UIS students, faculty assist with osprey chicks

The youngest of the five osprey chicks was the most vocal when Dr. Tih-Fen Ting and University of Illinois Springfield graduate student April Simnor approached their nesting structure to remove the ospreys' food pan. Being the youngest of five hasn't kept the bird from eating when it has the chance, unlike two of other birds that stood in the back of the structure, backs turned toward the visitors.

Dr. Ting and her students are feeding, observing, and tending to the five osprey chicks in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The groups are trying to re-establish ospreys, a fish eating bird of prey, in Illinois, where they are listed as endangered. As adults, ospreys usually return to nest in the area where they were raised. The hope is that these chicks will do just that. The birds are being kept at Anderson Lake, near Havana, Illinois.

Early each morning, the students remove any remaining fish from the birds' nesting area and weigh it to determine how much was eaten overnight. They provide more food to the chicks, then hunker down on an embankment a distance from the nesting box in order to observe the birds and to confirm each of them is eating. The students spend much of their day watching the chicks and writing notes. They will continue caring for the chicks until they are ready for release. Prior to release, the birds will be fitted with tracking devices.

UIS welcomes new students during Freshman Orientation

The University of Illinois Springfield welcomed hundreds of new students to campus during Freshman Orientation in July. A total of four different orientation sessions were held.

“It really about the transition from high school to college, understanding the transition into the University of Illinois Springfield,” said Yolanda Beamon, UIS director of new student orientation and parent relations.

Students say they choose to come to UIS for many reasons, such as affordability, closeness to home, and the availability of high quality internship programs.

“I chose UIS because it seemed the most comfortable when I went to go visit,” said Gabrielle Pawlowski, an incoming freshman. “I visited other colleges also, but this one just seemed to fit me the best.”

All new first-year students are required to participate in an orientation session. Students met with their advisers, took placement exams and made sure their immunization records were in order.

Students also participated in fun activities throughout the day, such as playing mini golf in Brookens Library, while learning more about the library’s resources.

“The best part is the information and also playing mini golf. That’s awesome,” said Alberto Nava, an incoming freshman.

The freshmen ended the day by spending a night in a UIS residence hall, which gave them a preview of college life and what to expect.

“I hope they leave here a little more comfortable about coming to UIS, a little more at ease,” said Beamon.

UIS announces Spring Semester 2013 Dean's List

A total of 506 students have been named to the University of Illinois Springfield Dean's List for Spring Semester 2013; 79 are students in the College of Business and Management, 51 are students in the College of Education and Human Services, 324 are enrolled in programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 50 are enrolled in programs in the College of Public Affairs and Administration, and 2 are non-degree or undecided.

To qualify for the designation, a student must be an undergraduate who took at least eight graded semester hours and maintained a grade-point average of at least 3.75 for the semester.

The list is organized alphabetically by hometown. 

PDF Download: Spring 2013 Dean's List