Union Brattain Lounge.

Included in the Founders' Day program will be the processional and introduction of the stage party, music by the University Singers and the traditional ringing of the bell by Lana Myers, a retired University employee and granddaughter of Edwin DeCamp, who first rang the bell Sept. 23, 1902 to signal the start of classes at Western Illinois State Normal School.

Interim Provost and Academic Vice President Kathy Neumann will serve as host and emcee, and faculty, civil service and administrative personnel who have received distinguished awards and service awards will be recognized.

Established in 1994, Founders' Day is celebrated to honor the beginnings of the University that evolved from the Western Illinois Normal and Training School with 229 students on Sept. 23, 1902 to today's University, which offers a comprehensive curriculum to more than 12,000 students.

The State of the University address will be available online at wiu.edu/unews/lectures following the celebrations.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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