MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – To commemorate World Environmental Day Saturday, June 5, three Western Illinois University professors will speak during a virtual event, from 10 a.m.-noon, themed “Ecosystem Restoration.” The lecture series, organized by WIU biology graduate student Oladele Dickson Owasoyo, of Nigeria, will take place over Zoom and can be joined at wiu.zoom.us/j/98840645382. The event is divided into three sections, including: • WIU English Professor William Knox will deliver “How Combating Climate Change Can Help Restore the Ecosystem.” • WIU Associate Professor... Read More

Associate Professor of Voice and the Director of WIU’s Opera Theatre Penelope Shumate’s student, Abigail Domann, a sophomore vocal performance major, of Pratt, KS, was selected among only 31 singers in the United States, for her musical theatre category. She will now compete in the upcoming National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Vocal Competition. Domann won second place at the regional NATS Vocal Competition in Fall 2020 in her musical theatre category, which made her eligible to be selected to compete at the national level. This round of competition will take place May... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – When Western Illinois University President Guiyou Huang isn’t taking care of business as WIU’s 12th president, you may likely find him doing what he enjoys outside of work … cooking for family and friends, among other hobbies. “Cooking, like many other things worth doing, requires resources and preparation and involves lots of creativity and even innovation, something that is much expected of the higher ed industry,” Huang said. WIU faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends are invited to join Huang in a virtual cooking show from 4-5 p.m. Saturday,... Read More

As of the evening of Friday, May 14, all Western Illinois University Commencement Ceremonies are scheduled to take place May 14-16 as planned. Please check back to this page for updates. For all the information on Commencement weekend, including times and ceremonies, visit wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=17798 and wiu.edu/commencement. The Commencement ceremonies will also be live-streamed on WIU’s YouTube channel. For all Commencement-related protocols, including weather, wiu.edu/commencement/spring2021/protocols.php. Plans could change for all ceremonies if pandemic restrictions... Read More

Western Illinois University President Guiyou Huang, who took the helm Jan. 1, 2021, will hit the road next week on his Inaugural Alumni & Friends Tour in Arizona and Florida. WIU alumni and friends are invited to join Huang, Alumni Programs Director Amy Spelman and WIU Foundation Executive Director Brad Bainter as they first stop in Tucson (May 19), Glendale (May 20) and Phoenix (May 20) for socials and luncheons. While all events will be held in-person, there will be a virtual component for those who cannot attend in-person. Following the events in The Grand Canyon State this month, Huang... Read More

Derek Watts, the interim director of the Western Illinois University’s Office of Public Safety (OPS), has been named the director of the department, effective June 1. Watts has served as the interim director since March 2019. He becomes the first internal candidate named to the director/chief position. Watts joined OPS in 1998 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to corporal in 2006 and to sergeant in 2009. A 1996 and 2015 graduate of the WIU School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, Watts was promoted to lieutenant in 2018. He started his law enforcement career with the Bushnell... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Samantha Klingler, director of the Student Development and Success Center at Western Illinois University, has been named the WIU 2021 Employee of the Year by the Council of Administrative Personnel (COAP). The annual award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of a COAP member who has far exceeded their duties. “Samantha has been a positive role model for their staff and WIU as a whole. Her leadership skills have afforded their unit the opportunity to not only grow, but thrive beyond expectations. The resilience, grit and determination Samantha modeled during... Read More

Do you have a passion for writing? Would you like to shine a spotlight on the POSITIVE things going on in the Quad-Cities? Would you like to go to concerts and events for FREE and write about them? Well, QuadCities.com is looking for interns for the summer and beyond into the school year! We’re seeking people interested in writing, podcasting and doing vlogs and video shows for our website covering the arts and entertainment scene and positive news in the Quad-Cities.  We’re also looking for potential interns to sell advertising and work with advertising clients, if that’s something... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – The Western Illinois University College of Education and Human Services has named Jill Bisbee as Recruitment, Retention, and Student Success Officer, as part of her role as a Field Placement Specialist for Counselor Education and College Student Personnel. Bisbee will serve approximately 3,000 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students from all programs and departments to enhance, coordinate and implement the COEHS’ Strategic plan for Recruitment, Retention and Student Success. “This new role is in pursuance of President [Guiyou] Huang’s Three... Read More

Western Illinois University’s Infant and Preschool Center’s Silver Circle of Quality designation from ExceleRate Illinois has been renewed for three additional years. The center first received the designation in 2018 as part of the State of Illinois’ new quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development providers. “Every early learning and development provider who participates in ExceleRate Illinois makes quality a priority,” said Cynthia L. Tate, executive director for the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development. ExceleRate... Read More