President Wilson Addresses McLean County Appreciation Day

President Richard F.Wilson met with Marilyn and Winford McElroy '54 under the tent during McLean County Appreciation Day.

 

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Wesleyan President Richard F. Wilson addressed the annual McLean County Appreciation Day on Saturday, Sept. 11, prior to the University's first home football game against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The event recognized special friends of the University, including elected officials, from the McLean County area.

In his remarks, Wilson said that Illinois Wesleyan is proud to be part of the community and added that

"I’ve discovered that this community is proud of Illinois Wesleyan. It makes for a wonderful relationship."

McLean County, he said, has been and will continue to be an invaluable resource for the University.

"Many organizations create opportunities for our students in terms of internships; the schools open their doors to our students for practice teaching; and literally hundreds of businesses provide invaluable work opportunities for our students," said Wilson. "At the same time, the University has much to offer the community: access to lectures and concerts, performances and athletic events and use of facilities. In a relatively short period of time, I have found many illustrations of ways that the University and the community work together to enrich the lives of everyone in the region."

Wilson said that he hopes to identify mutually beneficial ways for the University to contribute to improving the quality of life in the community and the region.

"Our histories are inextricably connected," he said. "So, I think, are our futures."