Total lunar eclipse will occur February 20

The UIS campus observatory will be open to view a total lunar eclipse, weather permitting, from 8 to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20. John Martin, assistant professor of Astronomy/Physics, will facilitate viewing the event through the observatory's three telescopes. Read more>>

UIS to host display of AIDS Memorial Quilt

UIS will host a display of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt from February 10 through 15 in the LRH Great Room. Display hours will be 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, February 10; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, February 11 to 14; and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, February 15.

An enormous quilt made as a memorial to and celebration of the lives of people who died of AIDS-related causes, the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is the largest public art project in the world and has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. UIS will display six blocks of the quilt; each block is a 12-foot square comprising six individual panels. Read more>>

Professor is co-author of new textbook on state and local politics

Christopher Mooney, professor of Political Studies at UIS, is a co-author of State and Local Politics: Institutions and Reform, a new college textbook published by Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

The book is an introduction to the study of state and local politics that incorporates the most recent scholarship while taking a comparative approach. One reviewer wrote: "To put it simply, the book is hip, a joy to read, and better than any other textbook currently available on the subject." Read more>>

Inside Acting panel coming soon to Sangamon Auditorium

Sangamon Auditorium is announcing an Inside Acting panel for Thursday, January 31, at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. The panel will last between one to two hours, providing aspiring actors and lovers of theater with an opportunity to speak with film actors about their craft as well as their careers.

UIS students will be admitted free. Those who purchase tickets for L.A. Theater Works' Top Secret: Battle for the Pentagon Papers on February 1 at 8 p.m. can receive their Inside Acting panel tickets free. Those who attend the panel on Thursday night will receive a coupon for $6 off tickets for the L.A. Theater Works performance the following night. Read more>>

L.A. Theatre Works' Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers coming to Sangamon Auditorium

As part of its Government Accountability and a Free Press Project, UIS will host a performance of L.A. Theatre Works' Top Secret: The Battle for the Pentagon Papers on Friday, February 1, at 8 p.m. in Sangamon Auditorium.

The Battle for the Pentagon Papers -- starring film actor John Heard -- is a live radio play that takes an inside look at The Washington Post's decision to publish the top secret study documenting U.S. involvement in Vietnam. This historic trial tested the parameters of the First Amendment, pitting the public's right to know against the government's desire for secrecy. Read more>>

Campus to host 10th Annual Springfield Collegiate Career Fair

The career planning and placement offices of UIS, LLCC, Robert Morris, and Springfield College/Benedictine University will host the tenth annual Springfield Collegiate Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, February 15, in the TRAC.

The event is free and the primary audience is current students and alumni of the four participating institutions. Representatives from approximately 100 area employers are expected to be on hand; last year's event gave some 500 students and alumni the opportunity to distribute resumes and make employer contacts. Read more>>

UIS to present spring foreign and independent film series

UIS' Division of Student Affairs 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 brief descriptions of the films>>

UIS to host events in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

UIS will host two free, public addresses as part of a series of campus events in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.," with guest speaker Rev. Samuel W. Hale, Jr., will begin at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22, in Brookens Auditorium. The program will also include inspirational singers, as well as theatrical readings from some of Dr. King's speeches by members of the UIS Debate Team.

"A Peaceful Movement," a brownbag discussion exploring the impact that the teachings of Mahatmas Gandhi had on Dr. King's life and work, will be presented beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 24, in conference room C/D. The guest speaker will be Dr. Proshanta Nandi, UIS professor emeritus of Sociology. Read more>>

UIS presents 30th annual International Festival

UIS will host its 30th annual International Festival, "A Celebration of Food and Culture Around the World," from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, January 27.

The festival will feature cultural performances in Sangamon Auditorium from 4 to 6 p.m., and a cultural bazaar with exhibits and food in the Food Emporium from 6 to 8 p.m. Read more>>

Auditions set for UIS Theatre's production of Tennessee Williams comedy

The UIS Theatre Program will hold open auditions for Tennessee Williams' "serious comedy" Period of Adjustment on Sunday, February 10, and Monday, February 11, beginning at 7 p.m. both nights in the PAC Studio Theatre. Call-backs will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12. Auditions are open to anyone, with or without experience.

Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct; production dates are April 4 through 6 and 10 through 12. Read more>>

UIS to host Campus Preview Day

UIS will host a Campus Preview Day for prospective students and their families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 26. The program will include an academic fair, campus tours, lunch, and greetings from the chancellor and provost.

Read more, including how to make a reservation>>

Counselor receives grants

Valerie Scarbrough, alcohol and other drug prevention coordinator in the UIS Counseling Center, was recently awarded three grants totaling $16,000 to be used in the study and prevention of alcohol abuse among students. Two grants were awarded by the Illinois Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Other Drug and Violence Prevention; the third was from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Read more>>

Visual Arts Gallery opens spring season with "Uniformity"

UIS' Visual Arts Gallery begins its 2008 spring season with "Uniformity" – a series of photographs by Liz Murphy Thomas – which will be on display January 17 through February 14. An artist's talk beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. are scheduled for January 17.

Thomas is an assistant professor in the Visual Arts Department; her artwork deals with issues of how we create, categorize, and perceive identity. The "Uniformity" project is a series of double photographs of various people from a wide range of professions. Two full body shots of each subject (one taken in uniform, the other wearing his or her "street" clothes) are mounted on opposing walls, so that viewers must turn their backs on one likeness to see the other. Read more>>

Accountancy alumni plan Trivia Night

The UIS Accountancy Alumni Committee will host a Trivia Night beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, at the Knights of Columbus, 2200 South Meadowbrook Road in Springfield. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for accountancy students at UIS. Read more>>

"Defending the Caveman" returns to Sangamon Auditorium

"Defending the Caveman," the longest-running solo play in Broadway history, returns to the Sangamon Auditorium, UIS Studio Theatre, for one performance only on Saturday, January 19, at 8 p.m.

Comedian Rob Becker wrote this prehistoric look at the battle of the sexes over a three-year period during which he made an informal study of anthropology, prehistory, psychology, sociology, and mythology. Ben Tedder stars as the Caveman. Tickets are on sale now. Read more>>

Innocence Project work pays off for Herb Whitlock

On January 8, Herbert Whitlock is expected to walk out of an Edgar County courtroom a free man after spending over 20 years in prison for a murder many believe he did not commit. Richard Kling, Whitlock's attorney, noted that he was "eternally grateful" for the work of the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project at UIS.

When Illinois' 4th District Court of Appeals issued its decision to reverse Whitlock's conviction and life sentence in September 2007, the Court cited the investigation of the Innocence Project, in which UIS students working with Bill Clutter, director of investigations, uncovered evidence that had not been presented at trial. The appellate court held that the State had suppressed evidence favorable to Whitlock's defense and violated his right to a fair trial. On January 4, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the case. Read more>>

Community invited to join UIS musical groups

Community musicians interested in sharing their talents are invited to join UIS campus ensembles currently gearing up for the spring semester. To join the UIS Band, Chorus, or Chamber Orchestra, simply attend rehearsal sessions, which begin the week of January 14. Auditions are not required. Currently admitted UIS students can participate for academic credit. Read more, including a rehearsal schedule>>

Jazz guitarist Chris Korblein coming to Sangamon Auditorium

Guitarist Chris Korblein will bring his smooth jazz sounds to Sangamon Auditorium's Studio Theatre on Saturday, January 26, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $36 and are on sale now.

More information, including a link where you can sample his music>>

Pre-Law Center offers LSAT preparation

UIS' Pre-Law Center will offer an LSAT Primer Program January 17 through 19 on campus. The program will also be available online and is open to anyone who is planning to take the Law School Aptitude Test in 2008. Read more>>