About WIU-QC
Quad Cities Campus
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Celebrating a Century of Excellence
We are now a leading university with a campus in the Quad Cities, a residential campus in Macomb, and extension and distance learning programs.
With an outstanding, diverse faculty and staff committed to multicultural and international education, Western Illinois University-Quad Cities offers undergraduate and graduate programs of study to students from Illinois, across the nation, and around the world.
1899 In 1899 the Western Illinois State Normal School was established in Macomb, Illinois to address teacher preparation in the state's grammar schools. The faculty and students of Western were eager to meet this need, and the institution soon became known for its well-rounded, deeply committed graduates, a tradition that continues.
1921 The name changed to Western Illinois State Teachers College and the college continued to focus on teacher preparation.
1957 The college name changed to Western Illinois University. The institution's mission continually broadened to include academic majors that prepared high school teachers, the state's earliest and most successful extension program, a multi-faceted graduate school, a liberal arts program, and, eventually, distinguished colleges devoted to Arts and Sciences, Business and Technology, Education and Human Services, and Fine Arts and Communication.
Late 1960s WIU began offering classes in the Quad Cities.
2007 WIU celebrated 50 years as a University earning, and maintaining a reputation for expanding public access to affordable, high quality degree programs and fostering student involvement in university activities.
2008 An exciting partnership between the internationally renown Figge Art Museum in Davenport and the Museum Studies Master of Arts degree program provides students the opportunity to blend interdisciplinary curriculum, professional faculty, and a beautiful, state of the art learning environment.
2009 A generous contribution from the John Deere Foundation and The Moline Foundation supports the new School of Engineering with $1 million toward renovation, equipment, and lease space at the Caxton Block Building in downtown Moline.
2010 In its 27th year as the Quad Cities regional public television broadcaster, WQPT announced its new affiliation with Western Illinois University - Quad Cities, and returned to its mission of creating more local and public affairs programming.
Governor Pat Quinn released $62 million to begin construction at the Riverfront Campus. A groundbreaking ceremony for Building One occurs March 31, 2010 at 3300 River Drive, Moline.
2012 WIU-QC completed Phase I of the WIU-Quad Cities Riverfront Campus, thanks to a donation of a former 20-acre John Deere Technology Center property by John Deere and Company. Grand Opening was January 17, 2012.
2014 Phase II completed.
The new Phase II Quad Cities Complex includes a 94,800 square foot classroom complex set on the scenic Mississippi River. The $42 million project allows for further growth of the Quad Cities campus and will house academic programs in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Services and Fine Arts and Communication. WIU-QC recently received a $5 million investment from Illinois Jobs Now! to fund Phase III design work which would include an 85,000 square foot academic building that would house classrooms, labs, offices and student resources and services.
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Western Illinois University - Quad Cities
Moline, IL 61265 USA
Text Telephone: (309) 762-6974
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