Western Illinois University - Quad Cities - Academics

Western Illinois University - Quad Cities celebrated the opening and start of classes at a Grand Opening event in the now named Goldfarb Grand Atrium on January 17, 2012.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Quad Cities legislators, community organizations, students, faculty, and staff attended the Grand Opening celebration. Dr. Joe Rives rang the WIU-Quad Cities Founder’s Day bell, welcoming all to the building during what was also the first day of classes at both Riverfront and John Deere Road locations.

For a press release on the Grand Opening celebration, visit:

Riverfront campus is now home to undergraduate classes in business and technology, engineering, human services, and arts and sciences. Following precedent established and maintained at the John Deere Road location, the new state of the art location will feature high-tech classrooms, computing, and engineering laboratories, student services, the U.S. Bank Writing Center, and a Library annex. The new building also features the Goldfarb Grand Atrium where students, faculty, staff and visitors can collaborate, study, learn, and interact with a scenic vista of the Mississippi River.

The John Deere Road location hosts undergraduate classes in education and graduate classes remain at the John Deere Road location. The facility also hosts all weekend classes, WQPT Public Television, and the Quad Cities Graduate Center.

Phase II Funding Announced

Governor Pat Quinn announced Phase II funding at the Phase I Grand Opening celebration on January 17, 2012. WIU-Quad Cities received $38 million for Phase II of the Riverfront campus, which includes five interconnected buildings that double the size of available facilities at WIU-Quad Cities.

Next steps for Phase II include finalizing design plans, seeking bids, and starting site preparation. Construction is anticipated to begin in Fall 2012. Phase II is designed to house academic programs and services from the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Services, and Fine Arts and Communication, and will also include the other programs and services from the current WIU-QC 60th Street campus, including the library, WQPT-Quad Cities public television and classes offered through the Quad Cities Graduate Study Center.

Read more about Phase II.

Contact Information

Bill Brewer
University Architect and Director of Facilities
Western Illinois University - Quad Cities
3300 River Drive
Moline, Illinois 61265-5881
Phone: (309)762-3999, ext 62253
Fax: (309)762-8485
WE-Brewer@wiu.edu