Monday, November 23, 2009
UIS vs. UIC basketball game trip
Students from the University of Illinois Springfield packed a charter bus and a van and headed to Chicago on November 14, 2009 to watch the Prairie Stars men's basketball team take on the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Student Michael Omenazu took a video camera along to document the trip and game. He interviewed students, staff, and Chancellor Richard Ringeisen along the way. You can check out the video he created by clicking on the YouTube video above.
The transportation for the students to the game was provided by a friend of the university.
Friday, November 20, 2009
UIS alumni share literary talents with the community
A.D. Carson is a writer and educator who received his B.A. in Education and Creative Writing from Millikin University and an M.A. in English from the University of Illinois Springfield. He is a recipient of the Grace Patton Conant Award for Literary Creation, and his work has appeared in Collage and The Alchemist Review.
Michael Gammon is a writer, editor, and teacher. He has published poetry in Collaborations: The Journal of Integral Yoga, and fiction in The Alchemist Review. In addition, he authored two award-winning essays. Currently he is writing a series of screenplays that integrate his studies in English, psychology, and philosophy.
The first workshop takes place on December 5, 2009, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. in Dawson Hall Room 103 on the Benedictine University Springfield campus. Carson will present and lead "Blended Media: Making Lyrics Work on the Page and Making Poetry Work Out Loud." The workshop will be held in two parts. Part I will take place December 5. Part II will take place January 9, 2010, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. The workshops are free. Space is limited. Interested participants should call (217) 525-1420, ext. 291, to reserve their seat.
In February and March, Gammon, will lead a two-part workshop centering on creative philosophy and titled “Relevant and Impassioned: Using Critical Theory to Tell Stories.”
Springfield and the Sangamon Valley enjoy a lush literary tradition. Quiddity seeks to build and expand upon that tradition, not only seeking work from a wide and diverse pool of individuals around the globe, but also by serving the community in which Quiddity is housed.
Quiddity is sponsored by Benedictine University in Springfield. Quiddity’s founding editor, novelist Joanna Beth Tweedy, is a graduate of both UIUC ’95 and UIS ’04. Quiddity’s prose editor, David, Logan, is also a graduate of UIS ’04.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
UIS Music program presents Fall Showcase Concert
The event will feature music from a variety of countries, cultures and historical periods. Highlights include selections from Russia, China, Germany, and New Orleans plus songs sung in Swahili and Hebrew.
The evening begins with a pre-concert lecture by UIUC musicology student Jessica Davis of Urbana in the lobby outside the PAC Studio Theatre from 7 to 7:20 p.m. Doors will open for the concert following the lecture, and refreshments will be served after the performance.
The Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Todd Cranson, will open the evening with music of John Robichaux’s 19th Century New Orleans Dance Orchestra. This music was all the rage at high society dances around the turn of the 20th Century and competed and comingled with early jazz in the Crescent City.
Following the Chamber Orchestra, the Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Sharon Graf, will perform numerous selections from around the world including Eric Whitacre’s “Five Hebrew Love Songs” performed with the Chamber Orchestra.
The program concludes with selections by Sousa, Wagner, and more performed by the UIS Concert Band.
The Showcase Concert is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome and will benefit the UIS Music Student Merit Award.
The current UIS Music program began in 2001 and is comprised of students, faculty, staff and alumni as well as Springfield community members, all with a variety of skill levels. Anyone interested in joining the UIS Chorus, Band or Chamber Orchestra may contact Sharon Graf or Todd Cranson by emailing music@uis.edu or calling (217) 206-6240.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Hunger Banquet spotlights problems in U.S. and around the world
The University of Illinois Springfield Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center hosted the 5th annual Oxfam America Hunger Banquet in the Student Life Building Gym on Monday, November 16, 2009.
The featured speaker at the event was Joel Berg, executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger and author of the book “All You Can Eat”. Berg spoke on campus during National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week.
“The reason we’re hosting it is on campus we’re trying to highlight that 1 in 6 individuals in the world today suffers from hunger, so we want to really raise awareness on our campus about hunger and homelessness,” said Kelly Thompson, director of the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center.
UIS student volunteers helped to organize the Hunger Banquet where participants were broken up into different groups. Students that were selected to be low-income ate on the floor only receiving rice, while those selected to be higher income ate at the table.
“I am one of those children that came from a poverty stricken neighborhood, so I think giving back to the community is a very good thing,” said Monique Johnson, UIS sophomore social work major.
Berg says raising awareness about hunger is key to stopping the problem, but that’s not all that needs to be done.
“We really strongly believe that in New York City or here in downstate Illinois you cannot end this problem with just a little more charity alone. You need government leadership and a change in our economic policies,” said Berg.
Monday, November 16, 2009
10th Annual UIS Science Research Symposium
The primary goals of the symposium are to share the results of various local scientific studies, encourage scientific dialogue in the community, and to inform the community of the research conducted at UIS and at neighboring campuses. The symposium is open to the public. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty involved in any aspect of scientific research are encouraged to present either oral presentations or poster presentations. Prizes will be awarded to the three best student oral presentations and to the three best student posters.
Anyone interested in presenting at the symposium should visit the symposium website (www.uis.edu/biology/symposium/) and apply online. The deadline to submit an abstract is March 26, 2010. The registration fee for presenters is $10. Registration is free for students who are members of the UIS Biology, Chemistry, or Clinical Laboratory Science student clubs. For more information contact Dr. Matt Evans, Assistant Professor of Biology at mevan4@uis.edu or 217/206-8367.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
5th Annual Oxfam America Hunger Banquet
WHEN: Monday, November 16, 2009 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Registration begins at 4:30p.m.
WHERE: Student Life Building (SLB) Gym on the UIS campus
DETAILS: With the biting wit of Supersize Me and the passion of a lifelong activist, Joel Berg has his eye on the growing number of people who are forced to wait in lines at food pantries across the nation-the modern breadline. All You Can Eat reveals that hunger is a problem as American as apple pie, and shows what it is like when your income is not enough to cover rising housing and living costs and put food on the table. Berg takes to task politicians who remain inactive; the media, which ignores hunger except during holidays and hurricanes; and the food industry, which makes fattening, artery-clogging fast food more accessible to the nation’s poor than healthy fare.
The Hunger Banquet and presentation are free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate towards the UIS Holiday Stars Project benefiting Central Illinois Foodbank.
The Hunger Banquet will be emceed by former television anchor Julie Staley from the Staley Foundation.
For more information on the Oxfam Hunger Banquet contact Kelly Thompson, Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center Director at 217/206-8448 or kthom03s@uis.edu.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Students to be inducted into National Criminal Justice Honor Society
WHEN: November 17, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room G
DETAILS: Alpha Phi Sigma, the only national honor society for criminal justice majors, recognizes the academic excellence of undergraduate and graduate students. To be eligible, students must have completed at least one-third of the total hours required for graduation and must maintain specified grade-point averages overall and in the major. Inductees include Jeremy Carnes, Gregory Foster, Rebecca Garrett, Jeffrey Jacobs, Gregory Payne, Leslie Reutter, and Monica Summers. Leanne Brecklin, associate professor of Criminal Justice at UIS, serves as chapter adviser.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Design Jam to celebrate World Usability Day
WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: University Hall (UHB) Room 2028
DETAILS: What better way to recognize World Usability Day and this year's “Designing for Sustainability” theme than to spend an afternoon inventing new ways to increase virtual engagement in a real world effort devoted to sustainability!
For more information contact Mary Sheila Tracy, Computer Science Instructor at 217/206-7328 or mtrac1@uis.edu.
Putting the Economy in its Place: A Socio-Ecological Conception of Sustainability
WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room F at UIS
(The event will be available via live webcast and video on demand at http://www.uis.edu/technology/uislive.html)
DETAILS: Sustainability and sustainable development have become dominant buzzwords when discussing environmental concerns. Utilizing a socio-ecological lens, this discussion will examine the emergence of these concepts in public discourse, their forward potential and/or shortcomings, and offer new directions for understanding and application.
During his graduate studies Dr. Longo developed an expertise in the areas of environmental sociology, political economy, and social theory. His research focuses on the global food system, examining the intersection of environmental and social processes in the context of food production, consumption, and distribution.
This event will be held along with other UIS Sustainability Week activities on campus.
For more information and a list of other speakers series events visit http://illinois.edu/goto/speakerseries or contact Kimberly Craig at 217/206-6245 or craig.kimberly@uis.edu.
UIS honors Distinguished Alumni during annual awards
The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni Awards Dinner was held on Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in downtown Springfield.
The University of Illinois Alumni Association hosted the annual event, which recognized and celebrated the achievement, distinguished service, humanitarianism and loyalty of UIS alumni.
“It is one of the Alumni Association’s signature events and I think one of the highlights for the University. We do these on each campus and tonight is time for UIS to shine,” said Loren Taylor, U of I Alumni Association President.
Read more about the winners of this year’s awards and their accomplishments in a previous news release.
Friday, November 6, 2009
"Central Illinois: Patchwork of Creative Minds" Lunch-time Presentation
Local architect Dick Morse, Principal, Mellote Morse Leonatti Parker Ltd., will make a presentation on the history and evolution of stained glass in Central Illinois. A variety of styles will be shown and contrasted. “Painters from the Heart of Lincolnland" is the topic to be addressed by Robert Sill, Curator and Assistant Director of Art for the Illinois State Museum, Springfield. Selected paintings from regional artists will be displayed and discussed.
There is a charge for lunch, but the presentations are free and both lunch and presentation are open to the public. The luncheon and presentations will be held in the University of Illinois Springfield Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Rooms C/D (level below the Sangamon Auditorium lobby). The cost for lunch is $20 and paid reservations are required for the luncheon by November 11, 2009. Pre-registration is also requested from those not purchasing the lunch who wish to attend the presentations.
For more information and to register, visit www.uiaa.org/uis, or contact the Office of UIS Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or alumni@uis.edu. This series is a partnership between the University of Illinois Alumni Association, the Chancellor’s Office and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
UIS hosts fair that helps students continue education
The University of Illinois Springfield Career Development Center and Office of Alumni Relations hosted the second annual UIS Graduate and Professional School Fair on Thursday, November 5, 2009 in the PAC concourse.
The event brought 31 graduate and professional schools from Illinois and the Midwest to the UIS campus.
“We’re having this because many of our students as undergrads are trying to decide what they’re going to do after graduation and what is required to meet their career goals,” said Gale Kilbury, UIS Career Counselor.
The fair allowed students to meet with many representatives at once and gain valuable information in a short amount of time.
“Definitely having them all here in one location is more efficient for us students than having to contact them all via e-mail or trying to go to all the schools and have an orientation,” said Teela Whyte, UIS senior social work major.
Kilbury says having a graduate degree will increase student’s marketability and help them land a better job in the career path they choose.
For more information contact Gale Kilbury in the UIS Career Development Center at 217/206-6508 or gkilb01s@uis.edu.
Get the Royal Reality on Internships from "The Intern Queen"
WHEN: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Brookens Auditorium on the lower level of Brookens Library at UIS
DETAILS: Called “The Intern Queen” because she completed 15 internships during her 4 years of college, Lauren Berger started her own intern company, Intern Queen Inc. in 2006, with the goal of raising internship awareness and connecting students with their future.
Lauren travels around the country speaking to schools about the importance of internships. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California where she actively pursues opportunities to help educate Students, Parents, Professors, and Employers about internships.
Berger was recently named one of BusinessWeek’s Top 25 Entrepreneurs 25 and Under. “The Intern Queen” has been featured in Business Week, E! News Online, New York Post, Chicago Public Radio, Young Money, and Seventeen magazine.
The UIS presentation will include a panel discussion featuring local businesses and their internship opportunities for students. The event will be presented via webcast and webinar for online students.
For more information contact Kristen Chenoweth, Career Development Center Communication Program Coordinator at 217/206-6501 or kchen01s@uis.edu.
Speakers Series presents Beyond Binaries: Identity and the Sexuality Spectrum
WHEN: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room H
DETAILS: Like snowflakes, no two people are exactly alike. In this interactive program we explore our sexual orientation identities. How do we assign labels to our complicated and unique experiences? What relationship exists between experience and self-identity, and between our self-identity and the way others see us? Is identity fixed for everyone, or do some individuals experience change over time? What generational changes are we experiencing around labeling?
Robyn Ochs has taught courses on GLBT history & politics in the United States, the politics of sexual orientation, and the experiences of those of us who transgress the binary categories of gay/straight, masculine/feminine, black/white and/or male/female. Her writings have been published in numerous bisexual, women's studies, multicultural, and GLBT anthologies. She lives in Massachusetts, and on May 17th, 2004--on the first day it was legal to do so--Robyn Ochs married Peg Preble.
For more information and a list of other speakers series events visit http://illinois.edu/goto/speakerseries contact Kimberly Craig at 217/206-6245 or craig.kimberly@uis.edu.
Illinois Auditor General William Holland to speak at Legislative Internship Program Hall of Fame induction
Joining Holland on the program will be Kent Redfield, retired director of the Institute for Legislative Studies and political science professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). Other state dignitaries on hand to provide introductory remarks for the inductees will include former Governor Jim Edgar, former U.S. Rep. Terry Bruce, retired Secretary of the Senate Linda Hawker, U.S. District Court Judge Wayne Andersen and David Epstein, attorney and retired Court of Claims judge.
The event is sponsored by Illinois Issues magazine, the state’s leading public policy magazine. The hall of fame is named for Samuel Gove, one of the magazine’s founders and a longtime director of the internship program. Both the magazine and the Illinois Legislative Staff Internship Program are part of UIS’ Center for State Policy and Leadership. The hall was established in 1990, and new inductees are named every two years. Those newly named bring the number honored as hall-of-famers to 49. Inductees are chosen by a selection committee for their contributions to Illinois and its citizens, and in recognition of the important role public service internships play in developing public sector leadership. Other hall of fame members include Holland, Edgar, former U.S. Attorney Rodger Heaton, Sen. Kirk Dillard and the late Sen. Prescott Bloom.
The November 16 event at the Executive Mansion will include a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person. Reservations and payment can be made online at http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/ or by calling (217) 206-6084 no later than Monday, November 9.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
UIS to hold Second Annual Sustainability Week
UIS is working to be a role model in promoting campus environmental sustainability. UIS recognizes that we are part of a global community with limited resources and that our choices can positively affect the community and campus life.
Sustainability Week will feature a wide range of events including a bike ride, Native American dance performance, recycled art contest, scholarly lecture, poetry reading, and more. One of the unique features of this year's Sustainability Week is a brownbag presentation on Tuesday at noon by a current UIS student, Mandy Altman, who was able to put her passion for sustainability issues into practice this summer through her work with an international grassroots development organization.
“It is our hope that the events of the Second Annual UIS Sustainability Week will be well supported by members of the campus community and will prompt consideration of the link between human practices and ecological effects,” said Mae Marie Noll, undergraduate academic advisor and co-presenter of Sustainability Week.
Activities held throughout the week focused on sustainability include:
Monday, November 9
· A bike ride will begin at 1:30 p.m. in front of Lincoln Residence Hall on the UIS campus and will be led by UIS Bike Enthusiasts.
· Battery Recycling Drive begins – dead batteries will be collected in designated containers in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) Food Emporium and the lobby of University Hall until 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13.
Tuesday, November 10
· City of Springfield Recycling and Landfill tour 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. sponsored by the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center. Transportation provided. E-mail volunteer@uis.edu by 11/9/09 to participate.
· UIS student Mandy Altman shares her experiences from her summer working with the Foundation for Sustainable Development – Brown Bag – 12:00 p.m. PAC rooms C/D.
· Students Allied for a Greener Earth (SAGE) will be holding a recycled art contest, and judging will take place in the PAC Food Emporium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
· Battery Recycling Drive continues in PAC cafeteria and UHB lobby
· Kevin Locke’s Native Dance Ensemble Sangamon Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11
· Green Educational Technology Solutions at UIS with Kara McElwrath PAC F 12:00 p.m.
· SAGE Recycled Art Contest Judging in PAC Food Emporium 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
· Battery Recycling Drive continues in PAC cafeteria and UHB lobby
Thursday, November 12
· SAGE Recycled Art Contest Judging PAC Food Emporium 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
· “Examining Sustainability and Sustainable Development” ECCE Speakers Series with Dr. Stefano Longo, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies PAC F at 6:00 p.m.
· Battery Recycling Drive continues in PAC cafeteria and UHB lobby
· Carolos Robson, Slam Poet, presented by the UIS Student Activities Committee (SAC) Brookens Auditorium 9:30 p.m.
Friday, November 13
· Battery Recycling Drive continues in PAC cafeteria and UHB lobby
Saturday, November 14
· Glass Collection sponsored by the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center in partnership with the City of Springfield. For more information contact the Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at 206-7716 or volunteer@uis.edu.
For more information about any of the Sustainability Week events contact Mae Marie Noll, undergraduate academic advisor at 217/206-7473 or mnoll1@uis.edu.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Students honored during 2009 Scholarship Luncheon
The University of Illinois Springfield honored more than 100 scholarship donors and their recipients during the 2009 Scholarship Luncheon on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby.
Nearly $200,000 in funds for scholarships come from donors who make an annual commitment to help UIS students pay for their education.
"For many of them it's the very first time that they will meet. For some of these students and donors they will form lifetime relationships," said Vicki Megginson, Associate Chancellor 0f Development.
UIS students apply for scholarships online through the Office of Financial Aid. The campus has a uniform application system that only requires a student to apply once. The information they submit is then matched with eligible scholarships.
"To get somebody to help me is very honorable. Ultimately I want to achieve my bachelor's degree in mathematical science, so I’m going to use that to teach," said Simon Wilson, UIS junior and scholarship recipient.
"I really appreciate what they've done for us and getting a scholarship really helps a student get through college and not having to worry about your finances and being able to concentrate on your academics," said Ivy Ingram, UIS senior and scholarship recipient.
For a full list of scholarship winners click here.
UIS Visual Arts Gallery presents sculptural installations by Khara Koffel
WHEN: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a presentation by Koffel beginning at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Public Affairs Center, Conference Room "G" followed by a reception at the Visual Arts Gallery
DETAILS: The artwork is inspired by personal stories, relationships, and memories that relate not only to the life of the artist, but to the viewer as well. Khara Koffel is a faculty member in the Art Department at MacMurray College, and has exhibited her work at galleries across the country. The at some point exhibit will be on display in the gallery from Thursday, November 5 through Wednesday, November 25, 2009.
There will be food and refreshments provided at the November 18, 2009 reception. The artist’s talk, reception, and exhibit are free and open to the public.
The Visual Arts Gallery is located in room 201 of the Health and Sciences Building on the UIS campus. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
For further information, go to www.uis.edu/visualarts/ or contact the gallery by phone at 217/206-6506 or by e-mail at gallery@uis.edu.
Monday, November 2, 2009
UIS Graduate and Professional School Fair
WHEN: Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Public Affairs Center Concourse (PAC) on UIS campus
DETAILS: This event will bring 30+ graduate and professional schools from Illinois and the Midwest to the UIS campus. The purpose of the event is to connect UIS students & alumni and community members with representatives of higher educational institutions from many disciplines and to gain information on graduate school options, degree programs, and the graduate application process. The event will allow attendees to meet many representatives and gain valuable information in a short amount of time for better overall preparedness in future graduate and professional degree programs. In order to make this event beneficial for graduate School recruiters, the event will be open to the community.
Schools registered:
· Adler School of Professional Psychology
· Benedictine University
· Bradley University
· Eastern Illinois University
· Lincoln Christian University
· National University of Health Sciences
· Quincy University
· Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
· St. Louis University - Office of Graduate Programs
· University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
· University of Illinois at Chicago - Jane Addams College of Social Work
· UIS Department of Biology
· UIS Department of Communication
· UIS Department of Computer Science
· UIS Department of English
· UIS Department of Environmental Studies
· UIS Department of Human Development Counseling
· UIS Department of Human Services
· UIS Department of Liberal & Integrative Studies
· UIS M.B.A. Program
· UIS Department of Management Information Systems
· UIS Department of Political Science
· UIS Department of Public Administration - DPA Program
· UIS Department of Public Health
· UIS Office of Graduate Intern Programs
· UIS - Whitney M. Young Graduate Fellowship Program
· Urbana Theological Seminary
· Western Illinois University
For more information contact Gale Kilbury in the UIS Career Development Center at 217/206-6508 or gkilb01s@uis.edu.
Speakers Series presents Drawing Attention: Comics as a Means of Approaching U.S. Cultural Diversity
WHEN: Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Brookens Auditorium on the lower level of Brookens Library at UIS
(The event will be available via live webcast and video on demand at http://www.uis.edu/technology/uislive.html)
DETAILS: Dr. Royal proposes that graphic narratives—e.g., comic books, comic strips, and graphic novels—highlight many of the issues surrounding race and ethnicity, a significant determinant of America’s contemporary cultural landscape. He will also explain how comics can be an indispensible medium when negotiating ethno-racial differences.
http://faculty.tamu-commerce.edu/droyal/
For more information and a list of other speakers series events visit http://illinois.edu/goto/speakerseries or contact Kimberly Craig at 217/206-6245 or craig.kimberly@uis.edu.