WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

'Western Illinois University' is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the Normal School grew, it became Western Illinois State Teachers College. Today, Western Illinois University is composed of two campuses that provide a wide range of academic programs. The main campus is located in Macomb, Illinois, while Western Illinois University - Quad Cities is in Moline, Illinois.

Contents

Profile

Library System

History

National Acclaim

Presidents of Western Illinois University

Athletics

Student Newspapers

Computer security

Notable alumni

References

External links

Profile

Western Illinois University, a comprehensive university, is composed of four academic colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business & Technology, Education & Human Services, and Fine Arts & Communication in addition to an Honors College. As a comprehensive university, Western is known for it deep commitment to teaching. The 17:1 faculty to student ratio maintained by WIU is among the best in the State of Illinois.
In the US News & World Report college rankings, WIU is classified as a ''Masters University'', meaning one that grants few doctoral degrees and draws students primarily from the surrounding area, rather than nationally. US News rates Masters universities against other universities within the same region; WIU ranks in the top half of US News' rankings of Masters universities within the Midwest.^[2]
The University offers 71 undergraduate majors over 51 degree programs and 13 pre-professional degrees at the undergraduate level. At the graduate level, 42 degree and certificate programs are offered. A recent addition to the University is a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), Western’s sole doctoral degree. 95% of all courses are taught by full-time faculty.^[3]
Western Illinois University's Four-Year Tuition Guarantee, was one of the first of its kind in the nation. It was used in 2004 by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich as a blueprint to institute similar measures at all public universities in Illinois.^[4] When freshmen enroll at Western, the per-hour rate of the entire four-year education is locked in, freezing the annual rate for tuition and fees. The majority of majors also qualify for the ''"Gradtrac"'' program, which guarantees graduation in four years. If graduation is delayed past the four years due to class availability, additional tuition for such classes is waived, even beyond four years.
WIU also mandates the FYE (First Year Experience) Program for all incoming freshmen. This program is designed to ease the transition from high school to college, and fosters the participation of FYE students in co-curricular events such as concerts, art exhibits, and guest lectures.

Library System

Western Illinois University has a comprehensive library system with extensive collections of literature and various other resources. Completed in 1982, the Leslie F. Malpass Library is the main branch of the library system.

History

Western Illinois University was founded in 1899 to address the problem of poorly prepared teachers in the state’s grammar schools. The land for the University was donated to the State of Illinois by Macomb's Freemasons (Illinois Lodge #17). Macomb was in direct competition with Quincy, Illinois and other candidates as the site for a “western” university. The Illinois legislature selected Macomb as the location. University administrators uncovered evidence of the Freemason’s efforts on Macomb’s behalf when they opened Sherman Hall’s (the administration building) cornerstone during their centennial celebrations.
Sherman Hall served as the University’s primary facility for many years, but as the University and its programs expanded, a need surfaced for further expansion. Today, the Macomb campus consists of 53 buildings over 1,050 acres. Sherman Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Inspired by the surrounding “vast golden prairie strewn with purple coneflowers,” Western Illinois University adopted purple and gold as its official colors in 1902. WIU is proud to be the only non-military institution in the nation with permission from the Department of the Navy to use the United States Marine Corps Official seal and mascot, the Bulldog. Colonel Rock, or Rocky, is the University mascot representing “The Fighting Leathernecks” for all male sports teams. Rocky was affectionately named after Ray "Rock" Hanson, a former WIU athletic director and ex-Marine. Female sports teams are nicknamed “The Westerwinds.”

National Acclaim

US News & World Report, 2006, ranked Western Illinois University at 70th among all public masters universities and 24th among 70 public universities in the Midwest.² Masters universities are those which offer a wide variety of baccalaureate programs and are committed to graduate education. Recently, Western incorporated its first doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.). Western Illinois University also was recognized as one of the “Best in the Midwest Colleges” by The Princeton Review in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Presidents of Western Illinois University

10th	Alvin Goldfarb	(2002-Present)
9th	Donald S. Spencer	(1994-2001)
8th	Ralph H. Wagoner	(1987-1993)
7th	Leslie F. Malpass	(1974-1986)
6th	John T. Bernhard	(1968-1973)
5th	A. L. Knoblauch	(1958-1967)
4th	Frank A. Beu	(1942-1957)
3rd	Walter P. Morgan	(1912-1941)
2nd	Alfred Bayliss	(1906-1911)
1st	John W. Henninger	(1901-1905)

Athletics

Main articles: Western Illinois Leathernecks

Western Illinois sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (I-AA for football) in The Summit League (Gateway Football Conference for football).

Student Newspapers

★ The Western Courier

Computer security

On June 5, 2006, WIU detected a breach of computer security that may have compromised student's personal data. On June 19, 2006, WIU sent a letter to students advising them to take precautions to protect themselves from identity theft.^[5]

Notable alumni

★ Michael Boatman, actor

★ Lee Calhoun, Olympic gold medal winner

★ Bryan Cox, National Football League

★ Kenneth L. Dixon, journalist in Illinois, New Mexico, and Louisiana

★ Walter Flakus, co-founder & keyboard player for Stabbing Westward

★ Christopher Hall, lead singer for Stabbing Westward and more recently The Dreaming^[6]

★ Rodney Harrison, National Football League

★ Edgerton Hartwell, National Football League

★ Gene Lamont, Major League Baseball

★ John Mahoney, actor

★ Mary Matalin, Republican Political Strategist and wife of James Carville

★ Russ Michna, Arena Football League

★ Red Miller, Former head coach of the NFL Denver Broncos and USFL Denver Gold

★ Robert Nardelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler, Former President and CEO of Home Depot

★ Rick Reuschel, Major League Baseball

★ Mike Scifres, National Football League

★ Rich Seubert, National Football League

★ Aaron Stecker, National Football League

★ Mike Wagner, National Football League

★ Frank Winters, National Football league

References

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

External links

★ Official Website of Western Illinois University

★ Official Website of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities

★ Official Website of Western Illinois University Athletics

★ Official Library Website

★ Campus Map

★ First Year Experience Program

★ The Western Courier