MOLINE, IL -- Dr. Joseph Rives, Vice President for Quad Cities and Planning, and Scott Brouette, Assistant Director of Student Services at Western Illinois University have made a generous gift of support to WQPT, a media service of Western Illinois University. Their $100,000 gift will be used to continue and expand WQPT’s ability to tell local stories and provide educational outreach to life-long learners in our region.
"Dr. Joseph Rives was instrumental in bringing WQPT to Western Illinois University," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "He believed the value of WQPT to Western Illinois University would increase our community service, increase outreach to the public, improve the long-term sustainability of the station, and keep the station in the Quad Cities. WQPT, as part of the President’s Executive Institute, provides connections between WIU and external communities. Thank you, Joe and Scott, not only for your work at Western Illinois University, but for your generosity to WQPT and Western Illinois University." "WQPT is grateful not only for the generous support of both Dr. Rives and Mr. Brouette, but the opportunity this gift presents to provide more services, both on-the-air and through our educational outreach "said Mary Pruess, WQPT director. “Our local programming like The Cities with Jim Mertens, and outreach like Vibrant Neighborhoods are made possible because of our supporters. We are pleased to receive this gift that will assist WQPT in our mission." WQPT is nearing its 35 year anniversary providing local public television to the Quad Cities and surrounding counties. The station, which began with a four hour television schedule now broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week on two channels. WQPT’s main channel and MHz Worldview, providing international news and dramas. WQPT also provides educational outreach to the area by bringing free events for the public to Western Illinois University – Quad Cities campus, including Imagination Station, and recently The Wall That Heals, the half scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Additionally, the station provides training to hundreds of teachers each year.
Established in 1899, Western Illinois Normal and Training School opened its doors September 23, 1902 to 229 students. Throughout the years, Western Illinois grew and its name changed from Western Illinois State College to Western Illinois University on July 5, 1957. Today, Western Illinois University offers a variety of bachelor's and master's degree programs, pre-professional programs, two doctoral degrees, and certificate programs to more than 10,000 students.
