MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Four new students in Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture have been awarded Growing Agricultural Science Teachers (GAST) scholarships to begin their education at Western. The scholarships, based on financial need, are awarded to incoming freshmen or transfer students who have declared agricultural education as their major. Each of the students began classes at WIU in Fall 2022. The four students awarded scholarships include: • Avery Isringhausen, of Vandalia, IL, who was awarded a $1,500 scholarship • Laurel Keyt, a transfer student from Hanna City,... Read More

A Western Illinois University School of Agriculture alumna has been chosen to attend a 10-day training at Texas State University (TSU) to bring more detailed agriculture mechanics skills to her high school students in Chester, IL. Emily Millburg, a 2019 graduate with a degree in agriculture education, is in her second year as an agriculture teacher at Chester High School near St. Louis, MO. Between July 25-Aug. 5, Millburg will attend the Agriculture Mechanics Academy at TSU, which will include training in small gas engines, electricity and welding. “The Academy is geared toward providing... Read More

A yearly donation from the Illinois Farm Bureau, earmarked for student development projects in Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture, has been transitioned because of the COVID-19, and used to purchase technology to enhance remote student learning. School of Agriculture Director Andy Baker said he asked Illinois Farm Bureau representatives to revise spending requirements for the funding after the pandemic hindered the ability of students to travel or participate in traditional development activities. “They graciously agreed to allow us to spend $2,500, so we have purchased... Read More

Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture has announced that this year’s planned Farm Expo, the 51st annual event hosted by Western Illinois University’s Agriculture Mechanization (Ag Mech) Club, has been cancelled because of the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic. The expo was scheduled for Feb. 6-7 in Western Hall, but restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather on campus forced its cancellation. Next year’s show is scheduled for Feb. 5-6, 2022. Last year the club celebrated the 50th anniversary of the expo on campus, as well as the 100th anniversary... Read More

For the third time in three years, a team of Western Illinois University students have finished high in the CME Group Trading Challenge, a four-week, international electronic trading competition. This year’s team was made up of Cooper Bounds, a master of business administration (MBA) graduate student from Taneytown, MD; Amy Johnson, a senior agriculture major from Cambridge, IL; Matthew Swanson, a senior agriculture major from LaHarpe, IL; and Arthur Wasilowksi, a master of business administration (MBA) graduate student from Des Plaines, IL. The team finished in the top 8 percent of the competition,... Read More