September 2, 2025

News for and about the Illinois Wesleyan community

Turning Titan Recap Video

Relive the energy and excitement of Turning Titan and move in week at Illinois Wesleyan!

2025 University Excellence Awardees

Associate Professor of Nursing Amanda Hopkins received the Excellence in Teaching award, which recognizes strong pedagogical practices that enhance the student experience at IWU or advance pedagogical practices in higher education generally.

Professor of Computer Science Andrew Shallue received the Excellence in Teaching award, which recognizes significant contributions to the IWU and surrounding community through service broadly defined. 

Associate Professor of Sociology Courtney Irby received the Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Work award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to one’s professional discipline.

The Pantagraph

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has appointed Robert Porter '09 to serve as public administrator and public guardian for Woodford County.

Shaw Local



Kate Tombaugh '07, founder of the nonprofit music organization Poco a Poco, received the Illinois Theatre Association’s 2025 Award of Excellence.

Million Meals Volunteer Event

Join your fellow Titans at the State Farm Million Meals Pack Event on Saturday, Sept. 20! Thousands of volunteers come together to partner with U.S. Hunger to combat food insecurity in McLean County and throughout Illinois. Join a group of Titans at the 12:30-2 p.m. shift on Sept. 20.

 

1. Register here (Select NPO, write in IWU; Volunteer for General Meal Packer)

2. Invite alumni, colleagues, students, and friends of IWU to join you

3. Wear your IWU gear

Campus Events

Campus events can be found in MyIWU under the Events & Calendars tab.

To receive notifications on group posts in MyIWU, click here for set-up instructions.

Eric Hyla '16, associate with Vedder Price, was appointed as the Young Lawyer Representative for the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section's Transportation and Energy Committee, beginning in September.

Yoga will resume on Monday, Sept. 8. This semester we welcome Penny Brooks as our new yoga instructor — from the Remedy Wellness Center and our new director of spirit here at IWU. Classes will be Mondays and Thursdays from 12:15-12:50 p.m. at the Shirk Center's Niepagen South Classroom.

New Faculty - Fall 2025

• John Miles - Provost and Dean of Faculty
• Melissa Calvillo - Assistant Professor of Nursing
• Leo (Jiahao) Gu - Assistant Professor of Finance
• Ryan Mellske - Assistant Professor of International Business Law
• Nirjhar Nigam - Associate Professor of Finance
• Yun Tang - Assistant Professor of Psychology
• Amy Wilson - Assistant Professor of Studio Art
• Aubrey Elson - Assistant Professor of Theatre/Acting
• Sabiha Sultana - Assistant Professor of Educational Studies
• Dan Lloyd - Director of Swimming & Diving, Director of Fort Natatorium, and Instructor in Physical Education, Sport & Wellness
• Courtney Amaro - Visiting Assistant Professor of Lighting Design
• Pablo Guerra-Monje - Visiting Assistant Professor of Scenic Design
• Mariana Ribeiro Porto Araujo - Assistant Professor of International & Global Studies
• Charles Rice - Visiting Associate Professor of Chemistry
• Jose Torres - Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
• Terry Mullin - Visiting Assistant Professor of Accounting

Find these newly hired faculty and all employees in the IWU Directory Search.

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.