MACOMB/MOLINE, ILLINOIS (September 10, 2026) — Western Illinois University’s Autism Clinic of Excellence (WACE) has received a $45,000 grant from the Tracy Family Foundation through its Annual Cycle Grants Program.

The program funds non-profit organizations serving Illinois counties including Adams, Brown, Cass, Greene, Hancock, McDonough, Morgan, Pike, Schuyler, and Scott.

The Tracy Family Foundation has been a foundational partner in supporting WACE operations since 2024.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS (August 31, 2026) — Western Illinois University's Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement and academic departments will host a series of Career and Internship Fairs during the Fall 2026 semester, providing students with opportunities to connect with employers, explore career paths and secure internships and full-time positions.

MACOMB, ILLINOIS (August 27, 2026) — The University Union Board at Western Illinois University will host the WestFest 2026 Homecoming Concert Saturday, October 24, in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

Doors will open at 7PM, with the concert beginning at 8PM.

WestFest 2026 will be headlined by rapper Waka Flocka Flame and will feature Chicago rapper BabyChiefDoit.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS (August 27, 2026) — Western Illinois University (WIU) Museum Studies graduate Kelly Lao ('11) has been named the next director of the Muscatine Art Center in Muscatine, Iowa, following a three-month national search.

Lao began her new role on August 3. She succeeds former Muscatine Art Center Director Melanie Alexander, who resigned in April.

SPRINGFIELD (June 19, 2017) - Missouri State University conferred 2,651 degrees to students at its 2017 spring commencement May 19 at JQH Arena.  A total of 1,995 bachelor's degrees, 554 master's degrees, 93 doctorate degrees and nine specialist degrees were conferred.

Among those recognized were  Megan Nickles of Bettendorf, Iowa, with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

SPRINGFIELD (June 15, 2017) - Each semester, students at Missouri State University who attain academic excellence are named to the dean's list. For undergraduate students, criteria include enrollment in at least 12 credit hours during the spring semester and at least a 3.50 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale).

LA CROSSE, Wis. (June 9, 2017) - The following students have been named to the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the spring semester of the 2016-17 academic year, ending May 2017. Qualification for the Dean's List is limited to students who have attained outstanding academic achievement. To be eligible, students must have earned not less than a 3.5 semester grade point average and have carried a minimum of 12 credits.

La Crosse, Wis. - The following students completed degree requirements at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in May. The 103rd annual Spring Commencement was held at the La Crosse Center Sunday, May 19.

UW-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of the 13 four-year institutions in the University of Wisconsin System.

UW-L has nearly 10,200 full and part-time students enrolled in 91 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degree offerings and three certificate degrees.

UW-La Crosse - www.uwlax.edu - is the state's top-ranked public or private higher education institution by the US News & World Reports for master's degree institutions and has been ranked among the top four Midwestern public institutions during the past decade. UW-L is listed annually among Kiplinger's Top 100 Best Values and "Military Friendly Schools" by G.I. Jobs.

Students earning degrees in May included Alison Boll of Davenport with a Bachelor of Science degree in Archaeological Studies.