Thank-A-Giver Day (TAG Day) Feb. 11

Thank-A-Giver Day (TAG Day) is on Monday, February 11. This day provides the IWU campus community with the opportunity to thank the donors who support Illinois Wesleyan. IWU celebrates each year in mid-February because it marks the symbolic point during the academic year – about 70% of the way through – when tuition dollars run out and support from alumni and friends, our endowment, and external grants kicks in for the remainder of the year.

Thank you to all donors who help make the IWU experience possible!

In Memoriam: Michael Ouwenga, MD, ’97

Michael K. Ouwenga M.D., 43, of Fowler and formerly of the area, died Saturday (Jan. 19, 2019) at his home.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais and from 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 25,  Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais.

Please sign his guestbook at clancygernon.com.

https://www.clancygernon.com/obituaries/Michael-Ouwenga/#!/Obituary

Sabina Khan, ’97

Inspired by her daughter, Sabina Khan ’97 shines a light on LGBT Muslim teen experiences in her debut young adult novel.

Published by Scholastic Press, The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali follows a Muslim-American teen sent to her parents’ native Bangladesh after they discover her relationship with a female classmate. The novel draws upon the experiences of Sabina and her daughter, who came out at 17.

It was listed on many anticipated reads lists ahead of its Jan. 29, 2019, release, and was included on a list of best young adult reads from Seventeen Magazine. It is widely available. 

Emeritus Associate Professor of Economics Robert (Bob) Leekley

Emeritus Associate Professor of Economics Robert (Bob) Leekley passed away on Tuesday, Jan.1. Prof. Leekley started teaching at Illinois Wesleyan in 1974, and from his first year to his 44th, his commitment to IWU and our students remained unchanged. His positive impact on generations of students and colleagues will not be forgotten. Read an obituary. A service will be held in the IWU Evelyn Chapel from 11-12 on Wednesday, January 9th.

In Sympathy – Professor Emerita L. Jane Brue

Jane Brue, 84, of Bloomington, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2018 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.  A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. this Friday, May 18, in Evelyn Chapel, with a visitation prior to the service from 9-10 a.m. in the Chapel.

Jane was a nursing professor at Illinois Wesleyan for 21 years, leading many study abroad classes and receiving multiple accolades from students and colleagues. More details on her dedication to her profession, to IWU basketball, and to her family are in her obituary. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.

Robert Elfline ’97

Three guest composers and four alumni performers graced the Westbrook stage during Illinois Wesleyan’s New Music Cafe concert on Thursday, March 8.  IWU’s own Kyle Shaw, Bloomington native Edward Breitweiser, and Will Pearson, a U of I doctoral composer who has taught recently at IWU, are the composers.  The alumni, all of whom have careers as college professors, preformed contemporary art songs.  They were soprano Jamie-Rose (Guarrine) Knapp ’00, who taught at IWU several years ago; her husband, cellist Karl Knapp ’00; bass-baritone Seth Keeton ’98; and pianist Robert Elfline ’97.  Rounding out the program was a performance of Three Songs  by Northern Illinois University professor emeritus Jan Bach, performed by IWU professors Ingrid Kammin and Andrew Voelker.

Here is a link to more information about this year’s New Music Cafe concert: https://www.iwu.edu/news/2018/events/new-music-cafe-to-feature-guest-faculty-alumni-and-student-talent.html
Congratulations, Robert!

All In for Wesleyan

Tuesday, April 3rd is our day of giving at Illinois Wesleyan and this year’s theme is
Think Bigger! 
Not only is today a day for giving, it’s a day to celebrate IWU and all of the things that make it special.  Last year, our class had an impressive 25 donors, and we contributed $3,252. Let’s think bigger and surpass last year’s donors and dollars contributed! Think of the impact this can make for IWU students and their families!

Click here to learn more and to donate on Tuesday, April 3rd.
Help spread the word using #AllInForWesleyan and take advantage of our social media toolkit.

How well do you know IWU?

How well do you know Illinois Wesleyan University?
IWU Crossword ANSWER KEY
ACROSS
4. Eric
5. Stevenson
7. Powell
8. Sapientia
10. State
12. Hedding
13. Black
15. Aflame
DOWN
1. Japan
2. Illinois
3. Memorial
6. Tommy
9. Titan
11. Female
14. Park