University News


[Download Print-Quality Image]

Fallen Soldier Scholarship Recipient Lukas Smith served as the 2015 race starter.
[Download Print-Quality Image]


[Download Print-Quality Image]

Record Set: Fallen Soldier 2015

October 14, 2015

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- This year's Fallen Soldier 5k at Western Illinois University Oct. 10 set a new record with close to 600 participants (595) registering, 100 more than the 2014 event, and making it the largest race in McDonough County.

More than $18,000 was raised for the WIU Fallen Soldier's Scholarship Fund. Since the event's inception in 2011, more than $64,000 has been raised for the scholarship, which honors WIU alumni Capt. Derek Dobogai and Lt. Col. Robert Baldwin, who were both killed in the line of duty.

Dobogai, who graduated from Western in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration, was among the 14 U.S. soldiers aboard a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed Aug. 22, 2007, in northern Iraq.

Baldwin, who earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from WIU in 1993, was killed Sept. 21, 2010, when a Blackhawk UH-60 helicopter carrying Navy SEALs crashed during combat operations in the Zabul province of Afghanistan.

Spring 2015 Fallen Soldier Scholarship recipients include Lukas Smith of Macomb, and Tim Houzenga of Morrison, IL. Fall 2015 recipients: Garrett Rogers of Lindenhurst, IL, and Michael Scherer of Geneseo, IL.

"This event, which begins with a program and ceremony dedicated to honoring our fallen soldiers and active military service personnel, is a moving tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting and serving our nation," said Vice President for Advancement and Public Services Brad Bainter. "It is with great pride this event has grown each year as more people recognize the significance of honoring our own fallen service men and women, and to pay homage to this institution's rich military history."

At this year's event, Bainter announced that retired WIU Vice President for Administrative Services Jackie Thompson and her husband Dave, both WIU alumni, have made a major commitment to fund the creation of a life-size statue of legendary war hero and long-time WIU coach and athletic director Ray "Rock" Hanson to be placed on the Macomb campus. Hanson's determination and persistence, along with his Marine Corps legacy, helped secure The Fighting Leathernecks as WIU's team name. Western remains the only public school in the U.S. with permission to use the Leathernecks as its nickname.



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