University News
WIU-QC Founders' Day Sept. 26
September 18, 2017
MOLINE, IL -- In 1899, a bill to establish Western Illinois University (then called Western Illinois State Normal School) was passed by the state legislature. Macomb was selected in 1900 as the location for the new normal school in west central Illinois, and on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1902, Western Illinois State Normal School opened its doors for the first official day of classes on the new campus.
Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to celebrate Western's founding at the WIU-QC Founders' Day event Tuesday, Sept. 26 in the Rock Island County Board Community Room (Rms. 103/104) in Riverfront Hall on the WIU-QC campus. This year's event will feature a new format, including guest speaker WIU Alumnus, Former State Sen. and chair of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors Kirk Dillard '77.
The program will begin at 8 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 vision and fortitude of our community's leaders and those educators who charted the course for this outstanding institution is cause for great celebration," President Jack Thomas said. "We are excited to have Kirk Dillard join us as our keynote speaker as we commemorate the history of Western Illinois University. I invite our University and community members to join us for the 24th annual Founders' Day Celebration."
As chair of the RTA Board, Dillard and board oversee the nation's second-largest public transportation system, which serves more than eight million residents in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. For nearly 20 years, Dillard served as the Republican senator for the 24th District of the Illinois State Senate. Additionally, he served on several committees while in the senate including serving as co-chair of the Judiciary Committee and chair of the High Technology Task Force. Prior to serving as senator, Dillard served as chief of staff to former Gov. Jim Edgar and as legislative director to former Gov. James Thompson. He is currently a partner at Locke Lord LLP, one of Chicago's oldest and largest law firms.
A light breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m. Individuals may register for the event by calling (309) 762-3999 (ext. 62209) or by emailing ND-Friedrichsen@wiu.edu. The Macomb campus Founders' Day celebration will be held Monday, Sept. 25 in the Sherman Hall Auditorium.
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 nearly 10,000 students.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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