MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University Associate Agricultural Research Technician Brent Heaton has been named the Al and Elaine Goldfarb Civil Service Employee of the Month for September 2020. Heaton was hired in June 1999 and had his classification changed to assistant agricultural research technician in April 2010. He audited to his current position in September 2014. According to Heaton’s nominator, he always arrives at work early, and works hard in extreme temperatures without complaint. “He takes excellent care of the mechanical equipment and has saved the University a lot... Read More

MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University School of Music will present the WIU Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Professor of Music and Director of Bands Mike Fansler, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The ensemble will be divided into several chamber groups (for social distancing) and present chamber pieces by composers Philip Sparke, Gordon Jacob, Vaclav Nelhybel, Arthur Bird and WIU Professor of trombone and euphonium John Mindeman. Due to the restrictions currently in place, there are no general admission performances in the COFAC Recital Hall. This performance will be broadcast... Read More

Megan Hasselroth wouldn’t be where she is today – the executive director of a Quad-Cities women’s business organization – without influential mentors. Since January 2020, the 30-year-old Sherrard High School alum has led Lead(h)er, just the second director (and only paid staffer) of the nonprofit since it was started by Melissa Pepper in August 2016. In a virtual 4th birthday celebration, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, Lead(h)er will share stories from across 300-plus matches of female mentors and mentees, highlight successes, and announce the 2020 Girl on Fire Award winners. The awards honor... Read More

MACOMB, IL – During this time of unprecedented events, the Western Illinois University Food Pantry is open to anyone in need of food or other essential resources. The pantry is open for all students, staff and faculty in need every Thursday from noon-5 p.m. For more information, or to schedule an appointment to visit the pantry, contact Casey Hendrickson at cv-hendrickson@wiu.edu or Emily Shupe at er-shupe@wiu.edu.  Read More

WQPT is presenting a special online preview screening of clips from The Age of Nature followed by a discussion with local experts in the area of nature conservation. The event begins at 6:30 pm on September 23rd and is accessible by visiting wqpt.org/nature to register. Guest experts include: Kathy Wine from River Action, Brian Ritter from the Nahant Marsh Education Center, and Joel Vanderbush from Niabi Zoo. The film explores humanity’s relationship with nature and wildlife, as scientists and conservationists from all over the world examine ways we can restore our planet. This documentary series... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University has again been recognized as a “Best Midwestern University” by U.S.News and World Report. This is the 16th consecutive year that WIU has received the national recognition. In the U.S.News and World Report 2021 rankings, of the 51 Midwestern public universities in the top tier, Western is ranked 13th in the 2021 Midwestern rankings. Western is also listed 60th of 157 public and private colleges and universities on the top tier list of “Best Regional Universities.” Along with the “Best Midwestern” ranking, Western... Read More

Two Western Illinois University professors, who are members of the McDonough County League of Women Voters, are bringing voter registration information to the WIU community. Anthropology Professor Heather McIlvaine-Newsad and Political Science Professor Julia Albarracin are teaching students how to register to vote. They are also working with a group of students, organized by Erbin Zejnuloski and University Television, to create a video encouraging voter registration. “In 2020, Millennials and Generation Z students will compose the largest share of eligible voters, and we want students to... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Continuing a 17 year trend, Western Illinois University’s combination of excellent academics, affordability, supportive faculty, and student services has again brought a “Best Midwestern College” designation for Western from The Princeton Review. Western is one of 158 regional universities, and one of only three Illinois public institutions, named to the “Best in the Midwest” list. The 158 colleges included in the “Best in the Midwest” list are located in 12 states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – For the first time in 10 years, new student enrollment at Western Illinois University has increased. The number of new freshmen enrolling at Western this fall stands at 1,064, 18.9 percent over Fall 2019, while new transfer students total 721 (9.2 percent over Fall 2019) and new graduate students stand at 569 (10.3 percent over Fall 2019), for a total new student increase of 13.7 percent. In addition, the grade point average (GPA) of the incoming freshman class has increased to 3.49 (compared to 3.40 in Fall 2019). Total enrollment as of the 10th day is 7,490, according to... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Two Western Illinois University students from the Geographic Information System (GIS) Center will be honored in October with the Illinois GIS Association (ILGISA) Outstanding Student Award. Senior GIS majors Zach Healy, of Dixon, IL, and Clint Quigley, of Glasford, IL, will be given two of five outstanding student awards presented statewide. The awards will be given during the ILGISA’s virtual annual conference Oct. 5-6. GIS Center Director Chad Sperry, the current ILGISA president, also serves on the Next Gen 911 Committee, which will receive a service award at the same conference. Sperry... Read More