MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University senior agriculture major Sydney Riden, of Good Hope, IL, was named the Reserve World Champion Novice Amateur Showmanship this weekend at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Show in Tulsa, OK. Riden’s horse is named “Cool Lopin Lady,” with a barn name of “Willow.” Riden and the 9-year-old American Quarter Horse mare ride with Clint Ainsworth Show Horses. “I would like to thank everyone for their support, including my dad, mom, sister, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and everyone from the Clint... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Western Illinois University Food Pantry will resume full operations for all students, staff and faculty from noon-5 p.m. Thursday Aug. 27. Due to the ongoing health crisis, the pantry has updated its policies and procedures to keep all patrons and volunteers safe and healthy while visiting the WIU Food Pantry. Health precautions: • All patrons will be required to wear an appropriate facial covering while at the food pantry • Social distancing will be required while visiting the food pantry • Hand sanitizer will be available to use while visiting • Volunteers will... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Western Illinois University is committed to creating a campus environment focused on the academic success and health of all students, faculty and staff. The Protect the ‘Necks Plan is a comprehensive plan that has been put into place to keep the University community safe by mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Several committees have worked to develop procedures, tools and protocols necessary to ensure the successful and safe return of students, faculty, staff and campus activities. As procedures and guidelines are updated, the information will be shared with the University... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University’s Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) student chapters on the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses both received awards from the national chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) for providing superior growth and development opportunities to student chapter members. SHRM awarded a 2019-2020 Superior Merit Award designation to the WIU-Macomb SHRM chapter and a Merit Award designation to the WIU-Quad Cities SHRM student chapter. The SHRM student chapter merit award program encourages the development of more... Read More

MACOMB, IL – For the second time in two years, Western Illinois University senior broadcasting major Devin Brooks has been one of five national winners awarded the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Mid-America EMMY Foundation Walter Cronkite Scholarship. Brooks, of St. Louis, MO, is a student anchor, reporter, executive producer and web producer for NEWS3, the student-produced newscast in the WIU Department of Broadcasting and Journalism He is pursuing an emphasis in news and performance, and is minoring in sociology. This summer, Brooks completed his third summer internship... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Just as the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many programs on the Western Illinois University campus and around the world, University faculty and administrators have jumped in to help many students who were scheduled to begin internships that were erased by the coronavirus. One of those students is Clint Ratkovich, a senior engineering technology student, of Crete, IL. Ratkovich, who is also a member of WIU’s football team, was originally scheduled to complete his nine-week internship at LyondellBasell, but campus officials worked together to create an internship position for... Read More

MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University graduate student has launched an effort to bring diversity to fisheries science, while raising money for a related scholarship program at the same time. Cassidy Miles, a biology graduate student from Saint Ann, MO, noticed last year that there was little diversity at the annual gathering of scientists by The Wildlife Society (TWS) and the American Fisheries Society (AFS). The gathering inspired her to create a pin to promote diversity, inclusion and equality in fisheries. Miles is the public relations officer and outreach coordinator for WIU’s... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – A total of 1,105 students earned academic degrees or post-baccalaureate certificates after the Spring 2020 semester at Western Illinois University. Of these, 156 graduates’ primary attendance site was the WIU-Quad Cities campus. Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 764 graduates. Academic distinction was awarded to baccalaureate graduates who achieved high grade point averages. This includes: Summa Cum Laude, 3.90 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale; Magna Cum Laude, 3.75-3.89 GPA; and Cum Laude, 3.6-3.74 GPA. Master’s degrees were earned by 313 graduates; 9 individuals... Read More

MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University music major has been named the only United States finalist in an international violin competition. Madalyn Pridemore, of Macomb, a sophomore violin performance major, is one of 21 finalists in “The Violin Doc” International Online Festival. She is one of four finalists in her category, advanced violin for musicians between the ages of 16-20. Within each category, the grand prize winner will be awarded an instrument based on their category. All participants receive an individual, online masterclass and attendance at an online workshop by... Read More

MACOMB, MOLINE, IL – The Western Illinois University School of Graduate Studies is offering the waiver of the $30 application fee for international students who submit an application through Oct. 31. This waiver is only for new international graduate and undergraduate students who have not previously submitted an application. Students who have already applied should not submit a second application. To submit an application, visit student.services.wiu.edu/web-apps/Admissions/International. For more information about International Admissions at WIU, visit wiu.edu/grad/international.  Read More