Support our Cornerstone of Success: Excellence Funds at Western Illinois University

Excellence Funds are key to student success, offering flexibility to meet urgent needs, seize opportunities, and enhance scholarships, facilities, and the student experience. Your gift helps Western thrive and ensures students and faculty have the resources to excel.

Your generous support helps each college stay ahead of industry trends and provide life-changing opportunities that set our students up for success. Together, Leathernecks past and present are shaping the future!

If you'd like to support a specific department or program, simply type it into the giving form to designate your gift.

• 🎓 College of Arts & Sciences: The College of Arts and Sciences at WIU fosters intellectual growth across the humanities, sciences, and mathematics. Your support helps provide a liberal education that equips students to think critically, communicate effectively, and approach the world with insight and compassion, preparing them to be lifelong learners and leaders.

• 🎓 College of Business and Technology: Gifts to the CBT Fund for Excellence provides WIU students with an exceptional education by funding scholarships, research opportunities, and conference and travel experiences for both students and faculty. Your support strengthens programs across the university and helps ensure our students and faculty continue to thrive.

• 🎓 College of Education & Human Services: The College of Education and Human Services at WIU offers 15 undergraduate majors, 15 graduate programs (including a doctoral degree), and 6 post-baccalaureate certificates. Your support enhances these programs, providing students with hands-on experiences and opportunities to serve the University and community. By contributing to the COEHS Fund for Excellence, you help prepare future leaders in education and human services to make a meaningful impact.

• 🎓 College of Fine Arts and Communication: By contributing to the College of Fine Arts and Communication Fund for Excellence, you help provide WIU students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the visual and performing arts, communication, and media. Your gift strengthens the college’s ability to offer transformative learning experiences, enrich the cultural landscape of both campus and community, and empower the next generation of artists, communicators, and media professionals. Your support makes a lasting impact on students and the arts in our region.

• 🎓 Centennial Honors College: Your support empowers students in the Centennial Honors College to imagine, create, and lead. Through specialized courses and deeper academic exploration, students gain professional growth experiences that set them apart. Freshmen and sophomores complete an honors curriculum that enhances their education while fulfilling general requirements. In collaboration with professors, students take on individualized projects focused on research, performance, and development — preparing them to become tomorrow’s leaders.

• 🎓 School of Graduate Studies: Your support fuels student-centered graduate programs that shine through innovative teaching, research, and service with a broad interdisciplinary, regional, and global focus. With your support, our students thrive in educational experiences guided by a dedicated and diverse faculty and staff, working alongside alumni and community partners. At WIU, we proudly offer 2 doctoral degrees, 2 specialist degrees, 40 master’s programs, and 16 post-baccalaureate certificates, all designed to empower the next generation of leaders.