MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University, in partnership with Blackhawk Community College and local school districts, received a $1.4 million National Science Foundation grant to address teacher shortages in high-needs school districts. The grant will award 24 NOYCE STEM Teacher Scholarships over the next five years, and three scholars have already been selected for […]

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University has named Zach Messersmith director of Governmental Relations, effective Aug. 1. “I am humbled and honored to join Western Illinois University,” said Messersmith. “Western is a special institution providing academic excellence and extraordinary educational opportunities. As the Director of Government Relations, I will use my knowledge and experience […]

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Beginning Monday, July 24, Tayler Onion will join Western Illinois University Athletics as the assistant athletic director for development. Prior to coming to WIU, Onion had been the head of curriculum development for Game Plan in Tampa, FL, since January 2022. She has also served as an assistant director for Student-Athlete Enhancement […]

One candidate will interview Tuesday, July 11 for the open director position in the Western Illinois University Institutional Research and Planning office. The candidate is Palmer College of Chiropractic Senior Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Dustin C. Derby. He has held that position since July 2007. Derby has also served as the Human Subjects […]

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University has been on a mission to enhance its reputation as a top-tier educational institution. In 2017, WIU introduced the Learning Assistant Program (LAP), a peer-based initiative aimed at promoting active and collaborative learning in the classroom. Since its inception, the program has yielded impressive results, including improved student […]

In an effort to teach and perform more diverse styles of singing, a member of Western Illinois University’s Music faculty has established the non-profit, professional vocal ensemble, withonevoice. Imagine hearing an ensemble belt out a musical theatre and directly follow it with a traditional choral standard in a completely different, Lutheran-style voice quality. The ensemble’s […]

After two years of extensive work, the Alexander County city of Cairo, IL, will open a cooperative grocery store this month, thanks to assistance from the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University and its Illinois Cooperative Development Center (ICDC). Through a project, headed by Sean Park, ICDC Manager, the store will hold […]

Interim Western Illinois University Campus Recreation Center Director Brian Thomas has been named the permanent director, effective May 1. Thomas has served as interim director of Campus Recreation since June 2022. He was hired as the center’s assistant director in January 2018, and was promoted to associate director in January 2021. He has also previously […]

MOLINE, IL – – Western Illinois University’s Environmental Science: Large River Ecosystems program is working with the city of Moline to study the concentration of phosphorus in the Rock River. “This is a proactive effort to determine how pending regulatory changes might affect the South Slope Sewage Treatment Plant,” said WIU Environmental Science Director Roger […]

This year, Western Illinois University’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Camp Rocky program. The day camp program is run by students at WIU’s Horn Field Campus, and offers local youth the opportunity to participate in camp-related programming and outdoor cooking. The program, part of RPTA’s Camp […]