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President Al Goldfarb presents Gov. Rod Blagojevich with a WIU tie following the Governor's remarks at the WIU-Quad Cities campus. Looking on are Sen. Mike Jacobs, left, and Deere & Company Chairman and CEO Robert Lane.
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Governor at WIU-QC to Discuss Riverfront Campus, Capital Bill

January 10, 2006

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MOLINE, IL – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities campus today (Jan. 10) in Moline to further discuss the renovation of Western’s new Riverfront Campus and to present other capital projects, including road improvements. The governor also outlined his proposal for a new capital bill and possible approaches to funding.

The Riverfront Campus expansion will allow 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 total cost of renovating the initial building on the WIU-QC Riverfront Campus is $16.2 million. The latest release of Opportunity Returns funds will allow the University to begin the architectural planning and engineering process to renovate the 60,000-square-foot former John Deere Tech Center on River Drive in Moline.

“We were pleased to have Gov. Rod Blagojevich with us at our current Quad Cities campus. Western Illinois University’s Quad Cities Riverfront Campus in Moline is moving closer to a reality,” WIU President Al Goldfarb said. “On behalf of the entire Quad Cities community, I want to express our great appreciation to Gov. Blagojevich for his investment in the expansion of the Quad Cities Riverfront Campus. With his support, we will be able to proceed with our plans to bring a comprehensive public university to the Quad Cities to serve students on both sides of the Mississippi River.”

The WIU-QC Riverfront Campus, which is located on 20 acres of land donated by Deere & Company, will focus on coursework in technology, business, health care and education, in addition to offering its MBA program and other programs that meet identified needs.

“I’m happy to play a role with WIU-Quad Cities,” said Blagojevich. “I’d like to thank Deere & Company, my colleagues in Springfield and the University’s efforts and tremendous vision. A comprehensive public university in the Quad Cities will not only help our businesses in Illinois, but America as well.”

Western has conducted classes in the Quad Cities for more than 25 years and serves more than 1,200 students at its current campus on John Deere Road in Moline and in rented space in other facilities. The current building was opened in 1997 and by 1998 the University was renting space to meet additional course demand. Planning funds of $2.4 million were included in the FY2006 recommendations by the Governor and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).

“We’d also like to thank all those individuals in the Quad Cities communities who helped us with this project. Without the initial donation of land from Deere & Company, this day would not be possible,” Goldfarb added. “We need to express our gratitude to our local legislators: Senator Mike Jacobs and Representatives Pat Verschoore and Mike Boland. Their support has been unwavering. I want to thank Director Jack Lavin and Regional Director Nancy Mulcahey of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and I also want express our appreciation to the mayors, the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce and Renew Moline, for all of their support. We will continue to be partners in the ongoing economic development of the Quad Cities and we look forward to participating in the redevelopment of the riverfront in Moline.”

See Jan. 9 release


Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing