The deadline is quickly approaching to be a part of the Final Phase of the Western Illinois University Alumni Plaza brick project. The last date to purchase a brick, which will be installed in July, is Monday, June 15. More than 750 donors, representing 31 states have already placed about 800 bricks in the plaza, raising more than $110,000. The plaza is a brick patio, just north of the anchoring the North entry to the University Union. Once the project is complete, it will adjoin a Mascot Memorial Plaza, paying tribute to WIU’s live mascots, “Rocky” and “Ray.” The... Read More

MACOMB, IL – As Western Illinois University transitions into its summer course sessions, its faculty continue to reach students through alternative methods, extending beyond traditional coursework to reach more people. Educators across the University’s various academic schools and departments have worked together, collaborating to make each student’s educational opportunity a valuable one. In the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, as in other WIU offices, professors have shared teaching and research ideas, including helping each other adjust to the technology needed... Read More

MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University alumnus has partnered with a WIU faculty member to co-author their second children’s book, which will be released later this year. “The Adventures of Darrius; The Hall Monitor,” follows the pair’s first book together, “Princess and the Power of Melanin,” which has a goal of combating bullying, colorism and uplifting young girls around the world. Alumnus Jeremy McCool received his bachelor’s degree in broadcasting in 2015 and his master’s degree in communication in 2017. He is currently working on his doctoral... Read More

MACOMB, IL – A student of Western Illinois University Assistant Professor of Voice Penelope Shumate was recently one of only 14 singers in the United States chosen to compete in his division in the upcoming National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) vocal competition. Joshua Pitt, a sophomore vocal performance and music education major, of Racine, WI, initially won first place in the regional NATS vocal competition in Fall 2019. He won the award in the Lower Classical Tenor/Baritone/Bass Division to be eligible to compete at the national level. Because of the coronavirus, Pitt competed... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL –Western Illinois University’s virtual summer orientation experience kicked off Wednesday, May 27, 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. Several dates remain available in June. 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... Read More

MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University Hoof N Horn Club will host its first ever virtual livestock show Friday-Sunday, May 29-31. The “Western Illinois University Change of Pace Jackpot Show” will be hosted on Walton Webcasting. The first day, May 29, will be dedicated to sheep and goats, and May 30-31 are reserved for hog showing. WIU alumni and students will help with setting up the show. WIU School of Agriculture alumni serving as the event’s judges include 2015 agriculture alumnus Tyler Homann, of Charleston, IL – sheep show; 2008 agriculture alumnus James Thompson,... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – As Western Illinois University continues to prepare for a traditional campus experience for Fall 2020, scholarship incentives and more are available for incoming new freshmen and transfer students. WIU operates on a “rolling deadline,” which means prospective students can apply any time at wiu.edu/apply. Prospective students can apply to WIU for free through June 30. To support current high school seniors who are unable to take or retake a Spring 2020 SAT/ACT, and current high school juniors who may be unable to take an ACT/SAT test at this time due to the pandemic,... Read More

MACOMB, IL – The College of Arts and Sciences at Western Illinois University has announced is 2019-2020 Outstanding Faculty Awards. Because of COVID-19, no faculty gathering was held to celebrate. This year’s winners are: Excellence in Teaching Professor Laura Barden-Gabbei – Department of Biological Sciences Excellence in Research/Scholarship Professor Peter Cole – Department of History Excellence in Service Professor Rich Filipink – Department of History Excellence in Teaching with Technology Professor Gordon Pettit – Department of Mathematics and Philosophy Excellence in Multicultural... Read More

MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University alumna has been awarded a United States Department of Energy, Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) award to study at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory this summer and fall. Hannah Drake, a 2016 WIU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in forensic chemistry, is currently pursuing a PhD in chemistry at Texas A&M University, specializing in light responsive materials for gas storage and separations. She is in her fourth year of doctoral study, studying under Professor Hong-Cai Zhou, who is considered to be one of the world experts... Read More

MACOMB, IL – Two Western Illinois University Department of Broadcasting and Journalism students are finishing the school year strong after a semester no one will soon forget. The Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) conference, set for late April, was cancelled due to COVID-19. The convention was supposed to be held in Champaign-Urbana, but organizers moved the competition for student awards and scholarships online. WREX in Rockford broadcasted the awards live on Facebook April 25. WIU students won seven different awards for outstanding television newscast, soft television program, radio... Read More