University News

WIU-QC Founders' Day Sept. 26

September 7, 2016

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- Faculty, staff and community members are invited to celebrate the history of Western Illinois University at the WIU-QC Founders' Day event beginning at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26 in the Rock Island County Board Community Room (Rms. 103/104) in Riverfront Hall on the WIU-QC campus.

A light breakfast will be served prior to the ceremony. Individuals may register for the event by calling (309) 762-9481 or by emailing DJ-Kepple-Marmos@wiu.edu. The program, including President Jack Thomas' State of the University address, will begin at 7:30 a.m., and the ceremonial ship's bell will be rung in memory of Edwin DeCamp, who first rang the school bell Sept. 23, 1902 to signal the start of classes at Western Illinois State Normal School. Interim Provost and Academic Vice President Kathy Neumann and Vice President for Quad Cities and Planning Joe Rives will serve as host and emcee.

The Macomb campus Founders' Day celebration will be held Friday, Sept. 23 in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

The Founders' Day event, which began in 1994, celebrates the beginnings of the University that evolved from the Western Illinois Normal and Training School with 229 students to today's University, which offers a comprehensive curriculum to more than 10,000 students. In 1899, a bill to establish Western Illinois University (then called Western Illinois State Normal School) was passed by the state legislature. Three years later, on Sept. 23, 1902, Western opened its doors for the first official day of classes on the new campus.

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