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À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's For the W campaign has surpassed the $75 million mark.

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s For the W campaign passes $75 million mark

August 18, 2026

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MACOMB, IL — The À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Foundation reached $75 million in contributions and passed an important milestone in its For the W campaign on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. The For the W Campaign was publicly launched on Sept. 23, 2022.

The campaign focuses on three pillars: student success, learning innovation and scholarly support. To date, the campaign has generated $75,150,478 from 116,000 gifts made by 23,574 investors.

"The For the W campaign reflects the extraordinary commitment of the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ community and our shared belief in Western's future," À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ President Kristi Mindrup said. "Since the campaign launched in 2022, nearly 24,000 donors have invested in our students, our programs, and the opportunities that move Western forward.

"The generosity of our alumni, friends and partners is creating opportunities for students to discover their potential and thrive while building momentum for À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's future. As we enter an exciting new chapter for Western, the For the W campaign demonstrates what is possible when the Leatherneck community comes together with purpose, optimism and a shared commitment to our University."

Among the campus successes of For the W are:

"We are deeply grateful to every donor who has chosen to invest in Western. Your generosity is an expression of confidence in our students and our future, and your partnership makes it possible for À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ to continue transforming lives and creating opportunities for generations to come," Mindrup said.

One of the features of the campaign has been the numerous ways donors have had a direct impact on the University and are connecting to the reorganization of Academic Affairs.

"With much thanks to our donors and with an awareness of alumni's excellent past experiences, we will continue to focus private support on improving classrooms and building spaces across the campus," Provost Mark Mossman said.

The For the W campaign enters its final phase as classes kick off and students start classes this fall, with an aggressive goal of completing the campaign by June 30, 2028.

The For the W campaign will adapt and refresh its original tenets to support our students, campus and community in ways that weren't considered at the campaign launch. Leading that change will be the Office of Advancement and Thad Dohrn, recently named Assistant Vice President of University Advancement and Chief University Development Officer.

"As higher education and our world evolve, so must the For the W campaign," Dohrn said. "Four years into the campaign, we face new opportunities and new challenges. Our team is excited to work with our alumni, donors and friends to impact our students and our campus for the future."

Dohrn began his tenure on June 2 with a three-pronged plan for the Office of Advancement to impact À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's future: 1) build on the momentum of the completion of the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts and finish the For the W campaign, 2) transform our relationships with donors, alumni, and friends of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, and 3) serve as successful messengers of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's excellence and Impact.

"Thad has hit the ground running," Mindrup said. "He believes in our mission as an Opportunity University and is quickly building meaningful relationships with alumni and donors that connect their passion for Western to impactful initiatives, programs and scholarships that support student success."

The Office of Advancement will play a big part in the future of Western Illinois as it engages À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's alumni and staff. Engagement has been at the center of Dohrn's leadership. In addition to an aggressive schedule to meet alumni and donors, the recent hiring of Marnie Steach as the new Director of Alumni Engagement shows the importance of Western Illinois alumni on campus, in Macomb, across Illinois and throughout the United States.

"Meeting with our alumni has been amazing," Dohrn said. "In my meetings, I have been struck by the unwavering love they have for À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. Our donors and alumni have staunchly supported Western during some challenging times, but they maintain their love for À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ and continue to ask, ‘How can I ensure À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students today and tomorrow have as great of a Leatherneck experience as I did?'"

As the For the W campaign enters its final phase, all À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ alumni and friends are encouraged to consider that question.

For more information about the For the W campaign and to make a gift to support the students of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, contact the Office of Advancement at 309-298-1861or visit .

Posted By: Drew Donahoo (AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing