MACOMB, IL – In the spirit of a community working together, one Macomb business is producing 1,000 cloth face coverings to be distributed across the Western Illinois University campus as the University prepares to open for the Fall 2020 semester. WIU is doing business with Jeff Clayberg, owner of the Attic II, on West Jackson Street in Macomb, to produce the face coverings. “We are lucky to have Jeff and his team at the Attic II so close to the University during such unprecedented times,” said Joe Roselieb, executive director of Auxiliary Services and Risk Management at WIU. “Any... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Beginning in the Fall 2020 semester, the Western Illinois University College of Business and Technology will offer an online human resource management degree. WIU is one of very few schools in the state to provide this offering. The new option for students expands flexibility to take classes online, join remotely during live lectures, watch recorded lectures or combine online learning with face-to-face classes on the Macomb or Quad Cities campuses. In addition, all curriculum is aligned with the educational guidelines put forth by the Society for Human Resource Management. “The... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Students in Western Illinois University’s Speech Pathology and Audiology program got a recent boost with the donation of 100 protective face shields by the Wahl Clipper Corporation in Sterling, IL. The donation was sought by company employee Jody Dirks, the mother of Erica Armstrong, a graduate student in WIU’s speech pathology program. “Wahl is a family owned company, which really cares about their employees and community,” said Dirks. “They made and donated these shields to local hospitals and emergency workers in the area. I asked if I could get some... Read More

MACOMB, IL – A student of Western Illinois University Assistant Professor of Voice Penelope Shumate was recently named one of only three singers in the United States in his category as a finalist to compete in the final round of the National NATS Vocal Competition, starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Joshua Pitt, a sophomore vocal performance and music education major, of Racine, WI, is one of only 46 total finalists in the country, chosen from the 755 semi-finalists to compete. The finalists were announced Sunday afternoon. “I feel fortunate to be able to work with Joshua Pitt,”... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University’s virtual summer orientation experiences are underway, and will continue throughout June. Incoming new first-year students on the Macomb campus can sign up for their virtual summer orientation day by logging into their STARS account. During virtual summer orientation, students will meet their orientation leaders and begin to learn how to be a successful student at WIU. New students will continue to have opportunities to engage with staff and have opportunities through the summer to take part in extended online new student orientation sessions.... Read More

MACOMB, IL – – Ten Western Illinois University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were commissioned virtually as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during Commencement weekend. LTC Joan Sommers, military science department chair, spoke to the cadets before the commissioning and swore them in as second lieutenants. The 10 WIU cadets who took the oath of office of a commissioned officer include: David Block, of Cary, IL, received his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration. He will commission as an active duty signal officer Kevin Dukes, of Mount... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Organizers of Western Illinois University’s Leatherneck Country Meats – The Purple and Gold Standard of Western Illinois, are preparing for the group’s next sale, this time with a shifted focus to pork raised outdoors. Leatherneck Country Meats is a student-run organization that offers pork sales to the public. This is the third year LCM has been holding sales. This year, LCM is raising Berkshire hogs on the University Farm. The first piglets have already been placed outdoors. This year’s retail sale is expected in early October. “Raising berks on pasture... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – All four of Western Illinois University’s libraries have set up a version of curbside pickup to allow access to materials. The Leslie F. Malpass Library, the Curriculum Library, the Music Library and the WIU-Quad Cities Library have created a system to let users arrange for pickup of library materials. Pick-up times vary between libraries and all pick-up is Monday-Friday. Items can be picked up at each of the libraries’ entrances and can be arranged by visiting wiu.edu/libraries/info/pickup_procedures.php. Pick-up is contactless and each library is following safety... Read More

MACOMB, IL – During a time of stretching budget dollars, two Western Illinois University administrators have come up with a creative way to reduce mowing on campus and provide food for livestock at the University Farm at the same time. Facilities Management Executive Director Troy Rhoads and School of Agriculture Director Andy Baker collaborated on the project, which sets aside approximately 32 acres of University property to be baled instead of doing traditional mowing. Rhoads said the idea was born from an informal brainstorming session the two had about the amount of acres Facilities Management... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – A total of 1,349 undergraduate students enrolled at Western Illinois University were named to the 2020 Spring Dean’s List. The total includes 127 students at the WIU-Quad Cities Campus. To receive this award, an undergraduate student must earn at least a 3.6 grade point average on a scale of 4.0, which equals an A in a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded courses; pass-fail hours are not counted (e.g., student teaching, internships). Students earning Dean’s List honors are listed by Illinois counties, cities and towns; as well as other states/towns and other nations. The... Read More