INSIDE: Alumni Events WIU Alumni Calendars 1, 2, 24 Event Education & Human at The Art Institute Services 3 of Chicago Fine Arts & Communication 7 Foundation 8 Libraries 9 Athletics 10 Classnotes 19 Arts & Sciences 12 Business & The Art Institute of Obituaries 21 Technology 14 Chicago Event 24 Spring 2013 USPS 679-980 Western News Alumni News and Notes from Western Illinois University Summit League regular Rocky on Parade season champions By Darcie Shinberger ‘89 M.S. ‘98 By Darcie Shinberger ‘89 M.S. ‘98 A dog walk throughout Macomb will take on a whole new meaning beginning in October 2013. Inspired by successful projects like Cows on Parade in Chicago, Western Illinois University Art Professor Bill Howard conceived the idea for Rocky On Parade, a public art project that will feature life-size fiberglass bulldogs decorated by area artists. Visitors can pick up a map at the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and other locations to follow the “dog walk” to view the Rocky sculptures. On Oct. 3, at the annual WIU Alumni Association’s Town and Gown Celebration, 12 Rocky sculptures will be debuted, along with their sponsors, and located throughout the City of Macomb and WIU campus, as part of the inaugural Rocky on Parade project sponsored by the WIU Department of Art. Rock III, and Ken ’46 MS-Ed ’52 and Lorraine Epperson Using a design similar to WIU’s iconic Rocky sculpture, ’48 MS-Ed ’52. Artists—and their designs—will be selected located near Hanson Field, 12 bulldogs will be cast by the sponsors in April. in fiberglass, decorated by regional artists, mounted “We are excited about sponsoring a bulldog for this on a concrete base and displayed at various locations unique project. It’s a fantastic town-gown partnership The Western Illinois men’s basketball team defeated the throughout campus and in the City of Macomb. The that works to further promote our community, our South Dakota Coyotes, 61-59, in dramatic fashion March 2 sculptures will then be installed at the sponsors’ location University and our outstanding regional artists, while to earn a share of The Summit League’s regular season title of choice. helping to support student scholarships,” said WIU Vice for the first time in 30 years. The Fighting Leathernecks “This project celebrates the University’s traditions, Continued on p. 18 picked up their 21st win this year, the most ever in the strengthens the unity of campus and community, program’s NCAA Division I era. contributes to the economic vitality and quality of “What a great night for Western Illinois University and life in Macomb and supports student scholarships,” our basketball program,” said Head Coach Jim Molinari. Howard explained. “It’s always been hard—for five years, there have been ups Sponsors of the bulldogs include: the Western Illinois and downs. The way it’ll culminate, with a regular season University Foundation, MidAmerica National Bank, Sports championship, it’s just terrific how it worked out.” Corner @ 124, Citizens Bank, All Pets Veterinary Clinic, The Leathernecks (21-7, 13-3) won the conference’s Josh ’04 and Mishelle Oaks ’97 and Ryan ’96 and Ann first-ever regular season title in 1982-1983, making this Ford, McDonough Distric Hospital, Cathy Early/State year’s crown the first of its kind during the conference’s Farm Insurance, Nelson’s Clothing, Blades, John and Dana tournament era. Biernbaum ’99 and Joe Roselieb ’07 M.S. ’09 and Col. Continued on p. 11 Alumni WIU UPCOMING ALUMNI & FRIENDS EVENTS We are coming June to a city March April May near you! 19 . Memphis 3 . Downtown Chicago 1 . Deer Park, IL 5 . Downtown Chicago 20 . Nashville 9 . Canton, IL 10-12 . .Graduation/ 10 . .Woodridge, IL 30 . Burbank, IL 11 . .Springfield, IL Distinguished Alumni Awards 17 . .Silvis, IL See page 2 for entire calendar and 23 . .Quincy, IL Weekend page 24 for complete details! Continued on p. 2 2 Western News Dear Alumni & Friends, WIU ALUMNI & FRIENDS Spring has arrived at your alma mater—students have 2013 Events just returned from Spring From the YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION YOUR Break and are now looking President forward to Graduation 2013 March 2013 Director’s Corner Corner Director’s NEWS FROM to be held May 10-13 at the Macomb and Quad Cities 19 . Memphis Alumni & Friends Social at Napa Cafe I would like to welcome 20 . Nashville Alumni & Friends Social at Cantina our Fall 2012 graduates campuses. We look forward to welcoming the new Laredo to the Western Illinois class of graduates into the Alumni Association. 21 . Grad Prep Day at WIU-Quad Cities University Alumni Your fighting Leathernecks men’s baskeball 22 . Grad Prep Day at WIU-Macomb Association. You join a team made history in March winning a conference 30 . Black Alumni Black Tie Scholarship Gala at group of more than 115,000 title for the first time in our Division I era. We Martinique Banquet Complex in Burbank (IL) WIU alumni from around salute Coach Molinari and his players for making the world. It is a pleasure meeting so many of our us proud to be part of the Leatherneck Nation! April 2013 alumni at events across the country and at various 3 . Western Wednesdays After-Hours Downtown events on campus. We appreciate your continued -Amy Spelman M.S. ‘98 Chicago at The Gage support and dedication to your alma mater. 10 . Canton (IL) Alumni & Friends Social at Official Despite the budgetary challenges we face, we Time Out Sports Bar & Grill are proud of our numerous accomplishments and 11 . Springfield (IL) Alumni & Friends Social at the accolades. Western continues to be recognized Western News Sangamo Club Spring 2013, Vol. 65, No. 3 by U.S.News & World Report, The Princeton 23 . Quincy (IL) Alumni & Friends Social at O’Griff’s Review, GI Jobs magazine, Military Times Edge USPS 679-980 Grill & Brewhouse magazine, and the (U.S.) President’s Higher Western News is published quarterly (March, June, Education Community Service Honor Roll. We September, December) by the Alumni Association, May 2013 are pleased that the number of high-achieving 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. 1 . Western Wednesdays After-Hours at Biaggi’s in new freshman students applying to Western has Periodicals postage paid at Macomb, IL and at Deer Park (IL) increased significantly. Most recently, Western was additional mailing offices. Distributed to WIU alumni. 10-12 Graduation/Distinguished. Alumni Awards designated a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. Construction will soon be starting Postmaster: Please send address changes to WIU on Phase II of the WIU-Quad Cities Riverfront Alumni Association, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL June 2013 campus, and renovations are underway on 61455-1390. 5 . Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Downtown Chicago Thompson Hall and the University Union. Alumni Association Phone: (309) 298-1914 As you support Western by attending events [email protected] 10 . “The Western Open,” Chicago Area Golf Outing and giving back so generously through your wiu.edu at Seven Bridges 17 . Quad Cities Golf Outing at TPC Deere Run time and resources, you can also support WIU by Editorial staff/contributors: contacting legislators to request continued funding Darcie Dyer Shinberger ’89 M.S. ’98, assistant vice July 2013 for education, as well as the release of capital president, Advancement and Public Services funding for deferred maintenance programs and 3 . No Western Wednesdays After-Hours Amy Spelman M.S. ’98, director of Alumni Programs the Performing Arts Center. We will continue to 13 . Cubs vs . Cardinals Alumni & Friends Event in work with other college and university presidents Athletics Media Services staff Chicago and with our legislators to minimize devastating Alisha Barnett, editor, Unviersity Relations 26 . Andrea Passmore Memorial Scholarship Golf Bryce Dexter, director of development, College of Arts Outing at the Macomb Country Club reforms to higher education, but the more voices and Sciences (* Note the corrected date .) heard in Springfield, the better. Angeline Harpman M.S. ’12, assistant director of I look forward to meeting our alumni and Alumni Programs August 2013 friends at events this spring and throughout the Schuyler Isley ’98 MBA ’04, director, communications summer. 2-3 . Black. Alumni Reunion Weekend in Chicago and external relations, College of Business and 7 . Western Wednesdays After-Hours in South Sincerely, Technology Chicago Suburb Teresa Koltzenburg ’92 M.S. ’11, assistant director, University Relations Dana Moon ’98 MBA ’01, assistant to the dean, College September 2013 4 . Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Downtown of Education and Human Services Jack Thomas Julie Murphy ’94 M.S. ’95, director, Foundation Chicago 14 . WIU at University of Minnesota Social & Football communications/donor stewardship Game Cathy Null ’72 M.A. ’91 M.S. ’02 , assistant to the dean, 21 . WIU at University of Nevada Las Vegas Social & College of Fine Arts and Communication Football Game Jodi Pospeschil, public information specialist Continued from Join p. 1 Tammy Sayles, marketing and outreach librarian Amanda Shoemaker M.S. ’11, associate director of October 2013 The WIU Alumni Association has worked hard Alumni Programs 2 . Western Wednesdays After-Hours in Northeast to provide more opportunities to stay connected to Chicago Suburb Western through our social media sites in the past year. Have tips, questions or comments for Western News? 3 . Celebrating Town and Gown at the Forum in We’re pleased to announce more exciting changes to [email protected] Macomb our sites, and we hope you will join the crowd! [email protected] 4 . Paint the Paws in Macomb Whether you like to post videos, photos or news, or see “Send Us Your News” (page 23) 10 . Figge Art Museum Alumni & Friends Event in if you just enjoy viewing our posts and those of others, Davenport (IA) Need to update your address? 11-12 Homecoming/25-40-50.