MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – A total of 678 students earned academic degrees or post-baccalaureate certificates after the Fall 2020 semester at Western Illinois University. Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 508 graduates. Academic distinction was awarded to baccalaureate graduates who achieved high grade point averages. This includes: Summa Cum Laude, 3.90 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale; Magna Cum Laude, 3.75-3.89 GPA; and Cum Laude, 3.6-3.74 GPA. Master’s and doctoral degrees were earned by 171 graduates, including two Ph.D. graduates and seven doctoral graduates. Graduates, grouped by... Read More

The Western Illinois University Office of Student Engagement (OSE), in conjunction with numerous other campus offices, will host “Winter Weeks of Welcome” for the first four weeks of the Spring 2021 semester. The goal of the events is to help engage students and help them make meaningful connections. The schedule for Monday- Friday, Jan. 25- 29 includes: • Monday, Jan. 25 – All day, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – University Counseling Center Kinder Monday, in-person at Memorial Hall – 7 p.m. – TASC Leatherneck Success Leader Information Session – virtual • Tuesday,... Read More

The Western Illinois University School of Music Brass Faculty and BCA present BRASSFEST 2021 on Sunday, Jan. 24. The annual BRASSFEST is an all-day event that features performances by the WIU Faculty Brass Quintet and guest artists, instrumental masterclasses, clinics and opportunities to play in and learn about various brass ensemble settings. Due to measures to protect against the novel coronavirus, BRASSFEST 2021 will present live one-hour virtual masterclasses with featured guest artists: David Bilger, principal trumpet, Philadelphia Orchestra; Elizabeth Freimuth, principal horn, Cincinnati... Read More

Pregnant and lactating women are able to be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, according to Genesis ob/gynecology providers Briana Barclay and Shannon Leveridge. “While we don’t have vaccine data yet on these women, we do know a lot about other vaccines in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tdap and influenza vaccines are currently strongly recommended during pregnancy and almost all vaccines are safe during lactation. Based upon how the current COVID-19 vaccines work, they should be very safe. “The other thing to consider is that pregnant women who contract COVID-19 are at higher risk... Read More

Hibernate with a good book! Join the Library’s annual all-ages Winter Reading Program for a chance to win prizes this winter. From January 19th through February 27th, participants will receive one grand prize drawing entry for every book you read. Participate on Beanstack at davenportlibrary.beanstack.com or by picking up grand prize entry slips at our Fairmount and Eastern branches. Keep up with our virtual programming on our Virtual Branch Calendar of Events at https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/calendar/virtual. This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information visit www.davenportlibrary.com... Read More

United Way Quad Cities is accepting applications for its Strategic Impact Grants from nonprofits, grassroots organizations and others serving the residents in Scott and Rock Island counties. Grants will be awarded to organizations working to improve education, income and health outcomes in the Quad-Cities. “We know there is still uncertainty given the pandemic heading into this year, but the long-term future of our region is bright,” said Rene Gellerman, president and CEO of United Way Quad Cities. “For 50 years, our United Way has been proud to be the stewards of our community’s collective... Read More

Long before Martha Stewart, there was Betty Crocker. Through Sunday, January 24, the Bettendorf Public Library is hosting exclusive access to Community Connections: Betty Crocker – Her Cookbook That Changed How America Cooks. The presentation will feature Leslie Goddard, Ph.D. as she highlights the history of Betty Crocker and her famous Picture Cook Book. There is no registration required to view the event which is free thanks to the support of the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library. Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book first hit shelves in 1950 and to date has sold more than 75 million... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – When Western Illinois University opened its doors 118 years ago, on Sept. 23, 1902, the school was called Western Illinois State Normal School (WISNS). The school’s primary mission was to train country school teachers, and included a “lab school” for area children in which WISNS teacher education students learned their trade. From Western’s initial beginnings through present day, WIU has prepared thousands of teachers throughout the state of Illinois and beyond for successful careers in the classroom. According to Greg Montalvo, College of Education... Read More

The Davenport Public Library is pleased to partner with the Hoover Museum and Presidential Library for this live webinar! Join us Thursday, January 21st at 6:00 pm for “The Origins of the Presidential Cabinet” presented by Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. To register, please visit http://bit.ly/dpl-thirdthursdayjanuary. The cabinet isn’t in the Constitution, but every president since George Washington has worked with a cabinet. So where did it come from? Join Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky to learn about the origins of the president’s cabinet, how Washington drew on his leadership practices... Read More

The Bettendorf Public Library is hosting a virtual event tailored for job seekers on Thursday, January 21st at 6:00 PM. The Coordinator of Career Planning and Placement at Black Hawk College, Angela Striegel will share information and tips to improve job searching techniques. This intimate virtual workshop has limited space and will take place via GoToMeeting.  Registration can be made online by visiting http://events.bettendorflibrary.com/event/4686632 or by calling the Library at 563-344-4179. Once registered, participants will receive an email with the GoToMeeting login information the day... Read More