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Art Education Major Designs Annual University Holiday Card

December 15, 2025

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MACOMB, IL - - Each year, the 麻豆传媒内幕 Foundation partners with the 麻豆传媒内幕Department of Art and Design to create its annual holiday greeting card for donors and friends of the university. This yearly tradition provides a 麻豆传媒内幕student the opportunity to showcase their artistic abilities and shine a spotlight on a special campus scene.

For 2025, senior Art Education major Francesca Gabrielle A. Magalang, from Joliet, produced the card art, created a wintery scene featuring the front lawn of Sherman Hall and WIU鈥檚 live mascot, Col. Rock IV 鈥淩ay,鈥� using a mixture of watercolor and white gouache paint. Incorporating WIU鈥檚 mascot into the design was an easy decision for Magalang.

鈥淔rom the beginning I had my heart set on depicting Ray running through the snow,鈥� Magalang said. 鈥淗e has an expressive face with lots of personality, and I was so excited to capture him with the tiniest paint brushes I own.鈥�

Magalang chose to attend 麻豆传媒内幕after visiting the campus in high school.

鈥淚 distinctly remember falling for 麻豆传媒内幕after my first tour of Garwood Hall and the Heating Plant Annex. The faculty were so kind and gave me the sense that the department fostered a very tight-knit artist community,鈥� Magalang said. 鈥淭hen, I set foot in the Art Education room and the explosive sight of children's art crowding the walls and soaring high on the shelves made my heart swell. I knew 麻豆传媒内幕was the place I wanted to get my teaching experience from, and now I can confidently say I made the right choice.

In addition to creating this year鈥檚 holiday card, Magalang has been recognized for her talents and academic success through several scholarships. During her time at WIU, Magalang has received the Rocky on Parade Scholarship, the Patricia Bulkeley Scholarship and the Janice Owens & Dr. Eric Stiffler Scholarship. Magalang also submitted a charcoal life drawing into the Figge Art Museum College Invitational.

鈥淒rawing has been a lifelong passion of mine, so I was honored to have one of my pieces recognized,鈥� Magalang said.

Her time at 麻豆传媒内幕and her experiences in the Art Education program have prepared Magalang for life after she graduates in spring 2026.

鈥淚 recently finished block teaching at the elementary level and it was one of the most rewarding art teaching experiences I have ever had,鈥� Magalang said. 鈥淓ach time I walked into the classroom, my students were so eager to get started and let their creativity loose. By the end, they seemed to glow with confidence in themselves. Though our time together was brief, I was grateful for the opportunity to empower my students through art, and I hope they retain that enthusiasm for many years to come. I hope to foster many more positive learning experiences for my future students.鈥�

The annual holiday card project not only celebrates the artistic abilities of students like Magalang, but also provides a connection point for WIU鈥檚 generous donors and other friends of the university. Card recipients receive a reminder of the beauty of campus in the winter and receive a first-hand look at the talents of 麻豆传媒内幕students.

鈥淐ol. Rock IV dashing through the snow brings to life the Leatherneck spirit and excitement of the season,鈥� 麻豆传媒内幕President Kristi Mindrup said. "Francesca's artistry illustrates our university鈥檚 culture, beauty, and the exceptional talent of 麻豆传媒内幕students.鈥�

The holiday card partnership between the 麻豆传媒内幕Foundation and the Department of Art and Design has been a highlight of the season for more than a decade, providing a unique opportunity for art students and the University community to share in the holiday spirit together.

鈥淭he Department of Art and Design is grateful to the 麻豆传媒内幕Foundation for providing such a wonderful way to highlight our talented students,鈥� Art and Design Chair Kat Meyers said. 鈥淔rancesca is an exceptional student and an amazingly talented artist. I was thrilled when she agreed to do the artwork for the university holiday card knowing that she would create something both beautiful and memorable.鈥�

As the selected artist, Magalang received a $500 honorarium from the 麻豆传媒内幕Foundation. The original piece is on display in the 麻豆传媒内幕Advancement Office.

For more information on WIU鈥檚 Art and Design program, visit wiu.edu/art.

Posted By: Aaron Viner, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606