Adebola is currently at Duke University studying for a Ph.D. in Public Policy. Her research focuses on how international institutions and organizations aid developing countries. Ade graduated from IWU with  her B.A. in Economics and International Studies. She went on to receive her M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago the following year, where she received honors for her Master’s thesis on the influence of international organizations. After leaving Illinois, Ade returned to her native Minnesota to work with Mercy International Mission, a non-profit that provides for the basic health needs of people in rural Nigeria. When she is not studying away, Ade enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, baking, movies, reading and simply getting to know people – not in any specific order.

On July 17, over 2,500 alumni and friends made gifts to IWU totaling over $450,000. Unless otherwise specified by donors, all the money raised went to student scholarships and financial aid.  The “All in for Wesleyan” challenge began when Illinois Wesleyan Trustee John Horton ’82 and his wife, Joann, offered a gift of $100,000 if alumni and friends could raise $50,000 in one day.  When that challenge was met, several more challenges followed — and each was fulfilled.  Howard ’60 and Sharon ’60 Fricke offered a $10,000 gift if 600 donors participated.  Ed ’62 and Lin Phelps then offered $25,000 for 1,000 total donors.  Korey ’00 and Heidi Coon offered a $15,000 challenge for 1,200 donors.  Dr. Mike Sombeck ’83 offered $25,000 if we could reach 1,500.  Finally, at the end of the day, Dr. Randy ’73 & Jodie Reed offered $25,000 and Ed ’62 & Lin Phelps added $10,000 more to match every new gift, dollar for dollar…up to a total of $35,000 in gifts before midnight.

It was an exciting day to be a Titan.  The challenge became about so much more than numbers and dollars and donors.  It provided our alumni and friends with a chance to share their pride and explain how much IWU means to them.  If you weren’t following these conversations on social media, you can click here to read them now.  THANK YOU to all of our loyal alumni and friends who made July 17 an incredible day for our school and our students.

Maggie Byrne completed Fuego y Agua,a rigorous ultramarathon in a scenic Nicaragua, overlooking tropical birds and howler monkeys.  Byrne finished the race in nine hours and 33 minutes, coming in 10th position among the women. “It felt a level of energy I never imagined possible,” she said. A cross-country runner at Illinois Wesleyan University, Byrne from Chicago, graduated summa cum laude with an educational study major with a double minor in English and Spanish. She is now a Peace Corps volunteer and works as an environmental educator in Nicaragua.

Byrne teaching 6th grade students

 Byrne with an eco-stove she built

Nicholas Goble recently received “The Graduate Dean’s Instructional Excellence Award” for Physics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.  He is working towards a doctorate in Experimental Physics at Case.

I was recently accepted to Gratz College’s Masters of Jewish Education Program and was awarded the Gratz College Legacy Heritage Fellowship Award.