Unique UIS graduation event brings online students together

Nearly 300 people attended the University of Illinois Springfield’s pre-graduation brunch and celebration for online students on May 12, 2012. The event brings online students from around the country to campus, often for the first time.

A total of 64 online students from 12 states attended the annual event in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby. Students traveled from Arizona, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

The celebration recognized graduates and their families, online coordinators, and program faculty before Commencement at the Prairie Capital Convention Center.

UIS has been recognized as a national leader in online education, having received multiple awards for online excellence and achievement. In spring 2012, a total of 1,424 students were enrolled exclusively online at UIS from all 50 states, except North Dakota. About 60% of all UIS students take at least one class online.

A group photo of the online graduates was taken and each of them was presented with a gift from the University. For more information on online programs at UIS, visit www.uis.edu/online/.