February 27, 2023

News for and about the Illinois Wesleyan community

The Gazette (Iowa)

Artist Oliver Lee Jackson '58 was awarded an honorary doctorate of human letters degree from the University of Iowa for his creative and scholarly works.

The Pantagraph

Operatic bass singer Jack Waddell '63 performed “Journey to Freedom” at Illinois State University on Feb. 25. 

Columbia Missourian

Gregg Bush '97 is running for the fifth ward seat for the city council of Columbia, Missouri.

The Pantagraph

Titan athletes from several teams took a chilly dip in Miller Park Lake on Feb. 25 for the Special Olympics Illinois' Polar Plunge.

The Pantagraph

Illinois Wesleyan's School of Theatre Arts comedy production "Much Ado About Nothing" was praised for the witty performances and eye-catching set and costumes.

The Pantagraph

Zach Meyer '14 is the owner of Minonk Chocolate Company, a business that has had roots in Minonk since 1915.

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.

4 p.m., Office of Multifaith Engagement, lower level of Evelyn Chapel — ReligiosiTEA — 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.

4 p.m., Vinyard Room, Memorial Center — Guest Lecture by Dr. Stephen Setman — Dr. Stephen Setman, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at St. Bonaventure University, will give a talk about his research titled, "Blame for Implicit Bias? Theories of Responsibility and Unconscious Processes." This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Philosophy Department.

7 p.m., Shirk Center — Men's Volleyball vs North Central — Streaming live at www.iwusports.com/watch/.

6 p.m., Tucci Stadium — Men's Lacrosse vs Milwaukee School of Engineering — Streaming live at www.iwusports.com/watch/.

Last day to add or drop a second, 7-week class

4 p.m., Beckman Auditorium, The Ames Library — Faculty Colloquium: Tara Gerstner and Pennie Gray — Assistant Professor of Business and Marketing & Director of Entrepreneurship Tara Gerstner '01 and Associate Professor of Educational Studies Pennie Gray will present, “Teacherpreneurs: At the Intersection of Pedagogy and Invention."

5:30 p.m., Art Lecture Hall 218, Joyce Eichhorn Ames School of Art and Design Building — Spring Festival: Japanese Language and Gastronomy, Eating Sustainably — An opportunity to learn about Japanese language and gastronomy and engage in conversation with Henry and Hiroko Brockman, who own a local organic farm, supporting more sustainable eating while preserving our natural ecosystems and waterways. Japanese-inspired dishes will be available. The event will have an American Sign Language Interpreter. Sponsored by the Language Resource Center; World Languages, Literatures and Cultures; and Japanese Studies.

7:30 p.m., Westbrook Auditorium, Presser Hall — Concerto Aria Concert — Featuring the Illinois Wesleyan Symphony Orchestra. Sponsored by the School of Music.

Spring Open House

12 p.m., Tucci Stadium — Men's Lacrosse vs Whittier — 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.

2 p.m., Shirk Center — Men's Volleyball vs Carthage — Streaming live at www.iwusports.com/watch/.

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

7 p.m., Hansen Student Center — Unity Gala — The 5th Annual Unity Gala is a formal event that celebrates IWU's diversity and commitment to community. Established in 2018 as a collaboration between The Alliance and student leaders, the Unity Gala has been a premier event bringing together hundreds of students, staff, faculty, alumni and retirees. Highlights of the evening include jazz, cocktails and dancing from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. featuring IWU's Jazz Band, followed by DJ Green Beats who will play music from all genres and decades, inviting all to the dance floor. This evening of sophistication and IWU pride is sponsored by Student Senate, The Alliance and the Office of the Provost. There's no cost of admission. All attendees must RSVP and the form can be found here. We hope to see you there!

6 p.m., Hansen Student Center — Student Senate General Assembly Meeting —

All General Assembly meetings are open to the entire student body.

Marines Gunnery Sgt. Amy McCabe '01 is the first woman to be named principal trumpet for "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.

Erin Vogel '12, a researcher at the TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust) Health Promotion Research Center, was awarded a five-year K01 grant worth $911,498 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health to support her research on how social media affects vaping and mental health for adolescents and young adults.

• 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.

"Everyone has bad days. Don't give up. Pause. Rest. Reset. Restart. But, never quit. Always pick yourself up and keep going." 

Spring Break

All IWU resident halls and fraternities will be closing for Spring Break, March 13-17. A number of students may have a specific need to remain on campus for all or part of a break period. 

Spring Break Access Applications are currently open in the MyHousing portal. In order to stay in your campus housing or to have access to it during the break, you must request access as soon as possible. 

• You will need approval to receive break access to the building.
• Campus housing closes Friday, March 10, at 6:00 p.m. and reopens Sunday, March 19, at 9:00 a.m. To avoid charges, complete the break access application in your MyHousing portal by 8:00 a.m. this Friday, March 3.

There are several reasons for which permission is granted to student requests to remain in housing during a break period:

• students whose permanent home is more than 450 miles away from campus
• students with an essential on-campus job (with confirmation from the supervisor)
• students who have a musical or theatre rehearsal or performance (with confirmation from director/professor)
• students who have an athletic practice or competition (with confirmation from coaches)
• students with academic commitments (with confirmation from a professor)

Permission may also be granted to students who have special or unique circumstances. Students who believe their request warrants additional consideration should discuss it with their Area Director, or fraternity housing members will discuss their circumstances with the Office of Student Involvement staff. If approval is NOT given, you will be notified.

Regardless of circumstance, students must submit an online request through the student's MyHousing portal. 

Charges may be incurred for the following reasons:

• Requesting access after the deadline - $50 charge
• Staying without a valid reason - $50/per night charge
• Students found in the residence hall during a break without requesting access or obtaining permission - a $50 charge for not completing the break access request application (in addition to the $50 per night charge) and a judicial referral may also be made in these cases.  

When you complete the application, you will receive an automated message letting you know the application was submitted.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Residential Life at orl@iwu.edu.

Reminder about Upcoming Flexible Spending Deadlines

If you have a remaining balance in your 2022 Flexible Spending account:

• March 15, 2023 is the deadline to incur expenses to use toward your 2022 balance
• April 30, 2023 is the deadline for BPC to receive your requests for reimbursement

You can check your balance by contacting BPC at 877-272-8880 or by logging in to your account at www.bpcinc.com  

All Flex requests for reimbursement should be sent directly to BPC. Requests can be sent by mail, fax, online through the BPC website or by using the BPC phone app. If you need a reimbursement form, an electronic form can be found on the BPC website and the HR Employee Benefits webpage.

Up to $5,000 in Seed Grant Funding Available to IWU Students through Titan New Venture Challenge

Do you have an idea that you are passionate about pursuing? Do you need significant seed grant funding to really advance and accelerate achieving your goals and dreams for your new product, service, or venture? You’re in luck! The Titan New Venture Challenge is awaiting your application. 

The Titan New Venture Challenge, open to current Illinois Wesleyan University students of all backgrounds and all interests, is designed to encourage students from all majors to develop their ideas for new products or services into profitable businesses and nonprofits. 

By participating in this program, you have a chance to receive a grant up to a maximum of $5,000. Plus, the connections made with others in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem at IWU could prove to be invaluable. 

• Participation Guide
• Application

The application deadline is Sunday, March 19, 2023.

The Titan New Venture Challenge Demonstration Showcase and pitch presentations will take place on Wednesday, March 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Hansen Student Center, Center Court. The event is open to everyone to attend. Food will be provided. 

After reading the Participation Guide, please contact John Quarton at jquarton@iwu.edu if you have any questions. 

New Employees - February 2023

• Mindy McCluskey transferred Feb. 6 from Administrative Specialist III - Athletics/Physical Education to Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement.
• Micheline Mbumbu started Feb. 13 as a Custodian in the Physical Plant
• Erik Rettig started Feb. 20 as the Advancement Systems Analyst
• Vanni Thach started Feb. 20 as the Assistant Director of Leadership Giving in Advancement
• Cory Callahan started Feb. 21 as a member of the Grounds Crew
• Aaron Young started Feb. 22 as the Assistant Football Coach - Offensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
• Emmanuel Bambi Ntedika starts Feb. 27 as a Custodian in the Physical Plant
• Rick Halberg starts Feb. 27 as the In-House Admissions Counselor/Content Specialist
• Sarah Van Alebeek starts Feb. 27 as the Director of the International Office

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.