MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – While testing is no longer required for unvaccinated individuals, Western Illinois University health and risk management officials encourage continued frequent testing (at least once per week) for all individuals (vaccinated and unvaccinated). WIU-Macomb students, faculty, and staff can attend free weekly COVID-19 antigen-based (simple nasal swab) testing clinics in the University Union Student Organization Center (SOC) (basement level). Beginning Monday, Aug. 22, the fall test clinics will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The University will adjust schedules... Read More

MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University Student Services and the Student Government Association will collaborate to host “Welcome Week” for the first week of the Fall ‘22 semester, Monday-Friday, Aug. 22-26. All events are free and open to any WIU student, faculty or staff member in hopes of providing a range of fun, interactive events for all to enjoy. The “Welcome Week” schedule includes: Monday, Aug. 22, 8-10 a.m.: #WelcomeWeek Join WIU for coffee and donuts in Riverfront Hall Reception. Tuesday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: #WelcomeWeek Tie-dye a shirt in WIU purple... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Western Illinois University Accountancy major and Zeta Beta Chapter member Lauren Hall recently joined and participated among the 1,000 alumni of Project Run With It (PRWI). PRWI is an annual competition for members of the International Honor Organization for Financial Information Students and Professionals, Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), designed to further community service through the chapter and provide students with the opportunity to engage in real-world consulting projects. PRWI recently hosted its 18th year, PRWI 2022, which included 45 BAP student representatives who worked... Read More

MOLINE, IL — The Western Illinois University Museum Studies Program will attend the Iowa Museum Association 2022 Conference Kick-off Party from 2-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 at the Edwards Creative Showroom in Milan, IL. This event is free to the public and no registration is required. “Anybody interested in museums or the museum world is welcome to attend,” said Museum Studies Director Heidi Lung. For those interested and eager to get back to face-to-face gatherings, the event will provide workshops, food, beverages, games and giveaways. Museum professionals will share their knowledge... Read More

Western Illinois University Athletics will host its largest fundraiser of the year this Saturday (Aug. 13) at Western Hall. The 33rd Annual Purple & Gold Auction will feature a social, silent auction, two cash raffles, dinner, a short program and a live auction benefiting Western’s nearly 400 Leatherneck student-athletes. The online auction is currently open. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with a social, silent auction, and two cash raffles. Food stations will open at 5:30 p.m. The silent auction will close at 6:45 p.m. During the program, guests will hear from two outstanding student-athletes,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University Health Sciences graduate Kenia Reza recently conducted a study through the McDonough County Health Department and found a presence of West Nile virus in local mosquitoes as part of her program-based internship with the health department. “It was surreal to see my work contribute to helping a community better protect themselves from mosquito borne diseases,” said Reza. According to the Center for Disease Control, West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. It is most commonly spread by the bite... Read More

Western Illinois University’s International Student Closet is preparing for the Fall 2022 semester by collecting personal and household items. The closet is located at the St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center, 1404 W. University Dr., which is where donations can be dropped off. If the center is not open, items can be left inside the first set of doors. Items being collected include: • Bathroom: Shower curtains, garbage cans, towels, bath mats, soap dishes • Bedroom: Bedding, pillows, blankets, comforters, lamps • Winter apparel: Coats, sweatshirts, long pants, socks, scarves, hats,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Thanks to the generosity of numerous donors, the Western Illinois University DREAMer Scholarship Fund awarded more than $23,000 to four “DREAMers” during the 2021-2022 academic year. Political Science Professor Julia Albarracin-Green, who established the WIU DREAMer Scholarship Fund, hopes to do the same for the 2022-2023 academic year. According to the Migration Policy Institute, more than 33,700 individuals considered Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) reside in Illinois. To help these childhood arrivals to the United States achieve their dreams, Albarracin-Green... Read More

Western Illinois University IT Support Associate (Desktop Architect) Joe Butcher has been named the Al and Elaine Goldfarb Civil Service Employee of the Month for July 2022. Butcher began working at WIU in August 2014 as an Instructional Technology Systems Manager – Computer Store Operations and moved to the position of Research and Instruction Consultant – uTech, Technology Suppert in July 2016. He transitioned to IT Support Associate (Hardware/Software Support Associate IV) – uTech, Technology Support in February 2019, and was reclassified to his current position by audit in August... Read More

The memory of Macomb native and Civil Rights activist, the late Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, is being celebrated one brush stroke at a time as Western Illinois University Art Professor Emeritus Michael Mahoney works to complete a 70-foot public mural at the intersection of Macomb’s North Randolph and East Carroll streets. The mural, which will be unveiled at a public ceremony Saturday, July 30, depicts accomplishments during the pastor’s life. Vivian, who grew up in Macomb, graduated from Macomb High School and WIU, passed away at age 95, in July 2020. Several locations in Macomb are currently... Read More