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Rocky's 5th birthday celebration in 2015.
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Col. Rock III (Rocky) Sixth Birthday Celebration March 3

February 24, 2016

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MACOMB, IL -- Stop by the Western Illinois University Union Concourse Thursday, March 3 and wish Col. Rock III a "dog-gone" great sixth birthday! Western's favorite four-legged friend will be in the Union Concourse from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 3, with cupcakes and Rocky buttons (and posing for "snaps") to celebrate his special day.

Rocky joined the WIU family in May 2010 as a 10-week-old pup. WIU alumnus Joe Roselieb, director of residential facilities at Western, is Rocky's caretaker (and chauffeur), providing him with a loving home, teaching him new tricks, making sure he's healthy and taking him to numerous WIU and community events each year.

"This has been an incredible six years. We've met so many great people, and it's really wonderful going places with him because he just puts a smile on everyone's face," Roselieb said. "I think I have the best job in the world because he makes everyone so happy."

Rocky will also have a "pre-birthday" celebration, complete with cupcakes and buttons, at the Saturday, Feb. 27 men's and women's Leatherneck basketball games in Western Hall. Information about the games, including tickets information, is available at goleathernecks.com.

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 help supplement funding for Rocky's care, the Western Illinois University Foundation established the Col. Rock III Fund, which helps meet travel-related, food, healthcare and "clothing" expenses. Donating is simple: text the word "Rocky" to 84700 to make a $10 contribution to the WIU Foundation. Donations, made payable to WIU Foundation, can also be sent to: WIU Foundation, 303 Sherman Hall, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Contributors who send in donations are asked to include a note that designates the gift for Rocky's Fund.

To follow Col. Rock on Facebook key "Colonel Rock" in the search bar or go to his page at facebook.com/Col.RockIII. Recent Col. Rock photo shoots can be found at https://photocart.wiu.edu/index.php?category=19.
For more information on Rocky's Fund, contact the WIU Foundation Office at (309) 298-1861.

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