UIS to hold virtual grand opening for the new Center for Lincoln Studies

On President Abraham Lincoln’s 212th birthday, the University of Illinois Springfield will hold a virtual grand opening for the new Center for Lincoln Studies at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12 via Zoom. The Center will be a national base for scholarship, teaching and public history about Lincoln's life, leadership and legacy.

The goal of the Center for Lincoln Studies is to encourage continued research on Lincoln and his time here in Illinois where he spent a quarter century of his life, and to connect the character of Lincoln to the nation today.

"The study of past is vital to understanding our present,” said Anne Moseley, acting director of the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies. “Just like all of us Lincoln had success, failures, sadness and joy throughout his life that made him into icon we admire today. He is an example of an ordinary man made extraordinary. It is my hope that through the Center for Lincoln Studies we will cultivate the next generation of Lincoln Scholars who will continue dive into the life and legacy of Lincoln.”

The public is invited to tune into the webinar as UIS cuts the virtual ribbon on the center, which will be followed by a lively discussion among Lincoln scholars.

Panelists for the discussion include Christian McWhirter, Lincoln historian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; Justin Blandford, superintendent of state historic sites in Springfield; Sarah Watson, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area (Looking for Lincoln); Timothy Good, superintendent of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site; Michael Burlingame, Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at UIS; and Graham Peck, Wepner Distinguished Professor of Lincoln Studies at UIS.

Registration is required for the event. Please register online at go.uis.edu/LincolnCenter. A Zoom link will be emailed to those who register. 

The Abraham Lincoln Association will be hosting additional Lincoln programs throughout Lincoln’s birthday weekend. Visit abrahamlincolnassociation.org for more information.

For more information on the grand opening, contact Anne Moseley at 217-206-8663 or asutt4@uis.edu. 

UIS online bachelor’s degree programs ranked among the top 10 percent in the country

The University of Illinois Springfield’s online bachelor’s degree programs have been ranked 34th best in the country (out of 357 institutions) by U.S. News and World Report. The 2021 ranking put UIS among the top 10 percent of best online bachelor’s degree programs in the United States.

UIS’ online master’s degree programs were also ranked highly by U.S. News and World Report. The management information systems (MIS) online master’s degree was ranked 53 out of 184 in the non-MBA business category, while the UIS online master’s degree in education was ranked 91 out of 317 degrees.

“UIS has ranked among the top tier of U.S. News Best Online Program rankings of undergraduate programs since their inception in 2012,” said Ray Schroeder, UIS associate vice chancellor of online learning. “We are honored to once again be ranked among the top 10 percent of online programs by the rigorous and highly respected rankings by U.S. News. With this recognition comes our promise to continue to provide excellence in all of our online classes and programs.”

In evaluating the best online bachelor’s degree programs, U.S. News & World Report assessed schools in four general categories including engagement – promoting student participation in courses and interaction with instructors and classmates, service and technologies – incorporating diverse online learning technologies allowing greater flexibility for students to take classes from a distance, faculty credentials and training – employing instructors with academic credentials that mirror campus-based programs and expert opinion – a survey of high-ranking academic officials. 

U.S. News selects factors, known as ranking indicators, to assess each program in the categories outlined above. A program's score for each ranking indicator is calculated using data that the program reported to U.S. News in a statistical survey and a peer reputation survey.

UIS offers 14 online bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, communication, computer science, English, health care informatics, history, information systems security, liberal studies, management information systems, mathematical sciences, philosophy, political science, psychology and teacher education. UIS also offers 12 graduate programs and 12 certificate programs online. 

“We believe that connecting our online students to the university community allows them to have an exceptional online learning experience,” said Vickie Cook, executive director of UIS online, professional and engaged learning. “Excellent faculty, strong online technologies, and co-curricular activities that will prepare students for future careers are critical in today’s world. We believe that students excel when given a chance to immerse themselves in a high quality online learning environment.”

According to census data, a total of 1,540 students were enrolled in online at UIS during Fall Semester 2020. UIS online students reside in 46 states, 82 counties in Illinois and nine foreign countries and one territory (Guam). 

For more information, contact Derek Schnapp, UIS director of public relations, at 217-206-6716 or dschn3@uis.edu.