MACOMB, IL – Sarah Ritter, Western Illinois University Visual Production Center manager, and Rachael Keating, VPC digital imaging specialist, each captured fifth place in the University Photographers’ Association of America (UPAA) Annual Photo Competition. Ritter placed for her photo of WIU student and President of WIU’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Club Brock Daley in the Sports Features & Illustration category, while Keating placed for her photo “Victory at the Finish Line,” featuring WIU Track & Field Student Athlete Kameron Morgan in the Sports Action category. More... Read More

MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University Department of Broadcasting and Journalism has launched a new website to highlight alumni in on-air positions. The site, located at wiu.edu/cofac/bcj/careers/index.php, showcases “Breaking News with BC & J Alumni” who are working at radio and television stations locally and around the country. “The Department of Broadcasting and Journalism is proud to highlight and celebrate some of our students working on-air in the media,” said William “Buzz” Hoon, interim dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication.... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University’s virtual summer orientation experiences have taken place throughout May and June, and another session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15. Incoming new first-year students on the Macomb campus who have not yet attended a virtual summer orientation can sign up for the July 15 event by logging into their STARS account. During virtual summer orientation, students 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... Read More

MACOMB, IL – For the third year in a row, the Western Illinois University School of Agriculture is partnering with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) to provide programming for high school agriculture classes across the state. Through the Soil Health Bucket program, 90 schools receive a five-gallon bucket of supplies for evaluating soil functions and a comprehensive curriculum for engaging students in employing the interacting impact of soil type and soil management. Topics covered in the curriculum include water filtering and storage, nutrient provision and cycling and conversion of crop... Read More

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