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President Goldfarb delivers his 2008 State of the University address.
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WIU Founders' Day; President Announces Operating Budget Increase

September 23, 2008

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University President Al Goldfarb presented his seventh State of the University address at today's (Sept. 23) Founders' Day celebrations on Western's Macomb and Moline campuses.

Goldfarb noted that Western began the 2008-2009 school year with a $1.6 million increase in the operating budget; and that state support, added to an additional $1.2 million in reallocated funds, provided Western employees an average salary increase of 3.5 percent.

"We made much progress in the area of academic programs that are at the heart of our strategic plan's academic excellence," Goldfarb added.

This summer, Western's first doctoral students defended their dissertations; they will be the first doctoral graduates this fall. Also this fall, the first nursing students were admitted into Western's new BSN degree completion program; a master's degree in museum studies began at the Figge Museum in Davenport, IA; and bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts are available to Quad Cities students. Goldfarb also said Western Illinois is seeking approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education to offer doctoral degrees in law enforcement and justice administration and in environmental sciences.

Other items Goldfarb talked about include the University's planning for the North Central Association reaccreditation process; providing more grant and scholarship opportunities for students; developing enhanced recruitment strategies; continuing and enhancing successful fundraising efforts; lobbying for a capital bill for facilities and deferred maintenance projects; enhancing and improving technology; and working in partnership with local communities.

Founders' Day celebration in Macomb included a luncheon; student demonstrations of fitness classes available at Western's Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center in keeping with the University's 2008-09 theme, Health and Wellness: Challenges and Responsibilities; the playing of Western's Alma Mater by the School of Music ensemble Lamoine Brass Quintet; recognition of new employees; a welcome by Board of Trustees Chair Steven Nelson; and the traditional ringing of the bell by Lana Myers, granddaughter of Edwin DeCamp, who first rang the bell Sept. 23, 1902 to signal the start of classes at Western Illinois State Normal School.

The WIU-Quad Cities ceremony included the ringing of the Ship's Bell, a new tradition which began in 2006, signifying the University's new era with the development of a Riverfront Campus.

The State of the University address is available at wiu.edu/unews/lectures.

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