University News

Col. Rock III 2016 Calendar, Rock Hanson Vintage Collection

November 30, 2015

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MACOMB, IL -- The holidays are right around the corner, and if you're looking for unique and classic gift ideas, look no further than the Western Illinois University Bookstore for the 2016 Col. Rock III calendar and the limited edition Rock Hanson Vintage Collection. Items from the Hanson Collection feature Western's logos from 1926 through 1964.

From glassware to apparel, there are items in the Hanson Collection for every WIU fan, and keeping with the "Rock holiday theme," the 2016 Col. Rock calendar features 12 months of Western's adorable mascot. The items can be found at tinyurl.com/ozfz9y4 and tinyurl.com/pkxt744, respectively.

Col. Hanson began his tenure at Western (then called Western Illinois State Teachers College) in 1926. Hanson, who coached football, baseball and basketball, served as director of the physical education department, and is distinguished as the longest-serving athletic director at Western. Even after his retirement, Coach Hanson remained active at Western and in the Macomb community. He passed away Jan. 4, 1982, at the age of 86.

Col. Rock III (a/k/a Rocky), an English bulldog and Western's mascot, is named in honor of this brave recipient of the Silver Star citation for bravery, a French Croix de Guerre, and a Purple Heart.

The 2016 calendar, designed by University Relations Webmaster Jessica Lambert, features photos of Western's beloved canine and key WIU dates, such as Founders' Day, Homecoming and Purple & Gold Day. The photos, taken by WIU Visual Production Center photographers and by Rocky's fans, feature Col. Rock III in numerous group photos with his fans. A portion of the proceeds from calendar sales go toward the Col. Rock III Fund, established by the WIU Foundation in February 2012, which helps meet travel-related, food, health care and "clothing" expenses.

Rocky, who turned 5 on March 3, has been the center of attention at numerous Western activities since joining the WIU family in May 2010 as a 10-week-old puppy. WIU alumnus Joe Roselieb, director of residential facilities at Western, is Rocky's person.

The English bulldog was donated to Western by Richard and Beth Siess of the Siess Ranch in Seneca, KS. Dr. Karen Blakeley of Macomb's All Pets Veterinary Clinic and the WIU School of Agriculture, along with other University and community organizations and individuals, make sure Col. Rock's care is tended to.

To follow Col. Rock on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Col.RockIII. Col. Rock's recent photo shoots, taken by WIU Visual Production Center photographers, can be found at hhttp://tinyurl.com/k29joe2.

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