Tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Wom­en’s Basketball Tournament at the TaxSlayer Center, 1201 River Drive in downtown Moline, Illinois, on March 10-13, 2022.  The MVC, in its 115th season, is the nation’s second-oldest NCAA Division I conference and is recognized as one of the most progressive athletic leagues in the country. This annual tournament features teams from each of the Con­ference member institutions. The tournament determines which Valley team receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championship.  Tickets... Read More

“In a time of need, the answer is simple, help.” Those are the words of Western Illinois University alumnus Riley Hintzsche, the agricultural educator and FFA advisor at Streator Township High School, in reference to a collaborative project to bring needed supplies to storm-ravaged Mayfield, KY. When Hintzsche, a 2014 graduate, and fellow WIU alumnus, 2016 graduate Mitch Miller, the agriculture teacher at Midwest Central High School in Manito, IL, heard about the tornado that struck Mayfield, KY, Dec. 10, both knew they needed to take action. Both were immediately contacted by Jesse... Read More

The Western Illinois University School of Music brass faculty and BCA will present BRASSFEST 2022 from 2:30-9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 in the COFAC Recital Hall. The event will feature performances by WIU’s La Moine Brass Quintet and special guest artists, the Blair Brass (Vanderbilt University). Additionally, instrumental masterclasses, clinics and opportunities for all participants to play will be included. This year’s schedule includes: • 2:30 – 3:15 p.m.: La Moine Brass Quintet Recital • 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.: Reading sessions, by instrument • 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Blair... Read More

As covid-19 variants slam the state with new records for infections, new covid restrictions begin around some areas of Illinois on Monday, Jan. 3, and some schools are planning on beginning their semesters this week on remote learning schedules. For the first time, Chicago as well as suburban Cook County — areas in regions 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 —  will require proof of vaccination for many indoor public spaces for anyone over the age of 5. The proof of full vaccination will be to dine inside or visit gyms or entertainment venues where food and drinks are being served. Anyone 5 and older must... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – The Western Illinois University Council of Academic Advisors has named College of Arts and Sciences Academic Advisor Kenneth Wheeler as the Advisor of the Month for November. Wheeler was nominated by at least two of the students he advises, including one who said he goes “above and beyond in discussing future classes with me and listened to everything I had to say to make sure we were both on the same page in getting me prepared for my future plans.” The nominee also said Wheeler is very responsive when they have questions or concerns. “He is very positive... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University will offer the Early Childhood Degree on the Quad Cities campus, beginning Summer 2022. WIU will also launch a new, flexible program option designed for those who are currently working in the education field and want to work toward their bachelor’s degree, with an option for PEL (Professional Educator License). Enrollment is open now at wiu.edu/apply. All courses will be offered in flexible course formats, including online programming with in-person or live-streamed support. WIU has also established pathways for customized student... Read More

Western Illinois University School of Agriculture Assistant Professor Shelby Henning has added two more specialty crops to his research program in order to provide information to local and regional farmers on growing options and the successful production of a widening number of plant species. Henning, in cooperation with University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Chris Enroth, recently harvested several varieties of ginger and turmeric in an effort to develop them as alternative crops for Illinois growers. Henning and Enroth agree the work is unique because there is currently a lack... Read More

A life filled with local, state and national volunteer service has earned a Western Illinois University alumnus the highest award given by the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB). David Erickson, a 1980 agriculture education graduate, from Altona, IL, was presented the Charles B. Shuman Distinguished Service Award during the IFB’s annual meeting in Chicago earlier this month. “The award honors distinguished service within agriculture, as well as in other organizations,” said Erickson. Erickson and his wife, Nancy, farm in Knox County, and run a farm management business. He was originally... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois has absolutely decimated the daily record for covid cases, with a stunning 30,386 cases over the last 24 hours, according to numbers just released by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Given that children’s cases and hospitalizations are likewise spiking, some are speculating about whether or not Illinois schools will return as scheduled to in-person learning next week, or if they’ll go to remote learning at least until the latest surge has passed. The whopping 30,386 cases over the past 24 hours obliterated the previous record of 21,131 in one day set... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois covid-19 numbers continued to soar as the state roared by the 20,000-case barrier for the third time in six days, and children’s cases and hospitalizations are hitting new highs as schools get ready to resume in-person classes next week. Illinois barely missed hitting a new record for cases over the last 24 hours, as the state reported 21,098 cases, just short of the Christmas Eve, 2021 record of 21,131, according to data released today by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Illinois Department of Public Health officials reported 128,246 new COVID-19 cases over... Read More