Phases, tiers, mitigations… oh my! Many have seen a variety of terms used in regard to the precautionary measures put forth by the state of Illinois in its covid-19 protocols, as we all await word on how these mitigations are going to impact our lives as they change over time. As we at QuadCities.com have reported, the Quad-Cities area is scheduled to go from tier 3 to the less restrictive tier 2 on Friday. But what does that mean? Sure, I can say, according to the metrics put forth by Pritzker on Nov. 20, a region can move down to Tier 2 mitigations if it sees a test positivity rate less... Read More

Western Illinois University Visual Production Center (VPC) Graphic Design Manager Natalie Divan has been named the Al and Elaine Goldfarb Civil Service Employee of the Month for January. Divan started at WIU in January 2004 as an extra help employee, graphic designer I, in the Curriculum Publications Clearinghouse. She was hired full time in October 2004 as a graphic designer I. In January 2005, Divan was reclassified by audit to graphic designer II, which was changed to graphic designer associate in February 2009. She was reassigned from DPS, formerly CPC, to Facilities Management in July 2014 and... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University is scheduled to resume in-person classes on WIU’s Macomb and Moline campuses Tuesday, Jan. 19. As preparations for the Spring 2021 semester are underway, all members of the University community (faculty, staff and students) are encouraged to quarantine for a minimum 10 days and/or receive a COVID-19 test* before returning to campus. Free tests are available on the WIU-Macomb and Quad Cities campuses on select dates (see dates and information at bit.ly/WIUSpring21COVIDTestUpdate). Visit wiu.edu/coronavirus for additional return to campus information. Illinois... Read More

If you just can’t wait for new releases from your favorite fiction authors, good news! The new Best Sellers Club at Rock Island Public Library could help you read those new titles earlier. The new service allows library patrons to sign up for automatic holds on new titles from their favorite adult fiction authors. Signing up is simple, and available to anyone with a valid library card from a PrairieCat member library. You choose the authors you want to follow from the list. When new titles arrive, Rock Island Library staff will place a hold for you. Members will receive a courtesy notice... Read More

Yesterday we witnessed an event that was unlike anything we’ve seen before when insurgents breached our nation’s Capitol building. I am saddened and upset at what I saw. Threats to our democracy affect each one of us, no matter where we live, work, and learn. Today, I call on members of our Leatherneck family, regardless of your political beliefs, to join together to begin healing the divide. As we move toward Inauguration Day, I ask that our University community find common ground and work together to move not only WIU forward, but also our nation. As an institution of higher education,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University Board of Trustees Chair Polly Radosh announced that Martin Abraham will serve as WIU’s provost and academic vice president beginning January 2021. Abraham, who was originally hired as Western’s new provost in 2019, had served as acting/interim president since July 2019. Interim Provost Billy Clow will return to the dean’s post for the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC), while Interim Dean Buzz Hoon will return to the position of COFAC associate dean. Clow had served as interim provost since January 2019. “We are... Read More

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