we'll celebrate our 120th year of classes at WIU! Join us at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 23, for Founders' Day 2022. 
In 1899, a bill to establish Western (then called Western Illinois State Normal School) was passed by the state legislature. Macomb was selected in 1900 as the location for the new normal school in west central Illinois, and on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1902, Western Illinois State Normal School opened its doors for the first official day of classes on the new campus.
Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to celebrate the founding of Western at the 29th annual Founders' Day Celebration!