WIU student receives top honors for hazing awareness

Posted by Brooke Hasch | KHQA | Quincy, Illinois

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:22:06 GMT —  A student at Western Illinois University has received a national ranking for his work in the greek community.

Michael Anderson was one of two people in the country to receive the Hank Nuwer Anti-Hazing Hero Award this year. Anderson received the award during an annual fraternity and sorority conference this month. He was chosen in front of 115 fraternity and sorority groups from across the country.

We asked Anderson what compelled him to speak out against the issue.

Read more: WIU student receives top honors for hazing awareness

Survivors share their stories at rally

Posted by Alexa Zoellner | Western Courier staff

Hundreds of people gathered in the third floor auditorium of Sherman Hall on Thursday night to attend the 23rd annual Take Back the Night (TBTN) march and rally. 

The theme of this year’s rally, which had to be moved inside due to weather conditions, was Speak Up, Speak Out, Speak Now.

“Take Back the Night is a marching rally against power-based interpersonal violence in our community, campus and Macomb community included,” said Katie Mey, a graduate student in College Student Personnel serving as the TBTN committee chair. The rally gave survivors and witnesses a chance to speak out against life-changing, violent acts.

Read more: Survivors share their stories at rally

Greek houses light up the night

Posted by Canaan Daniels | Western Courier Staff

Instead of decking the halls this week, Western Illinois University’s fraternities and sororities brought the holiday spirit outside for their Holiday Light Show.

On Monday, 13 Greek chapters added a little cheer to Adams Street, Wigwam Hollow and at other Greek house locations. From 6 to 9 p.m., visitors drove past the light-covered houses and judged the displays. The tour began at the Pi Kappa Alpha house, located at 812 Wigwam Hollow Rd., and afterwards, participants went to Café Aroma for some hot chocolate.

Read more: Greek houses light up the night

Derby Days raises money for cancer research, scholarships

Posted by McDonough County The Voice

Macomb, Ill. — Competition between Western Illinois University’s five traditional sororities is in full swing this week (Oct. 24-28) to raise funds for Huntsman Cancer Institute and for Sigma Chi Foundation’s scholarship and leadership programs.

Western’s Iota Omicron chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity hosts the annual charity fundraiser, known as Derby Days. The WIU chapter will donate 90 percent of the funds raised to the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, a cancer care and research center, and 10 percent to the national Sigma Chi Foundation.

Read more: Derby Days raises money for cancer research, scholarships

Big Pink volleyball a success

Posted by Jaimee Buttgen | Western Courier staff

Big Pink Volleyball for 2011 had a tremendous turn out with a total of 234 teams and total money raised coming out to around $5,000. The teams were divided into five brackets including Faculty Staff, Greek, Residence Halls, Club/Organization and Independent.

Over four days of elimination play, teams swarmed onto the courts of the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center. The winners of each bracket were as follows:

Faculty/Staff: Ruled with SDO, Greek: Sigma Chi, Residence Halls: Mama Shi Shi, Club/Organization: CSS and the Independent: Cranial Cramps.

Read more: Big Pink volleyball a success

WIU students vote Sigma Chi 'Best Fraternity'

Posted by Western Courier

Sigma Chi, winner of best fraternity at WIU, strives to network its members within both campus and Macomb community, develop fundamental strategies for the real world, while making memories that will last.

Sigma Chi annually hosts a philanthropy called Derby Days, a weeklong competition between the sororities on campus, which raises money for Children's Miracle Network and Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Last semester, the Sigma Chi's raised more than $1,200, all of which went to these charities. Along with donating to their philanthropy, Sigma Chi tries to get involved with the other Greek philanthropies and any community or campus events that they can.

"I believe students voted us top fraternity because we strive to be just that," said President William Steele, "We're a values-based organization and that's what we show. We're very involved all over campus, we donate or attend every charity fundraiser we can, we're respectful toward Greeks and non-Greeks alike and our house is still a fun place to hang out on the weekends."

© Copyright 2010 Western Courier

Western Students say 'trick or eat'

Posted by Ashley Whitehouse | Western Courier

Students gathered in Sherman Circle last Thursday through Saturday to participate in "Trick the Town," an annual food drive and prelude to "Stuff the Bus."These two events, which were sponsored by Sodexo, were set up to collect food for impoverished residents of Macomb and the surrounding area. This food is then distributed by Loaves Fishes and the Black Student Association.

Loaves and Fishes provides food for the needy, regardless of their income, while the Black Student Association provides traditional Thanksgiving meals, including sides and desserts, for those that are not usually able to enjoy them. This is the third year for Stuff the Bus, and second year for Trick the Town.

Read more: Western Students say 'trick or eat'

Sigma Chi Sweetheart named Miss Macomb

Posted by Connect TriStates

Kelsey Reed Crowned Miss Macomb 2010

The 51st annual Miss Macomb Scholarship Pageant was held Sunday night at the Macomb High School Fellheimer Auditorium. This year’s event included six contestants vying for the title of Miss Macomb 2010.

Featured at this year’s pageant were Miss Macomb 2009, Jennifer Witkowski, and Miss Illinois 2009, Erin O’Connor. Also appearing in the show were emcee, Rick Bulger, Ali Nicole Browning, Miss Macomb / Miss Illinois Princess 2009, Sadee Anselment and Miss Macomb 2007, Jillian Weingart.

Read more: Sigma Chi Sweetheart named Miss Macomb

Sigma Chi wins 10th annual Big Pink

Posted by Jaimie Williams | Western Courier

A record-setting Big Pink turnout is good news in the fight against breast cancer.The Western Illinois University community bumped, jumped and spiked this past week at the 10th annual Big Pink Volleyball tournament.

More than 200 teams gathered at the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center with pink everywhere in sight, showing support for breast cancer awareness.

Read more: Sigma Chi wins 10th annual Big Pink

Winning for pride

Posted by William Steele | Western Courier staff

Paper, pens, rulers, calculators and so many other school supplies can really add up in cost. For families with limited income, this can pose a real problem. To combat these costs, the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council raised school supplies for Macomb children in need throughout March and April.

The two Greek councils raised more than $950 worth of school supplies, which will go to children at Lincoln Elementary School and Edison Elementary School.

Read more: Winning for pride