WIU celebrated 324 international graduates from 32 Countries at the spring 2024 commencement

The student numbers included 163 from India; 65 from Nigeria; 24 from the Caribbean; 18 from Ghana and 17 from Bangladesh. "Both the number of graduates and countries represent individual records," WIU Associate Vice President for Global Studies Randy Glean said. "We are also graduating students from eight "first-time" countries. This is the most international event in our history and is a nice accent to the departure of our former president who toured internationally as a significant achievement." Md Shahedur Rahman from Bangladesh chose WIU for his master's degree, and he states it was one of the best decisions of his academic career. Like Rahman, Mubarak Sanusi from Nigeria has also had a transformative experience, pursuing two master's degrees and serving as the president of the African Student Association. Read the full news release.

WIU Political Science Student Receives Best Paper Award at Conference

WIU Political Science student and Teaching Assistant Seth Obiri has been selected as a winner of the Best Paper Award in the graduate category for the 31st Annual Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science. "Obiri's project was named by several attending faculty at the conference as being among the best papers submitted by students this year and was selected by the awards committee to carry the designation," Political Science Professor Casey LaFrance said. The Illinois State University conference for students of political science is attended by student presenters from across the nation due to its affiliation with the American Political Science Association. The peer-reviewed journal in which Obiri's work will appear is also recognized by the Illinois Political Science Association (IPSA) as a prestigious venue for student research. Read the full news release.

Fall 2023 Dean's List: International members of the African diaspora

Congratulations to the 1,183 undergraduate students were named to the Fall 2023 Dean’s List at Western Illinois University. Your talent and persistence allow you to shine bright.

To receive this award, an undergraduate student must earn at least a 3.6 grade point average on a scale of 4.0, which equals an A in a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded courses; pass-fail hours are not counted (e.g., student teaching, internships).

A special congrats is extended to an often-overlooked group of individuals, the International members of the African diaspora, on their achievements.

Antigua: Dominic Stuart Christopher (Sophomore), Jade I S Lindsay (Senior), Shakira Regina Willabus (Senior)

Anguilla: Alba Karismah Fleming (Sophomore)

Saint Lucia: Haniel Rene Biscette (Senior), Mya Skye Hippolyte (Senior), Aryel Liyah Leonard (Senior), Kaitlyn A E Gaillard (Senior), Kerval Crishna Quinlan (Senior), Kayla Evy Smith (Senior)

Grenada: Akeem Fabian Mitchell (Senior), Sierra Khalile Duncan (Senior), Noah Marcus Lessey (Senior), Rashelle Kendia Jael Bowen (Senior), Kendra C E John (Senior), Lene Samara Mitchell (Senior), Carlene Keiana Alexander (Senior), Kamal Johnaton Arele Mark (Senior), Aaliyah G Knight (Senior), La Ditra K R Mason (Senior), Sherdell Rolanda St Clair (Senior), Josh Michael Alexander (Senior), Charielle Rae-Len Bubb (Senior), Whitney Chrysti Bowen (Senior)

Dominica: Jeanelle R E Kerr (Senior), Naomi C P Scotland (Senior), Michelle Muriel Romina Daniel (Senior), Dinelle Kiane B Dailey (Senior), Francine Corin Julius (Senior), Kervell Dadra Vital (Senior), Kiera Chelsea Etienne (Senior), Berni Hamael Servil (Senior), Jaden Brian Urban Harrigan (Senior), Keithan Danton Vidal (Senior), Marlon Moses (Senior), Najeh Sole Francis (Senior), Nashida Stacia Bertrand (Senior)

Barbados: Erin Gabrielle Forde (Senior), Keilan Goodridge (Senior), Samaria Saniyyah Williams (Senior)

Saint Kitts and Nevis: Dominick Errol Hinds (Senior), Lauren Nia Lawrence (Senior)