Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, (commonly abbreviated as SIUE), is a coeducational, public doctoral/professional university in Edwardsville, Illinois, United States about northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. SIUE was established in 1957 as an extension of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. It is the younger of the two major institutions of Southern Illinois University system, and as of 2018, has the largest enrollment within the system. The University offers graduate programs through its Graduate School.
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University was founded in 1899. The land for the university was donated to the state of Illinois by Macomb's Freemasons (Illinois Lodge #17). Macomb was in direct competition with Quincy, Illinois, and other candidates as the site for a "western" university. The Illinois legislature selected Macomb as the location. University administrators uncovered evidence of the Freemasons' efforts on Macomb's behalf when they opened Sherman Hall's (the administration building) cornerstone during their centennial celebrations.