MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University School of Agriculture’s ninth annual Legacy Sale set a new fundraising record of $93,000, surpassing last year’s record total of $73,000.
The sale was organized by the School of Agriculture’s Livestock Merchandising Class and the WIU Livestock Judging Team.
The money raised helps pay for travel expenses for the WIU Livestock Judging Team and improvements to the University Farm.
Associate Professor Mark Hoge, who teaches the Livestock Merchandising class, said he was impressed with the work of his students.
“The WIU Livestock Legacy Sale is an amazing example of student commitment,” he said. “It reminds me why I do what I do.”
The one-day auction included a variety of lots, such as show boxes, frozen genetics, animals, bags boards and a fishing trip.
The highest grossing item from the sale was a custom WIU bar, built by WIU students Tucker Marrs and Madison Neeley. The top of the bar is made from wood taken from a previous Western Hall basketball court.
The WIU Department of Engineering made a WIU emblem for the front. The bar brought in $3,400.
Senior agriculture major Kyle Webster, of Chrisman, one of the students working on the auction, said he is thankful to the item donors and the auction buyers for the event’s success.
“It makes me proud to be part of the most unique and engaged agriculture department in the country,” he said. “There is not another program that does what we can get done in a week.”
Senior agriculture major Ashtin Guyer, who also worked on the auction, said the event provided a unique learning opportunity.
“I enjoy doing more than just going to class,” she said. “I like the sense of belonging that I get by helping and becoming active within our department. The reality has yet to set in as to how great the sale went.”