Hannah Smith ’14 graduated in August 2018 from the University of Colorado with a Master’s Degree of Science in Nurse Midwifery. She also accepted a position as a staff midwife with Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.
Congratulations, Hannah!
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!
Matt Pankau ‘14 and Jill Kawasaki ‘14, got married in September of 2018, with multiple IWU alumni in attendance.
From L to R: Jane (Mizuno) Kawasaki ‘82, Jason Pankau ‘11, Hope (Schulte) Pankau ‘11, Bethany Presutti ‘14, Cody Collinson ‘14, Tara Gracer ‘13, Matthew Pankau ‘14, Gabe Chanez ‘14, Jill Kawasaki ‘14, Joel Backs ‘14, Leah (Allen) Wheeler ‘08, Alexandra Bidner ‘15.
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.
Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Festival screened the comedy-horror web series Dear Dark Lord, a production of alumnus Pat Cavanaugh ’14. The web series “chronicles a young woman’s dual struggles to: 1) Make it in the big city, and 2) Serve an unholy wretch known as ‘The Dark Lord.'”
The series is 8 episodes long and is aims to find “the humor and horror in searching for connection — and yourself — in early adulthood.”
Cavanaugh received his BA in English Writing and Political Science and is currently pursuing a MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage at Northwestern University’s Graduate School. His involvement and performance at improv theaters is where Dear Dark Lord began in discussion with collaborator Ryan T. Eakins.
For more information, check out the website Deardarklord.com
Alumna Veronica Watson ’14 spoke at the Citizen Scholar Lecture during Illinois Wesleyan’s 2018 Homecoming. Veronica is the Indiana Director of Patronicity, which is a civic crowdfunding and crowd granting platform. They bring together local citizens and sponsors to support community initiatives. Veronica was engaged with ARC as a student at IWU then went on to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA in New Orleans and Indianapolis.
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 a very impressive 60 donors, let’s try for 65 this year! We contributed $1975. Our goal for this year is $2500! 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.
Bobby Nash-Castillo ’14 spoke for TEDxIWU about how to love where you live.
You can view it here.
