Women's Issues Caucus to host The Vagina Monologues

The Women’s Issues Caucus at UIS will host a production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The Vagina Monologues at 8 p.m., Saturday, February 18, in the Studio Theatre.

The performance is presented as part of the V-Day 2006 Worldwide/College Campaign, a global movement designed to raise money and awareness for organizations that work to stop violence against women and girls. Read more>>

Prairie Stars men’s basketball breaks into national ranking

For the first time in its four-year history, the UIS men’s basketball team is ranked. The Prairie Stars received 97 votes to catapult them into the 21st spot in the January 25 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I National Top 25 Poll.

“It is quite an honor for our student-athletes,” said Head Coach Kevin Gamble. “The team has worked very hard and they deserve it." Read more>>

UIS offers summer study abroad opportunities

The Global Experience Program at UIS will offer students and area residents six Study Abroad Opportunities for summer 2006. The two- to three-week courses are open to non-students; application deadlines and costs vary. This summer's programs are: Society of Jamaica, Romanian Studies, Language and Culture of Japan, Ceramic Arts of Japan, Service Learning in Botswana, and Nicaragua: Economic Opportunity through Micro Financing. Read more>>

Mary Ellen McElligott is Employee of the Year

Mary Ellen McElligott, a Conference Center coordinator at UIS, was named 2005 Employee of the Year at the 23rd annual Employee of the Year Recognition Ceremony, held January 23. McElligott was selected from among 11 UIS staff members who had been employees of the month during the past year. She was employee of the month for April. Read more>>

Renowned trauma expert to speak in Springfield

Dr. Charles R. Figley, known around the world as an expert on stress and its treatment, will conduct “Trauma and Its Wake: A Systems Approach,” a day-long workshop to be held Friday, February 3, in the Wedeberg Conference Center, Memorial Medical Center, in Springfield. UIS is a co-sponsor of the event with Memorial Counseling Associates and the Human Services Education Council.

Dr. Figley founded and directs the Florida State University Traumatology Institute, which initiated the Green Cross Projects following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and played an important role in humanitarian efforts in New York City following the terrorist attacks in 2001. Most recently, Green Cross has been involved in relief efforts in Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami and in the gulf coast states in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Figley’s current efforts also include work to help the latest group of military veterans. Read more>>

Vinicky rejoins WUIS Statehouse Bureau

Amanda Vinicky, most recently of Iowa City, Iowa, will rejoin Public Radio WUIS as a reporter for the WUIS Statehouse Bureau and the Illinois Public Radio news network in February. Listeners are already familiar with Vinicky, who served an internship with the station covering the 2005 spring legislative session as part of her work toward a master’s degree in Public Affairs Reporting at UIS. Read more>>

Carson named Statehouse bureau chief of Illinois Issues

Bethany Carson has been named Statehouse bureau chief for Illinois Issues, a monthly publication that specializes in reporting and analysis of state government and politics. Carson, 26, previously a health reporter for The Herald & Review in Decatur, was a graduate intern in the magazine’s Statehouse bureau in 2004 while working on her master’s degree in Public Affairs Reporting at UIS. Read more>>

UIS part of plan for new homeland security field of study

UIS is part of a landmark partnership announced by Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today to introduce homeland security as a new field of study in higher education, to establish it as a mainstream academic discipline, and to promote future careers in the industry.

Dr. Pinky Wassenberg, Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Administration at UIS, said that UIS is developing a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security that will be offered beginning fall 2006. The 20-hour interdisciplinary certificate program will be administered by UIS’ Department of Environmental Studies but will include courses from several other departments. Read more>>

Auditions set for spring production of Hedda Gabler

The Theatre Program at UIS will hold open auditions for its spring production of Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama Hedda Gabler at 7 p.m. Sunday, February 19, and Monday, February 20, in the Studio Theatre. Auditions are open to anyone, with or without experience; volunteers are also needed to help behind the scenes with such things as costumes, props, and stage-managing. Read more>>

WUIS to air a month of diverse specials

Public Radio WUIS 91.9FM-WIPA 89.3FM will present a variety of special programs in the next four weeks, ranging from the evolution/creationism controversy to country music to speeches that changed the world.

Programs include Intelligent Designs on Evolution (January 24), Cash, The Legend (Saturdays in February), Say it Plain: A Century of African American Oratory (February 14), and Unmasking Stalin: A Speech that Changed the World (February 23). Read more>>

Program will examine pensions and the state budget

“Pensions and the State Budget” will be the topic of discussion at a program to be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, February 6, at the Sangamo Club, 227 East Adams St., Springfield. The program is part of the Luncheon Series on Public Policy, Governance, and Administration co-sponsored by UIS' Center for State Policy and Leadership and the U of I Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

Christopher Mooney, professor of Political Studies and chair of the series planning committee, noted, “Illinois has far more unfunded public pension liability than any state in the country. At this event, some of the key actors in the policymaking debate on this issue will discuss and answer questions about how the state should deal with this looming crisis.” Read more>>

UIS to host foreign and independent film series

The Division of Student Affairs at UIS is sponsoring an Independent and Foreign Film Series on Friday nights this spring. All films will begin at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend. See a list of films>>

Book signing celebrates new book by UIS faculty member

A book signing and reception for Jason Pierceson, author of Courts, Liberalism, and Rights: Gay Law and Politics in the United States and Canada, will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, January 27, in the third floor Atrium of the Public Affairs Center at UIS.

Pierceson is an assistant professor jointly appointed to the Political Studies and Legal Studies departments. His book guides readers through a discussion of liberalism, court rulings, and the progress that gays and lesbians have made in U.S. and Canadian courts and focuses on the interplay between law and politics on this issue. Read more>>

“A Search for Self” opens at UIS Visual Arts Gallery

“Alexandra Pregel: A Search for Self” is the first exhibit of 2006 at UIS' Visual Arts Gallery. The display of paintings by this Russian artist will run from January 17 through February 26. A talk with Rosina Neginsky, UIS faculty member, and Julia Gauchman, a relative of the artist, will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 26, in the gallery. An opening reception will follow from 6 to 8 p.m. Read more>>

WUIS to air live coverage of State of the State and State of the Union addresses

Public Radio WUIS 91.9 FM will air live coverage of Governor Rod Blagojevich’s State of the State speech in its entirety at noon Wednesday, January 18. The Governor’s address will be re-broadcast that evening at 8 p.m.

On Tuesday, January 31, WUIS and NPR will provide live coverage of President Bush’s State of the Union Address, scheduled for 8 p.m. CST. Read more>>

New Jazz Combo welcomes musicians

The Jazz Combo, a new music group at UIS, will hold tryout sessions on Monday evening, January 23, in CPV 33. Sessions must be scheduled in advance; other dates are available upon request.

Musicians from all backgrounds are encouraged to try out. The ensemble will be led by Brian Pryor. Read more>>

UIS Women’s Center to present “The Female O”

The UIS Women’s Center and Student Activities Committee will present “The Female O,” a discussion of sexual health and women’s empowerment, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, in Brookens Auditorium. Discussion will be led by educators Marshall Miller and Dorian Solot, whose programs are described as “tasteful and appropriate” as well as “funny, smart, and honest.” Read more>>

Community invited to join UIS musical groups

Members of the community are invited to join one or more of the six campus ensembles currently gearing up for the spring semester. Auditions are not required to join five of the six groups, and most can be taken for academic credit, if desired.

The non-auditioned groups are the UIS Chorus, Band, World Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, and Native American Flute Circle. The Jazz Combo requires a brief interview with an instructor. Rehearsals for all groups except the Band begin the week of January 16; band rehearsals will begin Monday, January 23. All participants will be able to take advantage of the campus’ new rehearsal space and new music technology lab. Read more>>

Taste of UIS series returns

The U of I Alumni Association at UIS will sponsor A Taste of UIS: Distinguished Faculty/Alumni Lunchtime Lectures – a series of three monthly presentations featuring distinguished UIS faculty and alumni – to be held at Maldaner’s Upstairs, 222 South Sixth St., Springfield.

The program for Wednesday, February 22, will be a discussion of the political outlook by Bill Wheelhouse and Ron Michaelson. On Thursday, March 23, Mike Pittman will discuss “Springfield’s Eastside Development.” On Wednesday, April 19, two UIS faculty members will review their recently published books – Shake the Thunder Down by Marcellus Leonard, and Zinaida Vengerova: In Search of Beauty by Rosina Neginsky. Read more>>

UIS offers “A Survey of the Universe”

UIS will offer ASP 101 A Survey of the Universe, taught by Professor of Astronomy/Physics Charles Schweighauser, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays from January 23 through May 1.

Designed for non-science majors, the course is offered for credit to UIS students and also as a non-credit weekly program to others who are curious about astronomy. Families and groups are encouraged to attend. To register as a non-credit participant, call (217) 206-6073 no later than Friday, January 20. Read more>>