February 20, 2023

News for and about the Illinois Wesleyan community

The Pantagraph

The IWU student-run radio station WESN 88.1 is celebrating 50 years on the airwaves.

The Pantagraph

Ericka Wills '04 will speak at the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington during a presentation on labor rights on Feb. 28.

WGLT Radio

Newly elected Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Sara Rodriguez '97 credits her experience at Illinois Wesleyan in helping develop her public speaking and writing skills.

Daily Journal (Kankakee)

Matt Maxwell '07 was selected to serve as superintendent of Central Community Unit School District 4 in Clifton beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

Pontiac Daily Leader

Operatic bass singer Jack Waddell '63 will perform in "John W. Jones - Journey to Freedom" at Illinois State University's Capen Auditorium at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The Pantagraph

Steve Schweer '06 reflects on his time playing on the men's basketball team at IWU, an experience he applies to his role as head basketball coach at Illinois College.

6 p.m., Tucci Stadium — Women's Lacrosse vs Monmouth (Scrimmage)

11 a.m., Evelyn Chapel — Ash Wednesday Service — The Office of Multifaith Engagement will be offering an Ash Wednesday Service in the Evelyn Chapel. Service will begin at 11 a.m. and will be led by mother Mollie Ward, MDiv. 

4 p.m., Office of Multifaith Engagement, lower level of Evelyn Chapel — ReligiosiTEA: Guest Speaker Rev. Willie Comer of Berean Covenant Church — With collaboration from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Rev. Comer will assist in facilitating dialogue on the PBS documentary "The Black Church, Episode 1 of 2." The Office of Multifaith Engagement supports the diversity of worldviews present at Illinois Wesleyan – religious, spiritual, and secular. We seek to provide a venue for asking meaningful questions – including questions about who we are and what we are for. All are invited to our weekly gatherings to meet our Multifaith Ambassadors and enjoy refreshments provided.

5 p.m., Center for Liberal Arts, Room 305 — Studying Abroad in Nantes and Illinois: Meet French Tutors — Chat with Language Resource Center French tutors Lilly Denney and May Hemon about their experiences studying abroad in Nantes and at Illinois Wesleyan. Taste delicious crêpes nantaises and join a fun activity to break clichés and stereotypes. Event will be held in French and English.

7:30 p.m. through Saturday, Feb. 25 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, Jerome Mirza Theatre — School of Theatre Arts: "Much Ado About Nothing" — Are gossip and trickery senseless vices? Perhaps not when they provide fodder for Shakespeare’s enduring romantic comedy about two couples’ forays into matters of the heart. Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Tom Quinn directs one of the Bard’s most beloved and timeless classics.

7 p.m., The Ames Library, Beckman Auditorium — International Film Series: "Buena Vista Social Club" — Directed by Win Wenders, 1999. Presented by Professor of Hispanic Studies Carmela Ferradáns and Associate Professor of Music Adriana Ponce. View the trailer here.

11 a.m., Shirk Center, Indoor Track — Men & Women's Track and Field – CCIW Indoor Championships — Streaming live at www.iwusports.com/watch/.

3 p.m., Tucci Stadium — Women's Lacrosse vs Rhodes — Streaming live at www.iwusports.com/watch/.

4 p.m., The Ames Library, Beckman Auditorium — Guest Lecture by Viridiana Hernandez Fernandez — Assistant Professor of History at the University of Iowa Viridiana Hernandez Fernandez will give a talk about her research titled, "From Indigenous Woodlands to Entrepreneurial Trees: The Mexican Avocado Belt in the Twentieth Century." This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Political Science, International and Global Studies, Environmental Studies, and History departments.

5 p.m., Evelyn Chapel, basement — International Student Organization Self Care and Spa Night — The International Student Organization is hosting an event for mental health and self care through a spa night. Anyone from the campus community is welcome to join.

6:30 p.m., Shirk Center, Niepagen South Classroom — Steppin' Out with ODI: Dance Workshop — The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites the campus community to come out and learn how to Step, Chicago style! Celebrated dance instructor Diane Saulsberry will teach us the significance of and the basics of Step. Chicago Steppin' is a smooth and classy form of partner dancing with its roots in dances such as the Chicago Bop and the Lindy Hop. No dance experience necessary — just comfortable dancing shoes and be ready to listen to old school, soul, jazz and R&B music.  

11 a.m., Shirk Center, Indoor Track — Men & Women's Track and Field – CCIW Indoor Championships — Streaming live at www.iwusports.com/watch/.

2 p.m., Niepagen South Classroom, Shirk Center — Deja Vu Dance Team Weekly Practice — Join Deja Vu for dances, laughs and an enormous amount of body positivity training as we explore dances from all across the world. We are a K-Pop and East Asian based team, but we try dance styles from everywhere to maximize the fun. All levels of experience are welcome.

6-10 p.m., Hansen Student Center — Black Student Union Pajama Jam — Students, faculty and staff are invited to join BSU in celebrating the month of February with our final event, our Pajama Jam. Everyone come in their favorite set of pajamas, listen to great music and eat some delicious food. There will also be a 360 photo booth for everyone to show off their pajamas.

12 p.m., Tucci Stadium — Women's Lacrosse vs Colorado College — Streaming live at www.iwusports.com/watch/.

3 p.m., Presser Hall, Westbrook Auditorium — Wind Ensemble Concert

7:30 p.m., Hansen Student Center, Tommy's — Recycling Theme Bingo — Learn how to properly dispose of different items while having fun trying to win one of the prizes that will be offered. By the end of the night, you will be able to know when an item goes to recycling, terracycling or garbage. Sponsored by the Office of Residential Life and Student Senate.

Jennifer Brummet '08 was named director of scientific affairs and partnerships for CurePSP, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing patient support and treatments of rare neurodegenerative diseases.

Karlin E. Sangdahl '09 was promoted to partner at Reed Smith LLP in Chicago.

Author Tate Lewis-Carroll '19 has published a debut book of poems titled "What's Left." They will host a book signing and poetry reading at Normal Public Library at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4.

• Yoga takes place on Mondays and Thursdays in the Niepagen South Classroom with David Vale at the Shirk Center from 12:15 - 12:55 p.m.
• Personal Fitness takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays on the east end of the Shirk Center track with Grace Redman from 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.



"Self confidence is a super power. Once you start to believe in yourself, magic starts happening."

University Award for Inclusive Excellence Nominations

Nominations for the University Award for Inclusive Excellence are due Friday, Feb. 24. Alumni, students, staff and faculty may submit nominations for a full-time faculty or staff member. Candidates for the award must be members of the campus community for a minimum of three years and should be engaged in meaningful diversity activities that go above and beyond their primary responsibilities at the university. Recipients of the University Award for Inclusive Excellence will be recognized annually at the spring employee recognition event on Friday, April 7. 

The nomination must include:

• The nominator statement: Please complete this Qualtrics Survey and provide a statement of nomination (either within Qualtrics or separately to kcarneyh@iwu.edu) by Feb. 24.
• An impact statement: Please ask a constituent (student, alumni, colleague) who has been directly impacted by the nominee’s work to write a nomination in support. The same Qualtrics survey will provide the venue for the impact statement.
• Supervisor statement: In order to ensure comparable materials are submitted for all nominees, a supervisor/department chair letter of support will be solicited by the review team via email. As the nominator, you need not worry about this step. 

Bloomington Fire Department Training

The Bloomington Fire Department will conduct rescue training in the former Disciples of Christ Conference Building (1011 Main St.) on Tuesday, Feb. 21 through Thursday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Multiple fire vehicles will be in the area during these training days.

With Deepest Sympathy

• Sripala Waduge, the father of Wathsala Waduge, laboratory coordinator with the chemistry department, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 16. He lived in Sri Lanka.
• Garry Kinder '55, an Illinois Wesleyan University Trustee Emeritus who served on the board from 1990-2007, passed away on Friday, Feb. 17. His obituary may be viewed here.

If you have good news to share with fellow Titans (such as a birth, adoption or wedding), please send information to webedit@iwu.edu so we can spread the good cheer!



See Student Photo Directories by class year (photos viewable on the campus network).

Campus Weekly is an electronic newsletter from Illinois Wesleyan's Office of Communications, edited by Julia Perez, assistant director of communications. To submit items of interest, email webedit@iwu.edu.