Western Illinois University
MACOMB/MOLINE, Ill. — Western Illinois University communication professor Chris Carpenter has been named the recipient of the 2025 John E. Hunter Meta-Analysis Research Program Award by the Information Systems Division of the International Communication Association (ICA). This international award honors Carpenter’s significant contributions to meta-analysis research in the communication field. The ICA Information Systems Division…
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MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University Foundation and Hy-Vee have launched a new initiative to benefit the WIU Veterans Resource Center. Under the “Fuel Point W” campaign, the Hy-Vee gas station on E. Jackson St. in Macomb will feature two WIU-themed pumps over the next year. One cent for each gallon sold from those…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois University has named Anita Hardeman the director of the School of Music, effective July 1. Hardeman joined the faculty of the school in 2013 as an assistant professor of musicology and served as the school’s graduate coordinator from 2019-2024. Hardeman has served as interim director of the School of Music…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Over 43 million American adults have some college education, but did not receive a credential, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Western Illinois University has been working to help those individuals, commonly referred to as stop-outs, through online programs and admissions campaigns and is now partnering with ReUp Education to…
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MACOMB, Ill. — The annual Fourth of July fireworks in Macomb will be held at 9 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Western Illinois University. The fireworks will be launched from WIU’s Vince Grady Field. The community is invited to spectate from Q-Lot on the north side of campus along University Dr. Gates open at 8…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Actor and comedian Jay Pharoah will take the stage at Western Illinois University in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 23. Pharoah is best known for his spot-on impressions. He spent six seasons as a cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”…
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MACOMB, Ill. — A Wednesday night fire in a residence hall on the Western Illinois University campus caused approximately $20,000 in fire, smoke and water damage, according to an investigation by the Macomb Fire Department and the WIU Office of Public Safety (OPS). The Macomb Fire Department was dispatched at 8:55 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15,…
Read Full Article MACOMB/MOLINE, Ill. — A total of 524 students earned academic degrees following the Fall 2024 semester at Western Illinois University. Bachelor’s degrees were awarded to 312 graduates, including 44 recipients of the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) and 268 traditional undergraduate degree recipients. Academic distinction was awarded to baccalaureate graduates who achieved high grade point…
Read Full Article PAYSON, Ill. — Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture has announced the recipients of this year’s GAST (Growing Agri-Science Teachers) scholarships. Madilynn Barry of Payson was one of eight students selected. Thanks to funding from the Illinois State Board of Education, the program will award $5,000 worth of scholarships to incoming agricultural education majors for…
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MACOMB/MOLINE, Ill. — Western Illinois University announced on Dec. 3 a record-breaking Giving Tuesday campaign for the second straight year. WIU saw $95,840 raised through gifts from 351 donors during the 24-hour stretch, contributing to WIU programs and special projects. WIU raised a then-record $61,243 during Giving Tuesday last year. Tim Hallinan, director of annual…
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MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees voted unanimously Friday, Dec. 6, to appoint Kristi Mindrup as the university’s 13th president, effective immediately, making her the first female president in Western’s history. The board will approve Mindrup’s salary and contract at its March meeting. “Dr. Mindrup has demonstrated outstanding leadership since her…
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QUINCY — John Wood Community College (JWCC) and Western Illinois University (WIU) signed an agreement Monday morning establishing a transfer pathway for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice/law enforcement. JWCC President Bryan Renfro and WIU Interim President Kristi Mindrup signed the agreement during a Monday ceremony. This agreement maps out an academic pathway from…
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MACOMB, Ill. – High school students and prospective transfer students are invited to attend the Illinois Regional College Fair from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, at the Donald J. Spencer Student Recreation Center on the north edge of the Western Illinois University campus. Parking is available in the adjacent Q-Lot, 1001 W.…
Read Full Article MACOMB, Ill. — A list of the faculty and staff positions eliminated earlier this month at Western Illinois University has been obtained by Muddy River News through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Western Illinois University officials announced on Aug. 9 that 57 faculty and 32 staff positions would be eliminated. Thirty-five other faculty…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois University officials announced late Friday that 57 faculty and 32 staff positions will be eliminated, and 35 other faculty contracts were not renewed effective July 1. “The decision comes after extensive exploration of a variety of cost-saving measures and reflects WIU’s commitment to a financially sustainable future,” a press release…
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MACOMB, Ill. — An investigation by Jon Barnard with the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office into an officer-involved shooting in March with the Macomb Police Department did not come up with a basis for criminal action or prosecution. Officers with the Macomb Police Department and Western Illinois University Police Department were dispatched to 915…
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MACOMB, Ill. — The City of Macomb and Western Illinois University are offering its annual Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 4. The fireworks display will take place on Vince Grady Field, and the community can enjoy the display by watching from Q-Lot on the Western Illinois University campus. Q-lot is on University Drive on…
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MACOMB/MOLINE, Ill. — The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees recently voted to approve the appointment of Kristi Mindrup, vice president of Quad Cities campus operations, to interim president of WIU, effective April 1. Mindrup replaces Guiyou Huang, who announced his decision to step down on March 1. “We greatly appreciate everything Dr. Huang has…
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MACOMB, Ill. — The University Union Board and the Bureau of Cultural Affairs at Western Illinois University will be the hosts of WestFest on Wednesday, May 1, in the University Union Grand Ballroom. Doors open at 6 p.m. Entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. This year’s entertainment is headliner Corey Kent and special guest Alana…
Read Full Article Western Illinois University is the subject of a federal civil rights complaint about scholarships. Cornell University law professor William A. Jacobson is the founder of the Equal Protection Project, or EqualProtect.org, which claims that 16 scholarships at Western Illinois are discriminatory. “So these are scholarships which are open only to certain races, certain ethnicities and, in…
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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Western Illinois University President Guiyou Huang has announced his departure from the University effective March 31. Pending the approval of the Board of Trustees, Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations Kristi Mindrup will serve as interim president, beginning April 1. “I am incredibly grateful for the honor of serving as the…
Read Full Article WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education has announced $44.5 million in grants to 22 institutions of higher education to improve rates of postsecondary education enrollment, persistence, and completion among students in rural communities. Western Illinois University is one of the recipients, receiving more than $2.2 million. The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED)…
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MACOMB, Ill. — Thousands of agriculture enthusiasts from three states are expected to converge on Macomb in February for Western Illinois University Ag Mech Club’s 52nd annual Farm Expo. Those interested should mark their calendars for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb.…
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MACOMB/MOLINE, Ill. — Western Illinois University recently was recognized as a “Best Regional University in the Midwest” for 2024 by U.S. News and World Report. WIU was ranked 38 out of 167 public and private colleges and universities on the “Best Regional Universities (Midwest)” list in the U.S. News and World Report 2023 rankings. Additionally,…
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Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced Friday he has awarded more than $21.4 million in grants for library services and more than $5.7 million in adult literacy grants for local literacy programs to more than 140 Illinois recipients. Among the local libraries to receive a grant were the Board of Trustees…
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