Writing For and About Illinois Wesleyan
2021 Edition
Prepared by the Office of Communications
Introduction
Purpose
This style guide was developed to serve as a resource for those who create written materials targeted at internal and external audiences. Use of the guide will result in more consistency of style in University publications and other communications. It is designed to provide:
- answers to commonly asked questions related to writing about Illinois Wesleyan,
- key facts and information about the University, its programs, buildings, etc., and
- helpful writing style and usage guidelines based on the Associated Press Stylebook, which is used extensively by the media and by publications of many types.
Use of the Guide
Writing For and About Illinois Wesleyan University is intended as a reference for communication produced for the campuswide audience or for the general public. It is not meant as a guide for technical or academic writing.
The main source used for this guide is the Associated Press Stylebook, which is intended for a general audience. Whenever text is sent to University Communications, the AP Stylebook will be the basis for editing. Other reference materials that may be helpful include Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style and Webster’s New College Dictionary.
While adherence to the guide is not mandatory, it is encouraged. We realize that style may need to vary in certain circumstances and hope that individual departments will use discretion when deviating from the guide.
Use the drop-down navigation to explore this online edition.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of University Communications by phone at (309) 556-3181 or by email at univcomm@iwu.edu.
Writing About Illinois Wesleyan
- Mission Statement
- Institutional Profile
- Defining the Liberal Arts
- Use of the University Name
- Writing Style Guide
- Institutional Timeline
Institutional Profile
Basic profile introduction or short profile:
Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan University is a nationally recognized private university. Illinois Wesleyan’s liberal arts curriculum and pre-professional programs are designed to encourage its students to think and study broadly. The University is exclusively undergraduate and enrolls students from across the nation and around the globe.
When describing the University for admissions or the media, the following can be added:
Illinois Wesleyan University offers more than 80 majors, minors and areas of study, including highly regarded pre-professional programs and professional programs in business, the fine arts and nursing.
Located in Bloomington-Normal, with a combined population of 130,000, Illinois Wesleyan is approximately midway between Chicago and St. Louis.
Defining the Liberal Arts
The following defines how we view a liberal arts education at Illinois Wesleyan.
The Liberal Arts at Illinois Wesleyan
A liberal arts education at Illinois Wesleyan allows our students to discover the interconnectedness of knowledge through a challenging course of study beyond their majors. We place emphasis on developing their critical thinking and communications skills, strengthening their cultural literacy, and helping them to become more globally aware and ethically grounded. Illinois Wesleyan prides itself on producing graduates who are well-rounded, broadly educated individuals with a spirit of inquiry who can successfully adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing, complex world.
Use of the University Name
To avoid constant repetition of the full University name in writing about Illinois Wesleyan the following guidelines are suggested.
Illinois Wesleyan University is generally the preferred first reference. The full University name clearly establishes institutional identity. It is the most complete and formal first reference, making it generally the best first reference for external communications. However, for informal communications, and communications within the Illinois Wesleyan family, there are other acceptable first reference alternatives.
Illinois Wesleyan is also an acceptable first reference and generally the best second reference. This is especially the case when the full name has been established via letterhead, the full University name or logo appearing on a publication cover, in previous sections of a document or publication, etc. Illinois Wesleyan also is a bit less formal than the full name.
IWU can be an occasional first reference and acceptable second reference, depending on the audience. The initials are best used for internal audiences, younger alumni and informal communications directed at those with close ties to the University. For most external audiences, use of the initials could cause confusion with Indiana Wesleyan (IWU) and Iowa Wesleyan (IWC), or make us appear more like public universities that commonly use their initials, e.g., ISU and WIU.
The University is an acceptable second reference. It can be used internally or externally after the school name has been established.
Messaging Map
Our Story
AcademicQuality |
RichExperiences |
Supportive Environment |
a strong liberal arts core and pre-professional programs |
access to extracurricular groups, clubs, and athletics |
inspiring people who encourage new directions |
modern facilities, equipment, and teaching practices |
internships, research, and real-world learning |
an open culture that fosters dialogue and discussion |
faculty who identify strengths and present opportunities |
signature experiences, community engagement, and global exposure |
shared values of respect inclusivity, and equality |
building knowledge and wisdom |
exploration of every opportunity |
a welcoming and supportive community |
Illinois Wesleyan University is:
|
▲ a focused, academic community devoted to sparking the curiosity within every learner
|
|
so that students can:
|
discover, refine, and live out their passion ▼ |
|
ability to navigate and adapt in an ever-changing world |
cultivating and perfecting multiple talents |
the courage to take risks in pursuit of something new |
core set of skills to successfully respond to change |
practice in assembling teams and leading peers |
the desire to aim higher and exceed one’s own expectations |
a learning environment that mirrors today’s workplace |
a portfolio of work to showcase success |
appreciation for divergent thought and practice |
experiences that develop minds and open doors |
purpose and accomplishment on a global scale |
an atmosphere of acceptance and belonging |
Writing Style Guide
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Formal names of academic courses should be capitalized and put into quotation marks.
e.g. "Introduction to Creative Writing"
Academic grades
Capitalize and use Roman typeface. Do not place quotation marks around grades.
e.g. A, B, C, D, F, pass, incomplete, grade of B, grades of B or Bs
Academic majors
Lowercase general references; capitalize if proper noun.
e.g. She is a biology major; She is a Spanish major.
See the Majors web page for listing of majors.
Acronyms
Spell out for first citation and follow with the acronym in parentheses. The acronym
may be used in subsequent references.
e.g. The Council on University Programs and Policy (CUPP) will deliver a speech. CUPP
is an essential organization.
Adopt, approve, enact, pass
Amendments, ordinances, resolutions and rules are adopted or approved. Bills are passed. Laws are enacted.
Advisor
Not adviser.
Alma mater
Do not italicize.
Alumna, alumnae, alumni, alumnus
Use alumna for the feminine singular.
Use alumnae for the feminine plural.
Use alumni for the masculine plural or for general plural.
Use alumnus for the masculine singular.
The Ames Library
Capitalize “The” in all cases. See also University buildings and facilities.
See Greg Yess '82 Bloomberg Finance Lab.
Board of Trustees
Capitalize only when referring to a specific group. Use “the Board” on second mention.
e.g. Illinois Wesleyan University Board of Trustees
Buildings
See University buildings.
One word.
Captions
Identify people as (front row, from left), etc.
Chair
Not chairman or chairperson.
Christmas Break
Use "Winter Break" instead.
See also Winter Break.
Class year
Use the following for undergraduate years: first-year, sophomore, junior, senior.
When identifying current students or alumni by their class years, the year is expressed
in two digits and preceded by a downward apostrophe.
e.g. Jon Doe ’60
Use full year when referring to a year whose last two digits have repeated in University
history, unless context makes this distinction obvious.
e.g. 1906, 2006
Can use full four-digit year if referring to a class as a proper name.
e.g. She is a member of the class of 2007.
Co-
Do not hyphenate prefix except when forming nouns, adjectives and verbs that indicate
occupation or status.
e.g. co-author, codependent
Commencement
Capitalize when referring to specific event.
Convocation
Capitalize when referring to specific event (President’s Convocation and Founder’s Day Convocation). Use lowercase for referring to convocation in general.
Do not capitalize degrees when spelled out.
e.g. bachelor of arts
Use an apostrophe when referring to a bachelor’s, a master’s, etc.
e.g. bachelor’s degree
Do not use the possessive pronoun.
e.g. She earned a doctorate. (Not she earned her doctorate).
Preferably, do not abbreviate, but if form necessitates abbreviation, use periods.
e.g. B.A., M.A., B.S.
Degrees with distinction
Set in Roman face, not italics and do not capitalize.
e.g. cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude
See also Honorary degree.
Departments
Capitalize names of departments if the full/official name is used, lowercase if something
other than the full, formal name.
e.g. "the History Department," "the department of history"
See also Capitalization and University departments, programs and schools (official titles).
Doctor (Dr.)
Reserve title and abbreviation for those holding doctorates in medical fields only.
For faculty holding doctoral degrees use specific name.
e.g. Ph.D.
e.g. U.S. first lady Jill Biden, who has a doctorate in education, plans to continue
teaching.
Dorm, dormitory
Use "residence hall" instead.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel Festival
Capitalize when referring to specific event. This is the name of the event; typically “Dr.” is only included for medical doctors.
Emerita, emeritae, emeriti, emeritus
Do not italicize.
Use emeriti for the plural.
Use emeritus for the singular.
Place after formal title in keeping with general practice of academic institutions.
e.g. Professor Emeritus Mona Gardner. Mona Gardner, professor emeritus.
Events
Capitalize specific events and events of the college year.
e.g. Turning Titan, Commencement
Considered plural.
e.g. The faculty attend the event each year.
Faith organizations
View faith organizations active on campus on the Registered Student Organizations website.
First-year
Preferred instead of "freshman." "Freshman" is OK in quote or in athletic eligibility
Founders' Day
Capitalize when referring to specific event.
Fraternity and sorority life
Use instead of Greek life.
Freshman
See First-year for proper usage.
Full time, part time
Hyphenate as a compound adjective.
e.g. He’s a full-time professor. He works full time.
Fundraising
Fundraising is never two words.
Capitalize in all uses. Can also use “Gateway” after first reference.
Gender-neutral Terminology
See Gender-neutral under Culturally Sensitive Terminology.
Greg Yess '82 Bloomberg Finance Lab
Can also use Bloomberg Finance Lab after first reference.
See Culturally Sensitive Terminology.
Homecoming
Capitalize when referring to specific event.
Honorary degree
Always lowercase.
e.g. "Dawn Upshaw received an honorary degree from Illinois Wesleyan."
Honorary organizations
View a full list of active honorary organizations on the Registered Student Organizations website.
Honors
Capitalize formal titles.
e.g. Grammy Award-winning soprano Dawn Upshaw.
e.g. She is a Nobel Prize-winner.
Honors Convocation
Capitalize when referring to specific event.
John Wesley Powell Research Conference
Capitalize and use full name upon first reference.
Kemp Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence
Capitalize when referring to specific award. Kemp Award can be used on second mention.
Capitalize.
Minor Myers jr.
Former IWU President. Lowercase “jr.” in all instances.
See also Minor Myers jr. Welcome Center under University buildings and facilities.
Use full name on first use and last name for subsequent uses.
e.g. Professor Dan Terkla (first use), Terkla (subsequent uses)
Exception: First name on second use is acceptable in publications writing to student
audiences where use of first name would make communication more personal.
When writing about people who share the same surname, use first and last names throughout for clarity.
For international students and students who go by a nickname, use birth name on first
reference with nickname in quotations.
e.g. David “Nico” Lopez.
For people with maiden names, use parentheses.
e.g. Kimberly (Wenger) Diller '15
See University offices and programming under Section I.
See Full time for proper usage.
The Petrick Idea Center
Capitalize “The” in all cases.
May use "Petrick" as a shortened version.
Postgraduate
One word.
President S. Georgia Nugent
Georgia Nugent on first mention in formal writing.
President Nugent in communication to students.
Georgia Nugent, or Georgia in communication to faculty and staff.
See Culturally Sensitive Terminology.
Residence hall
When referring to student living units, "residence hall" is preferred.
See also University living units under Section I.
Resume
Do not use accents.
Richard F. Wilson
Illinois Wesleyan University president emeritus and emeritus trustee, include middle initial.
Robert S. Eckley Quadrangle
Capitalize proper name. Eckley Quadrangle and The Quad are an acceptable second reference.
Colloquialism referring to the Bertholf Commons / main dining area within the Memorial Center. Currently operated by Sodexo. Use only in quotes and when communicating with current students and alumni.
Scholars and Scholarships (named)
In reference to those holding named scholarships, "scholar" is not capitalized.
e.g. Fulbright scholar; Fulbright Scholarship
Seasons
Lowercase unless part of a proper name.
e.g. spring, summer, fall, winter; Winter Break
Semesters
Do not capitalize.
e.g. fall semester, spring semester
Sexuality
See Culturally Sensitive Terminology.
Spaces
Use one space after periods, commas and colons when typing text.
Staff
Considered plural.
Stands for Titan Green Over Everything and is a hashtag for the University.
Theatre
Use "theatre" in all cases, unless referring to a movie theater or as part of a proper
name.
e.g. McPherson Theatre, School of Theatre Arts
Time
Use "noon" and "midnight" instead of 12 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Do not use :00 when distinguishing time.
e.g. The event will take place at 11 a.m.
Use a.m. and p.m. (lowercase)
Inclusive times: 8:30 a.m.-noon, 8-10 a.m., from 8 to 10 p.m.
Titan
Capitalize.
Titan New Venture Challenge
Capitalize when referring to specific event and award. Formerly Entrepreneurial Fellowship and Entrepreneurship Fellowship
Titles of people
Capitalize formal titles and when they appear before a person’s name.
e.g. President Nugent, Chair and Professor of Biology Given Harper
Do not capitalize formal titles after a name in press releases.
e.g. Nugent, the president; Given Harper, chair and professor of biology
Do not capitalize titles that are standing alone.
e.g. the president
Courtesy titles are generally not used (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss).
Titles of works
Use italics or underlining for the following:
books, movies, plays, operas, recordings, musical compositions, newspapers, paintings, drawings, statues, other works of art and art exhibitions, periodicals (journals and magazines), radio and TV shows, albums, names of airplanes, boats, ships
Use quotation marks for the following:
academic courses, poems, book chapter titles, dance titles, articles, dissertations, individual lectures, paper titles, songs, speeches, stories, TV and radio episodes
Turning Titan
Capitalize when referring to specific event.
Whenever referencing Illinois Wesleyan University in internal documents or web stories, capitalize.
See Use of the University Name for further explanation.
University buildings and facilities:
- Alice Millar Center for the Fine Arts (Fine Arts Building)
- Alumni Engagement Office
- Joyce Eichhorn Ames School of Art and Design Building
- The Ames Library
- Andrew W. Mellon Center for Faculty and Curriculum Development (Mellon Center)
- Beadles-Morse Courts
- Bertholf Commons
- Buck Memorial Library (Buck)
- Campus Safety
- Center for Liberal Arts (CLA)
- Center for Natural Science Learning and Research (Center for Natural Science, CNS)
- DeMotte Hall
- E. Melba Johnson Kirkpatrick Laboratory Theatre (Lab Theatre)
- Evelyn Chapel (The Chapel)
- Fort Natatorium
- Greg Yess '82 Bloomberg Finance Lab
- Hansen Student Center (Hansen)
- Hart Career Center
- Holmes Hall
- Jack Horenberger Field
- Jerome Mirza Theatre in McPherson Hall
- Information Technology Services (ITS)
- International Office
- Mark Evans Observatory (The Observatory)
- Memorial Center (Memorial)
- Minor Myers jr. Welcome Center (Myers Welcome Center)
- Multicultural House
- Neis Soccer Field
- President’s House
- Presser Hall
- Shaw Hall
- The Shirk Center for Athletics and Recreation (Shirk Athletic Center, Shirk)
- Carol Willis Park at Inspiration Field (Softball Field)
- State Farm Hall
- Stevenson Hall
- Tucci Stadium
- Westbrook Auditorium (Westbrook)
For a visual listing, see the Campus Map (or printable (pdf) version)
University departments, programs and schools (official titles):
- Biology Department
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
- Computer Science Department
- English Department
- Environmental Studies Program
- History Department
- Humanities Program
- International Studies Program
- Physical Education, Sport and Wellness
- Mathematics Department
- Neuroscience Program
- Philosophy Department
- Physics Department
- Political Science Department
- Psychology Department
- School of Art and Design
- School of Business and Economics
- Accounting Department
- Business Administration Department
- Economics Department
- Finance Department
- School of Educational Studies
- School of Music
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Kinesiology and Allied Health Program
- School of Theatre Arts
- Sociology and Criminology Department
- Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program
- World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
University living units (fraternities, residence halls, sororities)
View the Residential Life website for a full list of living units.
University offices
View the directory for a full list of offices.
University restaurants:
View Sodexo’s website for a list of campus dining options.
University services:
- Arnold Health Services
- Counseling and Consultation Services
- Fort Natatorium
- Hart Career Center
- Health Services (See Arnold Health Services)
- Information Technology Services (ITS)
- Language Resource Center (LRC)
- McPherson Theatre Box Office
- Merwin and Wakeley Galleries
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- Sodexo Campus Services
- University Bookstore
- University Information (Main Desk)
- Writing Center
URL
See web addresses.
Vice president, vice chair, etc.
Do not hyphenate.
Capitalize only before a name.
e.g. Vice President Kamala Harris
Do not capitalize "web" in instances such as "website," "webmaster," and "webcam."
Web addresses
Avoid http://. When the web address appears at the end of a sentence it is permissible to add a period. However, do not add other punctuation, such as hyphens, if the web address runs over one line.
Culturally Sensitive Terminology
University Nondiscrimination Policy
Preferred Terminology
American Indian
Synonymous with Native American, though choice should be left to individual or group preference. Use specific identification, such as Sioux or Navajo, whenever appropriate.
Asian American
Use to express dual heritage for someone of Asian descent. However, when appropriate, use a more specific identification, such as Japanese-American.
BIPOC
Stands for Black, Indigenous, People/Person of Color. POC, people/person of color, is also acceptable. When able, be more specific (e.g. if teaching about the accomplishments of Black scientists, use Black rather than BIPOC or POC).
Use instead of “non-white,” as “non-white” persists the perceived normalcy of whiteness and the otherness of people of color.
Biracial, multiracial
Both are acceptable. Avoid “mixed-race” as this can carry negative connotations. Some people may prefer to identify as mixed race, but when unsure, use biracial or multiracial.
Black
The preferred AP style; Use African American if quoted or as part of an organization’s name. Preference should be left to individuals or groups.
Disabilities
Use person/people with disabilities or disabled people. Use nondisabled or person/people without disabilities instead of normal or able-bodied when comparing people with disabilities to others.
Use wheelchair user or person who uses a wheelchair instead of wheelchair-bound.
Avoid terms that invoke pity such as “suffers from,” “victim of,” and “stricken with.” Instead use neutral language such as “they have muscular dystrophy.”
Avoid slurs such as retard, cripple, crip, etc.
Gender-neutral
To avoid gender bias in written materials when possible, gender-neutral terms should be used.
When appropriate, substitute non-gendered terms for those with masculine or feminine markers.
e.g. firefighter, police officer, flight attendant, server
Not: fireman/firewoman, policeman/policewoman, steward/stewardess, waiter/waitress
Avoid substituting person for man.
e.g. chair
Not: chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson
Exception: official titles including the terms chairman or chairwoman
When appropriate, write in the plural.
e.g. All students must meet with their professors.
Not: Each student must meet with his professor.
Never: Each student must meet with their professor.
When appropriate, write in the second person.
e.g. Students, you should bring your books to class.
Not: Each student should bring his books to class.
Avoid the third-person singular, gendered pronouns.
e.g. Each applicant submitted a resume.
Not: Each applicant submitted his resume.
Avoid slash constructions. If necessary, write he or she.
e.g. All performers played their instruments.
Not: Each performer played his/her instrument.
AP style notes that a few terms are still used to provide gender specificity. If desired, use of these terms may be avoided by substituting a verb for a noun.
e.g. host/hostess; Mrs. Smith was the hostess.
Instead: Mrs. Smith hosted the party.
Heritage
Hyphens are no longer used in conjunction with “American,” for example what used to be “Mexican-American” is now “Mexican American”.
Latinx
Use to express heritage for someone whose ethnic origin is in a Spanish-speaking country. Some prefer the term Hispanic, Latino (masculine) or Latina (feminine). Use a more specific identification when appropriate, such as Cuban-American.
LGBTQIA
Stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic. Use to describe the community as a whole. Use a more specific identification when appropriate, such as gay man, trans woman.
Mental Illness
Do not use derogatory terms, such as insane, crazy/crazed, nuts or deranged, unless they are part of a quotation that is essential to the story.
Predominantly White Institution
Use Predominantly White Institution or Historically White Institution on first mention. Can abbreviate to PWI on second mention. Used to describe universities that are, or have been, majority white students. Often referenced in contrast to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Religions
Use the term multi denominational to describe a service that covers all Christian denominations; the regular IWU Chapel Hour is an example of this. The term non denominational typically refers to Christian religions that develop their own specific beliefs, which vary from church to church. The term interfaith and multifaith refers to services that include two or more religions.
Capitalize the names of religious orders and the terms applied to their members.
e.g. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church; They are Catholic
Do not capitalize terms such as church when used descriptively.
e.g. a Roman Catholic church
Terms such as rabbi or priest follow the same rules as other titles.
See also Titles under Section II.
University Timeline: Illinois Wesleyan and the World
▷ See a timeline of Firsts in IWU History
University Event |
Year |
World Event |
Illinois Wesleyan University founded |
1850 |
|
Central Portion of campus acquired |
1854 |
Republican Party formed |
Old North Hall built |
1856 |
|
|
1859 |
Darwin presented theory of evolution |
|
1860 |
Abraham Lincoln elected 16th President |
|
1861 |
Civil War began |
|
1863 |
Emancipation Proclamation issued |
|
1865 |
Civil War ended; Lincoln assassinated |
Establishment of first fraternity at IWU, Phi Gamma Delta |
1866 |
|
John Wesley Powell explored Colorado; Black students admitted |
1867 |
Alaskan Purchase |
Female students admitted |
1870 |
|
Old Main built |
1870 |
|
|
1871 |
Chicago fire |
School of Law established; Female Professor hired; Establishment of first sorority at IWU, Kappa Kappa Gamma |
1873 |
|
|
1876 |
Custer's last stand |
|
1876 |
First commercial telephone exchange |
College of Music established |
1879 |
First "five-and-dime" store opened |
Wesleyana produced |
1886 |
Haymarket riot |
Football team organized |
1887 |
Ireland's Bloody Sunday |
International Students admitted |
1889 |
|
College of Oratory opened |
1893 |
|
The Argus published |
1894 |
|
Scholarships awarded |
1895 |
|
Summer school programs |
1896 |
|
|
1898 |
Spanish-American War |
College of Liberal Arts organized; Domestic Science program begun |
1906 |
San Francisco earthquake |
Cheer song written and arranged |
1909 |
Peary reached North Pole |
|
1914 |
World War I |
Student Council organized |
1915 |
|
North Central Association accreditation |
1916 |
|
|
1919 |
World War I |
|
1920 |
19th Amendment gave women right to vote |
Construction of Memorial Gymnasium |
1921 |
|
School of Nursing organized |
1924 |
First woman governor elected |
|
1927 |
Lindbergh flew the Atlantic |
Hedding College adopted |
1928 |
|
|
1929 |
Stock market crashed |
Presser Hall completed |
1930 |
|
Wesleyan accepts produce as tuition during Great Depression |
1933 |
|
|
1937 |
Amelia Earhart's flight |
|
1939 |
World War II began |
|
1941 |
Pearl Harbor attacked |
Hedding Hall (Old Main) fire |
1943 |
|
|
1944 |
G.I. Bill |
|
1945 |
World War II ends |
School of Art established |
1946 |
First U.N. general assembly |
School of Drama established |
1947 |
|
|
1955 |
Rosa Parks sparked Montgomery Bus Boycott |
Collegiate School of Nursing organized |
1959 |
Vietnam War began |
|
1963 |
John F. Kennedy assassinated |
January "Short Term" introduced |
1965 |
|
Old North razed for Sheean Library |
1966 |
Medicare instituted |
Library completed; Robert S. Eckley became 15th president |
1968 |
Apollo 8 lunar flight |
Honorary degrees to Apollo 8 crew |
1969 |
Apollo 11 landed on moon |
IWU Student Senate asks administration to lower flag; President Eckley approves |
1970 |
Kent State University Shooting |
Alice Millar Center for Fine Arts; campus radio station WESN 88.1 |
1972 |
Richard Nixon visited China |
|
1973 |
Vietnam peace pacts signed |
|
1974 |
Nixon resigned |
|
1980 |
Ronald Reagan elected 40th President |
|
1983 |
First woman in space |
Evelyn Chapel dedicated |
1984 |
|
Fort Natatorium dedicated |
1988 |
George H. W. Bush elected 41st President |
IWU rated #1 in Midwest by U.S. News; Minor Myers jr became 17th president |
1989 |
Fall of Berlin Wall |
Renovation of Buck Memorial Library |
1990 |
|
|
1991 |
Gulf War in Iraq and Kuwait |
GLBT rights group established; Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine |
1992 |
Bill Clinton elected 42nd President |
Optional May Term replaced January Short Term Illinois Wesleyan registered the www.iwu.edu domain |
1993 |
World Wide Web released |
Faculty and students send first emails; Shirk Center dedicated |
1994 |
GOP took both houses of Congress |
Center for Natural science dedicated, later featured as model building by the National Science Foundation |
1995 |
Itzhak Rabin, Israeli prime minister, assassinated |
IWU website launched |
1996 |
Clinton elected to 2nd term |
Sherff Hall renovated into Center for Liberal Arts; new residence hall opened, eventually called Harriett Fuller Rust House |
1997 |
Dianna, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash |
Faculty Colloquium Program launched |
1998 |
Al-Qaeda bombed U.S. embassies in South Africa |
Jack Horenberger Field dedicated; Ground broken for The Ames Library |
1999 |
World population reached 6 billion |
IWU Sesquicentennial celebrated at Homecoming |
2000 |
George W. Bush elected 43rd President |
|
2001 |
World Trade Center attacks |
The Ames Library opened; Hansen Student Center opened in what was once Memorial Gymnasium |
2002 |
|
|
2003 |
U.S. invaded Iraq |
Richard F. Wilson became 18th president |
2004 |
Indian Ocean tsunami |
Organic food introduced to campus dining services |
2005 |
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. |
Website began webcasting events; IWU had first snow day in 40 years |
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
Virginia Tech and N.I.U. campus shootings |
Minor Myers jr Welcome Center dedicated, Bloomington's first LEED-certified building |
2008 |
Barack Obama elected 44th President |
2009 |
||
2010 |
||
2011 |
||
2012 |
||
State Farm Hall opened (fall semester) |
2013 |
|
2014 |
||
Eric Jensen became 19th president |
2015 |
|
2016 |
Donald Trump elected 45th President |
|
2017 |
||
2018 |
||
S. Georgia Nugent became the 20th president of IWU, and the first female president of the University. |
2019 |
|
2020 |
COVID-19 global pandemic Joe Biden elected 46th President |
![](https://iwu-directory.s3.amazonaws.com/aaubry.jpg)
Ann Aubry - Director of Communications
Department - Office Of Communications