WIU Launches Video, 360° Photo Tours of Macomb Campus

University News

WIU Launches Video, 360° Photo Tours of Macomb Campus

January 21, 2015

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MACOMB, IL -- First impressions are key, and Western Illinois University has launched online video "tours" to give prospective students and their families that key first impression of WIU before they step foot on campus.

Students and their families can "visit" Western by going to wiu.edu/tour to get a first-hand glimpse at campus facilities, programs, students and activities. In addition to the video "walking" tours, the new landing page provides 360° photos of campus, as well as a map and links to admissions and academics.

The walking tour videos -- 12 in all: 11 individual videos, and one longer video that includes all individual videos of campus and programs -- were produced by University Television (UTV), in cooperation with University Relations, to aid in recruitment efforts.

"We are so excited to launch this video tour and the elements of this new landing page," said WIU Admissions Director Andy Borst. "I appreciate the work of University Relations and University Television to bring this project to fruition. The videos really showcase our outstanding University and all that it has to offer."

UTV Instructional Technology Systems Managers Ryan Severs and Todd Draeger began capturing the essence of the WIU campus during the Fall 2014 semester. The pair put together the series of videos to mirror the live walking tours conducted by WIU Admissions, and students Ashley Luke, Jason Coppenbarger and Brenda Rodriguez and President Jack Thomas narrated the various video segments. Jessica Lambert, webmaster for the Division of Advancement and Public Services, designed the new landing page, while Larry Dean, photographic laboratory manager, and George Hartmann, senior photographer, of the Visual Production Center, shot the campus photos. Lambert and University Webmaster Jeremy Merritt created the 360° photos.