Campus Headlines 2026
36th Annual MLK Jr. Gospel Festival Returns to Bloomington-Normal
A beloved community tradition honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will return to Bloomington-Normal this winter.

Titan Love Stories
IWU Finance Students Finish in Top 40% in Global Trading Challenge
Illinois Wesleyan University’s School of Business and Economics recently marked a major milestone in its finance program, competing for the first time in the Global Trading Challenge hosted by Bloomberg for Education.
Third Annual STEAM Olympics to Expand Competition in 2026
Local students ranging from first grade through high school are invited to check out the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics at Illinois Wesleyan during the third annual STEAM Olympics, a multi-day event offering hands-on...

25 New Scholarships Provide Opportunities for IWU Students
Illinois Wesleyan added 25 new scholarships in 2025 thanks to the generosity of IWU’s alumni and friends, helping bright and driven high school seniors find their home and educational success at the University.

Three Nursing Faculty Earn State Nurse Educator Fellowship Awards to Continue Research
Three Illinois Wesleyan nursing faculty have recently received Nurse Educator Fellowship Awards to further their research, improve patient care and expand learning opportunities for students.

Two Students Earn Grants through Titan New Venture Challenge to Grow Business Efforts
Two Illinois Wesleyan University students were awarded grants after showcasing their innovative ideas through the Titan New Venture Challenge on Oct. 15, 2025.

Brenda Lessen Knoll '89 Receives Most Prestigious National Honor in Nursing Field
Associate Professor of Nursing and Illinois Wesleyan alumna Brenda Lessen Knoll '89 was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to advancing health and nursing practice.

Valeria Suarez '26 Receives Lincoln Laureate Award
Valeria Suarez ‘26, who is majoring in political science and international and global studies, was named as Illinois Wesleyan’s 2025 Student Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

James Plath Offers Glimpse Into Former Home of Mark Twain in Poetry Book ‘At Quarry Farm’
While visiting the place where Mark Twain penned some of his most famous tales, Illinois Wesleyan Professor of English James Plath couldn’t help but be inspired.