Western Illinois University

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For another university which uses the abbreviation "WIU", see Webber International University
Western Illinois University
Image:Weblogo-lg.gif
Motto:Higher Values in Higher Education
Established1899
Type:Public
Endowment:$24,717,000[1]
President:Alvin Goldfarb
Staff:185
Undergraduates:11,300
Postgraduates:2,300
LocationMacomb, IL, USA
Campus:Small town, 53 Buildings over 1,050 acres on the Macomb campus
Athletics:Fighting Leathernecks Westerwinds
Colors:Purple and Gold
Mascot:Bulldog (Colonel Rock)
Website:http://www.wiu.edu
Logo image © 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

[edit] 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.[citation needed]

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.

[edit] Library System

Western Illinois University has a comprehensive library system with extensive collections of literature and various other resources. Completed in November of 1975, Memorial Library (renamed and rededicated The Leslie F. Malpass Library in 2001) is the main branch of the library system. Today, the WIU Libraries are also comprised of the Music Library, Physical Sciences Library, Curriculum Library, and the Regional Center Library (Moline, Illinois) that was opened in the late 1990's to support WIU's growing presence in the Quad Cities. WIU Libraries' collections continue to rank in the top 10 nationally among universities without a doctoral degree curriculum. The library's volumes exceed 1,000,000 as of 2002 when the library decided to add Lucy Smith's Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith The Prophet and His Progenitors for Many Generations as their 1,000,000th volume. The book, written by Joseph's mother, is rare with it only be held by 19 libraries in the nation, and published in 1880.[5]

[edit] History

Image:Sherman Hall.jpg
Sherman Hall

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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)

[edit] Athletics

Main article: Western Illinois Leathernecks
Image:WesternIllinoisLeathernecks.png

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 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 named after Ray "Rock" Hanson, a former WIU athletic director and ex-Marine. Female sports teams are nicknamed “The Westerwinds,” though President Al Goldfarb is currently (as of December 10, 2007) reviewing a proposal to unify all athletic team names to Leathernecks.[6]

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

[edit] WIU TV

The Department of Broadcasting provides quality programming to the campus and Macomb community. As of November 2006, WIU TV was ranked number one among viewership of local campus television stations in Macomb.


[edit] Student Newspapers

[edit] 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.[7]

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ 2006 NES Listing (.pdf) (English). National Association of College and University Business Officers (2006). Retrieved on August 28, 2007.
  2. ^ a b America's Best Colleges 2008 (English). U.S. News & World Report (2007). Retrieved on August 28, 2007.
  3. ^ Western Illinois University Majors Offered (English). Western Illinois University (2007). Retrieved on August 28, 2007.
  4. ^ Campus Connection (English). Western Illinois University (2007). Retrieved on August 28, 2007.
  5. ^ [[[1]]] WIU Libraries -- Millionth Volume Digital Exhibit. Retrieved December 11, 2007.
  6. ^ John Maguire (2007). Review Proposal To Unify Western Athletic Team Names (English). Western Illinois University. Retrieved on December 10, 2007.
  7. ^ W. Garry Johnson (2006). Computer Security Breach (English). Western Illinois University. Retrieved on August 28, 2007.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
The Summit League
MembersCentenary (Gentlemen & Ladies) • IPFW (Mastodons) • IUPUI (Jaguars) • North Dakota State (Bison) • Oakland (Golden Grizzlies) • Oral Roberts (Golden Eagles) • South Dakota State (Jackrabbits) • Southern Utah (Thunderbirds) • UMKC (Kangaroos) • Western Illinois (Leathernecks & Westerwinds)
AffiliatesEastern Illinois (swimming and diving)
v • d • e
Gateway Football Conference
Illinois State (Redbirds) • Indiana State (Sycamores) • Missouri State (Bears) • Northern Iowa (Panthers) • Southern Illinois (Salukis)• Western Illinois (Leathernecks)• Youngstown State (Penguins)
v • d • e
Public Universities in Illinois
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