MACOMB, MOLINE, IL – Virtual commencement ceremonies, recognizing the academic and personal accomplishments of Western Illinois University students, can be viewed on WIU’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The number of students eligible for Fall 2020 Commencement is 797, which included 609 undergraduate students, of which 59 are in the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree program; 188 master’s degrees were conferred, which includes 10 doctoral degrees; eight earning their doctoral degrees in educational leadership (Ed.D.): Lacey Anderson, of Seatonville, IL; Brandi Anderson-Maier,... Read More

As two Western Illinois University School of Agriculture students graduated virtually over the weekend, both finished their undergraduate degrees knowing they have jobs in place, teaching agriculture together close to home. Brandon Livingston, of Marietta, IL, and Hannah Libby, of Oneida, IL, both received their degrees in agriculture-teacher education Saturday. In Fall 2021, both will be teaching in an expanded agriculture program in the Mercer County School District in Aledo, IL. They will be working alongside 2001 Leatherneck alumnus Aaron Heartt, who has been teaching at the school for 20 years. Livingston... Read More

Augustana College in Rock Island had extra special reason to celebrate on New Year’s Eve, as the blue lights on the Old Main dome turned gold to mark the private school exceeding its $125-million fundraising goal. For its ambitious “AUGUSTANA NOW” campaign, Augie raised a total of $133,662,743. “We set an audacious goal, and it took the hard work and shared vision of literally thousands of people to surpass that goal by millions of dollars,” said Kent Barnds, executive vice president for external relations and the leader for philanthropy at Augustana. The public phase of the campaign... Read More

World War II was one of the most infamous and historically significant events of the past century, and now, through Jan. 17, you can learn more about this fascinating and tragic conflict at Davenport’s German American Heritage Center & Museum (712 W 2nd St. Davenport). WWII was a global conflict that forever altered society and touched the lives of people around the world, including right here in Iowa. The year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. With this exhibit we remember and commemorate that momentous occasion. Through local headlines, personal letters, and historic... Read More

As a parent, I know what you’re feeling in regard to New Year’s Eve — you want to do something fun with your kiddos, but there’s no way they’re making it to midnight, so you’re looking for cool things to do during the day. Fortunately, there are some spots in the Quad-Cities which have NOON Year’s Eve events for families. And we at QuadCities.com are here to give you a rundown of a couple of them. Here’s what we’ve got… have fun, and Happy NOON, I mean, NEW Year! HyVee Virtual Noon Year’s Eve Allows Families To Celebrate New Years... Read More

The storms can be more than an inconvenience to some — they can pose a real danger. A winter storm can mean extended interruptions of power and heat in your home.  Here are tips from Genesis emergency department physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stay safe and comfortable in severe winter weather. In Your Home Plan an alternative source of heat for your home during a power outage.  Secure dry wood for a fireplace or wood stove or kerosene for a kerosene heater.  Do not use outdoor grills for heat or cooking inside your home.  Put together an emergency box. ... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Western Illinois University has extended the $30 application fee waiver for undergraduate, graduate, and international students who apply to WIU (wiu.edu/apply) through Dec. 31. Graduating high school seniors and transfer students, dual enrollment students, graduate students and international students, as well as those applying through the Bachelor of General Studies(BGS) program, who apply for admission to Western for the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 semesters, will have the application fee waived through 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31. In addition, the WIU Office of UndergraduateAdmissions... Read More

If you tune in to the Food Network TONIGHT, you might see a familiar face! Quad-Cities teenager Trey Gordon will be competing at 8 p.m., as the Davenport 13-year-old will be a contestant on the Food Network’s Kids’ Baking Championship! Trey shared the awesome news on his Facebook page, saying, “I have a huge announcement! I am so excited I’m able to tell you guys this.  I am going to be on Kids Baking Championship, season nine, with Food Network. Tune in on December 28 for a two-episode premiere!” You can check out a preview video of Trey’s episode here. Even... Read More

The Western Illinois University Department of Art and Design recently hosted its annual High School Art Exhibition and Awards, with work submitted by students from 10 regional high schools. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was held virtually and was judged by WIU Professor Emeritus Julie Mahoney. She chose 100 works for the show from more than 270 entries, submitted by more than 100 students. The competition is sponsored by Blick Art Materials in Galesburg, the WIU Bookstore, the WIU Department of Art and Design and the College of Fine Arts and Communication. The winners of the... Read More

The following is a guest column from Craig Cooper, Senior Communications Specialist for Genesis Health System. QuadCities.com welcomes fact-based guest columns from healthcare professionals regarding health topics of interest. Message Sean@QuadCities.com for more information. Fear, shock, rising death numbers, mask requirements and reluctance to wear them, and recommendations of only limited public gatherings. This isn’t only a description of the relentless global COVID-19 crisis. We have been here more than once before as a country. Consider Christmas 1918 and the Spanish Flu pandemic. The pandemic... Read More