From the African American Literary Society to the Zoology Club, and all sports clubs, honor and academic societies, fraternity and sorority life and all other clubs in-between, with more than 200 student organizations at Western Illinois University, there truly is something for everyone. WIU-Macomb students can check out registered student organizations at Western at the Office of Student Engagement’s (OSE) Spring 2022 Student Organization Fair, which is set from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 in the University Union Grand Ballroom. In addition to the organization fair, a volunteer fair will... Read More

The Western Illinois University Collegiate FFA (CFFA) chapter will host a drive-through, fundraising pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 in the basement of Knoblauch Hall. The menu will include pancakes, eggs, side of meat, milk, orange juice and water. Tickets are $5 in advance from any CFFA member, or in the School of Agriculture office in Knoblauch Hall, or $6 at the door. Advance sales can be made by Monday, Feb. 21, using cash, check or Venmo. The event is open to the public. This is one of CFFA’s fundraisers each year. The chapter competes at the state and national... Read More

The McDonough County Health Department, in cooperation with Western Illinois University, will host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic (including boosters) for WIU faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the general public Tuesday, Feb. 22 on the WIU-Macomb campus. Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available at no cost, and an appointment is not needed. Booster recommendations are in place for the COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States. Individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. First and second shots, as well as boosters, will be... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Mandatory weekly testing remains in place for Western Illinois University faculty, staff and students* who are unvaccinated and who are physically on WIU’s campuses. Testing is held on the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses. Surveillance testing has been discontinued at this time. Protocols, including testing, face coverings and other measures, could change depending on circumstances and health guidance. Weekly Testing Clinics Testing continues to be required each week for those individuals (WIU faculty, staff and students) who do not want to, or cannot, receive the vaccination.... Read More

Applications are being accepted for the Western Illinois University Martin Dupuis/Mukti Fund Leadership Award in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Communities. The $1,400 award recognizes a student who has provided leadership either for a GLBT group and/or for GLBT issues. Applicants who meet the leadership criteria must be undergraduate students who will return to WIU for the 2022-2023 academic year. To be considered, students must complete an application, write a short essay and provide a resume and two letters of reference. The recipient of the award will be selected by the University... Read More

“I may be busier in retirement than I was when I was working”, said Robert “Bob” Johnson, a 1978 graduate of the Western Illinois University Department of Art and Design. His 37 years as curator for the WIU Museum of Geology came to an end in 2017, but he still has plenty of projects he intends to accomplish. Retirement has not slowed him, or his creativity for that matter, down. He is adamant that in order for it to be enjoyable, retirement requires a plan. He was fortunate enough to have one: creating more art. Much like his days lately as a retiree, many of his recent... Read More

Throughout February, Western Illinois University will celebrate Black History Month with a schedule full of events. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the events vary from virtual to in person. This year’s theme for the campus and the national celebrations is “Black Health and Wellness.” Campus events planned as part of this year’s celebration include: • Tuesday, Feb. 15 – : Veterans Resource Center Movie Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room. • Saturday, Feb. 19 – 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Huey’s Breakfast, Multicultural Center Multipurpose... Read More

As generations of students graduate from Western Illinois University, they develop not only a love for the purple and gold of their alma mater, but some leave having found something more romantic. Each love story that has beginnings at Western is part of the University’s rich tradition and storied past. While WIU students come to campus with a goal of earning an academic degree, three generations of one family of alumni have found the loves of their lives while on campus. The Crain family began attending WIU in the 1920s, when the late Francis “Pete” Crain, met his wife, the late... Read More

Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, Western Illinois University Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations Kristi Mindrup, Lindsay Meeker of the WIU College of Education and Human Services, and Ron Clewer of Gorman & Associates have opened up a new partnership that will expand childcare options in an effort to return more people to the workforce and fill long-vacant commercial space in downtown Moline. WIU-QC will establish the Spanish Bilingual Early Learning and Family Empowerment Lab in the first-floor commercial space of the Enterprise Lofts building. Bolstering childcare options in Moline... Read More

Western Illinois University alumna and Macomb Park District Executive Director Rachel Lenz has been named the 2022 recipient of the Jim Berousek Distinguished Alumnus Award through the University’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA). The award is given in honor of Berousek, who is a 1974 WIU graduate, with a degree in Park and Recreation Administration. He worked in the Wood Dale Park District and dedicated his career to making the small district into a larger, more effective and impactful agency, focused on serving the community. Berousek passed away suddenly... Read More