UIS, Junior League and United Way seek nominations for the 12th annual Good as Gold volunteer awards

The University of Illinois Springfield, Junior League of Springfield and the United Way of Central Illinois are seeking nominations for the 12th annual Good as Gold volunteer awards. The awards ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. on April 20 in the UIS Student Union.

The awards recognize volunteers who use their time and talents to help improve the lives of others in the Springfield area. More than 40 awards will be given to Sangamon County community volunteers, organizations and businesses.

Individuals and organizations can be nominated in several categories including Heart of Gold, Youth Volunteer, Organization of the Year and Distinguished Volunteer. The ceremony will also recognize UIS and/or Lincoln Land Community College faculty/staff members and students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service.

Businesses may apply for the Good as Gold Business Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes businesses that have given back to our community thought direct service and charitable giving.

Event details, descriptions of the awards categories and the online nomination forms can be found on the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center website. The nomination deadline is March 1.

For more information, contact Jill Hawkins, UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center program director, at 217-206-8635 or jhawki2@uis.edu.

UIS to honor local volunteers during annual Good as Gold Ceremony

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield, Junior League of Springfield and the United Way of Central Illinois will present more than 40 awards to Sangamon County volunteers, non-profit organizations and businesses during the 10th annual Good as Gold Ceremony.

WHEN: Monday, April 23, 2018, at 5 p.m.

WHERE: UIS Student Union, 2251 Richard Wright Drive, Springfield

DETAILS: Individuals and organizations will be honored in several categories including Heart of Gold, Youth Volunteer, Organization of the Year and Distinguished Volunteer. The ceremony will also recognize UIS and/or Lincoln Land Community College faculty/staff members and students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service.

A total of 21 businesses will be named to the Business Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes businesses that have given back to our community thought direct service and charitable giving.

The 10th anniversary event will additionally honor all of the past Distinguished Volunteer Award winners and provide a special recognition to the founding members of the Good as Gold Committee.

Over the past nine years, the ceremony has recognized more than 400 volunteers, 35 companies, and 25 outstanding local nonprofits for freely giving their time and talents to make Springfield a better place to live.

For more information, contact Mark Dochterman, visiting assistant vice chancellor for student engagement, at 217/206-8448 or mdoch2@uis.edu.

UIS, Innovate Springfield & SIU Medicine to host inaugural Innovation Competition Awards

The University of Illinois Springfield, Innovate Springfield and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine will host the first Illinois Capital Innovation Competition Awards. The awards will be presented during a ceremony from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018, at the UIS Student Union.

The awards aim to identify, celebrate and engage area innovators in the Sangamon County area and bring them together to collaborate with leaders from industry, social impact organizations and government.

Springfield was recently recognized by TechCrunch as one of the top 15 best cities to start a business in the Midwest. In 2016, SmartAsset identified Springfield at the number one best city in the U.S. to work in tech.

“There’s a significant amount of innovative activity going on in Springfield,” said Bruce Sommer with the UIS Center for Entrepreneurship. “One of the differences between Springfield and other areas is that we lack a coordinated way to channel the impact of innovation through collaboration with researchers and industry.”

Sommer is working with Innovate Springfield and SIU Medicine to help coordinate efforts, such as the Illinois Capital Innovation Competition Awards, to be a catalyst towards more innovation with greater economic impact for the area.

“Since opening our doors in 2016, we have seen a significant amount of entrepreneurial activity at Innovate Springfield through our members and in the broader community we engage with,” said Katie Davison, executive director of Innovate Springfield. “Bringing them all under one roof at an event like this really demonstrates the magnitude of diverse innovation occurring in our region.”

Rob Patino, director of technology transfer with SIU Medicine, points out that there is important cancer, Alzheimer’s and audiology research taking place in Springfield.

“The SIU School of Medicine is more than an educational institution that treats patients in our community; we also engage in world-renowned research,” he said. “We are very proud of this research and excited about the opportunity to highlight our work throughout the region.”

Innovative research is also taking place at UIS where faculty are making advances in environmental science, data analytics, digital humanities and public health, according to Keenan Dungey, UIS associate vice chancellor for research and institutional effectiveness.

“UIS is a comprehensive regional university, where the teacher/scholar model is embodied in our faculty, who often include students as collaborators in their research, and bring their scholarly results into the classroom,” said Dungey. “We also serve the community through policy analyses for government agencies and training the next generation of social workers and teachers.”

The awards competition is open to researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, startups, existing businesses, institutions, social entrepreneurs, non-profits and other individuals who currently live in and around Sangamon County, who have lived here at some point in their lives, or are willing to relocate here.

The deadline to submit an award nomination is March 23, 2018. Visit www.IllinoisInnovationAwards.com to learn how to apply for an award, nominate someone or to attend the event.

Applicants and nominees will be divided in six different award categories—Research, Business Solutions, Healthcare, Agriculture, Community and Government Solutions and Roots (people who no longer live in the area). Nominations of individuals, businesses, or organizations that engage in innovative practice are encouraged as well.

For more information, contact Bruce Sommer with the UIS Center for Entrepreneurship at 217/206-6712 or bsomm2@uis.edu.

UIS, Junior League and United Way seek nominations for the annual Good as Gold volunteer awards

The University of Illinois Springfield, Junior League of Springfield, and the United Way of Central Illinois are seeking nominations for the 9th annual Good as Gold volunteer awards. The awards ceremony will be held on April 24, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby at UIS.

The awards recognize volunteers who use their time and talents to help improve the lives of others in the Springfield area. Over 40 awards will be given to Sangamon County community volunteers, organizations, and businesses.

Individuals and organizations can be nominated in several categories including Heart of Gold, Youth Volunteer, Organization of the Year and Distinguished Volunteer. The ceremony will also recognize UIS and/or LLCC faculty/staff members and students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service.

Businesses may apply for the Good as Gold Business Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes businesses that have given back to our community thought direct service and charitable giving.

Over the past eight years, the ceremony has recognized hundreds of volunteers for freely giving their time and talents to make Springfield a better place to live and thrive.

Event details, descriptions of the awards categories, and the online nomination forms can be found at www.uis.edu/volunteer/communitypartners/goodasgold/. The nomination deadline is March 1, 2017.

For questions please contact, Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center, at mdoch2@uis.edu or 217/206-8448.

UIS, Junior League and United Way seek nominations for the annual Good as Gold volunteer awards

The University of Illinois Springfield, Junior League of Springfield, and United Way of Central Illinois are seeking nominations for the eighth annual Good as Gold volunteer awards. The awards ceremony will be held on April 13, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby at UIS.

The awards recognize volunteers who use their time and talents to help improve the lives of others in the Springfield area. Over 40 awards will be given to Sangamon County community volunteers, organizations, and businesses.

Individuals and organizations can be nominated in several categories including Heart of Gold, Youth Volunteer, Organization Agent of Service, and Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. The ceremony will also recognize UIS and/or Lincoln Land Community College faculty/ staff members and students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service.

Businesses may be nominated for the Business Honor Roll sponsored by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. The honor roll will recognize businesses that have given back to our community thought direct service and charitable giving.

Over the past six years, the ceremony has recognized hundreds of volunteers for freely giving their time and talents to make Springfield a better place to live and thrive.

Event details, descriptions of the awards categories, and the online nomination forms can be found at www.uis.edu/volunteer/communitypartners/goodasgold/. The nomination deadline is March 21, 2016.

For questions please contact, Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center at mdoch2@uis.edu or 217/206-8448.

Illinois Innocence Project at UIS to host Defenders of the Innocent event and awards

WHAT: The Illinois Innocence Project, based at the University of Illinois Springfield, will host the 8th annual Defenders of the Innocent event. The program includes two guest speakers and an awards presentation.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park, 4965 S. 2nd Street, Springfield

DETAILS: Featured speakers Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton are forever connected by a miscarriage of justice. Thompson was a 22-year-old North Carolina college student when she was raped at knifepoint. Through a flawed eyewitness identification process, she unintentionally misidentified Cotton from a police lineup. He insisted he was innocent, but served 11 years behind bars until a DNA test proved his innocence. Two years later, the two met face-to-face and forged an unlikely friendship.

The Project will present Defenders of the Innocent awards to Illinois Representative Scott Drury and Senator Kwame Raoul for their sponsorship of Illinois eyewitness identification reforms.

Angel Gonzalez, the Illinois Innocence Project’s latest exoneree, is also scheduled to appear at the event. For 21 years he fought to prove his innocence, after a 1994 conviction put him in prison for a 55-year sentence. He was convicted based on eyewitness identification and a coerced confession, yet no evidence linked him to the crime. In March 2015, DNA tests conclusively proved he was not one of the two rapists in the case.

Registration for the Defenders of the Innocent event is required. For more information, visit www.uis.edu/innocenceproject/ or call 217/206-6569.

Thompson and Cotton will also speak on Thursday, April 9 at Noon in UIS Brookens Auditorium. That event is part of the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series. They will be signing copies of their best-selling book, Picking Cotton, following both events.

UIS and Junior League seek nominations for the annual Good as Gold volunteer awards

The University of Illinois Springfield and Junior League of Springfield are seeking nominations for the annual Good as Gold volunteer awards. The awards ceremony will be held on April 15, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby at UIS.

The awards recognize volunteers who use their time and talents to help improve the lives of others in the Springfield area. Over 40 awards will be given to Sangamon County community volunteers, organizations, and businesses.

Individuals and organizations can be nominated in several categories including Heart of Gold, Youth Volunteer, Organization Agent of Service, and Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. The ceremony will also recognize UIS faculty/staff members and students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service.

Businesses may be nominated for the Business Honor Roll sponsored by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. The honor roll will recognize businesses that have given back to our community thought direct service and charitable giving.

Over the past six years, the ceremony has recognized hundreds of volunteers for freely giving their time and talents to make Springfield a better place to live and thrive.

Event details, descriptions of the awards categories, and the online nomination forms can be found at www.uis.edu/volunteer/communitypartners/goodasgold/. The nomination deadline is March 23, 2015.

For questions please contact, Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center at mdoch2@uis.edu or 217/206-8448.

UIS Public Affairs Reporting Hall of Fame to inductee three journalists

Three journalists whose range of experiences have included coverage of the skywalk collapse of a Kansas City Hotel, the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge and major farm policy in the United States, are the newest inductees into the Bill Miller Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois Springfield.

The inductees, who will be honored March 9, include Chicago Tribune reporter Robert Secter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial writer Deborah Peterson, and former Reuters correspondent Chuck Abbott. The three are former students of the UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program and have gone on to distinguished careers in journalism across the country and the globe.

Secter graduated from the PAR program in 1974. He spent 14 years at the Los Angeles Times including stints as foreign and national correspondent. Secter was an assistant editor at the Chicago Sun Times and, since 1995, has been with the Chicago Tribune, where he is the Illinois political editor. During his career he covered the U.S invasion into Panama, the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge rule in Cambodia and the fall of two Illinois governors.

Deborah Peterson is a member of the PAR class of 1978. She is an editorial page writer at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch where she has worked since 1985. She also worked for the Kansas City Star and the Associated Press. She was part of the Star’s Pulitzer Prize award winning staff that covered the 1981 collapse of the Hyatt Regency Hotel skywalk which killed more than 100 people.

A 1975 graduate Chuck Abbott, is also a Hall of Fame inductee. A long-time commodities and farm policy correspondent for Reuters, Abbott now edits and writes for the Washington, D.C. based Food and Environment Network, which is a non-profit organization focused on food and agriculture policy. Prior to his work at Reuters, Abbott reported for United Press International and served as UPI’s farm editor. He is a past president of the North American Farm Journalists.

An induction ceremony will be held on March 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Conservatory Room of the Inn at 835, located at 835 S. 2nd St. in Springfield. Register online at www.uiaa.org/uisparhof/ or call 217/206-7163.

The PAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is sponsored by the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership. The Hall of Fame is named in honor of Bill Miller, an award-winning journalist who served as the PAR program’s director for 19 years.

The UIS Public Affairs Reporting program is a one-year, professionally-oriented master's degree program that prepares students to become a working reporter covering public affairs in its broadest sense — informing readers, listeners and viewers about ongoing events and activities that impact on their daily lives.

For more information, contact Bill Wheelhouse, WUIS Executive Editor, at 217/206-6402 or wwhee2@uis.edu.

Brian Banks to speak at the Illinois Innocence Project's Defenders of the Innocent Awards

WHAT: Brian Banks, exoneree and NFL athlete, will be the special guest at the Illinois Innocence Project’s seventh annual Defenders of the Innocent Awards. The Project is part of the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois Springfield.

WHEN: Saturday, May 3, 2014 (Social at 6 p.m., Dinner/Program at 7 p.m.)

WHERE: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E. Adams Street, Springfield

DETAILS: In 2002, 17-year-old Brian Banks was wrongfully convicted of rape. At the time of his conviction, Banks was, by all accounts, a rising football star destined to play in the NFL. A high school acquaintance accused Banks of rape and kidnapping following a consensual sexual encounter. Banks spent five years in prison. Nearly a decade after his conviction, the accuser recanted her statements and acknowledged she fabricated the story.

Justin Brooks, director of the California Innocence Project, was the attorney who helped exonerate Banks. He will be honored with the Illinois Innocence Project’s Defender of the Innocent Leadership Award. He has also been a leader in developing RED Inocente, an organization devoted to creating and supporting innocence programs throughout Latin America.

Anthony Sassan, attorney at law at Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle, will be honored with the Pro Bono Award for over 11 years of work on behalf of Pamela Jacobazzi. The Illinois Innocence Project is working with Sassan to free Jacobazzi. The day-care provider was convicted in 1994 of violently shaking to death an infant in her care in DuPage County. Attorneys argue pre-existing medical conditions may have caused or contributed to the infant’s death, rather than Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Those wishing to attend the event are encouraged to register online at www.uis.edu/innocenceproject. A tax-deductible donation of $100 is encouraged for those making reservations. The event includes hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and dinner. To register by phone, please call the Illinois Innocence Project at 217/206-6569.

UIS and Junior League seek nominations for the annual Good as Gold volunteer awards

The University of Illinois Springfield and Junior League of Springfield are seeking nominations for the annual Good as Gold volunteer awards. An awards ceremony will be held on April 23, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby at UIS.

The awards recognize volunteers who use their time and talents to help improve the lives of others in the Springfield area. Over 40 awards will be given to Sangamon County community volunteers, organizations, and businesses.

Individuals and organizations can be nominated in several categories including Heart of Gold, Youth Volunteer, Organization Agent of Service, and Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. The ceremony will also recognize one UIS staff member and three UIS students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service.

A Business Honor Roll sponsored by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce has also been added to this year’s awards ceremony. The honor roll will recognize businesses that have made giving back to our community a priority.

Over the past five years, the ceremony has recognized hundreds of volunteers for freely giving their time and talents to make Springfield a better place to live and thrive.

Event details, descriptions of the awards categories, and the online nomination forms can be found at www.uis.edu/volunteer/communitypartners/goodasgold/. The nomination deadline is March 28, 2014.

For questions please contact, Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center at mdoch2@uis.edu or 217/206-8448.

Good as Gold Ceremony at UIS honors over 40 Sangamon County volunteers

The University of Illinois Springfield Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center and the Junior League of Springfield honored more than 40 Sangamon County volunteers during the annual Good as Gold Ceremony. The event was held on Tuesday, April 16 in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby at UIS.

Larry Adams, an Ameren gas operations supervisor, was honored with the 2013 Distinguished Volunteer Award. He has been volunteering at Springfield’s Matheny-Withrow Elementary School for the past 25 years. Adams started tutoring students at the school in 1988, but his commitment has since grown.

In March, Adams presented a $4,500 check from Ameren to the school’s principal to help buy books, crayons, paper and other items. It is not uncommon for Adams to use his own money to buy things for the school. On Halloween, he’s provided candy for the entire school. For eight years, he selected a class at Christmas and purchased gifts for all the students. One year, he gave Barnes and Noble gift certificates to all the teachers.

Adams also has a knack for recruiting other employees to volunteer at the school. Since 2002, he has chaired the weekly tutoring program, scheduling and handling logistics for a team of volunteer tutors who spend more than 500 hours per year inside and outside the classroom, teaching reading and math and hosting special events aimed at developing the students. He has also become a positive role model for many of the students.

Finalists for the Distinguished Volunteer Award included Julie Baliva from the Inner City Mission, Don Ecklund from Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County, Kemia Sarraf from the GenH Coalition, and Lori Wynstra from Springfield Public School’s Early Learning Center.

UIS students Samia Ahmad, Amanda Cummins, and Paige Heiser were honored with Star Student Award for their volunteer efforts. Ahmad organizing a tie a yellow ribbon and toiletries donation campaign for troops on campus. Cummins helped organize UIS’ Hunger and Homelessness Week. Heiser was honored for her leadership role in the UIS Alternative Spring Break student organization. The Star Staff Award was given to UIS International Student Series Program Coordinator Erika Suzuki for her volunteer efforts with Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach.

Community member Hailey Judge was honored with the Youth Volunteer Award for efforts at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site where she spent over 50 hours volunteering in 2012. Springfield Public School’s AVID Tutoring Program senior mentors Kaylynne Beck, Robin Franklin, Chelsea Hayes, Sinclaire Loughary, and Raechal Stacy were also honored with the Youth Volunteer Awards. The Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church was recognized with the Organization Agent of Service Award for its contributions to the community.

Thirty-four local volunteers were also honored with the Heart of Gold Award. Recipients included: Michael Baker, Wes Barr, Judy Brown, Chuck Clark, Laura Clark, Lori Coultas, William Crook, Charlene Damp, Mark Donovan, William Drew, John Frintz, Susan Gauvin-DeWilde, Dianne Gorolotta, Debbie Holt, Lori House, Greg Lakebrink, Larry and Bernadette Landis, Roy Newman, Brandy Odom, Janice Palmer, Paula Peddicord, John Record, Patricia Robinson, James Schackmann, Heather Schneider, Julia Lea Stapleton, Darla Steiner, Colleen Stuart, Rene Umberger, Leland Warzala, Suzann Welch, Charles 'Chuck' Weyhenmeyer, and Mary Yokem.

For more information about the awards, please visit www.uis.edu/volunteer, email volunteer@uis.edu or call 217/206-7716.

Good as Gold Ceremony honors over 40 community and campus volunteers

In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 15-21), the University of Illinois Springfield Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center and the Junior League of Springfield hosted the Good as Gold Ceremony, a recognition event to acknowledge community members and organizations for their volunteer efforts.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday, April 18, in the lobby of the Sangamon Auditorium on the UIS campus. More than 40 people were recognized during the event for their achievements and efforts.

Jack Sunderlik, a One Hope United Foster Grandparent was honored with the Distinguished Volunteer Award. He volunteers 40 hours a week at Dubois Elementary. According to his nominator, Sunderlik is called “Grandpa Jack” by all 430 students at Dubois. He meets a critical educational need for the students and provides special needs students with the individual special attention that they need to improve their academic, social, and behavioral skills. Students with the most serious behavioral and academic needs are paired with him each year. Sunderlik is a retired high school teacher and coach of 40 years.

Finalists for the Distinguished Volunteer included Virginia ‘Jenny’ McFeeters and Lynn Wilson, both American Red Cross volunteers; Lori Coultas, a volunteer at the Inner City Mission, and Mike Kennedy, a volunteer from Friends of Sangamon Valley. Jewel Richards, a One Hope United Foster Grandparent volunteer and Frank Fegan and Betty Lou Hicks, both American Red Cross volunteers were nominated for the award.

UIS student Justin Rose was honored with the Star Student Award and employee Jan Kirkham with the Star Staff Award for their exceptional commitment to service and volunteerism. Rose devotes at least 20 hours a week to volunteering with youth in the local Springfield Community. He created an initiative with Boys and Girls Club to mentor at-risk youth males on Saturdays, he’s a big brother, and in addition to these efforts off campus, he is a mentor to first-year first-generation college students at UIS. In her role as the Director of Experiential & Service-Learning Programs at UIS, Kirkham has been a career long advocate for service as part of the college experience. She has helped faculty create Service-Learning classes, helped incorporate service into the general education requirements, and fostered the Applied Study Term program. She spends time volunteering on campus and in the community.

Community members Isis Thompson, Logan Quance, Lance Quance, Melina Hale, Noah Siltman, and Nina Bishop were honored with Youth Volunteer awards. As part of the 21st Century Program, the teens have collectively volunteered over 200 hours in after-school programs this year. They provide teachers with hands on quality assistance, mentor children on the playground, and help to make sure the children stay on task.

Thirty-four local volunteers were also honored with the Heart of Gold Award. Recipients included: Linda Bradbury, Charles Beard, Alison Cappellin, Elizabeth (Liz) Dady, Judson DeVore, Karen Giannone, Rose Haas, Robert Hall, June Harmon, Joan E. Ingram, Wimer Kern, Louise Lee, LeGrand L. Malany, Elizabeth Muench, Deshanee Miner, Diana Odin, Fannie Patheal, Renee Piphus, Brenda Rauscher, Jean M. Reader, Jim Richbark, Michelle Ryan, Glenna Schlemm, Dick Smith, Donna Stimage, Joan Swearingen, Gail Tucker, Cecelia Upshaw, Carl and Roberta Volkmann, Julie Waldrop, Christina M. Whitehorn, Brenda Will, Mary Yokem.

The West Side Christian Church, genH Coalition, and First Christian Church, Springfield were also honored with Organization Awards for their contributions to the community.

For more information about the awards, please visit www.uis.edu/volunteer, email volunteer@uis.edu or call 217/ 206-7716.

Karl Scroggin wins 2011 CARE Award

Karl Scroggin, broadcast music specialist for WUIS radio, was honored with the 2011 Chancellor’s Award to Recognize Excellence in Civil Service during a September 22, 2011 luncheon.

Chancellor Susan J. Koch presented Scroggin with the award. Scroggin’s nomination form describes him as someone who is committed to his audience and the university. His nominator went on to say he works with “passion and zest” and “brings an optimistic attitude to the work environment.”

Scroggins has worked for WUIS since 1977 and is the host of “Classics with Karl Scroggin”, which can be heard Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Scroggin is known for his baritone voice, quiet demeanor, and widespread respect throughout the classical music community.

The award was handed out as part of the 5th annual Civil Service Appreciation Day, which honors the approximately 320 civil service employees at UIS for all of their hard work and dedication. This year’s celebration included a variety of door prize drawings.

In a special recognition during the event, the Staff Scholarship at UIS was renamed in memory of Mike Love. Love was a former UIS employee who was very passionate about the scholarship. Love’s family was presented with a special plaque of recognition. The Staff Scholarship was started in 1995. A total of 23 people have received the scholarship, with a total payout of $27,000.

Other Civil Service employees nominated for the award include:

Brenda Allan, Administrative Clerk, Center for State Policy and Leadership
Lori Atkinson, Admissions and Records Officer, Admissions
Amanda Baughman, Police Officer, Campus Police
Steve Dykema, TV Director/Producer, Office of Electronic Media
Patti Forgas, Customer Service Representative, OBFS
Sue Gibbons, Press Technician Assistant, Service Enterprises
Grant Johnson, Event Administrator, Conference Services
Brian Kroenlein, Catering Supervisor, Food Services
Charlene Lambert, Administrative Assistant I, Office of the Chancellor
Steve Marvel, Building Services Supervisor, Building Services
Normajean Niebur, Office Support Specialist, Criminal Justice
Lori Pinney, Human Resources Assistant, Human Resources
Marcia Rossi, Office Administrator, Library Administration
Patricia Ruestman, Office Support Specialist, Development
Bev Weddle, Office Administrator, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The winner of the CARE award receives $500, plus a $500 donation made to the campus organization of his or her choice.

Chancellor Koch and UIS alums featured at Forty Under 40 awards

Ten alumni from the University of Illinois Springfield were honored during the Springfield Business Journal’s annual Forty Under 40 Awards on July 13, 2011. UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch delivered the keynote address.

The awards honored 40 leaders who are under the age of 40, in the Springfield and surrounding business communities. This was the 15th year for the awards, but the first time they were held at Brookens Auditorium at UIS.

"This isn't a list of the richest people in town, this isn't a list of the top attorneys or the top bankers or what have you. We think it should reflect the community as a whole," said Brant Mackey, editor and publisher of the Springfield Business Journal.

Chancellor Koch, making her first public appearance in Springfield, spoke to the crowd on the topic of leadership, sharing with them three lessons she has learned through personal experience. Those lessons: 1. Execution is important – Show up at work, be good at what you do, and always do your best work. 2. Get the right people on the bus – Have the right talent in place, on the bus and in the right seats. 3. Always do the right thing – Regardless of the time and effort required, focus on what is most important and right.

“I’m confident if you apply (these principles) good things will happen,” said Koch. “It’s so exciting for me to imagine the potential that this group has to make future contributions to this community.”

The ten UIS alumni honored during the awards include Jennifer J. Benanti, financial marketing director, Williamsville State Bank & Trust; Justin A. Blandford, historic site manager for the Old State Capitol, Lincoln Law Office, and Vachel Lindsay State Historic Sites; Lara Donovan, project manager at GoWeb1; Joshua Evans, legislative director, Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities; Holly Fowler, development associate, The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce; Josh Kauffman, public information officer/spokesperson, Illinois Department of Transportation; Jason Loftus, DSM, Spine Wave / JML Medical LLC; Penny L. McCarty, executive director of Human Resources, SIU School of Medicine; Travis Schutte, chef/owner, Secret Recipes; and Kelly W. Shores, registered representative, Davis Financial Group.

A full list of winners and their accomplishments is available in the July edition of the Springfield Business Journal.

Good as Gold Ceremony honors campus and community volunteers

In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 10-16), the University of Illinois Springfield and the Junior League of Springfield hosted the Springfield Good as Gold Ceremony, a recognition event to acknowledge community members and organizations for their volunteer efforts. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, April 12, in the lobby of the Sangamon Auditorium on the UIS campus. More than 40 people were recognized during the event for their achievements and efforts.

UIS honored one staff member and one student who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service and volunteerism with the UIS Star Staff and UIS Star Student award. Esther Ellison, a senior social work major was the recipient of the UIS Star Student Award. Normajean Niebur, an Office Support Specialist for the Criminal Justice Department received the UIS Star Staff Award. Other UIS staff nominees included Neil Headman, Julie Perino, Christina Ryan, and Pamela Salela. Several UIS students were also honored with Outstanding Community Service Awards for their volunteer efforts in the community.

The Junior League recognized the Animal Protective League with their Organization Agent of Service Award; Tricia Hopkins-Price was given the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award; James R. Davis, II was awarded the Youth Volunteer Award; and Holly Kathleen Sias was recognized as the Outstanding High School Community Volunteer Award Winner.

Five nominees for the Distinguished Volunteer Award were acknowledged during the event with a short presentation. The nominees included Daniel Cadigan, Erica Christell, George Rose, Jerry Schwartz, and Herman Senor. The winner of the 2011 Good as Gold Distinguished Volunteer Award was Daniel Cadigan.

Twenty-five local volunteers were also honored with the Heart of Gold Award. Recipients included: Les Carlson, Jane Carlson, Kim Carter-Parker, Karen Corrigan, Carol Diedrichson, Melanie Eades, Phil Harris, James Howard, Barbara Kern, Karen Kloppe, Angela Lyons, Joey McLaughlin, Carol Saltsgaver, Patricia Schuhardt, Renee Scott, Earlene Stoeckel, Carol Strick, Sharon Shoemaker-Turley, Mary Vasconcelles, Monica Walls, Diana Wasem, Gary Wilhoit, Rev. Sam Winger, Mary Yates, and Elaine Young.

For more information about the event, please visit www.uis.edu/volunteer, email volunteer@uis.edu or call 217/ 206-7716.

Whitney Young program to showcase student fellows

WHAT: The Whitney M. Young Graduate Fellowship Program at the University of Illinois Springfield will host a symposium to showcase the work of students who are current Fellows. The event is free and open to the public.

WHEN: Friday, February 4, 2011 from 10 a.m. to noon

WHERE: Conference room G in the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus

DETAILS: The fellowship program is open to full-time students who are accepted into a graduate degree program at UIS and is designed to help students pursue and complete their degrees in a timely manner. The program also aims to enhance research and leadership skills through regular seminars and by involving students in public service projects that complement their academic disciplines.

The program is named after the late Whitney M. Young Jr., former Executive Director of the National Urban league, educator, and activist. The program carries on his legacy and is focused on graduate students who are underrepresented at UIS, including ethnic and racial minorities, first generation college students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

During the symposium, current Fellows of the program will speak about both academic and public service work they have done this year in the classroom and in the community. Fellows will be available for discussion after formal presentations. Come out to see some of UIS’ best, brightest and most committed graduate students.

For more information about the symposium or the fellowship program, contact Cecilia Cornell, director of the program, at 217/206-7430 or email ccorn1@uis.edu.

Volunteers thanked for making Holiday Stars Project a success

The University of Illinois Springfield collected a record 9,612 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank as part of the 2010 Holiday Stars Project. That’s an increase from the 6,209 pounds collected last year.

Student, staff, and faculty volunteers gathered to hear the announcement of the final total during a celebration in the Public Affairs Center on Friday, December 3. The volunteers helped load a truck with the canned goods collected following the celebration.

UIS Chancellor Harry Berman thanked the volunteers for their efforts and dedication to service. He said the project shows the community that UIS cares.

In addition to collecting food on campus throughout the month of November, students also involve the community through the Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods competition. On Halloween night, seventeen student groups from UIS collected a record 8,354 pounds of food.

The UIS Holiday Stars Project, a campus-wide service initiative giving focus to UIS’ efforts to make a difference in the local community during the holiday season was started in 2008. The month-long food drive benefits foodbank clients in 21 central Illinois counties.

View more photos from the Holiday Stars volunteer event

Outstanding alumni honored at 2010 Alumni Awards Dinner

The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni Awards Dinner was held on Friday, November 12, 2010 in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby.

The University of Illinois Alumni Association hosted the annual event, which recognized and celebrated the achievement, distinguished service, humanitarianism and loyalty of UIS alumni.

“These are individuals that have rendered tremendous service to the campus and to the Alumni Association and they honor us by accepting these awards,” 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.

Scholarship Luncheon brings students and donors together

The Office of Development at the University of Illinois Springfield hosted the 2010 Scholarship Luncheon on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby.

The luncheon gave students a chance to meet the donors who provided the funding for their scholarships face-to-face. The event was also a great opportunity for students to network and make connections.

“I really enjoyed it because I got to see who the people are who gave me the scholarship,” said Cameryn Barbeau, a freshman scholarship recipient.

Associate Chancellor of Development Vicki Megginson says the number of scholarships available to UIS students have been growing, but there’s still a demand.

“We have more students in line who need help,” said Megginson.

For students like scholarship recipient Jordan Herd the extra support will help balance the financial demands of an education and raising a family.

“I have a little daughter, so it helps me because it allows me to be able to worry more with her and not be so focused on how I’m going to pay for school,” said Herd.

UIS Chancellor Harry Berman says with the rising cost of education and declining state funding support scholarships are becoming even more important.

“Scholarships can make the difference in a person’s life to make it possible for them to complete their bachelor’s degree and go onto have a wonderful future,” said Berman.

Faculty Scholarship Recognition Luncheon 2010

University of Illinois Springfield faculty were honored for their teaching and scholarly research during the annual Faculty Scholarship Recognition Luncheon. The ceremony was held on October 13, 2010, in the Public Affairs Center.

“The quality of the faculty in whatever way we measure is just incredible. It’s not accidental that we’re being noticed. It’s not accidental that we’re winning awards,” said UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen.

The University of Illinois’ highest honor, the University Scholar award, was presented to Professor Christopher Z. Mooney during the luncheon. Mooney is a professor in the Political Science Department and The Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

“This is a place where people very much understand and appreciate those of us who study politics in the states,” said Mooney. “The students understand in their bones the importance of state government.”

Mooney was awarded a plaque and $30,000, as University Scholar to be spent over the next 3 years to advance his teaching, research and scholarship.

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harry Berman lead a presentation that highlighted faculty research efforts on campus to close the luncheon. He thanked the faculty for their excellent work and service to the university.

Watch a previous video of Mooney being honored by his peers at the State Politics and Policy Conference.