Western Illinois University

10/15/2026

Where is the craziest place you’ve run into a fellow Leatherneck?⬇️

10/15/2026

After just over two years of fundraising, the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts at WIU seat-naming initiative is complete!

Following two recent fundraising challenges from donors Ernie Wish and Ernie Codilis '73, all 726 available seats in the Great Hall have been named, raising $181,500 to benefit GCPA programming and operations.

Thank you to all the donors whose generosity helped make this milestone possible!

🔗Read more: go.wiu.edu/4hZBV9o

10/15/2026

After recent institutional restructuring, Western Illinois University Social Work students are joining forces with the WIU Autism Clinic of Excellence (WACE), creating valuable avenues for cross-disciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning.

Through this partnership, students are applying what they learn in the classroom while working directly with a clinical program and supporting local families. The collaboration reflects WIU’s efforts to strengthen connections between academic programs and applied learning opportunities.

🔗Read more: go.wiu.edu/4yO03mD

10/14/2026

Western Illinois University's School Counseling Program has been named among the “Best Master's in School Counseling” programs for 2027 by MastersinCounseling, ranking No. 5 in Illinois and second among public universities.

Join WIU's Counseling program at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, on the WIU-Quad Cities campus to learn more about the CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling tracks.
➡️Register here: go.wiu.edu/4y5vAzn

🔗Read more: go.wiu.edu/4yPzDRK

10/13/2026

Western Illinois University is ready to welcome “The Greatest Show on Earth” for Homecoming 2026! 💜💛

From Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 25, students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members can enjoy a week full of events celebrating Leatherneck traditions, school spirit and the WIU community.

Check out this year's Homecoming Week festivities: go.wiu.edu/4zBeIln

10/12/2026

Make a Difference Day brings the Leatherneck community together to turn school spirit into meaningful service and create a positive impact on campus and beyond.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate on Friday, Oct. 23, in seven volunteer projects supporting student well-being, environmental care, veterans, pediatric patients and campus beautification.

📝Register to choose your volunteer project & shift: bit.ly/4AUdtiF
🔗Read more about the volunteer opportunities: go.wiu.edu/3TUicAc

10/09/2026

Following a season for the books, the 2025-26 Western Illinois Women's Basketball team will serve as the 2026 WIU Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals.

The Leathernecks had a remarkable 2025-26 season, picking up multiple team and individual accolades as they played their way to a first-round appearance in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, their first since 2017. By the end of the season, the team had earned Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) regular season and tournament champion titles as well as a sixth-place national ranking in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls.

The Homecoming parade will begin on the Macomb Square at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

🔗go.wiu.edu/4hFzfza

10/09/2026

WIU is once again among The Princeton Review’s “Best Midwest: 2027 Best Colleges.”

For the 22nd year, Western Illinois University has earned this recognition for its outstanding academic programs, student success initiatives, and exceptional faculty and staff.

🔗Read more: go.wiu.edu/3VDWZeh

10/07/2026

Paint the Paws is back! 🐾

Join the annual Homecoming tradition from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, as the WIU community comes together to repaint the Leatherneck pawprints along University Drive and Western Avenue.

Student groups, campus faculty, staff, and alumni interested in participating should register online at go.wiu.edu/paint-the-paws-2026

Lane closures and changes in traffic patterns will occur on University Drive and Western Avenue between 11:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Avoid the area if possible.

🔗Learn more about the event and traffic changes: go.wiu.edu/3VBRTiD

10/06/2026

Only 32 seats remain to be named in the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts at WIU Great Hall!

WIU alumnus Ernest (Ernie) J. Codilis, Jr. ’73 has extended the seat-naming challenge, pledging $100 for each remaining seat named, up to $10,000.

🔗Name your seat: bit.ly/GCPA_NameMySeat

The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts Seat Challenge is on!

Donor Ernie Wish has committed a $25,000 challenge gift that will be fulfilled when 100 more seats are named in the Great Hall. Seats are $250 and can be customized with an inscription of your choice.

➡️ For more information on how to name a seat, visit go.wiu.edu/4x59Enw