MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – To commemorate World Environmental Day Saturday, June 5, three Western Illinois University professors will speak during a virtual event, from 10 a.m.-noon, themed “Ecosystem Restoration.” The lecture series, organized by WIU biology graduate student Oladele Dickson Owasoyo, of Nigeria, will take place over Zoom and can be joined at wiu.zoom.us/j/98840645382. The event is divided into three sections, including: • WIU English Professor William Knox will deliver “How Combating Climate Change Can Help Restore the Ecosystem.” • WIU Associate Professor... Read More

Derek Watts, the interim director of the Western Illinois University’s Office of Public Safety (OPS), has been named the director of the department, effective June 1. Watts has served as the interim director since March 2019. He becomes the first internal candidate named to the director/chief position. Watts joined OPS in 1998 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to corporal in 2006 and to sergeant in 2009. A 1996 and 2015 graduate of the WIU School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Watts was promoted to lieutenant in 2018. He started his law enforcement career with the Bushnell... Read More

Western Illinois University will celebrate Black History Month throughout February, with a variety of activities, speakers and events planned. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the events vary from virtual to in person. The Black History Month schedule for the remainder of the month includes: • Wednesday, Feb. 24 – 5-6:30 p.m. – “We Got Us,” a leadership workshop: This event is presented by The Underrep’d, an organization for Black college students who attend Predominantly White Institutions. Success tips will be offered and the event is open free to the public. The event can be joined... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Beginning the week of Feb. 1, Western Illinois University will begin COVID-19 surveillance testing and continue as the semester progresses. Additional open appointment times may be added periodically for those who would like to be tested,but have not been selected as part of the surveillance test population. Each week, approximately 700 students, faculty and staff will receive an email encouraging them to get a free COVID test provided by Beu Health Center. According to Executive Director of Auxiliary Services and Risk Management Joe Roselieb, the University is using the... 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

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Since Fall 2015, Western Illinois University has provided opportunities for area high school students to get a head start on their college career without having to leave their local high school. Western’s Dual Enrollment program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses, including a variety of classes that count toward WIU general education requirements. Courses are available on campus, online and some classes meet on site at partner high schools. Students who take part in WIU’s program, beginning in Spring 2021,... Read More