MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Applications are being accepted for the Western Illinois University 2021 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 LGBTQ* group and/or in regards to LGBTQ* issues. Applicants who meet the leadership criteria must be undergraduate students who will return to WIU for the 2021-2022 academic year. To be considered for this award, students must complete an application, write a short essay, provide a resume and include two letters of reference.... Read More

The Western Illinois University Department of English will host the Fred Ewing Case and Lola Case Writers-in-Residence, in a virtual format, Thursday, April 8. This year’s writers include Jennifer Militello, Crisosto Apache and Marianne Boruch. A question and answer session will be held over Zoom from 3-4 p.m. To obtain the link, email English Professor Erika Wurth at ET-Wurth@wiu.edu. A reading by the authors will be streamed through the WIU English department’s Facebook page from 5-6 p.m. • Militello is the author of the poetry collection “The Pack,” and the memoir “Knock... Read More

WQPT presents a variety of outreach activities in conjunction with the new Ken Burns documentary Hemingway. Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, Hemingway examines the visionary work and turbulent life of Ernest Hemingway, one of the most influential writers America has ever produced. Interweaving his eventful biography with excerpts from his writing, we will see beyond the façade of the public image, becoming intimately familiar with this brilliant, ambitious, charismatic, and egocentric man. You can log on to https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/hemingway/events/ and join Conversations on Hemingway:... Read More

The Western Illinois University Collegiate FFA (CFFA) chapter will host a drive-thru fundraising pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. Wednesday, March 24 in the basement of Knoblauch Hall. The menu will include pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk, orange juice and bottled 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, March 22, 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 level... Read More

Western Illinois University School of Music alumnus Andrew Gibb-Clark has been named one of Yamaha’s inaugural “40 Under 40” music educators. Gibb-Clark received his master’s degree in music (choral conducting) from WIU in 2017. He is the director of choral activities and fine arts department chair at Highland High School in Highland, IL. He is also choir director at Faith Lutheran Church in O’Fallon, IL. Yamaha released its “40 Under 40” list, and accompanying music education advocacy program, in February. The program celebrates music educators at all... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University’s Virtual Discover Western events are underway. Prospective students and their families can register for the events, which are free, at wiu.edu/discoverwestern. Macomb Campus Discover Western Events: Monday, March 22, 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 6 p.m. Quad Cities Campus Discover Western Events: Thursday, March 25, 3 p.m. According to Drew Donahoo, associate director of Undergraduate Admissions, the Virtual Discover Western events will include admissions information (including WIU scholarship incentives), student and faculty panels, and informational... Read More

Western Illinois University denounces and condemns all forms of racism, hate, and discrimination. I am deeply saddened and affected by the recent violence and racism against the Asian and Asian American community. These acts, no matter where they take place, affect members of our Leatherneck family, and we stand with our students, faculty, and staff. Hate, racism, threats, sexism, anti-immigrant sentiments, and violence have no place at our University, in our community, and in our society. We remain committed to ensuring that our University remains safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Any member of... Read More

The Western Illinois School of Music will feature a series of Friday pop-up concerts at 1 p.m. on Fridays in March and April at the Browne Hall Quad. The concerts will feature WIU jazz combos, and will be held weather permitting. Safe social distancing protocols are required. The first concert will be held Friday, March 19. For more information, contact the WIU School of Music at (309) 298-2583.  Read More

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Macomb Beautiful Association (MBA) a 66-foot mural will be painted on the north wall of Gelsosomo’s Pizza, with an unveiling planned for June 2022. The artwork, which will be 12 feet tall, will be painted by WIU Art Professor William “Bill” Howard, who, along with other current and former art faculty and students, completed a mural on the north side of The Old Dairy in June 2019 to portray the community’s history. “The response to the mural at the Old Dairy was so positive, it seemed natural to create another,”... Read More

An excellent resource for students in the classrooms of Western Illinois University is the opportunity to learn from those who have gone before them. This week, students in WIU’s Department of Biological Sciences had the opportunity to learn from an alumnus who was part of developing the COVID-19 vaccine for the Pfizer company. Ben Boda, who received his bachelor’s degree in biology in 2006 and his master’s degree in biology in 2012, works in Pfizer’s research and development division in Chesterfield, MO. While there are aspects of his participation in the vaccine development... Read More