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

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

A fundraising initiative for Western Illinois University’s Atlantis program, through the College of Business and Technology, is underway and will end Jan. 31. The goal is to raise at least $5,000 for scholarships to cover tuition and other related expenses for students entering the program. Founded in 2007, Atlantis is a Transatlantic Dual-Degree Program that fosters academic excellence and provides qualified students an opportunity to obtain a transatlantic dual degree and undergraduate or graduate degree in the same time it typically takes to earn one degree. Students spend their junior... Read More

The Western Illinois University School of Global Education and Outreach has transitioned to become the Center for Global Studies. The Bachelor of General Studies degree program has moved from within the department under the umbrella of University Libraries. “We plan to bring some exotic and exciting culture, some charisma, and some energy to the campus by broadening our outreach to become truly global,” said Center Executive Director Randy Glean. The office provides services to international students, as well as hosts unique cultural activities and educational learning experiences.... 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

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – When Western Illinois University graduate student Tom Reagan began taking classes for his second semester in the University’s College Student Personnel (CSP) program, he wanted to develop a program to help student veterans make informed decisions about where to attend college. Reagan, a retired captain from the East Moline Police Department and a Marine veteran, is now the coordinator of veterans’ services at Black Hawk College in East Moline, IL. He began taking classes in WIU’s CSP program in Summer 2020. This semester, as a student in Assistant Professor... Read More

It’s time to apply for the Thomas K. Evans Memorial Scholarship, a $5,000 award that will help one student pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering or math. Deadline to apply is noon March 1, 2021. Complete information about the scholarship, including application materials and directions, is available online at www.americanpowerinc.com/scholarship. To be eligible to apply, a student must be graduating from a school located in Bettendorf, Davenport, East Moline, Eldridge, Moline, Pleasant Valley or Rock Island. In addition, he or she must plan to matriculate for the first time... 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

A Western Illinois University alumna, working as an Air Force air traffic controller, has been featured in a military recruiting video. Kelsi Carney, a 2016 graduate of WIU’s meteorology program, enlisted in the Air Force during her last year at WIU. She went to basic training in San Antonio, TX, technical training in Mississippi and now has been stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma for the last four years as a staff sergeant/E-5. Carney said WIU prepared her for her career by giving her background knowledge in weather, which is a big part of air traffic control work. “I’m... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – The Western Illinois University Military Task Force has finalized plans to celebrate Military Appreciation Week through Friday, Nov. 13. WIU is proud of its rich military traditions and continues to strive to improve the experiences of its military service students. While COVID-19 has impacted the delivery of WIU’s Military Appreciation Week, there are still a wide array of activities planned to allow WIU and the community to honor veterans, active duty members and reservists. This year’s schedule includes: • Monday, Nov. 9 – 1-4 p.m. – In association... Read More