UIS Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney outlines goals for university

University of Illinois Springfield Interim Chancellor Karen M. Whitney outlined her goals for the upcoming school year. Whitney summarized 10 objectives in an email she sent to students, faculty and staff on July 1, her first day as interim chancellor.

"I want to keep moving the university forward," Whitney said. "My aspiration is to advance the projects and other plans that Chancellor Koch and university leaders have put in motion, along with the goals I have presented."

Topping her list is working with the U of I System and UIS leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders to ensure that high quality, teaching, learning, research and service continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anti-racism and social justice is another area Whitney will focus on. She plans to work with the UIS campus community to build upon efforts to advance the university's values of integrity, civic engagement, diversity, strategic thinking and accountability through teaching, learning, research and service.

Organizational improvements and strengthening the university's budget model are also among Whitney's goals. She said these can be accomplished through working with all units of the university and the system Chief Financial Officer as they continue to identify efficiencies.

"I look forward to working and communicating with students, faculty, staff and other UIS-connected community members and alumni," Whitney added. "In everything we do, students will come first.”

Whitney highlighted working with the Provost, the Enrollment Management team, and deans to enhance student recruitment efforts, implement the Common Application platform, and increase both undergraduate and graduate student enrollments.

Other goals include finalizing college and department realignment efforts, labor union relations, advancing work within the UIS Strategic Compass, community outreach, completing the Reaching Stellar Campaign, and the university’s innovation agenda. 

You can read Whitney's email to campus and other goals here, on her UIS web page.

Whitney was named interim chancellor on June 3 by University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen. Susan Koch retired June 30 from the university after serving as chancellor for nine years.

Whitney is a nationally recognized higher education leader. She is president emerita of Clarion University in Pennsylvania and most recently served as interim chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. She has been working alongside Koch for the last three weeks.

UIS enrollment increases; topping 5,100 students

Matches second-highest enrollment in school history

Fall 2013 enrollment at the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois is up by nearly 100 students compared to the previous fall semester. According to the official fall census, the total number of students enrolled at UIS after the first 10 days of classes is 5,137. This marks the fourth year enrollment has topped 5,000 students. Last fall’s enrollment was 5,048.

“Growth is a high priority for the UIS campus and we are very encouraged that more and more students are choosing the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois because of the high quality educational experience they receive,” said Chancellor Susan J. Koch.

Overall, the number of freshmen students attending UIS jumped by 20% this semester. That makes it the largest freshman class in UIS history.

The number of graduate students enrolled at UIS is also growing. There are 2,098 graduate students enrolled at UIS this semester, compared to 1,994 in fall 2012.

There are also more students living on the UIS campus this semester. A total of 1,047 students live on campus, which means campus housing is 94.4% occupied.

“One of our goals is to continue to enhance student life on campus and this is great evidence that we are doing that,” said Koch.

Overall, the diversity of the student body is also growing. International student enrollment increased to 7.4% (382) of the population compared to 4.8% (242) last year. African American students increased to nearly 12% (612) of the population this year compared to 11.5% (578) last year and students who self-identify as Hispanic comprise 4.8% (247) of this year’s student body.

Growth in online learning continues, with a total of 1,610 students enrolled in online degree or certificate programs, a 5.4% increase over fall 2012. This semester, online students reside in 48 of the 50 states, 79 counties in Illinois, and 12 foreign countries.

UIS is a premier public university that provides students with a high-quality liberal arts education, exceptional public affairs opportunities, and outstanding professional preparation programs.

UIS has four core strengths: (1) a teaching-focused academic experience; (2) an abundance of opportunities to collaborate; (3) a right-sized supportive community; and (4) a tradition of educating public servants and leaders.

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

UIS expands online reach by partnering with California's Coastline Community College

The University of Illinois Springfield is among three universities partnering with California’s Coastline Community College to create a seamless pathway for students to earn an online bachelor’s degree.

“The model – developed at UIS and refined over the past dozen years - holds many advantages for students and institutions,” said Ray Schroeder, UIS associate vice chancellor for online learning. “It provides a near seamless melding of the community college and the university in the academic program of the student.”

Students will complete 30 credit hours of coursework at the community college and then be concurrently enrolled at UIS and the community college for the next two years – taking classes online at both UIS and the community college. During this period of time, the student receives an associate’s degree from the community college.

“Since the student is enrolled at both institutions, the libraries, learning centers, advising and other services of both the university and the college are available to assist the student in making smooth and steady progress toward the degree,” said Schroeder.

The student’s final 30 credit hours are taken at UIS, culminating in the bachelor’s degree. UIS offers seven bachelor’s degrees using this model including: Business Administration, Computer Science, English, History, Liberal Studies, Mathematics, and Philosophy.

The UIS one-two-one online learning model has proven very successful. It is now being expanded in a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Project led by the League for Innovation for the Community College. Joining UIS in the project are the Penn State University’s World Campus and the University of Massachusetts Online.

The partnership is expected to serve as a model for expanding the capacity at community colleges in California, which have been forced to turn way students due to budget cuts.

For more information, contact Schroeder at 217/206-7531 or rschr1@uis.edu.

Former UIS basketball player Richard Oruche earns a spot on the Nigerian Olympic team

Former Illinois Springfield guard Richard Oruche will play in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London as a part of the Nigerian basketball team. He is believed to be the first UIS athlete to play in the Olympic Games.

“I never believed that I could be an Olympian,” said Oruche. “It is a surreal feeling. It still hasn’t sunk in completely. This is an athlete’s goal to be an Olympian.”

Oruche, 24, graduated from UIS in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He has been playing basketball professionally in Portugal for two seasons. Most recently, he played for the Associacao Academica de Coimbra where he averaged 15.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game during the 2011-12 season.

“It was a nice place to start my career,” said Oruche. “It really gave me an opportunity. Portugal is right next to Spain, which is really a powerhouse league in basketball. It really gave me an opportunity to see where I am in comparison to where I need to be to play at an elite level.”

Oruche, whose parents are originally from Nigeria, holds dual Nigerian and United States citizenship. He was invited to play on the Nigerian basketball team earlier this year. The team defeated the Dominican Republic 88-73 on Sun., July 8, to earn the country’s first-ever berth into the Olympic Games. Nigeria is expected to play in the same Olympic pool as Team USA, giving Oruche the chance to play NBA all-stars, such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Deron Williams, and Springfield’s own Andre Iguodala.

“Not many people get the opportunity to go out there and play against people you kind of idolized growing up in your career. People who gave you passion to play the game,” he said. Oruche adds that Team USA is beatable. “We want to do something big with this opportunity we’ve been given.”

Oruche, who grew up in Bensonville, Ill., led the Prairie Stars in scoring (19.8 points per game) and rebounding (5.8 rebounds per game) during the 2009-10 season, the inaugural year of Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) membership. Oruche was the first UIS student-athlete to earn postseason accolades from the GLVC by being named second team All-GLVC. He was also the first Prairie Star student-athlete to earn the league’s Player of the Week award in December 2009. He spent two seasons at Northern Illinois University as a red shirt freshman before transferring to UIS.

“A special thanks to UIS for supporting me and being there for me,” said Oruche. “It means a lot to know that my school has my back.”

Oruche will leave for London on Mon., July 16, to continue his training with the Nigerian team. Olympic men’s basketball action is scheduled to begin on Sun., July 29. Nigeria is expected to play Team USA on Thurs., Aug. 2 at 4:15 p.m. central time

Extra: Listen to a phone interview with Richard Oruche

UIS part of $450,000 Gates Foundation grant to improve access to online education

The University of Illinois Springfield is part of a national consortium of leading community colleges and universities, who are designing a plan to make higher education more accessible and affordable to low-income young adults.

The Learning First consortium plans to develop a pilot program that will increase online seat capacity and help more students learn from home. The pilot program is made possible thanks to a $450,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which was awarded to the League for Innovation in the Community College.

“We are grateful that the Gates Foundation and the Learning First consortium recognizes UIS’ leadership and expertise in online learning,” said UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch. “We’re glad to be part of this important educational effort that will benefit so many students.”

The pilot program will be based on the UIS degree completion model, which was first developed in 2000.

“It is the same affordable and successful model that thousands of students from community colleges in Illinois and elsewhere have successfully pursued at UIS over those years,” said Ray Schroeder, UIS associate vice chancellor for online learning.

Under the current UIS model, students begin by completing 30 credit hours at an Illinois community college. The next 60 hours of the program mixes UIS and community college credit hours, most commonly with the student receiving an associate’s degree from the community college. During the transition period, students receive academic advising and support services from both the community college and UIS, creating a double safety net. Students earn their final 30 credit hours from UIS.

 “We have found that this model provides both affordability and the highest level of support for students, resulting in a timely degree completion,” said Schroeder.

The Gates Foundation grant is part of $9 million overall awarded to programs nationwide. In announcing the grant, the Gates Foundation called the program a “breakthrough learning model” for higher education.

Other schools taking part in the League for Innovation in the Community College’s Learning First consortium include Coastline Community College (CA), the University of Massachusetts Online, and Pennsylvania State World Campus.

UIS to hold 41st commencement ceremony on May 12 in downtown Springfield

Commencement ceremonies for the University of Illinois Springfield will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Ninth and Adams streets in downtown Springfield. Of the 1,316 students eligible to graduate, 770 will participate in the ceremony.

Tickets are not required for admission and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no reserved seating except for special needs such as interpretive services and wheelchairs. The doors to the main floor of the center will open at 1 p.m.

Commencement Speaker: Wenguang Huang

The commencement speaker will be UIS Public Affairs Reporting alum Wenguang Huang, a Chicago-based journalist, writer and translator. He is the author of The Little Red Guard, a memoir that chronicles his growing up in central China during the 1970s. The book reveals his family striving to fulfill a grandmother’s last wish during a period of rapid societal change. The book, released by Riverhead, Penguin on April 26, 2012, has been mentioned by O Magazine and selected among the top 10 memoirs by Publishers Weekly for spring 2012.

A former staff member of the New York Times Beijing Bureau, Wen contributes regularly to Fortune, the New York Times, the Asian Wall Street Journal, the Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Tribune, the Paris Review, The South China Morning Post and Chicago Public Radio.

In 2003, Wen started introducing contemporary Chinese writers to the West and since then, he has translated Chinese writer Liao Yiwu’s The Corpse Walker: Real Life Stories: China From the Bottom Up, God is Red, For a Song and One Hundred Songs and Yan Xianhui’s Women from Shanghai. Wen is the recipient of the 2007 PEN Translation Fund Award.

Wen grew up in northern China and obtained his bachelor’s degree in English Literature and master’s degree in journalism from Fudan University in Shanghai, China. In 1989, Wen participated in the student pro-democracy movement in Tiananmen Square. After the government’s brutal crackdown, he came to Springfield and gained his master’s degree from the UIS Public Affairs Reporting program in 1991. While earning his degree, he interned at Illinois Issues magazine, covering Illinois state government. Following his graduation, he interned with the Illinois Legislative Research Unit, where he gained additional first-hand knowledge of how democracy works at the state level.

Since 1994, Wen Huang has held numerous day jobs for non-profit organizations and corporations. At present, he pursues his journalistic and book writings in his spare time.

Faculty and student marshals 

Stephen Schwark, professor of Political Science at UIS, has been chosen to serve as grand marshal. The student speaker will be Jessica A. Odigie, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science & Legal Studies.

Faculty and students in each academic program select one graduating student who best exemplifies the goals and spirit of that program to serve as student marshal for the ceremony.

This year’s marshals are:

Accountancy: Megan M. Canny – B.A., Preston Todd Searl – B.A. (Peoria), Amanda J. Ball – M.A.  

Biology: Nathan T. Dennison – B.S., Benjamin Briddell – M.S.   

Business Administration: Lawrence Paul Crowley – B.B.A., Javan Daniel Hall – M.B.A. (Peoria), Amruta R. Prabhuwaingankar – M.B.A.   

Chemistry: Mark W. Frakes – B.S. Clinical Laboratory Science: Taylor Danielle Golden – B.S.   

Communication: Ryan B. Ivemeyer – B.A., Emily Jean Fox – M.A.   

Computer Science: Andrew W. Miller – B.S., Timothy W. Robert – M.S.  

Criminal Justice: Lindzee Edwards– B.A.   

Economics: Tyler Daniel McKay – B.A.   

Educational Leadership: Adam Bradley Dean – M.A.   

English: Hannah Rebekah Radford – B.A., Sarah Lauren Collins – M.A.  

Environmental Sciences: Gregory R. Fretueg – M.S. Environmental Studies: Araceli Eva Lopez Martinez – M.A.   

Global Studies: Johanette Druvinka Croos Moraes – B.A.   

History: Zachary James Clifton Watkins – B.A., Eleanor Claire Jerry – M.A.   

Human Development Counseling: Margaret Mary Wheelhouse – M.A.   

Human Services: Ruth Elaine Boardman – M.A.   

Legal Studies: Lisa M. Daykin – B.A., Joseph J. Walat – M.A.   

Liberal Studies: Valeri Jean Cooke – B.A.   

Management: Corey Matthew Curtis – B.A. (Peoria), Debra Sue Schmitz – B.A.   

Management Information Systems: Joshua Daniel Kilhoffer – B.S., Anusha Mathur Subramaniam – M.S.   

Mathematical Sciences: Carlin Thomas Venaglia – B.A.   

Philosophy: John Kevin Byers – B.A.   

Political Science: Caitlyn Elizabeth Barnes – B.A., Robert Joseph Skorczewski – M.A.   

Psychology: Rachel A. Tohme – B.A.   

Public Administration: Anupama Surendran – M.P.A., Nancy Leann Huyck - D.P.A.   

Public Affairs Reporting: David James Thomas – M.A.   

Public Health: Nelson Videnyi Agbodo – M.P.H.   

Social Work: Kendra V. Johnson – B.S.W. Sociology/Anthropology: Tiffany D. Gollahon – B.A.   

Teacher Leadership: Charity Lynn Workman – M.A.   

Visual Arts: Karen Elizabeth Boerema – B.A.

A number of events are planned for graduates, their families and guests, beginning with a reception for Peoria-area students on Friday, May 4. Separate brunches for CAP Honors graduates and online degree graduates are scheduled for Saturday morning, May 12.

Admission to some commencement events is by invitation only. Updated information, including a complete list of events, is available from the commencement website at www.uis.edu/commencement/.

The ceremony will be webcast live at www.uis.edu/technology/uislive.html. DVDs ($25) can also be ordered from the Office of Electronic Media, phone 217/206-6799. For more information, go to the UIS Commencement website at www.uis.edu/commencement/.

UIS students approve referendum to build student union

Students at the University of Illinois Springfield overwhelmingly voted in favor of building a student union on campus on April 18. A total of 432 students voted to approve a fee increase, which will finance much of the construction, while 109 students voted no.

The project will now go through a planning process involving campus administration, university administration, and an outside design firm. This plan will then need to be approved by both the Board of Trustees and the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

If the project gains final approval, the student union will be located on the South Quad, next to University Hall. Construction on the project should be complete by 2015.

“Our student union will be a destination for all members of our community - on–campus students, non-traditional students, graduate students, faculty members, staff, alums,” said UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch. “It will be our campus living room – a bright and bustling hot spot for student activities long into the future; a place to work on homework, hold meetings, enjoy some new food and beverage options, play video games, and just hang out after class.”

Starting in 2015, a full-time undergraduate student at UIS will pay $200 a semester to finance construction. Students enrolled in an online degree seeking program will not pay any student union fees. It is estimated the total cost of construction will range from $13 to $20 million, with part of the costs also covered through fundraising.

“The student union will become the heart of the UIS campus,” said Tim Barnett, UIS vice chancellor for Student Affairs. “The student union will help facilitate a variety of cultural, social, educational, and recreational programs.”

The new Student Union will likely include enhanced dining choices, a game room, lounge and study spaces, student organization space, large programming space, outdoor gathering areas, and various other amenities. The offices of the Student Government Association, Student Organizations and Office of Student Life would also be in the new facility. The new building will utilize the very latest in green technology to ensure an environmentally friendly and sustainable facility.

Auxiliary enterprises, such as student unions, bookstores, or dining facilities, which are not directly related to instruction, research or service organizational units, but do support the overall objectives of the university, cannot be paid for with state appropriations.

For more information, visit www.uis.edu/studentunion/.

UIS launches Transfer Express - one-stop enrollment for new transfers

The University of Illinois Springfield is making it easy for transfer students to enroll next fall. Transfer Express is a series of nine one-stop, one-day events, beginning on April 27 and running through August 20. Students from area community colleges, other universities, and those who never finished college, can get everything taken care of for fall 2012 classes – in a single day.

Transfer Express will be held on April 27 & 28, May 21, June 22 & 23, July 26 & 27, and August 18 & 20. Weekday sessions will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday sessions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in University Hall, room 1031.

Prospective transfer students should bring their official sealed transcripts and application fee to the sessions. Students can talk to an advisor about transferring credits, fill out an application, be admitted, secure financial aid, and even register for classes before leaving. Veterans and other students seeking application fee waivers are encouraged to contact the Admissions office prior to arrival at 217/206-4847 or admissions@uis.edu.

No advance registration for Transfer Express is necessary. Students should have a 2.00 cumulative transfer GPA on a 4.0 scale, have 30 transfer hours by entry to UIS in the fall, and have filed the 2012-2013 FAFSA (UIS school code 009333). Students must be applying for an on-campus program. Online programs are not eligible.

For more information, visit www.uis.edu/TransferExpress. Questions may be direction to the UIS Office of Admissions at 217/206-4847.

UIS Downstate Illinois Innocence Project exonerates man with the help of police & prosecutors

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project (DIIP), housed at the University of Illinois Springfield, has helped to exonerate Jonathan Moore, 30, of Aurora, who was previously convicted of murder and attempted murder.

Moore walked free following a court hearing in Kane County on Tuesday. The exoneration involved an unprecedented cooperative effort between the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project, the Kane County State’s Attorney, and Aurora Police.

“Aurora Police found evidence of the innocence of Jonathan Moore, who was convicted in 2002 of murder and sentenced to 76 years in prison,” said Larry Golden, director of the DIIP. “Moore asked for the help of the DIIP, who proceeded to negotiate over a period of months with the Kane County State’s Attorney to gain his release.”

Moore was originally convicted of killing 20-year-old Shawn Miller and the attempted murder of a second man during a shooting in front of an Aurora coin laundry in 2000. Following his conviction, he spent almost 12 years in prison.

“During the time he was in prison, inconclusive DNA testing occurred on bullet casings,” said Golden. “Additionally, a confidential source came forward to the police and impeached the testimony of the eyewitnesses and indicated Moore was not the one on the scene. The police then followed up that lead to a full investigation.”

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project case was led by Legal Director John Hanlon with the assistance of Steve Schott, a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Law, and several UIS students.

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The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project (DIIP) has a three-part mission: to evaluate and investigate cases for credible claims of an Illinois inmate's actual innocence, and, when appropriate, provide legal representation and/or other assistance toward proving the inmate's actual innocence; to encourage meaningful reforms toward preventing the conviction of innocent persons in the future; and to educate the public and provide important educational and experiential opportunities for students about wrongful convictions.

UIS east campus housing renovation update

Construction is now underway on the second and third phases of a multi-million dollar housing renovation project at the University of Illinois Springfield. Workers are transforming older apartments in Clover Court, on the east side of campus, into newly remodeled townhouse units.

“It will be a townhouse style living environment with all the amenities our current townhouses have,” said John Ringle, director of UIS Housing & Residential Life. “The townhouses will have more of a residential feel with brand new carpet and painted accent walls.”

The east side apartments were built between 1980 and 1992, making them the oldest units on campus. The buildings have been heavily lived in over the years and are showing signs of wear and tear.

In Clover Court, crews have removed the stairs from the outside of the buildings. The staircases are now located inside each townhouse, which features a central kitchen, living room and private bedrooms. Each townhouse has an upstairs and downstairs bathroom, new appliances, and walk-in closets.

“We hope that people consider this as a viable option for where they want to live next year,” said Ringle.

The remodeling effort is taking place in four phases over a span of four semesters. Phase one, which included a remodel of 32 units in Larkspur Court was completed in 2011. Phase two involves the work at Clover Court, while phase three involves renovations at Bluebell Court. The final phase will consist of remodeling additional units in Larkspur Court and Sunflower Court over the summer.

Unlike the previous brown wood exterior, each of the townhouse buildings will now be outfitted with a different color of vinyl siding.

“This will make them more colorful and also easier for residents and visitors to distinguish between the different townhouses,” said Ringle.

A section of Clover Court will remain apartment style to house families and graduate students. A portion of Bluebell Court is being set aside as the new location for the International House, where students from different cultures can live under one roof. Another Bluebell Court building will also accommodate the first-ever graduate student housing community at UIS as well.

The overall project is being paid for through auxiliary finance system funds. All work is scheduled to be complete by the fall semester of 2012.

UIS tops $28 million dollar Brilliant Futures Campaign fundraising goal with help of donors

The University of Illinois Springfield is proud to announce the $28 million goal for the Brilliant Futures Campaign has been surpassed. To date, UIS has gifts, pledges and commitments totaling more than $28.4 million. The campaign, which began in July of 2003, supported students, faculty, programs, and campus facilities. The $28.4 million is nearly 90 percent more than what the University raised under the previous Campaign Illinois initiative that concluded in 2000.

“Every day I am inspired by the Springfield Community and its pride in UIS. I have met a number of people—alumni and community friends—whose vision led to the founding of Sangamon State University and who continue to invest in Springfield’s own public university,” said Susan J. Koch, University of Illinois Vice President and Springfield Chancellor. “I am also heartened by those who came later and have embraced UIS. Brick by brick, step by step, UIS is growing into an excellent institution. The Brilliant Futures Campaign has helped to transform UIS into a university of substance, known here in Illinois and on a national level.”

Over the course of the campaign, 15,625 donors gave to UIS, with 8,802 of those being first-time givers, 6,389 alumni, and 1,247 corporations and foundations. Local support has been generous: 6,456 donors from Sangamon County gave over $15 million. Faculty and staff at UIS have also been generous, with an average of 170 donors contributing each year, and participation rising from 111 in FY 2004 to 221 in FY 2011.

“The tremendous response of our friends and partners has made this achievement possible,” said Vicki Megginson, Associate Chancellor of UIS and Senior Vice President of the University of Illinois Foundation. “In the first quarter of 2012, we will be closing the books. We can already see evidence of the impact our generous donors have had on UIS.”

Scholarships

Since the beginning of the campaign, many donors have responded to the need for scholarships by giving 28 new endowed scholarships, increasing the total from 56 in 2003 to 84 today. Including planned or deferred scholarships, UIS’ total number of privately funded scholarships has risen from 95 in 2003 to 183 today—a 92% increase.

As a result of scholarships given during the campaign, 484 additional students have received scholarships, many with multi-year awards. Those numbers are expected to increase even further as UIS ramps up its new Access Illinois scholarship campaign.

The UIS Brilliant Futures Campaign was co-chaired by UIS alums Julie Kellner, Bob Felker and Howard Humphrey (now deceased). Honorary co-chairs included Polly Roesch, Sergio (Satch) Pecori and Chancellor Emeritus Naomi B. Lynn.

“It was a great privilege to me as an alumna that UIS asked me to co-chair the Brilliant Futures Campaign,” said Kellner. “Our success is a direct result of many individuals--including all the alumni and community friends who have volunteered in many different ways their time and their resources.”

Other Highlights

• Since 2003, donors have added three professorships to UIS and provided funding for a faculty scholar. UIS now has one chair, five professorships, and one faculty scholar.
• The Sloan Foundation has given $1.79 million in support of online learning at UIS during the campaign. UIS has recorded increased enrollments in online classes every semester and UIS is now recognized as one of the premier online programs nationally.
• The annual giving for Student Affairs has more than tripled over the course of the campaign.
• Throughout the campaign, UIS Athletics received over $108,000 in scholarship/student support. Other private support for athletics equaled $702,350.
• Charles and Kathleen Hoogland and the Hoogland Family Foundation gave $1 million in support of The Recreation and Athletic Center at UIS.
• UIS named the Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon, its first facility named for a donor.
• A $90,000 pledge to Sangamon Auditorium helped to create the Arts Start program for preschool children.
• The Joyce Foundation gave the Center for State Policy and Leadership over $230,000 in support of the Sunshine Project directed by UIS professor Kent Redfield, which promotes open government.
• Brookens Library received $219,000 for library enhancement.
• UIS’ Downstate Illinois Innocence Project received $178,000 in private seed funding, leading to $936,000 in federal funding.
  

The entire Brilliant Futures Campaign goal for the University of Illinois was $2.25 billion and to date the campaign stands at $2.366 billion. The 8 1/2 year campaign was one of the 20 largest ever undertaken in higher education in the country.

For more information on the Brilliant Futures Campaign, contact Derek Schnapp, director of Public Relations at 217/206-6716 or email dschn3@uis.edu.

UIS Career Development Center receives gold certification from national LGBTQ group

The University of Illinois Springfield Career Development Center has received a gold certification from the nonprofit organization OUT for Work for their dedication to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students. This is the first time UIS has been honored with the award.

OUT for Work surveyed career centers around the country to find out what resources were available to LGBTQ students. The survey gauged the current career tools, available resources, and programmatic efforts accessible to LGBTQ students through campus career centers. Survey questions focused on the areas of outreach, resources, training, and support.

“The UIS Career Development Center offers LGBTQ-friendly career services tailored toward each student’s individual needs,” said Tammy Craig, center director. “Such services include assisting the student in navigating the myriad of factors related to career planning, including resume writing, interviewing strategies, evaluating friendly work environments, and the job search process”.

Each applicable question on the OUT for Work survey was worth 1 point. Based on the total score, career centers received a rating of A+ gold, gold, silver, or bronze level of certification. Those scores are calculated by percentages. Career centers that score 100 percent earn the A+ gold, 90 to 99 percent earn gold, 80 to 89 percent earn silver, and 79 percent or lower, earn bronze level of certification.

According to their website, “OUT for Work functions as a complimentary component in the total educational experience of LGBTQ college students; effectuating change in the development, evaluation, initiation, and implementation of career plans and opportunities.” The nationally recognized nonprofit organization is dedicated to educating, preparing, and empowering LGBTQ college students for the transition from academia to the workplace.

The gold certification will be awarded during the National Association of Colleges and Employers annual conference in Las Vegas this June.

For more information, contact Tammy Craig at 217/206-6508 or email craig.tammy@uis.edu.

UIS named a Best Value Public College by Kiplinger's Personal Finance in nationwide ranking

The University of Illinois Springfield has been named one of the top 100 best values in public colleges by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance for 2012. The ranking is based on high four-year graduation rates, low average student debt at graduation, abundant financial aid, low sticker price and great value.

Overall, Illinois Springfield ranked 85th on Kiplinger’s nationwide list of public colleges and universities. This is the first time UIS has appeared on the Kiplinger ranking.

“We are very pleased that the University of Illinois Springfield has been named to the prestigious Kiplinger's ‘best college value’ list,” said Susan J. Koch, University of Illinois Vice President and Springfield Chancellor. “We are proud that our students receive a University of Illinois degree at an affordable cost while at the same time experiencing the intimate learning environment that is the hallmark of the UIS experience. This recognition communicates to prospective students and their families that, thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff, UIS students receive a high-quality education at a great value.”

Kiplinger’s assesses quality and affordability according to a number of measurable standards. This year, Kiplinger’s revamped the rankings to give more weight to academic value, such as the percentage of students who return for sophomore year and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include low sticker prices, abundant financial aid and low average debt at graduation. While the criteria have shifted, the overall focus on value remains the same.

The freshmen retention rate at UIS remains high at 76.1%. Illinois residents, who are full-time students, pay $8,670 on average a year for undergraduate tuition. Nearly 70 percent of UIS students receive some form of financial aid.

“As states cut funding for higher education and tuition continues to climb, the word ‘value’ is more significant than ever,” said Jane Bennett Clark, senior editor at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. “This year’s top 100 public schools deliver strong academics at reasonable prices. We applaud these institutions for tightening their belts without compromising quality.”

Illinois Springfield is the only public university in the state ranked by Kiplinger’s, other than the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who was ranked 27th overall on the list. The annual public school rankings appear in Kiplinger’s February 2012 issue—on newsstands today—and online at: www.kiplinger.com/links/college.

The University of Illinois has campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield with a total enrollment on-campus and online of approximately 79,000.

For more information on the ranking, contact Derek Schnapp, director of UIS Public Relations at 217/206-6716 or email dschn3@uis.edu.

UIS College of Public Affairs and Administration Dean honored by the Illinois National Guard

Dr. Pinky Wassenberg, dean of the College of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Illinois Springfield was recently honored by the Illinois National Guard with the Seven Seals Award.

The award honors individuals and organizations that have provided Employer Support to the Guard, specifically to units deploying to Afghanistan. In December 2010, UIS hosted soldiers from the Guard for a day of training by UIS faculty on issues they might encounter while deployed in Southwest Asia. The day was organized by Wassenberg and Joan Sestak, UIS director of Community Relations.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Wassenberg. “It was a privilege to be able to help our Illinois National Guard soldiers who give so much in so many ways. The award really belongs to all the faculty and staff at UIS who worked together to make that day of training a success.”

The Guard credits Seven Seals Award Recipients for going above and beyond their occupational responsibilities to make the preparation training beneficial for all involved. Support from employers is crucial for the long-term success of each citizen-Soldier and the National Guard and Reserve.

“The individuals we honor tonight provided members of the Illinois Army National Guard an expanded knowledge of how our units of government accomplish their daily operations in the critical infrastructure sector,” said Lt. Col. Tim W. Franklin, during the December 13 awards reception at the Governor’s Mansion.

During the training at UIS, faculty members helped to educate troops on Afghanistan’s history, culture, public health needs, and economic structure among other topics. The Guard approached UIS, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the City of Springfield and Sangamon County about forming a partnership. The result was a three-day training session for about 40 soldiers called “Infrastructure 101”.

UIS faculty members who participated in the training include Adriana Crocker, Kathy DeBarr, Michael Lane, Shahram Heshmat, Don O’Neal and Ali Nizamuddin.

The Seven Seals Award represents the seven military reserve components: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard reserves, along with the Army and Air National Guard.

For more information, contact Derek Schnapp, director of UIS Public Relations at 217/206-6716 or email dschn3@uis.edu.

State Farm awards UIS Computer Science Department $50,000 grant

State Farm Companies Foundation has awarded the University of Illinois Springfield Computer Science Department a $50,000 grant. The money will be used to enhance the State Farm Virtual Computing Teaching and Learning Laboratory at UIS.

“The existing virtual sever system does not have sufficient storage, memory or remote access to support the increased demand placed on it by the increase in majors taking courses that use the system,” said Ted Mims, chair of the Computer Science Department.

The funding provided by State Farm will allow the department to add a new front-end remote access system, increase the server memory of each processor, and add a new storage system that is supported by the newer versions of virtual software.

“These improvements provide greater efficiency and effectiveness for students when the Department moves core and elective courses to a virtual environment. It will provide enhanced remote access, expanded and streamlined online learning,” said Mims.

University of Illinois Vice President and UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch accepted the check from State Farm during a reception in the Public Affairs Center on Nov. 2, 2011. It’s estimated that there are currently over 140 UIS graduates working for State Farm at its corporate headquarters in Bloomington-Normal, Ill.

The new system will be used by the UIS Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance to host programming, cyber defense and digital forensics competitions. The UIS Computer Science Department is a partner in the National Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technology Education (ATE) Grant. Funding from the NSF/ATE grant will be used to fund events at UIS that utilize the equipment funded by the State Farm Grant.

UIS graduate honors former faculty member with Professorship

The University of Illinois Springfield proudly announces the establishment of a new named professorship, the first from a graduate honoring a former professor.

The Judith E. Everson Professorship in English honors Everson, an emeritus professor who taught at the university for 31 years. Everson’s former student, Cheryl Peck, who served as director of public relations at UIS from 1992 to 2009, donated $500,000 to establish the fund. The distinguished professorship serves as a tribute to Professor Everson’s extraordinary gift for teaching that opened up new worlds of possibility and accomplishment for her students, Peck said.

“Her devotion to her students inspired us to reach beyond our fears as midlife learners and to ask more of ourselves than we had ever thought possible,” said Peck. “The result was a new-found confidence that swept me on to further literary exploration and set me on a path of lifelong discovery in books and writing.”

Peck, who earned her B.A. in Literature in 1986 and M.A. in English in 1989, describes Everson as an “engaging tour guide,” who introduced her to the aristocratic worlds of Wharton and James, and made accessible Faulkner’s stream of consciousness narration, Hemingway’s spare writing style, and Dreiser’s literary naturalism.

In response to the gift, Everson said, “We’re often told that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. This was certainly the case many years ago when Cheryl Peck and I had our first meeting of the minds here on campus. If, as she kindly says, I helped to make her a better student, I can return the favor and say that she made me a better professor, which is what superior students always do for their teachers.”

As a charter faculty member, Everson came to Springfield in 1970 when Sangamon State University (SSU), now the University of Illinois Springfield, was still under construction. She taught courses in English, History and Public Speaking until her retirement in 2001. Everson has remained active on campus and was honored with the University of Illinois Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award last year.

“It is my sincere hope that future students of English will be similarly inspired by the faculty who occupy the Everson Professorship in years to come,” said Peck.

Everson added, “Through this far-sighted gesture, (Cheryl) is making sure that there will be continued vitality in the department and on the campus that we both cherish.”

Before coming to UIS, Peck was assistant to the chancellor at the Illinois Board of Regents for nearly four years. The BOR was the governing board for SSU, Northern Illinois University, and Illinois State University.

Peck’s professorship, a planned gift, will add to UIS’ other distinguished faculty positions:

• The Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies
• The Ameren Professorship of Business and Government
• The PNC Distinguished Professor in Banking and Finance
• Two Louise Hartman Schewe and Karl Schewe Professorships in Liberal Arts and Sciences
• The Wepner Distinguished Professorship of Political Science
• The Hanson Professional Services Faculty Scholar
  

For more information, contact Vicki Megginson, associate chancellor for development, UIS, and senior vice president, University of Illinois Foundation at 217/206-6058 or email vhens1@uis.edu.

UIS professor honored with national Excellence in Online Teaching Award

Dr. Michael Cheney, professor of communication at the University of Illinois Springfield, is being honored with a national Excellence in Online Teaching Award. The Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C) award is one of the highest honors presented by the group, which is comprised of fellow online educators.

“I am very honored to receive this award. UIS is known for its excellence in online education and I am happy to contribute to that reputation through my work,” Cheney said.

Cheney is known for his popular online courses, which include The Beatles: Popular Music and Society, Political Communication and Writing for Public Relations. In 2010, Cheney’s “Unit 1: Beatles as Mosaic” podcast was the second most downloaded podcast on iTunes U for several weeks. The series was also listed in the “Noteworthy” section of iTunes U.

“It is very exciting for our university to hear that Professor Cheney has earned this prestigious recognition,” said University of Illinois Vice President and UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch. “The Sloan Consortium has helped UIS become an internationally recognized leader in online learning. We are proud of Professor Cheney’s efforts and his colleagues as they continue to provide leadership in this very important educational area.”

Cheney began using three to four minute podcasts during the Fall Semester of 2005. The weekly podcasts include lectures and supporting material. Students use Apple’s iTunes software to listen to the recordings. The service is offered free of charge to both students and the university.

“I use podcasts in the class as a way to complement the material students are already studying and to provide them with poignant references and information to enhance their understanding of the course,” Cheney said.

Sloan-C awarded three UIS faculty members Outstanding Achievement Awards in 2002, 2003 and 2006. No other university in the country has received more outstanding achievement awards. UIS was recognized with an Institution-Wide Excellence Award in 2007 and the Ralph E. Gomory Award for Quality Online Education in 2008. In 2010, Ray Schroeder, director of the UIS Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service (COLRS) was awarded the inaugural A. Frank Mayadas Leadership Award. The UIS Teacher Leadership Program was also honored the same year with the Outstanding Online Program Award.

The Sloan Consortium is an institutional and professional leadership organization dedicated to integrating online education into the mainstream of higher education, helping institutions and individual educators improve the quality, scale, and breadth of education. Membership in Sloan-C provides knowledge, practice, community, and direction for educators. Originally funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, it is now a non-profit, member sustained organization.

The Excellence in Online Teaching Award will be presented to Cheney during the 17th-Annual International Conference on Online Learning: Online Teaching, Learning and Research in the New Media Ecology, in Orlando, Florida, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011.

For more information, contact Ray Schroeder at 217/206-7531 or email rschr1@uis.edu.

Prairie Star merchandise hits the market

The initial seeds of the University of Illinois Springfield's new licensing agreement with Strategic Marketing Affiliates have been planted, and for the first time, Prairie Star athletics merchandise is being sold in a local retail store.

Scheels, an all-sports mega store that opened in Springfield last spring, is now stocking five versions of UIS short sleeve t-shirts, one edition of a long sleeve t-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt. Each of the UIS items available is from the Nike line of athletics apparel.

“We are excited to see UIS apparel made available at a local retailer within our community,” UIS Athletic Director Kim Pate said. “Having these items available expands opportunities for fans to show their support while increasing the exposure of the UIS brand so our community can begin to identify the Prairie Stars as Springfield's team.”

Scheels is located at 3801 South MacArthur Boulevard in Springfield.

UIS Downstate Innocence Project awarded Department of Justice grant for non-DNA cases

The University of Illinois Springfield’s Downstate Innocence Project with the support of the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership has been awarded a $249,319 grant to clear downstate Illinois innocence cases, which cannot be resolved through DNA testing.

The United States Department of Justice Wrongful Conviction Wrongful Conviction Review Program grant will provide funding to investigate, locate evidence, and litigate these cases generally on behalf of indigent inmates who often have to serve 12-25 years in prison before their claims are resolved.

Central to the work of the project is a collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Law and the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Law School. Students review cases, conduct research, investigation and assist with litigation. The Downstate Innocence Project is a leader throughout the country with regard to the combined educational and clinical program coordinated by UIS through the Center for State Policy and Leadership.

“This grant is particularly important because it recognizes that over 90% of innocence cases cannot be resolved through simple DNA testing, said Larry Golden, director of the UIS Downstate Illinois Innocence Project. “The amount of work that goes into solving such cases is immense and usually takes years to bring to conclusion.”

"We are delighted once again that the Downstate Innocence Project at the University of Illinois Springfield is being nationally recognized for the work they do," said UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch. "We are proud of the combined efforts of the staff, students and community members that work so hard on these cases. This UIS Innocence Project is one of many ways that our university serves our community and our state while at the same time providing students with an outstanding educational experience."

The new grant comes nearly a year after the project was awarded a $687,448 federal grant to investigate cases where DNA evidence is involved. Project leaders say the two grants combined validate the work they are doing.

“This grant epitomizes the good that can be done by linking academic and student opportunities with real world problem solving,” said David Racine, interim executive director of the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership. “The grant will allow even more UIS students to participate in and learn from the project’s important work. We plan to build on the grant to obtain even greater support for the students and faculty of the campus.”

For more information contact Larry Golden at 217/553-7171 or email lgold1@uis.edu. More information about the Innocence Project can be found on their website at www.uis.edu/innocenceproject/.

U.S. News & World Report gives UIS top ranking for the fourth consecutive year

U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 Edition of America’s Best Colleges ranks the University of Illinois Springfield as the top regional public university in the state of Illinois and the fourth best public university in that category in the entire Midwest. This is the fourth straight year that UIS has achieved those rankings.

The prestigious rankings placed UIS at 28 on a list of 155 top public and private colleges and universities in the 12-state Midwest region that includes, in addition to Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota.

“We are proud to be among the best in the country as we continue to strive towards helping more students obtain a high quality education,” said University of Illinois Vice President and UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch. “Our ranking is a reflection of the commitment to students that is central to the work of our faculty and staff and to the quality of educational experience that we continually strive to provide.”

The rankings are based on several key measures of quality including assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

UIS is known around the world as the liberal arts campus of the University of Illinois. The campus offers 23 bachelor’s degree programs, 20 master’s programs and 1 doctoral program. Students thrive in small classes and engage the world through relevant courses and internships. UIS is recognized for preparing leaders for government and public service, and is nationally known for online learning. UIS has four colleges: business and management; education and human services; liberal arts and sciences; and public affairs and administration.

The University of Illinois Springfield is one of three campuses of the University of Illinois. The U of I has campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield with a total enrollment on-campus and online of approximately 79,000.

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