Thursday, December 20, 2007

UIS to offer "A Survey of the Universe"

UIS will offer ASP 101 A Survey of the Universe, taught by Assistant Professor of Astronomy/Physics John Martin, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays from January 14 through April 28, on the UIS campus. The course is designed for non-science majors and is offered for credit to UIS students and also as a non-credit program to others who are curious about astronomy.

More information, including how to register>>

Adjunct faculty member wins Humane Society new course award

Dr. Boria Sax, an adjunct faculty member in UIS' Philosophy department, has won a Distinguished New Course Award in the national Animals and Society awards program of the Humane Society of the United States. The award recognizes the course Animals and Human Civilization, which Sax developed and teaches online as a Liberal Studies Colloquium at UIS.

Animals and Society awards recognize academic excellence in courses focusing on the relationship between people and animals. An acclaimed author, scholar, and authority on online learning, Sax has also served as a consultant to a number of human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Helsinki Watch. Read more>>

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Award-winning journalist will head Illinois Issues

Dana Heupel, a 30-year veteran of the newspaper business, has been named executive editor of Illinois Issues magazine and director of Center Publications at UIS. He will succeed Peggy Boyer Long, who will retire on December 31.

Anthony Halter, executive director of UIS' Center for State Policy and Leadership, where the magazine is located, said that Illinois Issues' readers "have come to expect independent, in-depth reporting and analysis of state government and politics that is provocative and informative. We are confident that we've selected the right person to carry on that tradition." Read more>>

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Stage rigging seminar to be held at Sangamon Auditorium

Sangamon Auditorium will host a hands-on stage rigging seminar on January 5 and 6, designed for anyone interested in working in the arts. The program will be led by rigging expert Jay Glerum, author of Stage Rigging Handbook, the only book on the design, care, and use of stage rigging.

Advance registration is required; space is limited. Read more>>

Monday, December 17, 2007

Swan Lake coming soon to Sangamon Auditorium

The St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre will present Tchaikovsky's masterpiece Swan Lake at Sangamon Auditorium on Wednesday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m. The production will feature 56 dancers, full sets, and magnificent costumes. First performed in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1877, Swan Lake is perhaps the world's most famous and beloved classical ballet. Read more>>

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

WUIS sponsoring annual "This I Believe" essay contest

Public radio WUIS 91.9/WIPA 89.3 is sponsoring its second annual "This I Believe" essay contest, which asks area high school seniors to submit original essays of their personal beliefs.

WUIS airs the NPR series This I Believe, the descendent of a 1950s-era series with Edward R. Murrow. Creators of the modern series sought to broaden civil discourse by writing a corresponding high school curriculum that would "give students an opportunity to share their own voice with the broader society."

Submissions to this year's contest should be postmarked no later than December 15. Ten winners will be announced in January. Read more>>

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

UIS child care center earns national accreditation

Cox Children's Center at UIS is one of the first early childhood programs in the country to earn full five-year accreditation through a new system of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Earning NAEYC accreditation is a voluntary process that involves an extensive self-study and an on-site assessment. Center director Stacey Hembrough said that the accreditation "lets families and others in the community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible." Read more>>