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 – 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

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

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

The Western Illinois University Social Media Lab, connected to the Department of Communication, is helping promote a program to raise money for teachers in the Macomb School District who are teaching remotely during the pandemic. As K-12 classrooms across the area transition to online learning, the local teachers are spending their own money to purchase and adapt online learning materials. The Community for Classrooms program was born from this need and the Social Media Lab is helping promote the fundraiser. WIU senior communication major Elizabeth Lutz, of California, MO, is creating and posting... Read More

For the third time in three years, a team of Western Illinois University students have finished high in the CME Group Trading Challenge, a four-week, international electronic trading competition. This year’s team was made up of Cooper Bounds, a master of business administration (MBA) graduate student from Taneytown, MD; Amy Johnson, a senior agriculture major from Cambridge, IL; Matthew Swanson, a senior agriculture major from LaHarpe, IL; and Arthur Wasilowksi, a master of business administration (MBA) graduate student from Des Plaines, IL. The team finished in the top 8 percent of the competition,... Read More

The Western Illinois University School of Music will present the WIU Jazz Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Guitar George Turner, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. Due to the restrictions currently in place, there are no general admission performances in the COFAC Recital Hall. This performance will be broadcast on the School of Music’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page. PROGRAM: The Four of Us – Steve Shenkel Stylin’ – Dave Frackenpohl Recordame – Joe Henderson/arr. George Turner In a Sentimental Mood – Duke Ellington/arr. Mark Tonelli The... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – For the 31st consecutive year, the Western Illinois University Zeta Beta Chapter (No. 141) of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) has achieved Superior Chapter status from Beta Alpha Psi International. The WIU student organization, led by Senior Instructor Cheryl Westen, was recognized by the BAP Board of Directors for their outstanding efforts during the 2019-2020 academic year. “Recognition as a Superior Chapter is a significant accomplishment. Under the leadership of Cheryl Westen, the Zeta Beta chapter has far exceeded the baseline requirements of Beta Alpha Psi and has excelled... Read More

It has been six months since eight Western Illinois University alumni shared their heartfelt stories about being on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic is ongoing and cases are beginning to rise throughout the nation, the WIU Alumni Association will host another virtual panel discussion with WIU alumni front line workers beginning at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. The virtual panel, which will be held via Zoom, will feature three alumni from the April panel and three additional alumni who work or have worked in ICU/COVID units in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Arizona, Indiana... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Surveillance testing is underway on Western Illinois Unviersity’s Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. 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 now using the self-administered BD Veritor nasal swab tests, which are completed on-site at the test distribution center on the Macomb Campus. The Quad Cities campus will continue to administer a saliva-based test that... Read More