Foundation & Development

The Sherman Circle

The Sherman Circle recognizes Western Illinois University's influential annual donors who support Western through contributions of $1,000 or more each calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Gifts may be unrestricted contributions to For the W: The Campaign for Western Illinois University or any other fund that is important to the donor, such as an academic area, organization, the Leatherneck Club, or the Performing Arts Society.

The Sherman Circle honors Lawrence Y. Sherman, Sherman Hall’s namesake. Sherman served as a legislative representative from Macomb and was instrumental in passing the bill by the Illinois General Assembly on April 24, 1899, to establish Western Illinois Normal School.

WIU alumni who graduated in the last ten years will secure recognition in the Sherman Circle with a $500 annual gift. At GOLD Level (Graduates of the Last Decade) status, you join our esteemed Sherman Circle, enjoying all benefits and privileges.

As a Sherman Circle donor, you will receive an exclusive lapel pin and invitations to Sherman Circle socials throughout the academic year. Most importantly, you will be impacting student excellence through philanthropy.

The design of the Sherman Circle logo draws inspiration from the front windows of WIU's iconic Sherman Hall. The design will be featured on the lapel pin Sherman Circle donors receive when they first reach recognition status.

Make your gift before December 31 to secure your place in the inaugural class of the Sherman Circle and to further our efforts to advance Student Success, Learning Innovation, and Scholarly Support.

SHERMAN CIRCLE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

If the below information does not answer your question about the Sherman Circle, please contact Tim Hallinan, Director of Annual Giving, at annualgiving@wiu.edu.

WHAT GIFTS QUALIFY FOR RECOGNITION IN THE SHERMAN CIRCLE?

Individual or cumulative gifts of $1,000 made during a calendar year qualify you for annual recognition in the Sherman Circle. A recurring monthly gift of $84 will qualify you for the Sherman Circle.

You can make your gift and secure recognition in the Sherman Circle by visiting WIU's donation page. You can also make your gift to WIU by check, credit card payment, payroll deduction, automatic monthly bank drafts, or by transfer of securities or property.

WILL MY SPOUSE/PARTNER ALSO BE RECOGNIZED?

A couple earns recognition in the Sherman Circle with a joint gift of $1,000 or more within a calendar year.

HOW LONG WILL I MAINTAIN SHERMAN CIRCLE STATUS?

The Sherman Circle recognizes gifts made within a calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Recognition resets each January 1.

WILL MY EMPLOYER’S MATCHING GIFT COUNT TOWARD MY RECOGNITION?

Yes. You can double your support of Western students by mailing your completed matching gift form (available from your human resource office) along with your gift. Many employers also match gifts from their employee's spouses and retirees. To see if your employer participates in a matching gift program, visit our matching gift page.

HOW IS THE SHERMAN CIRCLE DIFFERENT THAN THE PRESIDENTS’ SOCIETIES?

The Sherman Circle is a reimagining of the Presidents' Societies, which laid a strong foundation for its creation. The Sherman Circle simplifies WIU’s annual giving recognition program and provides new donor opportunities, including the Sherman Circle Socials and the GOLD Level status.

HOW IS THE SHERMAN CIRCLE DIFFERENT THAN THE FOUNDATION FELLOWS SOCIETIES?

The Sherman Circle recognizes annual donors who support the WIU Foundation with a minimum of $1,000 in contributions each calendar year. The Foundation Fellows Societies recognize donors who contribute a minimum of $10,000 throughout their lifetime. Those in the Sherman Circle could expect to join the Foundation Fellows after ten years of consecutive Sherman Circle involvement.

WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Tim Hallinan, Director of Annual Giving
Email: annualgiving@wiu.edu
Phone: (309) 298-1861