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Founders' Day at WIU

Sherman Hall at WIU in Macomb
WIU
Sherman Hall at WIU in Macomb

Western Illinois University is celebrating Founders' Day on Thursday. On September 23rd in 1902, Western Illinois State Normal School, as it was then called, opened for its first day of classes.

A bill to establish the school was passed by the state legislature in 1899, and Macomb was selected for its location in 1900.

"On this meaningful day in the history of WIU, we take time to reflect on the founding of this great University and to celebrate our first day of classes at Western Illinois State Normal School on September 23, 1902. As your 12th president, I am incredibly appreciative to be here and to join each of you in making continued historic and positive strides at WIU," said WIU President Guiyou Huang.

"We have been a strong institution for over 12 decades, and we will continue to grow and thrive for many years to come. We will continue to provide educational access and opportunity for all, and help change people's lives. Western Illinois University makes a difference, and each of you has the ability to positively impact so many. This is has been our mission and tradition since 1902."

A native of Detroit, Herb Trix began his radio career as a country-western disc jockey in Roswell, New Mexico (“KRSY, your superkicker in the Pecos Valley”), in 1978. After a stint at an oldies station in Topeka, Kansas (imagine getting paid to play “Louie Louie” and “Great Balls of Fire”), he wormed his way into news, first in Topeka, and then in Freeport Illinois.