ENDOWMENT REPORT 2023-2024
Dear Friends of WIU,
Your generous support of endowed funds at Western Illinois University is ensuring our long-term success. I am thrilled to share the impact of your support over the last year.
As you explore your benefactor report, you will notice a new layout and additional details about how WIU students and faculty benefit daily from the support of our donors. Your philanthropy enables WIU to enhance the quality of the Leatherneck experience. I hope you enjoy this deeper dive into how your investments are making a real difference at WIU.
Enclosed is your WIU Foundation endowed account report for July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. This report reflects your account’s financial status and activity during the 2024 fiscal year. If you have any questions about your report, please call the WIU Foundation at 309-298-1861 to be connected with your Director of Development.
Thank you for choosing to invest in WIU. I’m honored that you have entrusted us with the legacy of your generosity and that you believe in the future of Western Illinois University.
Yours for WIU,
Clare Thompson
Vice President for Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Athletics Executive Officer, Western Illinois University Foundation
MEET YOUR 2024-25 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Carin and Rodger Stutz Scholarship
Callahan Steen
Law Enforcement & Justice Administration
Naperville, IL
I am a Senior majoring in LEJA with a minor in Pre-MBA. I am staying next year at WIU to complete my MBA in accounting. I am from Naperville, IL. I am the oldest of 3 kids. My other 2 siblings also go to WIU. My brother is a sophomore in Emergency Management and my sister is a freshman in Accounting. Outside of school I love being active. Every summer I look forward to boating, tubing, and water skiing. As well as playing sports that keeps me busy and with my friends.
I chose WIU because it is both affordable and highly regarded for its LEJA program. When I came here, I had more scholarships than any of my friends, which made me proud of the hard work I put in during high school. It has also motivated me to maintain that same work ethic here at WIU. I’ve heard so many law enforcement professionals praise the education they received in the LEJA program. To be the best, I wanted to attend the best school, and that’s WIU.
I will graduate with my undergraduate degree in Spring 2025 and complete my MBA in Accounting by Spring 2026. After college, I hope to work in federal law enforcement, focusing on financial or white-collar crime. I’m interested in agencies such as the DEA, HSI, FBI, or ATF—any agency that offers me the opportunity to make a difference.
This scholarship, along with others like it, means so much to me. I am paying for college on my own, so I apply for every opportunity to help reduce my costs. I also work at the WIU Rec Center, but this scholarship means I don’t have to work as many hours. It allows me to focus more on my schoolwork and extracurricular activities.
Thank you so much for this scholarship. This opportunity has saved me hours of work during the school year and summer, giving me the time and space to excel academically. I deeply appreciate it. I hope that one day, when I’m financially stable after graduating, I can give back by donating to a scholarship fund to help students like me.
Your scholarship support
CHANGES LIVES
Your generosity opens doors for WIU students, eliminates financial obstacles, and showcases your confidence in our students’ abilities to succeed. Here are just a few of the WIU students whose experiences are improved by scholarship support.
Scholarships are more than just financial support. They are an investment in the future. For students like me, they provide the opportunity to pursue our passions and education without the burden of financial stress. Thank you for believing in the potential of students and for making dreams achievable through your continued support.
33% 27% 24% OF RECIPIENTS ARE FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS OF RECIPIENTS ARE FROM MINORITY POPULATIONS OF ALL 2023-24 GIFTS SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS
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Scholarships not only eased the financial burden but also allowed me to focus fully on my academics and extracurricular involvement, such as leading student organizations and advocating for others. They empowered me to pursue opportunities that shaped my future and gave me confidence as a first-generation college student. Your generosity directly supports the success of students like me, and I am deeply grateful for that.
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I am a first-generation college student. My mom is currently working toward getting her nursing degree, so it is very rewarding to be going through the college experience together. I love going to WIU, and the school and donors like you really make it worthwhile and make me feel like all my hard work will pay off in the end.
MORE THAN 1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TOTALING MORE THAN
$1.5 million
$2.8 million SO FAR IN THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR RAISED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2023-24
Emma Hunter Accounting
Jackson Vonk Public Health
Jewel Pippin Nursing
Sydney Rhoads Speech Pathology & Audiology
Jaylen Posley Law Enforcement & Justice Administration
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Scholarships mean a lot to me as they have a significant impact on my experience at WIU and my future goals. Ultimately, scholarships empower me to pursue my passions, excel in my studies, and work toward a successful and fulfilling future.
Makena Martin Forensic Psychology
Scholarships have impacted my goals for the future because they have allowed me to participate in new opportunities in my department. I have been able to further learn how our audiology clinic operates, providing people with hearing screenings and hearing aid services. This will help me assist clients in the future who may be hard of hearing.
Physical Education
“I will be forever grateful for your generosity. Because of it, I am able to be the first student in my family to go to college. These scholarships are the reason I am able to continue my academic career and accomplish my goal of graduating as a firstgeneration college student.
The scholarships I have received mean quite a lot to me. They’ve allowed me to focus on my studies and be the best student I can possibly be here at WIU. They allow me to hopefully achieve my future career goals of working as a health inspector and maybe even moving from the county to the state or even federal level.
Tori Adamson Mathematics
Scholarships have been an essential part of my collegiate journey. This financial support has enabled me to engage deeply in my math coursework, participate in environmental community service clubs, and take advantage of valuable networking opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
1,122
DONORS GAVE TO SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2023-24
1,676
STUDENTS SUBMITTED FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR 2024-25
682
STUDENTS AWARDED FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2024-25
Aaron Meunier
2023-2024 BY THE NUMBERS
9,000
$12 million IN TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS
$97million $3.1 million
3,000+
INDIVIDUAL DONORS SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TOTAL ENDOWMENT AWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPS
Reading your statement
This sample report will walk through the key terms and information housed in your benefactor report. Please compare this sample report to your personalized report enclosed.
Endowed Principal Account
This account holds all contributions to your endowment and is invested in the WIU Foundation’s Endowment Pool.
Market Value
This is the total account value including market performance, net of fees and distributions.
Original Gift Value
This is the sum of all endowed gifts received from the fund establishment date through June 30, 2024.
Spendable Distribution Account
This account holds all distributions from your endowed principal account and represents all funding currently available to the University.
Other Revenue
In most cases, this is the total amount generated by your fund per the spending policy below.
Expenditures
This is the total amount spent by the University this year for the purposes of your fund.
Impact
This section explains how your fund has supported WIU’s mission.
Note: This is a sample report for demonstrative purposes. Your individual report may differ.
Spending Policy
The WIU Foundation’s spending policy is currently 4.25% of the 36-month moving average of the market value of endowment assets, excluding farmland, as of the date of the distribution.
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Kyle Ruark Law Enforcement & Justice Administration
Whether it is a teen coming to college for the first time or a 38-year-old going back to finish their degree, scholarships really make a difference. I have a family that I need to provide for as well as bills and a mortgage. Scholarships mean so much to me.
My desire to continue my academic career in the United States has been strengthened by this scholarship, which has also helped me feel more a part of the WIU community. Your assistance has really improved my academic experience. Your kindness has encouraged me to pursue my academic and professional objectives more passionately as an international student by making me feel empowered and accepted.
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Throughout my four years here at Western, I’ve been able to actively participate in and hold leadership positions in student organizations while maintaining a high level of academic success. Without my scholarship, I know this level of academic success and campus participation would have been more difficult to maintain.
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With having a larger family and wanting to become a teacher, I was frightened and overwhelmed with the thought of paying for college. Thanks to all of you my dreams of becoming a teacher will become a reality.
“Scholarships don’t just help financially; they open doors. That’s why this means so much to me. It’s more than just money — it’s a chance to achieve greatness, and I’m incredibly grateful for any opportunity to make that happen. I’m ready to work hard and make the most of it.
““Our ability to create a unique and well-rounded experience for Leatherneck studentathletes is hugely impacted by donor support. From providing better travel arrangements to facility enhancements to career development opportunities, your philanthropic support creates world-class student-athlete experiences.”
Sampa Shikdar Sociology
Aubrey Brumbaugh Elementary Education
Nick Sawires Construction & Facilities Management and History
Erica Lyles Undeclared
Paul A. Bubb Director of Intercollegiate Athletics