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

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

The Western Illinois University Department of Art and Design recently hosted its annual High School Art Exhibition and Awards, with work submitted by students from 10 regional high schools. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was held virtually and was judged by WIU Professor Emeritus Julie Mahoney. She chose 100 works for the show from more than 270 entries, submitted by more than 100 students. The competition is sponsored by Blick Art Materials in Galesburg, the WIU Bookstore, the WIU Department of Art and Design and the College of Fine Arts and Communication. The winners of the... Read More

MACOMB, MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University Assistant Director of Residence Life Jessica Butcher has been named the Al and Elaine Goldfarb 2020 Civil Service Employee of the year. Butcher was awarded an engraved clock and a $500 stipend from the WIU Foundation. She was also named the Employee of the Month for November. Butcher started at WIU in July 1998 as a residence hall director in Auxiliary Facilities Systems. In July 2005, she was promoted to assistant director of Student Development and Orientation, and in July 2010, she was promoted to assistant to the vice president for student... Read More

A Western Illinois University music major has been awarded first prize in an international music competition; the only student from the United States. Madalyn Pridemore, of Macomb, a sophomore violin performance major, is one of 21 finalists in Asociația Culturală Arta Sonoră’s “Rezonanțe Sonore Online” International Festival. She is the winner of the violin category and one of the winners featured on the George Enescu Museum’s website. The competition included 137 participants from Germany, Spain, Portugal, the United States, the Republic of Moldova and Romania. A total... Read More