BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Thanks to the generosity of Corey Schieler '97, a new landmark has been installed on campus to celebrate Illinois Wesleyan’s 175th anniversary and inspire generations of future Titans.
Standing at 4 feet tall and 14 feet wide, the green steel “IWU” letters are positioned on a brick base in the plaza directly south of the entrance to the Hansen Student Center. Manufactured by WhiteClouds Inc. in Ogden, Utah, the letters are made out of 12-gauge steel weighing 180-220 pounds each.
With hand holds mounted on the back of the letters and room around the base to sit, Schieler hopes the monument becomes an “IWU branded, Instagram-able spot for students — past, present and future — to show their pride for being connected to IWU.”
Any photos posted to social media from the new spot are encouraged to include the hashtag #MyIWUStory.
Schieler came up with the idea for the project while on an early morning walk around campus in the fall of 2024. He and his wife Pam, who were married at Evelyn Chapel in 2009, decided to fund the legacy piece as a gesture of gratitude to the people of Illinois Wesleyan.
“I would like this gift to express to the University, the faculty and staff, and my former classmates and friends, my sincere gratefulness for the wonderful memories they helped me create during my time on campus and the many special life opportunities my IWU education has helped provide me ever since,“ said Schieler.
After gaining approval and support from President Zenger, Schieler began to research and design the monument. He discovered WhiteClouds Inc., which constructs industrial-strength signage for Fortune 500 companies and universities.
“I also engaged several areas of IWU; now retired Director of Marketing Andrew Kreiss '86 and Director of Physical Plant Kenton Frost to get their input on the design, font style, color and landscaping,” said Schieler. “They all were very helpful and great to work with in bringing this project to fruition.”
Schieler has remained actively engaged with his alma mater since studying finance and economics. He is a member of the IWU Board of Trustees, chairs the Endowment Investment Committee and is a long-time advisor for the Student Managed Investment Portfolio class, which oversees more than $6 million in real-world investments.
This involvement stems from inspiration Schieler gained as a student, particularly from the late IWU President Robert S. Eckley '88 and former Board of Trustees Chair Hugh Henning H '94.
“It is because of and in honor of these two men that I have stayed engaged with the Student Portfolio class for the past 28 years and have no intention of stopping any time soon,” Schieler expressed. “What struck me was that these two professional, well-accomplished men in their late 70s gave so freely of their talents and their time to me and countless other IWU students. They would sit through four-hour stock presentations late into the evening and share their curiosity and counsel with such youthful spirit and vigor.”
Eckley and Henning served on the Student Portfolio Client Board when Schieler was a senior and he remained connected with both after graduation, with Eckley recommending Schieler for a position as an equity stock analyst at State Farm Insurance Companies early in his career. He is now a private investor and former director of venture capital investments at State Farm.
Schieler said his two favorite quotes reflect his experiences as a Titan: “I am a part of all that I have met” from Ulysses, and the 1993 Commencement quote by former President Minor Myers jr., “Go forth into the world and do well, but more importantly do good.”
“I have taken the Myers quote to heart and tried to live it the best I can,” said Schieler. “It inspires me in so many ways to continue to give back.”
Additional landscaping and lighting will be added around the monument this semester.