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

MACOMB, IL – – Ten Western Illinois University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were commissioned virtually as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during Commencement weekend. LTC Joan Sommers, military science department chair, spoke to the cadets before the commissioning and swore them in as second lieutenants. The 10 WIU cadets who took the oath of office of a commissioned officer include: David Block, of Cary, IL, received his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration. He will commission as an active duty signal officer Kevin Dukes, of Mount... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Organizers of Western Illinois University’s Leatherneck Country Meats – The Purple and Gold Standard of Western Illinois, are preparing for the group’s next sale, this time with a shifted focus to pork raised outdoors. Leatherneck Country Meats is a student-run organization that offers pork sales to the public. This is the third year LCM has been holding sales. This year, LCM is raising Berkshire hogs on the University Farm. The first piglets have already been placed outdoors. This year’s retail sale is expected in early October. “Raising berks on pasture... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – All four of Western Illinois University’s libraries have set up a version of curbside pickup to allow access to materials. The Leslie F. Malpass Library, the Curriculum Library, the Music Library and the WIU-Quad Cities Library have created a system to let users arrange for pickup of library materials. Pick-up times vary between libraries and all pick-up is Monday-Friday. Items can be picked up at each of the libraries’ entrances and can be arranged by visiting wiu.edu/libraries/info/pickup_procedures.php. Pick-up is contactless and each library is following safety... Read More

MACOMB, IL – During a time of stretching budget dollars, two Western Illinois University administrators have come up with a creative way to reduce mowing on campus and provide food for livestock at the University Farm at the same time. Facilities Management Executive Director Troy Rhoads and School of Agriculture Director Andy Baker collaborated on the project, which sets aside approximately 32 acres of University property to be baled instead of doing traditional mowing. Rhoads said the idea was born from an informal brainstorming session the two had about the amount of acres Facilities Management... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – A total of 1,349 undergraduate students enrolled at Western Illinois University were named to the 2020 Spring Dean’s List. The total includes 127 students at the WIU-Quad Cities Campus. To receive this award, an undergraduate student must earn at least a 3.6 grade point average on a scale of 4.0, which equals an A in a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded courses; pass-fail hours are not counted (e.g., student teaching, internships). Students earning Dean’s List honors are listed by Illinois counties, cities and towns; as well as other states/towns and other nations. The... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Multicultural Center (MCC) at Western Illinois University is highlighting two June national celebrations – the African-American community focused Juneteenth (Friday, June 19) and LGBT*QA community-focused Pride Month. Although the celebrations tend to give focus to a particular community, these are American celebrations by the diverse communities that comprise our nation. The MCC will host a virtual recognition of the commemorations on its webpage to bring additional light to the African American and the LGBT*QA tradition and celebration. “We invite you to learn... Read More

MACOMB, IL – When Western Illinois University English Professor Rebekah Buchanan started thinking about ways she could do something to get others involved in making a difference, she kept returning to education. Because of her background and love for books and reading, Buchanan has initiated a fundraising campaign to purchase books by authors of color for Macomb School District No. 185 schools. “Education is key in creating understanding and empathy and one way we do that is through reading. Creating a way to get more books and resources to our teachers is a way to add to their tool kits... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Two Western Illinois University professor emeriti who have worked extensively on cultural diversity issues and programming have compiled a comprehensive reading list to deepen understanding of the pervasive racism that has repeatedly led to violence against the Black community. “Given all that has been going on in the USA related to the treatment of African Americans the past few weeks, not to mention the previous 400 years, we would like to provide resources to the WIU community that further awareness and understanding of the systematic oppression and racism that is... Read More

The Western Illinois University Food Pantry has announced its hours for this Summer 2020. The pantry will be open to serve all students, staff and faculty in need from 3-5 p.m. each Tuesday. Proper cleaning measures are in place, as well as social distancing practices due to COVID-19. The health and well-being of all volunteers and patrons remains a top priority. For more information, if you are in need outside of our operation hours, or have any questions or concerns, contact Casey Hendricksen at cv-hendricksen@wiu.edu, Britney Van Tine at bn-vantine@wiu.edu or Emily Shupe at er-shupe@wiu.edu.  Read More