Western Illinois Area News

January 25, 2010

MACOMB, IL – - Western Illinois University’s First Tee program will allow people of all ages to test their golf skills during an event that will take place in between the Leathernecks Women’s and Men’s basketball games Saturday, Feb. 6 in Western Hall.

The First Tee Kick-Off will be held on the south balcony in Western Hall, around 6 p.m. (between games).

The First Tee program will have their SNAG (Starting New at Golf) golf targets set up, as well as full-swing hitting areas with real golf balls and a three-hole putting course. SNAG offers specially designed equipment and easy to understand instructions, which allows golfers of any level to learn quickly. Clubs and balls will be provided.

All 2009 First Tee participants will receive free admission to the games; their names will be on a pass list at the ticket office.

“We want to get people to spend a few minutes hitting balls, and learning more about the game of golf,” said Lia Lukkarinen, women’s head golf coach, assistant director of golf and director of Western’s First Tee program.

For more information, contact Lukkarinen at LB-Lukkarinen@wiu.edu or (309) 298-3676.

Copy By: Jared Dye

January 20, 2010

MACOMB, IL — Western Illinois University students, faculty and staff interested in helping Haitian relief efforts following the devastating Jan. 10 earthquake are invited to attend an informational meeting with American Red Cross and Salvation Army personnel at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

“We encourage the University community to be involved in any way they can to support the families and residents of Haiti who were affected by the horrors of this recent disaster,” said Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb.

According to Ron Williams, assistant vice president for academic affairs, many members of the WIU community have come forward, expressing an interest in assisting the people of Haiti.

“The most immediate and effective method of helping individuals in such a crisis is often through donations to reputable organizations that are coordinating and providing emergency responses,” Williams added. “After Thursday’s meeting, the Western community and its many organizations can come together to determine the best way to raise funds and assist in relief efforts. The WIU Office of Student Activities (OSA), along with the Student Government Association, will coordinate student response efforts.”

To help immediately, text “HAITI” to 90999 and $10 will be donated to the American Red Cross, and charged to your cellular phone bill.

Students and organizations who are interested in assisting in relief efforts should contact OSA at (309) 298-3232 or e-mail Ann Comerford, OSA director, at AT-Comerford@wiu.edu.

Copy By: Darcie Shinberger

January 14, 2010

MACOMB, IL – -Western Illinois University’s accountancy department, in combination with CPAexcel, will offer a certified public accountant (CPA) review course this winter and spring on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings and afternoons, starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22. The course will be held on WIU’s Macomb campus and the WIU-Quad Cities campus, as well.

According to Gregg Woodruff, associate professor of accountancy, the review course includes two weekly class sessions with in-class instructional videos, an instructor who will review exam questions, a supplemental online course, review books, software and a set of flash cards. The regular price for the review is $2,000, but individuals who sign up through Western get a discounted price of $1,495.

In January, the review will cover business and environment concepts (BEC), and regulations (REG) coverage will begin in February. Financial accounting and reporting coverage will begin in February and be completed in April. Auditing and attestation (AUD) will begin in April and will be completed on May 1, 2010.

An instructor-led CPA review course provides candidates with the discipline needed to successfully complete the CPA exam, Woodruff explained.

“The review course becomes part of the candidate’s weekly schedule. Making the effort as a member of a group will keep the candidate going and make it more fun. All members of the CPA review course are working toward the same goal — becoming a certified public accountant. That CPA certificate and license are essential credentials in today’s accounting and business environment. The CPA is not only a source of pride for the individual, but should also result in increased job opportunities, quicker promotions and higher salaries,” he added.

For more information or to sign up for the CPA review course through WIU, contact Woodruff at (309) 298-1152 or at GS-Woodruff@wiu.edu. Candidates interested in taking the CPA exam in the State of Illinois should also go to the Illinois Board of Examiners’ website (www.illinois-cpa-exam.com), which provides application information and forms.

Copy By: Teresa Koltzenburg

January 13, 2010

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – - After a month-long winter break, it’s back to school, with the Spring 2010 semester beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 for Western Illinois University Macomb and Quad Cities students.

Move-in for residence halls at WIU-Macomb begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17. Western’s campuses will be closed Monday, Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The University Union’s operating hours through Friday, Jan. 15 are as follows: Building hours, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., offices and the Bookstore; 8 a.m.-4 p.m., University Service Center and Burger King.

Saturday, Jan. 16 – Building hours, 7 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Union Service Center; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Bookstore; and 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Burger King. All other areas are closed.

Sunday, Jan. 17 – Building hours, 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Union Service Center; and 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Bookstore. All other areas are closed.

Monday, Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) – Building hours, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Bookstore; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Burger King; and noon-4 p.m., Student Assistance and Parent Service Center. All other areas are closed.

The University Union Bookstore will have extended hours Jan. 19-27: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Jan. 19–21; 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23; closed Sunday, Jan. 24; and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25.

The Student Assistance and Parent Service Center, located on the first floor of the University Union, will also have extended hour from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Jan. 19-21. The office will then be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday until Spring Break, which is Monday-Friday, March 15-19.

The University Union and the entire University will be closed Friday, Feb. 12 in observance of Lincoln’s birthday.

Hours of operation for University Libraries are available at wiu.edu/library.

The Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center returns to its regular schedule Tuesday (Jan. 19). Go to www.student.services.wiu.edu/crec for the complete schedule.

Residence halls will close for Spring Break at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13 and reopen at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 21.

Copy By: Bonnie Barker