October 13, 2025

News for and about the Illinois Wesleyan community

German Musicians Perform with Titan Wind Ensemble for Homecoming Collaboration

One of Germany’s leading youth symphonic wind orchestras joined Illinois Wesleyan University’s wind ensemble for a special performance during Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Stay tuned to IWU social media platforms for upcoming photos and videos recapping the incredible weekend!

Doris Kearns Goodwin Speaks about History of American Presidents at Shirk Center

Last week, over 1,200 people gathered in the Shirk Center to hear from presidential historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin as part of the Adlai E. Stevenson Memorial Lecture Series. Using her vast knowledge about American history and presidents, Goodwin spoke of the qualities that make successful leaders, such as humility, resilience, and empathy. 

While the event was not recorded for public viewing, see press coverage below for a recap of her remarks.

WGLT Radio


Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin tells of leadership in turbulent times during a visit to Illinois Wesleyan as part of the Adlai E. Stevenson Memorial Lecture Series. Also reported by The Pantagraph.

The Pantagraph

President Sheahon Zenger shared a column that speaks to the last 175 years of innovation at Illinois Wesleyan.

WEEK TV


University Archivist Liz Bloodworth explains the mysterious way Illinois Wesleyan received its name 175 years ago, among other historic details from the University's past. A pop-up museum was on display during Homecoming Weekend at IWU. Additional coverage by The Pantagraph highlighted the 175th homecoming theme.

WGLT Radio

Bells are ringing for the first time in decades from the historic Van Leer Memorial Bell Tower in Normal, visible just north of campus. IWU School of Music student James M. Winn '41 was the first musician hired to ring the bells after the tower was built in 1940.

Vaccination Clinics on Campus Oct. 14 & 15


Illinois Wesleyan will host a Vaccination Clinic on campus for students, faculty, and staff on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15.

The School of Nursing and Health Sciences will host a clinic for flu and COVID vaccinations in the Shirk Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Although some walk-in appointments will be available, in order to expedite the process, please sign up here for an available appointment slot. Please print and complete the paperwork attached on the sign-up page and bring it with you to your appointment.

An additional vaccination clinic will be offered in partnership with Arnold Health Services and Kroger at the Vinyard Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. This clinic will include flu, COVID, RSV, pneumonia, Tdap, and MMR. No appointment necessary. Students, faculty and staff will need to bring their insurance card to bill insurance.

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.

A paper co-authored by Dean of the School of Business and Economics Bryan McCannon '98 and Ernie Waterson '25 titled, "Discipline Reform and Educational Outcomes: An Analysis of Illinois Senate Bill 100," was recently accepted for publication in Economics Bulletin. They studied an educational reform which deterred the use of out-of-school suspension and showed that it increased student truancy and teacher turnover. 

Free yoga classes for faculty and staff take place on Mondays and Thursdays in the Shirk Center Niepagen South Classroom from 12:15 to 12:50 p.m. with Penny Brooks. Mats are provided.

Durward “Dur” Cawley, retired mechanic for the IWU Physical Plant, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. He served Illinois Wesleyan for 22 years before retiring in 2016. An obituary is available here.

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.