Emiquon Science Symposium explores "Using the past to plan for our future"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield’s Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon, in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, Dickson Mounds Museum, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, is sponsoring the fifth annual Emiquon Science Symposium.

WHEN: Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Dickson Mounds Museum in Lewistown, Ill. (directions available at www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/geninfo.html)

DETAILS: Scientists, students, and managers involved with restoration ecology, scientific investigations, and management at the Emiquon Complex and the LaGrange Reach of the Illinois River System will share their research through oral and poster presentations. The day will conclude with a tour of the Emiquon Preserve, UIS Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon and a “Behind the Scenes” look at the Dickson Mounds Museum.

The keynote address will be given at 3:30 p.m. by Dr. Ian Billick, president of the Organization of Biological Field Stations and Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. He will discuss the changing nature of field stations. Field stations are moving from a focus on solving logistical issues (e.g., access to research sites and/or housing in remote areas) to becoming powerful platforms for understanding a complex world.

There is limited seating in the Museum auditorium, so registration is required. A $10 registration fee will cover lunch and refreshments. The fee will be collected at the meeting in the form of cash or check. To register, visit https://illinois.edu/sb/sec/3913717 and enter your information.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.uis.edu/emiquon/. For more information, contact Michael Lemke, director of the UIS Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon at 217/206-7339 or email lemke.michael@uis.edu.

Speakers Series presents "Risk & Responsibility in Global Environmental Governance"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speakers Series presents “Risk & Responsibility in Global Environmental Governance”.

WHEN: Monday, March 5, 2012 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library

DETAILS: Dr. Noah Toly, associate professor of Urban Studies and Politics & International Relations and director of the Urban Studies Program at Wheaton College will lead the discussion. His primary interests are in urban and global environmental governance.

This talk will explore the intersection of citizenship, the anthropocene, and the problem of the good world, characterizing environmental governance as a response to scarcity, tragedy, and risk. It will also examine what notions of responsibility can teach us about a suitable response to these challenges.

Toly is an active member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders Program. He has co-edited three books and has authored numerous other publications on topics such as global cities, environmental issues, and religion.

This event is part of the Faith & Learning Lecture Series and is sponsored by the Christian Student Fellowship, a registered student organization on campus. The UIS Global Issues Club and College Republicans are co-sponsoring the event.

For a list of other ECCE Speakers Series events and more information, visit http://illinois.edu/goto/speakerseries.

UIS hosts annual Springfield Collegiate Career Fair at TRAC

The University of Illinois Springfield Career Development Center, along with other local colleges and universities, hosted the 14th Annual Springfield Collegiate Career Fair on February 16, 2012 at The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC).

The fair moved this year from the Public Affairs Center to TRAC. Nearly 110 employers from retail, state government, business, and other sectors attended the event.

“The employers are saying they actually have more students and community members stopping at each one of their tables and there’s more time to talk because there’s so much more room,” said Rachel Lattimore, employee relations coordinator for the UIS Career Development Center.

Students like Abena Afreh and Laura Rabe came to the career fair looking for internship opportunities. They left with a sense of accomplishment, hoping they will soon be getting a phone call.

“I definitely think I got some good leads coming here today,” said Rabe, a senior Business Administration major. “I’m looking at going into government work. Springfield’s definitely the place to get into that.”

Others like Communication graduate student Michelle Uher came to the fair searching for full-time employment. She’s set to graduate in May.

“I’ve actually got a couple of job interviews today, so we’ll see how those turn out and we’ll find out if I have any other potential bridges to cross,” said Uher.

Even though the Collegiate Career Fair is over, the UIS Career Development Center offers assistance for students year-round. For more on services available, visit their website at www.uis.edu/career/.

"Expanding Your Horizons" gives girls hands-on lessons in math, science and technology

WHAT: The American Association of University Women (AAUW) - Springfield Branch will host "Expanding Your Horizons in Math, Science and Technology" – a hands-on conference designed for girls in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Sessions will also be offered for parents & teachers.

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) on the UIS campus

DETAILS: Many cutting-edge careers will involve science, technology, engineering and math and will be wide open to well-prepared young women. Girls who attend this conference can choose three sessions from more than 20 hands-on, experiential workshops. Separate workshops for parents and teachers will be held concurrently.

Girls’ workshops will allow participants to interact with successful women who are scientists, physicians, engineers, architects and professionals in many other careers traditionally held by men. They will meet other girls with similar interests and learn about career opportunities for women.

Workshops include Soar into Engineering, Could You Be A Physician?, Are You Superhero Material?, From Science to Smoothie, and Medical Laboratory Investigators Solve A Mystery, among others.

The workshops for adults are designed to provide information on how to help girls cope with issues common to their age group and provide links to the resources they will need for access to higher education and careers.

The event is presented by AAUW and is sponsored by the University of Illinois Springfield and The Children’s Center of Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, a Memorial Health System affiliate. Advance registration is required and space is limited for this event. For a brochure and registration information, call 217/793-1710 or go to www.EYHSpringfield.com.

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.

PAPS presents "Life & Debt" film screening and discussion

WHAT: The Political Art and the Public Sphere (PAPS) series presents a screening of the film Life & Debt, which will be followed by a group discussion.

WHEN: Monday, February 20, 2012 at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Brookens Auditorium on the lower level of Brookens Library at UIS

DETAILS: Life & Debt tells the stories of individual Jamaicans whose day-to-day existence is profoundly impacted by U.S. and other foreign economic agendas. Combining traditional documentary with a narrative framework, this film explores the complexity of international lending, structural adjustment policies, and free trade policies. Life & Debt clarifies the impact that economic policies have on the lives of the people they are said to benefit. And this film is not only about Jamaica, where these policies have been in effect for nearly twenty-five years. Life & Debt critically reviews the policies most often associated with “globalization,” which impact the lives of everyday people in Haiti, Russia, throughout Africa, and in many other countries around the world.

The PAPS series is a monthly event on the UIS campus featuring a showing or a performance of some kind of “political art,” followed by an hour or two of group discussion. The discussion is hosted by Dr. Richard Gilman-Opalsky, professor of Political Philosophy and Dr. Heather Dell, associate professor and chair of Women and Gender Studies at UIS.

Each of the installments in the spring 2012 series will explores the meanings and impacts of the phenomenon called “globalization,” highlighting its history and problems, as well as what everyday people have done to confront its ill-effects. All events are free and open to the public.

For more information contact Dr. Gilman-Opalsky at 217/206-8328 or email rgilm3@uis.edu.

UIS Theatre presents Sam Shepard's "True West"

The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois Springfield will debut its second production of the 2011-12 season with the play True West by Sam Shepard, opening Friday, February 24. Six performances will be presented in the Studio Theatre, on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at UIS - on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 24, 25, and 26, and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, March 1, 2, and 3. All shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. except the Sunday performance (February 26), which will begin at 2 p.m.

True West explores the challenging and volatile relationship between brothers Austin and Lee. Austin is an aspiring screenwriter, Lee an unsavory drifter. Austin's attempt at creating his own screenplay to pitch to a Hollywood producer gets undermined by Lee's con-man tactics, and the two brothers find themselves in a battle of wills with high stakes. In this "Faculty Showcase" production, the role of Lee will be played by Associate Professor of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson.

The New York Post hails the play as "Shepard's masterwork.... It tells us a truth, as glimpsed by a 37 year old genius." While the San Francisco Chronicle exclaims, “It's clear, funny naturalistic. It's also opaque, terrifying, surrealistic. If that sounds contradictory, you're on to one aspect of Shepard's winning genius; the ability to make you think you're watching one thing while at the same time he's presenting another.”

In addition to Thibodeaux-Thompson, the rest of the cast includes alumnus Tom Hutchison as Saul, and community members Craig Rauch as Lee’s brother, Austin, with Susan Jeffers playing the role of Mom.

UIS Assistant Professor of Theatre Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct. Production/Design team members include guest scene designer Bobbie Bonebrake, adjunct faculty costume designer Kate Goodman, staff member Wes Abbott as technical director, guest fight choreographer Tony Pellegrino, and alumni Tom Irwin and Elizabeth Ingram as sound designer and props master, respectively. Student production team members include: Jason Youngberg, Gretchen Addis, Grace Rossow, Kelly Zoelzer, Colin Kautz, Heather Aymer, and Sarah Steinhour, with faculty member Pamela Salela and community members David Mees and Mary Myers rounding out the crew.

Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens (65 or older with a picture I.D.), $8 for UIS Faculty/Staff and $6 for UIS students with a valid i-card*. Tickets are now available at the Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office, located on level two of the Public Affairs Center. Purchase tickets in person, by phone at 217/206-6160 or 800/207-6960 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.uis.edu/theatre. Tickets will also be available at the ticket office on the day of the performance, beginning 90 minutes before curtain time. *Please note that a $2 Sangamon Auditorium “Stage Operating Surcharge” is added to all tickets purchased, and for mail and phone purchases, an additional $4 service fee is added. On-line tickets are assessed a convenience fee by Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office based on ticket price.

For more information about this year's UIS Theatre season, contact Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson at 217/206-8307 or email mthom1@uis.edu, or visit www.uis.edu/theatre.

UIS hosts Springfield Collegiate Career Fair

WHAT: The career centers at the University of Illinois Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College, Robert Morris University, and Benedictine University at Springfield are excited to announce the 14th Annual Springfield Collegiate Career Fair. Students and alumni from the four institutions, other colleges and universities, and community members are invited to attend.

WHEN: Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: Beyond information about actual job openings, the fair is designed to provide an open information exchange about different organizations, hiring trends and the best routes to future opportunities. For potential employers, it is a chance to disseminate pertinent information and to develop a pool of candidates interested in future opportunities, internships and summer openings as well as permanent employment.

Representatives from approximately 100 area employers are expected to be on hand. The event has an average attendance of more than 400 students and alumni.

Information for students, alumni and others: Pre-registration is not required, business-casual attire is required (NO jeans), and participants should bring copies of their resumes to the fair.

Information for employers: Advance registration is required. Free booth space will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is available online at www.uis.edu/careerservices. For more information, or to register, contact the Career Development Center at 217/206-6508.

Students invited to have "Chili with the Chancellor"

WHAT: University of Illinois Vice President and UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch, along with the UIS Student Government Association (SGA), will host “Chili with the Chancellor”.

WHEN: Thursday, February 9 from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.

WHERE: Lincoln Residence Hall Great Room

DETAILS: The forum will allow students to share their ideas and opinions with Chancellor Koch over FREE chili in an informal setting.

This is the second forum in a series designed to create an ongoing open exchange of ideas between students and Chancellor Koch. The idea is to make the campus’ top leader more available to students in a comfortable environment.

The forum is the result of a sit down meeting between SGA members and Chancellor Koch.

For more information, contact Erin Wilson, SGA president by email at ewils4@uis.edu.