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WIU-QC Riverfront Campus Phase II
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WIU-QC Riverfront Campus Phase II Open for Classes

August 22, 2014

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MOLINE, IL -- On Aug. 29, 2012, Western Illinois University, governmental and city leaders officially broke ground for Phase II of the WIU-Quad Cities Riverfront campus. Two years later, Phase II is open and ready for classes Monday, Aug. 25.

The 94,800 square foot classroom complex, which was funded by the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, allows WIU-QC to further its mission as a comprehensive public university for the region by serving more than 3,000 Quad Cities-area students. The $42 million Phase II facilities house academic programs in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Services and Fine Arts and Communication, as well as academic and student services.

The new buildings also house programs and services from the current WIU-QC 60th Street campus, including the library and classes offered through the Quad Cities Graduate Study Center. Phase I (Building One) on the Riverfront campus, which opened in January 2012, supports the College of Business and Technology, including the School of Engineering and WQPT-Quad Cities public television.

"We look forward to beginning the Fall 2014 semester in our new buildings on the WIU-Quad Cities Riverfront campus," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "The Riverfront campus provides the region with outstanding educational opportunities, and it fills the need for public higher education in the Quad Cities."

The City of Moline also has an initiative underway to revitalize the area surrounding the WIU-QC Riverfront campus into a community and University-friendly development. WIU officials continue to work with campus and community leaders on Phase III planning. In 2003, a donation from Deere & Company of 20 acres of land on the Moline riverfront provided the stimulus for an expanded WIU Quad Cities campus.

Like Building One on the Riverfront campus, Phase II buildings are sustainably constructed and operated. Green amenities will include geothermal heating and cooling, emphasis on use of daylight, native landscaping, green roof treatments and an emphasis on energy efficiency. Western will pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, which builds on the LEED Silver certification received for Phase 1.

"As we open the latest addition to our Riverfront campus, I would like to thank our many partners in the Quad Cities," Thomas said. "We are appreciative of the support we have received from the state, and from Quad Cities businesses, organizations and agencies."

According to Joe Rives, vice president for Quad Cities and planning, the Riverfront campus expansion allows WIU-QC to further its mission as a comprehensive public university for the region by serving more than 3,000 Quad Cities-area students.

"It is an exciting time to watch even more students build their future at Western Illinois University," Rives added.

A grand opening/ribbon-cutting celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 3. For more information on the WIU-QC Riverfront campus, visit wiu.edu/qc.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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