Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606
MACOMB, Ill. - Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Col. Rock III, happy birthday to you! Or in dog-speak, ruff-ruff-ruff, etc.
He joined the Western Illinois University family in May 2010 as a 10-week old pup. Today (March 3), WIU's live four-legged mascot, Col. Rock III (aka Rocky) turns one year old, and what a year this canine has had. From public appearances - including those that require "black tie" - to learning new tricks, Col. Rock has been in the spotlight since day one. Joe Roselieb, assistant director of residential facilities, and Carisa Swanson are Rock's owners (or perhaps are "owned" by Col. Rock!).
"This past year raising and training Col. Rock and seeing the impact he has had on WIU's campus and in the Macomb Community has been tremendously fulfilling and so much fun," Roselieb said. "I am consistently impressed and amazed by his intelligence and the things he has learned. He understands several tricks and commands, and just keeps learning. He's eager to please and loves to be around people. He's the perfect mascot, and he is a great companion. I look forward to coming home each day and seeing his slobbery, wrinkled face running towards me."
The English bulldog was donated to Western by Richard and Beth Siess of the Siess Ranch in Seneca, KS. Through the efforts of George Visoky, Dr. Karen Blakeley of Macomb's All Pets Veterinary Clinic, Bill Bailey, director of the WIU School of Agriculture and many other University and community organizations and individuals, Col. Rock's care and "creature comforts" are tended to.
"Col. Rock has been received with such great enthusiasm by students, faculty and staff. He is a show-stopper wherever he goes, and it's obvious that our community members love him as much as we do," said Vice President for Student Services Garry Johnson. "Along with our 'two-legged' Rocky mascot, Col. Rock is a symbol of not only our outstanding athletics program, but also of our tremendous school spirit and pride. We owe debt of gratitude to everyone who helped reintroduce 'The Colonel' to campus."
To follow Col. Rock's exploits on Facebook type Colonel Rock in the search bar or go to his page at facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#!/pages/Colonel-Rock-III-Rocky/124304417598114
Col. Rock's photo shoots, taken by his personal paparazzi (WIU's Visual Production Center photographers), can be found at http://photos.wiu.edu/lightbox/. Click on Athletics, Miscellaneous and "Colonel Rock III," "Rocky and Family in studio and outside" and "Rocky and house in studio."
