Western Illinois University in the Quad Cities is now officially 95,000 square feet larger than it was yesterday. Today university, local, and state leaders celebrated the completion of phase 2 of the riverfront campus in Moline.
And on hand to help cut the ribbon for the 42 million dollar building was Governor Pat Quinn. He says education is the key to improving our economy, and it's important for a strong democracy.
"We understand democracy is not a spectator sport. It involves all of us. And that's why it's important that we invest in education - from early childhood, to K to 12, to our community colleges, and definitely our four year public unviersities."
And he credited local leaders for their years of lobbying in Springfield for WIU's new campus and expansion in Moline.
University President, Jack Thomas, says the new building is the culmination of years of hard work by WIU and business and government leaders in the Quad Cities.
"Together we had a vision, and we had determination. Together we made the Western Illinois Quad Cities campus a reality."
Thomas and Quinn both thanked John Deere for the donation of the land in Moline in 2003 that made the new campus possible. Phase l opened in 2012. Construction on Phase 2 began later that year, and students and staff moved in just last week.
(photo: Illinois Governor Pat Quinn with WIU President Jack Thomas to his left)