The Center for Undergraduate Research at Western Illinois University Malpass Library is delighted to announce its inaugural $500 Research Scholarship Competition. In collaboration with the Centennial Honors College and WIU Libraries, this research scholarship competition seeks to support and acknowledge outstanding research conducted by undergraduate students at WIU. Open to all WIU undergraduate students engaged in research across various disciplines, including the WIU region, the scholarship encourages applicants to incorporate a field component into their research. This opportunity provides... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – While working full time, Joel Thys was able to complete four degrees–one of them is a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. To give back to his alma mater, Thys has established the Dawn and Joel Thys Scholarship. Thys, who was raised on a dairy farm in rural Iowa, owns Thys Automotive in Blairstown, IA. After earning a bachelor’s degree in the Board of Governors program (now known as a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies) at Western, he worked his way up to receive a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He and his wife, Dawn,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — COVID-19 has created challenges for many college students and their families across the nation, and Western Illinois University is working to ease the financial stress that is affecting its students as a result of the pandemic. According to WIU Financial Aid Director Bobbi Smith, the WIU Office of Financial Aid has in place the financial circumstance appeal to generate a new review of financial aid eligibility using projected 2021 income versus earned 2019 income. “If students and their families have been financially impacted by the pandemic, we encourage our students... Read More

Western Illinois University sophomore Kanika Palecanda, of Laramie, WY, and sophomore Madalynn Boyd, of Plymouth, IL, have been awarded this year’s Elkin-Larkin Award, given to outstanding students in the University Advising program. Palecanda and Boyd were chosen for the awards based on their outstanding academic background and their University involvement. They were each awarded $250 for the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters and their names will be added to a permanent plaque in the First Year Advising Center. The award is given in honor of the late Robert Elkin and the late Jeanne Larkin,... Read More

The Quad Cities Community Foundation Monday announced the recipients of nearly half a million dollars in new scholarship awards. With scholarships ranging from $500 to $11,000 going to 49 students, including nine receiving more than one award, the funding — and the opportunities it can unlock — are significant. “Throughout the pandemic, these students have remained focused and resilient, keeping their eyes on the future,” said Sherry Ristau, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “As they go out into the world and continue to learn, grow, and go after their dreams, I can’t wait... Read More

The Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation celebrated the Rock Island High School Top Ten of each class at the Austin Academic Achievement and Scholarship Award night on Thursday, May 13, virtually. More than 70,000 dollars was given out. Congratulations to all the students on their academic success! Top Ten Recognitions Freshman: Ali Al Janab, Maryam Alhamdan, Joseph Allen, Fidelia Awoudi, Alyssa Balandran, Presley Behrens, Jackson Bennett, Addison Bomelyn, Kaytlyn Booras, Kal Boswell, Harrison Braddy, Michael Brose, Christopher Brown, Kylen Brozovich, Delaney Carroll, Briseyda Castaneda,... 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

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

MACOMB, IL – As first generation students, Western Illinois University Sociology Professor Emeritus and WIU Board of Trustees Chair Polly Radosh and Jeff Radosh struggled financially as they completed their college education. To help other first generation students and those with financial need, the Radoshes have established the Radosh Sociology Endowed Scholarship at WIU. Polly, who is the retired chair of Western’s former Department of Women’s Studies, began her teaching career at WIU in 1984 in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. During her 24-year tenure, she taught... Read More

High-school graduates this spring encountered a vastly different end of school year commencement season. As the Covid-19 crisis pushed classes and graduations online (Moline, Rock Island and United Township still plan in-person ceremonies later in the summer), nothing has been normal for graduating seniors and college students. The Moline Foundation made the day for 29 scholarship recipients recently, when they were asked to participate in a Zoom conference call. Excited cheers and applause broke out as the students found out during the call that each would get at least a $1,000 scholarship award... Read More