Ceremonies recognizing the academic and personal accomplishments of Western Illinois University students and alumni will be held Friday-Saturday, May 10-11 in Macomb and in the Quad Cities Sunday, May 12.
The number of students eligible to participate in Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremonies is 1,635, which includes 1,025 undergraduate students, of which 99 students are in the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree Program; 572 are master’s-level graduate students; and six students are earning their doctorates in Educational Leadership. The doctorate graduates include Matthew Andrews – Dunlap, IL; Erica Joy Cupuro – Des Plaines, IL; Benjamin Daniel Derges – Downs, IL; Amy Louise Kunz – Island Lake, IL; Anthony Ragona – LeClaire, IA; Kari Lynn Shimmin – Monmouth, IL. Additionally, 38 Post Baccalaureate Certificates are being issued.
Spring 2024 Commencement Weekend Schedule:
Friday, May 10, 2 p.m. Honors Convocation, 5 p.m. Graduate Ceremony, Western Hall, Macomb
Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m., Undergraduate Ceremony (College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business and Technology; General Studies), 1:30 p.m., Undergraduate Ceremony (College of Education and Human Services; College of Fine Arts and Communication)
Sunday, May 12, 1 p.m., Combined Graduate/Undergraduate Ceremony, Vibrant Arena at The MARK in Moline, IL.
Ceremony Live Streams
Western Illinois University provides live-streaming video of the commencement ceremonies held at the Macomb campus. The live feed will be available approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each ceremony on WIU’s YouTube channel.
Distinguished Alumni
Scott Clarke, a 1981 political science graduate, retired from the Illinois Division of Banking after 35 years, 20 as assistant director. He oversaw the regulation of state-chartered banks and represented state regulators on national committees. Clarke chaired key committees in the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and led the Education Foundation of State Bank Supervisors. He’s also deeply involved with the American Red Cross, earning several awards for his service. Clarke actively supports WIU through scholarships, advocacy, and alumni engagement, including serving on the Alumni Council.
Steve McCann, a 1978 accounting graduate, retired from RSM US LLP in 2017 as an assurance partner. He is now a part-time senior advisor in Business & Transition Advisory Services. He’s a CPA and a graduate of the RSM CFO Program. McCann is active in non-profits, including the American Red Cross and Oakwood Country Club. He’s received awards like the John Deere Classic Community Hero and serves on various boards including WIU Foundation and Renew Moline. McCann has been instrumental in the development of the WIU-Quad Cities campus.
Flags
The flags of 32 nations representing the Spring 2024 graduating class will be displayed at the Macomb ceremonies. Sponsored by Western’s Center for International Studies, the flags represent the following countries: Antigua, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Columbia, Croatia, Dominica, France, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Gonfalons
Gonfalons, which are banners hung from a crossbar on poles, made their inaugural appearance in the Fall 2009 Commencement ceremonies. Gonfalons for Western Illinois University, the School of Graduate Studies, and each of the four academic colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business and Technology; Education and Human Services; and Fine Arts and Communication as well as the Centennial Honors College, and University Libraries will be included in the ceremony.
Photos
Photographs of each graduate will be taken as they receive their diploma cover. Proof sheets will be mailed from Western’s Center for Photography and Design Production to each graduate, with instructions for ordering photos.
Open Ceremonies; ADA Requests
WIU-Macomb Ceremonies are open to family and friends of the graduates. Tickets are not required; seating is on a first come basis. Doors open 90 minutes before each ceremony. An interpreter will sign each ceremony and assistive listening devices will be available to the public at the information table in the north lobby of Western Hall. There are a limited number of disability seats, and individuals in need of special accommodations for the ceremonies should contact Western’s Student Development and Success Center office at (309) 298-1884. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays.
WIU-QC Ceremony; the Vibrant arena provides accessible seating and wheelchairs are available for transportation to seating if needed. To utilize this service, attendees can visit guest services inside the West entrance. Additional information about the WIU-QC Commencement ceremony is available at wiu.edu/qc/commencement/index.php.
Visit wiu.edu/commencement for more information.
***Courtesy of Western Illinois University***
