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Representatives of Western Illinois University and Waubonsee Community College signed an articulation agreement Oct. 24, creating a clear pathway for Waubonsee broadcasting students to complete a bachelor’s degree at Western in four years. Above, William “Buzz” Hoon, chair and associate professor, WIU Department of Broadcasting, discusses the agreement during a signing ceremony with, from left, Ronald C. Williams, WIU assistant vice president for academic affairs; William Marzano, Waubonsee assistant vice president of transfer and developmental education and Cynthia Sparr, Waubonsee dean for communications, humanities and fine arts.
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WIU Signs Partnership Agreement with Waubonsee Community College

October 29, 2014

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University signed a partnership this week with Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL, to provide a seamless transfer process for broadcasting students.

On Oct. 24, representatives of both schools signed a transfer agreement to benefit students who begin their education at Waubonsee and finish a bachelor's degree in any of three broadcasting majors at Western. The program will allow the students to complete their degrees in four years.

Through the 2 + 2 program, students can complete a degree at Waubonsee and then earn a bachelor's degree from Western in sports broadcasting, broadcasting production or broadcasting news/performance.

The program was solidified after a visit to WIU by Waubonsee students to look at the opportunities the University's broadcasting program offers. The visit was suggested by WIU alumnus Paul Strater, of Oswego, IL, who received his associate's degree from Waubonsee in 2010 and his bachelor's degree in broadcasting in 2012. Strater is a senior broadcast engineer at WYIN-TV, channel 56, Lakeshore Public Television in Merrillville, IN.

Students came to WIU with Waubonsee Associate Professor of communications John Bitterman, who said students were "blown away" by the quality of WIU's Department of Broadcasting.

Waubonsee graduate Dan Niederkorn, of Oswego, was among the students who visited Western and later completed a transfer into the broadcasting program. Niederkorn said he has been impressed with the opportunities offered to him through working in Western's production teams through sports broadcasts and campus news programs.

WIU Broadcasting Department Chair William "Buzz" Hoon said he is pleased at the possibility of drawing more Waubonsee graduates to Western because the community college's program "produces outstanding graduates."

"Young people come to us from Waubonsee and start to contribute right away," Hoon said.

Waubonsee Assistant Vice President of Transfer and Developmental Education William Marzano said the articulation program is the product of "colleagues, faculty and students who care about what comes after them."

For more information on the WIU broadcasting program, visit wiu.edu/broadcasting.


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