MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – As the new year begins, three Western Illinois University administrators will continue serving in their respective interim roles, according to WIU President Guiyou Huang. John W. Smith will continue to serve as WIU’s interim vice president for student services (VPSS), while Teresa Smith and Gary Swegan will continue as the interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO)/interim associate vice president for budget and finance and interim associate vice president for enrollment management, respectively, through June 30. “I am most pleased that John, Teresa and Gary have agreed... Read More

The newest children’s theater instructor at Moline’s Spotlight Theatre has traveled far and wide to pursue her passions – theater and history. Lily Maynard – a friendly 34-year-old who’s married to Quad City Arts executive director Kevin Maynard – grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. She earned her BFA in musical theater in 2011 and a master’s in history, both from Western Illinois University. Since her first appearance on stage in a Florida high school production of Stand and Deliver (1999), Lily has appeared in more than 50 productions — including Guys and Dolls, You’re... Read More

Western Illinois University Visual Production Center (VPC) Graphic Design Manager Natalie Divan has been named the Al and Elaine Goldfarb Civil Service Employee of the Month for January. Divan started at WIU in January 2004 as an extra help employee, graphic designer I, in the Curriculum Publications Clearinghouse. She was hired full time in October 2004 as a graphic designer I. In January 2005, Divan was reclassified by audit to graphic designer II, which was changed to graphic designer associate in February 2009. She was reassigned from DPS, formerly CPC, to Facilities Management in July 2014 and... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University is scheduled to resume in-person classes on WIU’s Macomb and Moline campuses Tuesday, Jan. 19. As preparations for the Spring 2021 semester are underway, all members of the University community (faculty, staff and students) are encouraged to quarantine for a minimum 10 days and/or receive a COVID-19 test* before returning to campus. Free tests are available on the WIU-Macomb and Quad Cities campuses on select dates (see dates and information at bit.ly/WIUSpring21COVIDTestUpdate). Visit wiu.edu/coronavirus for additional return to campus information. Illinois... Read More

Yesterday we witnessed an event that was unlike anything we’ve seen before when insurgents breached our nation’s Capitol building. I am saddened and upset at what I saw. Threats to our democracy affect each one of us, no matter where we live, work, and learn. Today, I call on members of our Leatherneck family, regardless of your political beliefs, to join together to begin healing the divide. As we move toward Inauguration Day, I ask that our University community find common ground and work together to move not only WIU forward, but also our nation. As an institution of higher education,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University Board of Trustees Chair Polly Radosh announced that Martin Abraham will serve as WIU’s provost and academic vice president beginning January 2021. Abraham, who was originally hired as Western’s new provost in 2019, had served as acting/interim president since July 2019. Interim Provost Billy Clow will return to the dean’s post for the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC), while Interim Dean Buzz Hoon will return to the position of COFAC associate dean. Clow had served as interim provost since January 2019. “We are... Read More

MACOMB, MOLINE, IL – Virtual commencement ceremonies, recognizing the academic and personal accomplishments of Western Illinois University students, can be viewed on WIU’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The number of students eligible for Fall 2020 Commencement is 797, which included 609 undergraduate students, of which 59 are in the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree program; 188 master’s degrees were conferred, which includes 10 doctoral degrees; eight earning their doctoral degrees in educational leadership (Ed.D.): Lacey Anderson, of Seatonville, IL; Brandi Anderson-Maier,... Read More

As two Western Illinois University School of Agriculture students graduated virtually over the weekend, both finished their undergraduate degrees knowing they have jobs in place, teaching agriculture together close to home. Brandon Livingston, of Marietta, IL, and Hannah Libby, of Oneida, IL, both received their degrees in agriculture-teacher education Saturday. In Fall 2021, both will be teaching in an expanded agriculture program in the Mercer County School District in Aledo, IL. They will be working alongside 2001 Leatherneck alumnus Aaron Heartt, who has been teaching at the school for 20 years. Livingston... Read More

Two days left in 2020, and so, today and the past two days, it’s been time for our look back at the year that was in arts and entertainment, 2020. Every day between now and New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, we’ll be posting stories painting the big picture on the year, a couple months each day. We hope you enjoy the look back, and let’s all hope for a happy new year and a much, much, much, much better 2021! Sunday we looked at January and February; Monday we hit March; Tuesday was April. Today, we have two installments. This morning, we showcase May and June, and later on this afternoon we’ll... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Western Illinois University has extended the $30 application fee waiver for undergraduate, graduate, and international students who apply to WIU (wiu.edu/apply) through Dec. 31. Graduating high school seniors and transfer students, dual enrollment students, graduate students and international students, as well as those applying through the Bachelor of General Studies(BGS) program, who apply for admission to Western for the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 semesters, will have the application fee waived through 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31. In addition, the WIU Office of UndergraduateAdmissions... Read More