Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Area Colleges: Yn, Prairie Stars sweep golf titles

University of Illinois Springfield freshman Kayla Yn was medalist and the Prairie Stars won the team title Monday at the Quincy Fall Classic at Spring Lake Country Club.

UIS senior Becca Ramirez finished three strokes back for second place.

UIS junior Jocelyn Matsen shot a final-round 78 and placed third.

UIS finished with team score of 643 and won by 53 strokes over Quincy.

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 28, 2015.

Read the entire article here.

UIS student group pushing for 'Indigenous People's Day' to replace Columbus Day

Student government members at the University of Illinois Springfield hope a resolution passed Sunday in support of changing the second Monday in October to Indigenous People's Day will catch on.

That's the day that most of the country celebrates Columbus Day.

Duane Malany, external vice president of the Student Government Association at UIS, said the vote Sunday was largely symbolic and designed to bring awareness to what he described as an inaccurate portrayal of Christopher Columbus as an American hero.

Columbus Day commemorates the Italian explorer whose expeditions marked the beginning of Spanish colonization in the Americas. However, it also is viewed by some as the beginning of the demise of American Indian people and culture through disease, warfare, massacre and forced assimilation brought on by Europeans.

Columbus Day is recognized as a federal holiday and observed as a state holiday in Illinois. Students at UIS do not get Columbus Day off.

This story appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 28, 2015.

Read the entire article here.


Friday, September 25, 2015

Former Glenwood soccer standout Maggie Juhlin transfers to UIS

University of Illinois Springfield women’s soccer coach Molly Grisham received a surprise email last month from former Chatham Glenwood High School standout Maggie Juhlin.

The all-state defender spent three weeks in July and two weeks in the preseason preparing for her freshman season at NCAA Division I Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, but thoughts of transferring entered her mind.

She contacted Grisham about playing for the Division II Prairie Stars. Grisham jumped at the offer to add Juhlin to the UIS roster. “Anytime we can support a local player, that is a good thing for us,” Grisham said. “Our program has struggled to get local players here, and we understand players want to look at other schools and try something different, but whether that means coming here as a freshman and playing or trying somewhere else and coming back, we want local players to know the door is always open here.”

“Drake didn’t really feel like the right fit for me after I was there over the summer then went back for the preseason,” Juhlin said. "When I came back, I decided I still wanted to play soccer and continue my education. I knew that Molly and (former Glenwood standout Erin Egolf) had taken over the program here and were trying to turn it around, so I contacted them to see what they thought. I knew I wanted to be close to home and I knew they want to turn the program around, so I thought I could help with that.”

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 24, 2015.

Read the entire article here.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

UIS teams earn academic honors

The University of Illinois Springfield men’s and women’s teams have earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America college academic awards.

It is the men’s squad first team academic award. It is the fourth straight honor for the women’s team. The NSCAA recognizes college and high school program that earn a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 23, 2015.

Read the entire article here.

UIS annual film series kicks off Sept. 25

The University of Illinois Springfield kicks off its series of independent and foreign films on Friday, with a movie that’s expected to draw a big crowd, according to UIS director of student life Cynthia Thompson. 

The film, “Sam Lay in Bluesland,” was made this year and profiles Lay, a longtime Chicago blues musician who has played with Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, James Cotton, and other blues greats. At 80, he’s still performing. This documentary, which was deemed “spectacular” by the Chicago Tribune, is not rated.

The second film is an Arabic language film from Saudi Arabia and Germany called “Wadjda.” It’s the story of a spirited girl in Saudi Arabia’s capital who challenges her culture’s views on women and girls.

The last film in the series is the oldest and might be considered a modern classic. “Cinema Paradiso” was filmed in 1988 and is a sweet tale about a young Italian boy who’s inspired by the old movie projectionist in the cinema of his embattled small village. It also is rated PG.

The films are selected by a committee who reviews recommendations submitted by the entire UIS campus, according to Thompson. Typically the series includes four films, but this year it only has three, she said.

When the series was planned, UIS didn’t know what its budget would be due to Illinois’ budget impasse, so organizers planned for one fewer film than usual. Each film is open to the public and free to attend.

This article appeared online on The State Journal-Register on September 23, 2015.

Read the entire article here.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Budget impasse hurting college students

It's day 84 without a budget and one of the state's constitutional officers says the suffering has gone on long enough. Treasurer Mike Frerichs took that message to the University of Illinois Springfield Tuesday.

Right now, state universities are struggling to make ends meet because they haven't received their portion of higher education funding from the state. Students are facing the same problem because the state hasn't paid out MAP grants either. MAP grants are awarded on the basis of need.

University of Illinois Springfield Senior, Jamie Anderson, spent 11 years as a foster child, without MAP grants she says she couldn't have overcome her situation.

"My family never went to college. I was poor. I was made fun of. I was told I was not going to graduate high school and I wouldn't be where I am today," said Anderson.

130,000 students across the state rely on state funded MAP grants to help them pay for college. 800 students at UIS use them every year and now they're worried politics is getting in the way of their opportunity.

UIS is giving MAP grant students their money with the hopes that once the budget impasse ends the state will make good on their promises.

The story was reported by WICS-TV 20 on September 24, 2015.

Watch the story online.

UIS to honor pioneers of women's soccer

Before Chatham Glenwood High School was a state powerhouse and state champion in girls soccer, University of Illinois Springfield women’s soccer coach Molly Grisham played in 1990 for the school's inaugural team when the players wore hand-me-down uniforms from the junior varsity boys squad.

Grisham has witnessed the growth of the sport firsthand and wants to thank the individuals who were instrumental in the development of women's soccer in central Illinois over the past 25 years.

UIS will honor those pioneers at halftime of the Prairie Stars’ Oct. 2 game against Lewis at Kiwanis Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Local restaurant AZ-T-CA Mexican Grill is sponsoring the event.

Grisham and an advisory board have selected about 16 pioneers to honor, including former Springfield High coach Bob Wharton and former Sacred Heart-Griffin coach Oscar Lambdin. Wharton coached Springfield for 21 seasons beginning with the program’s inception in 1989. Lambdin’s 1995 SHG team was the first Central State Eight Conference program to make an appearance in the girls state tournament.

UIS is still accepting nominations at mgris01s@uis.edu.

The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on September 23, 2015.

Read the story online.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

UIS students develop games to help pay for college

A pair of twins at the University of Illinois Springfield have found a unique way to help their parents afford school – developing video games.

The Jacksonville natives, Matthew and Nathan Dean, say it all started off as a fun hobby. The two started playing the computer game ROBLOX, a free-to-play online sandbox game where users create and develop content, back in 2009. It was when they entered college that they started to explore the map designing portion of the game that their interest in it took off.

“We have made some popular games on the ROBLOX platform,” said Matthew Dean, a senior at the University of Illinois Springfield who alongside his brother has developed some of the most popular games on the site.

It was during 2011 when things changed for the twins. The designers of ROBLOX offered up a payment method for players; allowing users to spend real money for in-game currency which they could spend on buying in-game items or perks for the digital avatars. For the developers who create those items that people are purchasing – the designers can then trade in that digital currency for real-life cash.

Since the Dean twins offered up their first purchasable item in 2011 their digital market place has been very profitable. The twins have netted roughly 40,000 dollars since their first purchase on the ROBLOX market.

“ROBLOX is a game development platform,” says Nathan Dean. He continues to say, “So basically it gives you all the tools you need to create the games yourself.”

The story was reported by WICS-TV 20 on September 15, 2015.

Watch the story online.

Men's Basketball: Prairie Stars plan Tip-Off Event

The University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball team will hold the second annual Tip-Off Event on Oct. 30 from 6-9 p.m. at The Recreation and Athletic Center.

The event costs $250 per person. A team scrimmage and attendee shoot-out will take place. Attendees also will interact with the team, receive a catered meal by Noodles and Company, receive UIS basketball apparel and get an inside look at the men’s basketball program. Proceeds benefit the UIS men’s basketball team.

RSVPs must be received by Oct. 28. For more information, contact Jacqui Kane at jkane24@uis.edu or 206-8418.

The event was featured by The State Journal-Register on September 16, 2015.

Read the story online.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Rochester High grad Eli Cook takes second in UIS' inaugural cross country meet

University of Illinois Springfield sophomore Eli Cook and McKendree sophomore Benjamin Richter ran stride-for-stride Friday throughout most of the 6,000-meter course at UIS.

Cook was doing his best to kick off UIS’ inaugural cross country season with a win. He had a shot until Richter pulled away from him down the stretch for a nine-second victory.

Cook, a Millikin University transfer and Rochester High School product, placed second in 20:22. “We were side by side up until the last 400,” Cook said. “That was my plan the whole time. Ben is a real talented runner, so I knew if I could hang with him I’d do well. I was shooting for between 20:15 and 20:30, so I was right in that range. I had a negative split and ran a lot faster that last 2K, and that’s always a good thing. I’m pleased and happy.”

Freshman Ethan Bluhm was right behind Cook to give the Prairie Stars a 2-3 finish. Bluhm crossed the line in 20:57.

Cook’s and Bluhm’s finishes helped UIS place second in the team standings.

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 11, 2015.

Read the entire article here.


Area Colleges: UIS volleyball team posts first victory

Ashley Beaton hit 13 kills and served four aces Friday in the University of Illinois Springfield’s 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21 win over Chadron State at the Nebraska Kearney volleyball tournament.

Nikki Madoch tallied 12 kills in the Prairie Stars’ first victory of the season. Alyssa Hasler had eight kills and six blocks. Tiffany Wentworth posted 41 assists and 17 digs. Ally Vicsik finished with 21 digs.

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 11, 2015.

Read the entire article here.

UIS Honors Those Lost in 9/11 Attacks

2,977 American flags lined the University of Illinois Springfield quad Friday; one for each of the victims who lost their life, during the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington DC., and Pennsylvania.

"This is an event that, you know, changed American history. We actually realized this morning, the freshman here this year are the first group that was not in kindergarten, so they would have been in pre-school when it happened. So we fell it's important to make sure remembering this carries on and we never forget it," said Nathan Hoffman with UIS College Republicans.

The display was organized by UIS' College Republicans and the National Young America's foundation.

This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on September 11, 2015.

Watch the story here.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Warfield named to SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will honor eight remarkable graduates at the 2015 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, Oct. 2 in the Morris University Center.

These alumni have achieved exploits in their respective fields, are role models and are testament to SIUE’s educational excellence.

“Those selected for the Alumni Hall of Fame represent the best of SIUE,” said Steve Jankowski, director of Alumni Affairs. “It is our honor to induct these outstanding individuals.”

Dr. Walter Warfield – School of Education, Health and Human Behavior: Dr. Walter Warfield, BA Historical Studies ’68, MSEd Educational Administration ’73 Dr. Walter Warfield is currently a scholar in residence in the College of Education and Human Services at the University of Illinois-Springfield. At the age of 26, he assumed the position of principal of Mason City High School and eventually rose to serve as executive director of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). Among his numerous endeavors, Warfield served as state president of the IASA, national president of the Horace Mann League and Association of State Executives, and an affiliate of the American Association of School Administrators. Warfield is vocal in his support for the American public school system.

This article appeared online in the Edwardsville Intelligencer on September 8, 2015.

Read the entire article online.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

UIS enrollment stable for fall, down slightly from last year

Fall enrollment at the University of Illinois Springfield is down slightly compared to last year but has topped 5,000 students for the sixth consecutive year.

The official fall census puts total enrollment at 5,402 after the first 10 days of classes, the second-largest student body in the history of the school.

Last year’s fall enrollment was a record 5,431.

UIS Chancellor Susan Koch said she’s pleased with many of the things she sees in the enrollment report.

“It continues to be a competitive higher education environment,” she said. “We know students and their families have many options, but when they choose UIS, they know they are getting a high quality and affordable educational experience and a community where faculty and staff care about their success.”

Overall credit hours are up more than 300, from 53,507 in fall 2014 to 53,847 this year.

“That shows that they are working very hard to be full-time students,” Koch said.

The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on September 9, 2015.

Read the article online.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Area Colleges: League honors UIS soccer players Allevi, Geile

University of Illinois Springfield junior forward Zachary Allevi and sophomore goalkeeper Tommy Geile have earned the first Great Lakes Valley Conference men's soccer Player of the Week honors this season, the league announced Monday.

Allevi was named GLVC Offensive Player of the Week, while Geile was chosen as Defensive Player of the Week.

Allevi totaled five shots, two goals and one assist in the Prairie Stars’ wins against South Dakota School of Mines and the University of Mary.

Geile played 191 minutes in the two games and let in just one goal while making 15 saves.

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 7, 2015.

Read the entire article here.

Star Parties return Friday at UIS

Organizers of the first Star Party at then-Sangamon State University in 1976 learned one thing very quickly: It can be cold in December, especially on the roof of Brookens Library.

But that didn't deter interest, and the popular Friday Star Parties return this week and run through the end of October.

John Martin, associate professor of astronomy and physics at what is now the University of Illinois Springfield, said subsequent Star Parties were moved to fall. "The sun is setting at a reasonable time so that it becomes dark earlier, and the weather hasn't turned nasty," said Martin, the Star Parties host.

There will be seven regular 8-10 p.m. Friday Star Parties this year, plus a bonus party from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 27 (weather permitting) to view the start of a total lunar eclipse. "We haven't had a good lunar eclipse that is visible here in a while," Martin said.

A typical Star Party begins with a presentation as visitors ascend the stairs to the observatory, learning about galaxies, the sun and stars along the way. On the roof observation deck, visitors can view the skies through telescopes and ask questions.

Participants are welcome to arrive and leave as they wish between 8 and 10 p.m.

Reservations aren't required for the free Star Parties, and groups are encouraged to attend. The entrance to the campus observatory is outside Brookens Library on the southeast corner of the building.

The parties can be canceled for cloudy weather. Questions about whether the weather is suitable for viewing should be directed to 206-8342 at 7 p.m. on the evening of the Star Party.

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 7, 2015.

Read the entire article here.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Stars’ Katarzynski reaches milestone

Junior libero Kayla Katarzynski became the sixth University of Illinois Springfield volleyball player to notch 1,000 career digs Saturday.

Katarzynski currently has 1,011 digs.

St. Cloud State won 25-20, 23-25, 28-26, 25-18, 15-12 at the Central Missouri Tournament, but Katarzynski recorded 23 digs. She had eight digs in No. 13 Central Missouri’s 25-13, 25-18, 25-12 victory against the Prairie Stars (0-4). Katarzynski currently has 1,011 digs.

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 5, 2015.

Read the entire article here.


Tuesday, September 1, 2015

UIS survey looks at issues for transgendered

A national survey conducted by the University of Illinois-Springfield shows positive attitudes toward the rights of transgendered people.

Springfield's WTAX-AM reports the survey conducted online of 774 people shows 81 percent supportive of those who are transgendered having the same rights as the rest of us. However, only 41 percent support using public funds to help provide medical treatment for them.

Associate professor of political science Jason Pierceson says information about needs of the transgendered community in terms of politics, policy, and law is lacking. He says the more education there is, the more hearts and minds will be changed.

This article appeared online in The State Journal-Register on September 1, 2015.

Read the entire article here.