Phi Beta Delta Eta Epsilon Chapter

Throwback on our induction ceremony on Wednesday April 22nd, 2026!

We're thrilled to welcome our newest members into the Phi Beta Delta family of scholars and leaders committed to international education and intercultural understanding.

A heartfelt thank you to our Western Illinois University's president, Dr. Kristi Mindrup for delivering such an inspiring speech on how international students enrich the school experience. Your words about the power of global engagement and cross-cultural collaboration reminded us all why this work matters.

We're also deeply grateful to our members for the incredible work organizing this beautiful ceremony. Your dedication made this special moment possible for our new inductees.

And to our newest members: thank you for joining us! Your commitment to fostering international understanding and excellence in global education strengthens our community. We're honored to have you as part of Phi Beta Delta and can't wait to see the impact you'll continue to make.

Here's to building bridges, expanding horizons, and creating a more interconnected world together! 🌍

International education can improve understanding of how others live and work. To introduce Macomb High School students to their culture, two Western Illinois University students from Ghana spoke to Nichole Rodriguez’s Special Education class.

The two Ghanaian students, Hawa Ibrahim and Enyonam Neku, came to the class on Thursday, March 5, with a powerpoint presentation on their country.

The students were very interested as shown by their active participation. Phi Beta Delta member Paula Rhodes arranged the presentation with the school.

Pictured below, from left to right, are Neku, Ibrahim, Rhodes, and Rodriguez.

Phi Beta Delta wants to thank Ms Rodriguez for allowing us to come to her class, plus MHS principal James Heuer who helped make the presentation possible.

Phi Beta Delta is an international honorary that involves those interested in international education. If you would be interested in joining, please contact either Guada Cabedo-Timmons at [email protected] or Jack McKinnon at [email protected].

Membership is open to anyone interested in being involved in international education. A meeting for those interested in finding out more about the organization will be held on Tuesday, March 10 at 5:00 in the Board Room of the WIU Union.

🇧🇩 A Taste of Bangladesh - November 8, 2025 🇧🇩

Last Saturday evening, the Wesley Church came alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Bangladesh as more than 70 guests gathered for an evening of delicious food, cultural connection, and community spirit, all in support of student scholarships.

Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we raised over $1,000, enough to fund two scholarships for next fall! 🙌

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made this event possible:
💚 To everyone who came and donated so generously
👩‍🍳 To Bangladeshi students & community members who cooked and volunteered
⛪ To Wesley United Methodist Church of Macomb, IL for graciously hosting and assisting with preparations

Special shoutout to Charlene Callison and Beth Shryock for their tremendous help in the kitchen and behind the scenes! 👏

We hope everyone enjoyed the evening - and the taste of Bangladesh!

📸 Here are some highlights from the night. Feel free to share your own photos in the comments!

🎉Experience “A Taste of Bangladesh”! 🇧🇩

✨ Enjoy an evening filled with authentic Bangladeshi cuisine, cultural insights, lively performances, and a marketplace of international items.

Join us for Phi Beta Delta’s annual scholarship dinner - a celebration open to everyone in the WIU and Macomb community!

📅 Date: Saturday, November 8
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Wesley United Methodist Church, 1212 W. Calhoun, Macomb IL 61455 - https://maps.app.goo.gl/85zqDoKokAxWrPrJA

🎟️ Tickets:
$16 non-student adults ($20 at the door)
$10 students ($12 at the door)
$7 children (ages 6–12)
Free for children 5 & under

Proceeds from this event will fund two scholarships - one for a WIU student studying abroad and one for an international student at WIU.

💳 To purchase tickets in advance:
Please email Jack McKinnon - Phi Beta Delta President at [email protected] with the subject line “PBD Dinner.”
Jack will send an Autobooks invoice, allowing you to pay easily by credit card or ACH.
Email link for your convenience: https://tinyurl.com/pbd-din-2025

Reserve your spot early - seating is limited!!



About us:
Phi Beta Delta is an international honorary for those interested in international education with over 200 chapters in the United States and other countries. In addition to funding scholarships, WIU’s Phi Beta Delta chapter hosts Culture Night activities each fall and spring for incoming international students, a Fall Fun activity at Horn Lodge for international students including wiener roasting and pumpkin carving, and international cultural events for Macomb High School. For more details about Phi Beta Delta and membership information, contact Phi Beta Delta at [email protected].

🍁 Fall Fun Fest Recap! 🍁

Our international students had an amazing time celebrating the beauty of fall at WIU Horn Field Campus! From pumpkin carving to campfire chats, tasty fall treats, and a relaxing nature walk, it was an afternoon full of laughter, friendship, and autumn vibes.

It was wonderful to see students from around the world come together to experience American fall traditions and share their own cultures - a true reflection of WIU’s warm and inclusive spirit.

A heartfelt thank-you to all the students who joined us, the members of the Phi Beta Delta Eta Epsilon Chapter, and all the people who made this event possible.

We’re sorry we couldn’t feature everyone in this post - feel free to drop your favorite photos in the comments! 📸

🍂 Hey International Students at WIU! 🍂

No classes on Friday, October 10th — it’s Fall Break! 🍁

Make the most of your free day and join Phi Beta Delta – Eta Epsilon Chapter for our Fall Fun Fest at Horn Field Campus! 🎉

🔥 Enjoy a cozy bonfire with FREE hot dogs & s’mores
🎃 Try your hand at pumpkin carving
🌲 Take part in a peaceful nature walk

✨ Everything is FREE for WIU international students — including van transportation from Horrabin Hall (pickup starts ON-TIME at 2:30 PM). The event kicks off at 3:00 PM.

👉 RSVP now by scanning the QR code on the flyer!
We need your RSVP so we can get enough food and pumpkins for everyone.

RSVP Link: forms.gle/yMS4LG15HF19Ztyc8

Come celebrate Fall with us — it’s the perfect way to spend your break and experience a bit of American autumn fun! 🍂🔥🎃

September 3, 2025 - American Culture Night - A warm and welcoming gathering.

International students, both new and returning, were invited to the Garden Lounge in Leslie F. Malpass Library.

The main theme of the night was sharing stories and conversations about American culture, along with tips about campus life and Macomb. We hope it helps ease students into this new phase of their lives.

Stories were shared, new connections were made, and everyone enjoyed light refreshments.

It was truly a pleasant evening, and we look forward to seeing even more faces next time!

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We give out a scholarship every fall/spring semester. Applicants must have completed one semester at WIU.

More information: https://www.wiu.edu/global_studies/phi_beta_delta/scholarships.php