MACOMB, MOLINE, IL – Students in Western Illinois University’s Department of Communication Social Media Lab have been working on a campaign to encourage the University communities in Macomb and the Quad Cities to wear protective masks. Using the hastags #maskupmacomb #maskupwiu and #maskupqc, WIU Associate Professor of Communication Josh Averbeck and students Josh Brennan, a senior communication major, of Davenport, IA, and Elizabeth Lutz, a senior communication major, of California, MO, have been promoting the campaign on various social media outlets. “There are many Mask Up campaigns... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Despite classes at Western Illinois University being moved from campus to computer, a group of students studying in the health sciences area are helping on the front lines to complete their required practicums. Working at both local and statewide care centers students have been helping in health services management, public health (both graduate and undergraduate students) and social work. Before Alexis Clark received her degree in health services management in May, she completed an internship with WIU’s Beu Health Center. She said the pandemic greatly impacted her duties at... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Sarah Ritter, Western Illinois University Visual Production Center manager, and Rachael Keating, VPC digital imaging specialist, each captured fifth place in the University Photographers’ Association of America (UPAA) Annual Photo Competition. Ritter placed for her photo of WIU student and President of WIU’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Club Brock Daley in the Sports Features & Illustration category, while Keating placed for her photo “Victory at the Finish Line,” featuring WIU Track & Field Student Athlete Kameron Morgan in the Sports Action category. More... Read More

MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University Department of Broadcasting and Journalism has launched a new website to highlight alumni in on-air positions. The site, located at wiu.edu/cofac/bcj/careers/index.php, showcases “Breaking News with BC & J Alumni” who are working at radio and television stations locally and around the country. “The Department of Broadcasting and Journalism is proud to highlight and celebrate some of our students working on-air in the media,” said William “Buzz” Hoon, interim dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication.... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University’s virtual summer orientation experiences have taken place throughout May and June, and another session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15. Incoming new first-year students on the Macomb campus who have not yet attended a virtual summer orientation can sign up for the July 15 event by logging into their STARS account. During virtual summer orientation, students meet their orientation leaders and begin to learn how to be a successful student at WIU. New students will continue to have opportunities to engage with staff and have opportunities... Read More

MACOMB, IL – For the third year in a row, the Western Illinois University School of Agriculture is partnering with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) to provide programming for high school agriculture classes across the state. Through the Soil Health Bucket program, 90 schools receive a five-gallon bucket of supplies for evaluating soil functions and a comprehensive curriculum for engaging students in employing the interacting impact of soil type and soil management. Topics covered in the curriculum include water filtering and storage, nutrient provision and cycling and conversion of crop... Read More

MACOMB, IL – In the spirit of a community working together, one Macomb business is producing 1,000 cloth face coverings to be distributed across the Western Illinois University campus as the University prepares to open for the Fall 2020 semester. WIU is doing business with Jeff Clayberg, owner of the Attic II, on West Jackson Street in Macomb, to produce the face coverings. “We are lucky to have Jeff and his team at the Attic II so close to the University during such unprecedented times,” said Joe Roselieb, executive director of Auxiliary Services and Risk Management at WIU. “Any... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Beginning in the Fall 2020 semester, the Western Illinois University College of Business and Technology will offer an online human resource management degree. WIU is one of very few schools in the state to provide this offering. The new option for students expands flexibility to take classes online, join remotely during live lectures, watch recorded lectures or combine online learning with face-to-face classes on the Macomb or Quad Cities campuses. In addition, all curriculum is aligned with the educational guidelines put forth by the Society for Human Resource Management. “The... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Students in Western Illinois University’s Speech Pathology and Audiology program got a recent boost with the donation of 100 protective face shields by the Wahl Clipper Corporation in Sterling, IL. The donation was sought by company employee Jody Dirks, the mother of Erica Armstrong, a graduate student in WIU’s speech pathology program. “Wahl is a family owned company, which really cares about their employees and community,” said Dirks. “They made and donated these shields to local hospitals and emergency workers in the area. I asked if I could get some... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University’s virtual summer orientation experiences are underway, and will continue throughout June. Incoming new first-year students on the Macomb campus can sign up for their virtual summer orientation day by logging into their STARS account. During virtual summer orientation, students will meet their orientation leaders and begin to learn how to be a successful student at WIU. New students will continue to have opportunities to engage with staff and have opportunities through the summer to take part in extended online new student orientation sessions.... Read More