UIS Lunch & Learn Series discusses the "fight for Lincoln’s burial site"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society, Illinois State Historical Society and UIS Chancellor’s Office invite the public for a closer look at why Springfield was chosen as Lincoln’s final resting place.

WHEN: Thursday, April 23 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: As part of the 150th anniversary commemoration of the end of the American Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Wayne Temple, author and internationally recognized authority on the 16th President, will discuss “The fight for Lincoln’s burial site” and the selection of Springfield as Lincoln’s final resting place.

Dave Joens, author and director of the Illinois State Archives, will explore the journey and legacy of John W. E. Thomas, a former slave who became the first African American to be elected to the Illinois General Assembly.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

The Lunch and Learn series is designed to stimulate thinking as it builds upon the university's tradition of open and intelligent dialogue. Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online.

For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS professors to discuss the history of modern holiday practices at Lunch & Learn event

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society invite the public to celebrate the holidays in the final Lunch and Learn Series event of the semester.

WHEN: Thursday, December 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: The holiday season is rooted in religious belief, secular practices, ethnic unity and music. David Bertaina, UIS associate professor of history, and Sharon Graf, UIS associate professor of ethnomusicology, will discuss the origins and practices of the modern day holiday season.

A special performance by students in the UIS music program will also highlight the program.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

These lunch-time programs will stimulate thinking as they build upon the university's tradition of open and intelligent dialogue.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series explores passionate discussions in Discourse and Discord

The 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Illinois serves as the backdrop of a presentation on Public Discourse, as part of the University of Illinois Springfield Lunch & Learn series.

Angel Ysaguirre, executive director of the Illinois Humanities Council, will speak on the IHC’s Public Discourse program and discussion of contemporary issues in ways that are passionate, yet thoughtful and respectful. Leslie Goddard, a historical interpreter and author, will portray a women’s suffrage activist and share stories of the women’s suffrage movement.

The program will take place on Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet. A discounted series subscription is available for $50/per person.

The program is presented by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society.

The final Lunch & Learn event for 2014 is “Celebrating the Holidays” on December 11.

These lunch-time programs will stimulate thinking as they build upon the university's tradition of open and intelligent dialogue.

You may register online.

For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS celebrates 18th annual Homecoming Weekend

The University of Illinois Springfield invites the local community to celebrate our 18th annual Homecoming Weekend on October 10 & 11. The theme of Homecoming 2014 is “Paint the Cornfield Blue”. The following is a partial list of events. To view a full list of Homecoming activities, visit www.uis.edu/homecoming/.

UIS Homecoming Parade

WHAT: The parade is an annual tradition of Homecoming at UIS. We hope you come out to enjoy the festivities, the UIS band and much more!

WHEN: Friday, October 10, 2014 at 4:15 p.m.

WHERE: UIS Campus – The parade will start in parking lot C-north and end in parking lot G south of the University Hall Building. The best place to view the parade is along Eliza Farnham Drive, near Founders Residence Hall.

DETAILS: Community members are encouraged to attend to watch the parade, enjoy, and learn more about the many student organizations, athletics teams, campus departments, businesses, & nonprofits that participate in the parade.

UIS Homecoming BBQ 

WHAT: The UIS Student Activities Committee (SAC) will host its annual BBQ following the parade. This will coincide with the soccer games.

WHEN: Friday, October 10, 2014 from 4:45 to 7:15 p.m.

WHERE: South Quad near the University Hall Building

DETAILS: Come join us for food, drinks, and fun. There is a cost for non-students. UIS students are free with a valid iCard.

UIS Prairie Stars Men’s and Women’s Soccer 

WHAT: The NCAA Division II men’s and women’s soccer teams will play Rockhurst during the annual homecoming game.

WHEN: Friday, October 10, 2014 – The women’s game begins at 5 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Kiwanis Stadium at UIS

DETAILS: Admission to the games is $8 for adults and children are $3. UIS students, faculty and staff are free with a valid iCard. Following the men’s soccer game, there will be a free fireworks display.

UIS Prairie Stars Volleyball

WHAT: The UIS Prairie Stars Volleyball team will play Bellarmine.

WHEN: Friday, October 10, 2014 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) at UIS

DETAILS: Admission to the games is $6 for adults and $3 for children. UIS students, faculty and staff are free with a valid iCard.

UIS Students vs. UIS Alumni/Faculty/Staff Basketball Game 

WHAT: Students will face off against Alumni/Faculty/Staff in a basketball game designed to foster teamwork.

WHEN: Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Student Life Building Gymnasium at UIS

DETAILS: Admission is free

UIS Prairie Stars Volleyball 

WHAT: The UIS Prairie Stars Volleyball team will play Southern Indiana.

WHEN: Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 3 p.m.

WHERE: The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) at UIS

DETAILS: Admission to the games is $6 for adults and children are $3. UIS students, faculty and staff are free with a valid iCard.

Prairie Stars Athletics Hall of Fame Induction 

WHAT: The first class will be inducted into the new Prairie Stars Athletics Hall of Fame.

WHEN: Saturday, October 11, 2014 (Reception at 6:30 p.m., formal ceremony at 7:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Public Affairs Center at UIS

DETAILS: Celebrate with us as we induct Aydin Gonulsen (coach & administrator), Elias Shehadi (soccer, 1976-1979), Carla (Jimenez) Mills (tennis, 1998-2000), Harold Christofilakos (friend of the Prairie Stars) and the 1986 National Champion Men's Soccer Team to the Hall of Fame.

Guests must preregister for the reception in the Food Emporium in PAC. For $25, guests can enjoy beer & wine along with hors d'oeuvres from 6:30-7:30 p.m. along with light refreshments during intermission of the ceremony. Please register at www.UISPrairieStars.com/HallofFame by October 3.

The ceremony is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series to discuss Cubs and Cardinals baseball history

The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society welcomes Cubs and Cardinals fans alike to the first Lunch and Learn Series event of the semester titled “Boys of Summer."

The Lunch & Learn will be Thursday, October 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1964 World Series Championship and the 100th anniversary of Wrigley Field. Join us for a lively discussion about the Cardinals, the Cubs and Wrigley Field, with Sports Editor Jim Ruppert and Sportswriter Dave Kane from The State Journal-Register. The event will be moderated by UIS professor and baseball historian Dr. Michael Cheney. 

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet. A discounted series subscription is available for $50/per person.

Other upcoming Lunch & Learn events include “Discourse and Discord” on November 13 and “Celebrating the Holidays” on December 11. These lunch-time programs will stimulate thinking as they build upon the university's tradition of open and intelligent dialogue.

For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "Selecting Great Performances"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “Selecting Great Performances” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, April 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Robert Vaughn, director of UIS Sangamon Auditorium, will discuss the process of identifying and selecting shows for the 2,000-seat performing arts venue— especially the back stage and behind-the-scenes technical requirements.

Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, UIS associate professor and director of theatre, and Dathan Powell, UIS assistant professor and scene design/technical director, will discuss performance selection and scene design for an emerging student theatre program.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

This semester’s Lunch & Learn Series is designed to stimulate thinking and build upon the university's tradition of open and intelligent dialogue.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "First-Person History"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “First-Person History” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, February 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Imagine the opportunity of having a conversation in modern day Springfield with mid-1800s residents Mary Todd Lincoln and William Herndon. Historical interpreters Pam Brown and Brian Ellis will be “in character” as they discuss the challenge and joy of bringing historical figures to life.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet. A discounted series subscription is available for $50/per person.

Other upcoming Lunch & Learn events include “Mailer and MOOCs” on March 13 and “Selecting Great Performances” on April 24. These lunch-time programs will stimulate thinking as they build upon the university's tradition of open and intelligent dialogue.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents “Quilts, Canvas and Women Artists”

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “Quilts, Canvas and Women Artists” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, December 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: The expressive response by women to various environmental and societal conditions can be seen and felt through artistic expression. Angela Goebel Bain, assistant curator of decorative arts and history for the Illinois State Museum, will speak on “Civil War quilters: Loyal Hearts of Illinois.” Channy Lyons, writer and project director of the Illinois Women’s Artists Project, with a special interest in regional women artists and arts organizers in history, will speak on “Skirting Convention: Women Artists in Illinois, 1840-1940.”

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "War, Medicine and Remembrance"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “War, Medicine and Remembrance” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, November 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: The year 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the World War I. Monarchies fell; the “old world” order was greatly damaged; Communism rose; and 37 million soldiers and civilians were killed, wounded or died.

Chris McDonald, Lincoln Land Community College professor of social sciences, will discuss Sangamon County’s involvement in WWI, specifically on members of the ambulance corps. Adriana Schroeder, writer and command historian for the Illinois National Guard, will speak on “Prairie Soldiers Passed: The Illinois State Military Museum.”

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

The final Lunch & Learn event of the season on “Quilts, Canvas and Women Artists” will take place on December 5.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "From Liverpool to Fiji: A Celebration of Music"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “From Liverpool to Fiji: A Celebration of Music” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, October 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: The year 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles coming to America. Michael Cheney, Beatles historian and UIS professor of communication and economics, will provide an interactive discussion on Beatles history.

Sharon Graf, UIS associate professor of ethnomusicology, recently spent a sabbatical conducting research in the South Pacific and will speak on the musical instruments of the South Pacific and expression of the Polynesian identity.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet. A discounted series subscription is available for $50/per person.

Other upcoming Lunch & Learn events include “War, Medicine and Remembrance” on November 7 and “Quilts, Canvas and Women Artists” on December 5.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "UIS Leadership lived: Distinguished Insights"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “UIS Leadership lived: Distinguished Insights” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: This presentation will be led by UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch who will present on "UIS Campus Insights: Educating Leaders to Serve Society." Lynn Fisher, associate professor of sociology/anthropology and an anthropological archeologist will present on "The Shift from Foraging to Farming in Southern Germany," and how her research has been so valuable to UIS students. Charles Wheeler, professor and director of public affairs reporting (PAR) and a journalist will describe how the PAR program has nourished two generations of journalists and some of its highly regarded graduates, including two Pulitzer Prize winners.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "Globalization - Where We Are Headed"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “Globalization - Where We Are Headed” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, March 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: This presentation will be led by Dr. Roy Wehrle, UIS professor emeritus of economics and public affairs, and Dr. Sanjeev Bharani, project team leader and supervisor at Caterpillar, Inc.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

The final Lunch and Learn event for the Spring Semester, “UIS: Leadership Lived – Distinguished Insights” featuring UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch, will be held on April 25.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "Chasing the American Dream to the Heartland"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “Chasing the American Dream to the Heartland” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Mike Lelys, executive director of Oak Ridge Cemetery and a first generation Lithuanian-American, will discuss the two distinct waves of Lithuanian immigration to Sangamon County, and how that culture has struggled, survived, and thrived in Illinois. Victor Juarez, Philadelphia campus taxpayer advocate for the IRS and first generation Peruvian-American, will share perspectives on Latino and Hispanic culture and immigration to central Illinois.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

Other upcoming Lunch & Learn events include “The Sky is Falling” on November 9 and “Gerontological Education: Early Foundations and Future Demands” on December 5. A discounted $35 series subscription is available if reservations are received by October 1. Lunch is complimentary for the November 9 program as part of the "Back to Class for a Day" event.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "Illinois - Overhead and Underfoot"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society will host “Illinois – Overhead and Underfoot” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, April 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Restaurant, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Dr. Jeffery Saunders, curator and chair of geology at the Illinois State Museum, will take us back in time over 10,000 years to explore the Prairie State's vast geological past and extinct species such as mammoths and saber-toothed cats. Guy Sternberg, arborist, retired landscape architect and owner of Starhill Forest Arboretum, will discuss Illinois' shady past and the management of ancient and historic trees.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "Illinois - Indigenous, Exotic, and Beautiful"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society will host “Illinois – Indigenous, Exotic, and Beautiful” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Susan Post, field biologist, author and retired research scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, will present on Illinois’ natural species, areas and wilds, and how they are managed and enjoyed. Derek Eli Peterson, Park Supervisor at Allerton Park & Retreat Center, will unlock the mysteries and magical gifts of Robert Allerton’s estate in Monticello.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

Other upcoming Lunch & Learn events include “Illinois and the War of 1812” on March 22 and “Illinois – Overhead and Underfoot” on April 19. A discounted series subscription is available for $50/person.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "Landscapes of Memory: The Civil War as Illinois History"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society will host “Landscapes of Memory: The Civil War as Illinois History” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Restaurant, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: During the Civil War, the state of Illinois was a pivotal resource for war efforts. More than 250,000 Illinoisans served in the Union army. The state's geographic location, railroads and proximity to rivers made it ideal for housing military supplies and sites for important "brown water" navy yards. POW camps and prisons dotted the state, processing thousands of captive Confederate soldiers. Illinoisans such as Lincoln, Grant and Logan played prominent roles in the war.

Historians and authors Robert Girardi and Carl Volkmann will share perspectives on Civil War memorials and POW Camps in Illinois.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UIS Office of Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents "Landscapes of the Judicial System: Conviction - Guilty or Innocent?"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society will host “Landscapes of the Judicial System: Conviction - Guilty or Innocent?” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Restaurant, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Guilt or innocence – either can result in conviction. The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project (DIIP) was founded at UIS to address the nature and severity of conviction of the innocent. DIIP engages students, lawyers, and legal experts to exonerate the innocent and educates the public as it seeks reform of the criminal justice system. Problems and possible reforms of a criminal justice system that results in conviction of the innocent will be shared, along with past case experiences.

Larry Golden, emeritus professor for political science and legal studies, and Bill Clutter, private investigator and DIIP Director of Investigations, will present a provocative discussion of the complexities of guilt, innocence and conviction.

Lunch for the Oct. 28 session is complimentary; however reservations are required one week prior to the event.

Other upcoming Lunch & Learn events include “Landscapes of Memory: The Civil War as Illinois History” on Dec. 8. The cost for the Dec. 8 luncheon is $20/person and reservations are required.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UIS Office of Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

Lunch & Learn presents "Landscapes of the Public: Jens Jensen - Native Landscape Architecture"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society will host “Landscapes of the Public: Jens Jensen – Native Landscape Architecture” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Restaurant, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Jens Jensen was one of the most influential designers to popularize native gardens. He showed that beautiful gardens can have native species, and appear in their respective places as they would without human integration or involvement. Jensen summed up his philosophy by saying: "Every Plant has fitness and must be placed in its proper surroundings so as to bring out its full beauty. Therein lies the art of landscaping". His legacy can be seen today in major parks in Chicago and at Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield.

Sue Massie, a 35+ year veteran of landscape architecture, preservation and restoration, and Jim Matheis, a 30+ year veteran and current executive director of Lincoln Memorial Gardens, will discuss Jensen’s work.

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

Other upcoming Lunch & Learn events include “Landscapes of the Judicial System: Conviction - Guilty or Innocent?” on Oct. 28 and “Landscapes of Memory: The Civil War as Illinois History” on Dec. 8. A discounted series subscription is available for $35/person.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UIS Office of Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS Alumni SAGE Society hosts "Back to School Party"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society invites you to celebrate 41 years of classes at UIS during its “Back to School Party”. The event is open to all alumni, community members, students, faculty and staff.

WHEN: Thursday, September 1, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Island Bay Yacht Club on Lake Springfield

DETAILS: Meet new Vice President and Chancellor Susan J. Koch; reconnect with your history; and share camaraderie with fellow alumni, current and former faculty, staff, and students.

The cost is $18 per person for substantial hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks. A cash bar will be available. Reservations are requested by August 25 and can be made online at www.uiaa.org/uis or by calling 217/206-7395.

The UIS Alumni SAGE (Service, Action, Growth and Enrichment) Society, affiliated with the University of Illinois Alumni Association provides service opportunities, advocacy action on behalf of UIS, and growth and enrichment activities targeted toward alumni age 50 and better as well as retired UIS faculty/staff, but anyone is welcome to attend their events.

For more information, contact Chuck Schrage at 217/206-7395 or email cschr1@uis.edu.

Former Governor Jim Edgar and Mike Lawrence discuss public trust at UIS Lunch & Learn event

WHAT: Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and political commentator Mike Lawrence will discuss “The American People, the Government, and the Public Trust” as part of the UIS Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Rooms C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Former UIS Chancellor and political scientist Dr. Naomi B. Lynn will moderate the event sponsored by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society, the Illinois State Historical Society and the Office of UIS Chancellor.

Governor Edgar, a distinguished fellow with the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs, was the 38th governor of Illinois. As governor, he made fiscal discipline and children the cornerstones of his two terms.

Mike Lawrence recently retired as Director of the Paul Simon Institute for Public Policy at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is a well-known political commentator, syndicated columnist and blogger.

The cost for the lunch and program is $20/per person. Paid reservations are requested by April 13, 2011. The program will begin at Noon and seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet. Reservations are requested since seating is limited.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UIS Office of Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.