Monday, July 25, 2016

UIS to hold inaugural Prairie Stars 5K run/walk

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Department of Campus Recreation will hold the inaugural Prairie Stars 5K run/walk. The event is open to UIS students, faculty, staff and community members.

WHEN: Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.

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

DETAILS: The Prairie Star 5K is being held in conjunction with Welcome Week, which marks the first week of fall semester classes at UIS.

The race will begin outside of The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC) and go north along scenic University Drive before entering the heart of campus. The race will end near TRAC on Eliza Farnham Drive.

The cost to register is $5 for UIS students, $10 for campus recreation members and $15 for faculty, staff and community. Registration is available online at www.uis.edu/campusrec/.

The deadline to register for the race and be guaranteed a t-shirt is Wednesday, August 24 at 9 a.m. Participants may also register on the day of the race from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., however they are not guaranteed a t-shirt.

For more information, contact Alexandria Cosner, UIS assistant director of fitness and wellness, at 217/206-8400 or acosn2@uis.edu.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

UIS partners to hold Perseid meteor shower viewing at Lincoln Memorial Garden

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield is partnering with Lincoln Memorial Garden and the Sangamon Astronomical Society to give members of the community a chance to view the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.

WHEN: Friday, August 12, 2016 from 8 to 11 p.m.

WHERE: Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lakeshore Drive, Springfield

DETAILS: The Perseid meteor shower is well known for producing frequent bright meteors annually during the second week in August.

John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy-physics, and members of the Sangamon Astronomical Society will be on hand to guide observing of the meteors as well as the planets Mars and Saturn.

The viewing will take place in the Cawley Medow at Lincoln Memorial Garden. Participants should dress appropriately for the temperature and may want to wear bug repellant since the event is outdoors.

This event may be canceled due to clouds or rain. The status of the viewing can be checked by calling the UIS Astronomy Department at 217/206-8342 after 6 p.m. on the night of the event. The UIS Observatory will also provide updates on Twitter @UISObservatory.

For more information, contact John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy-physics, at 217/206-8342 or jmart5@uis.edu.