The UIS Theatre production of "As You Like It" was featured in a 2009 review of the top performances in the area for the year.
The State Journal-Register commented that Aasne Vigesaa, playing the leading role of Rosalind, gave the best performance by an actor the reviewer has seen in Springfield and also noted that the rest of the cast gave stellar performances as well.
Download a PDF of the article
20091224-SJR-A%26E.pdf
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Celebrating New Year's should involve safe drinking
Many people look forward to ringing in the New Year with a few rounds of beer, friends and lighthearted laughs.
Valerie Scarborough, alcohol and drug prevention coordinator at the University of Illinois Springfield, says good times can quickly become bad memories when peer pressure and a lack of restraint lead to dangerous dares at the bar counter.
Scarborough's comments were featured in a December 29, 2009, article published by Gatehouse Media.
Download a PDF of the article
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Lending a hand: Holiday season volunteering
Chris Maxey, a junior double major in political science and sociology/anthropology at the University of Illinois Springfield, said he recently began volunteering at the breadline to fulfill 20 hours of community service required by his Poverty, Law and Justice course.
Maxey, 21, said he soon found volunteering is much more than just putting the hours down on a piece of paper. He said he was shocked to find the standard of living some coming for meals withstand.
“I was surprised how many elderly, homeless people there were (at the breadline),”Maxey said.
Maxey's comments were featured in a December 22, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091222-SJR-Lending-a-hand.pdf
Maxey, 21, said he soon found volunteering is much more than just putting the hours down on a piece of paper. He said he was shocked to find the standard of living some coming for meals withstand.
“I was surprised how many elderly, homeless people there were (at the breadline),”Maxey said.
Maxey's comments were featured in a December 22, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091222-SJR-Lending-a-hand.pdf
Monday, December 21, 2009
Hasara on board as Illinois trustee
Former Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara is one of six new trustees named to the University of Illinois board by Gov. Pat Quinn.
"The thing that means the most is that I’m the first UIS grad to be on the board, and it’s been really exciting to people in Springfield and at UIS," said Hasara.
Do you see yourself as being an advocate for UIS on the board?
"I see my main goal as being a representative of the university system. But certainly I will be an advocate because there is no other person on the board who knows UIS the way I do," said Hasara.
Hasara's comments were featured in a December 21, 2009, edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091221-SJR-Hasara-on-board.pdf
"The thing that means the most is that I’m the first UIS grad to be on the board, and it’s been really exciting to people in Springfield and at UIS," said Hasara.
Do you see yourself as being an advocate for UIS on the board?
"I see my main goal as being a representative of the university system. But certainly I will be an advocate because there is no other person on the board who knows UIS the way I do," said Hasara.
Hasara's comments were featured in a December 21, 2009, edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091221-SJR-Hasara-on-board.pdf
With no incumbent, 10th Congressional district up for grabs
As Mark Kirk bows out of the 10th Congressional race to run for U.S. Senate, the political doors again are open for both democrats and republicans.
"I think it's likely to be an expensive, high-profile race that gets national attention," said Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Voter mood also has changed since the 2008 Democratic whirlwind led by President Barack Obama.
"It will be interesting to see who's playing offense and who's playing defense," Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 20, 2009, edition of the Chicago Daily Herald
Download a PDF of the article:
20091220-Daily-Herald-10th-Congressional.pdf
Friday, December 18, 2009
Judy Baar Topinka attempts return to state office
Republican Judy Baar Topinka is attempting to return to statewide office. At 65, she's running for Illinois comptroller, saying she can't stand to see state government engulfed by financial problems.
Though she was constantly bad-mouthed by former governor Rod Blagojevich, she still has two weapons in her arsenal: strong name recognition and a scandal-free reputation, according to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 17, 2009, article in the Chicago Tribune about Topinka's comeback.
Download a PDF of the article
20091217-ChiTrib-Topinka.pdf
Though she was constantly bad-mouthed by former governor Rod Blagojevich, she still has two weapons in her arsenal: strong name recognition and a scandal-free reputation, according to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at UIS.
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 17, 2009, article in the Chicago Tribune about Topinka's comeback.
Download a PDF of the article
20091217-ChiTrib-Topinka.pdf
Students not indicted for hate crime
A Sangamon County grand jury has refused to indict three University of Illinois Springfield students on hate crime charges in connection with an Oct. 3 altercation in a campus parking lot.
However, the grand jury Thursday did indict two of the men on other charges, including a felony.
The news was reported in a December 17, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091217-SJR-studentsindicted.pdf
However, the grand jury Thursday did indict two of the men on other charges, including a felony.
The news was reported in a December 17, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091217-SJR-studentsindicted.pdf
Thursday, December 17, 2009
LMS competitors call truce
A three-and-a-half-year court battle between learning management system (LMS) giant Blackboard Inc. and competitor Desire2Learn ended Dec. 15 when the companies agreed to license each other's patents and drop longstanding lawsuits.
Ray Schroeder, director of UIS' Center for Online Learning, Research and Service, said the settlement between Desire2Learn and Blackboard "holds far less meaning" than if the companies had come to an agreement three years ago.
Schroeder's comments were featured in a December 17, 2009, article about the agreement published on ecampusnews.com.
Download a PDF of the article
20091217-ecampusnews-onlinetruce.pdf
Ray Schroeder, director of UIS' Center for Online Learning, Research and Service, said the settlement between Desire2Learn and Blackboard "holds far less meaning" than if the companies had come to an agreement three years ago.
Schroeder's comments were featured in a December 17, 2009, article about the agreement published on ecampusnews.com.
Download a PDF of the article
20091217-ecampusnews-onlinetruce.pdf
Illinois divides over Thomson-Gitmo decision
The government has purchased the Thomson Correctional Center to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay in Thomson, Ill.
The purchase was the feature of a December 15, 2009, news story by WAND-TV Channel 17. UIS' Baker Siddiquee, associate professor of economics, was interviewed for the story.
See the broadcast story here.
The purchase was the feature of a December 15, 2009, news story by WAND-TV Channel 17. UIS' Baker Siddiquee, associate professor of economics, was interviewed for the story.
See the broadcast story here.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Oruche named GLVC Player of the Week
University of Illinois Springfield senior basketball guard Richard Oruche has been named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week after leading the Prairie Stars to a pair of wins, including a victory Saturday over previously unbeaten Central State.
The announcement was featured in the December 15, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Democrats try to retain power during redistricting
Every 10 years, Illinois lawmakers break out their markers and redistrict the state’s legislative districts, which produces political strife during the year to come.
Democrats currently hold all of the power and will be focusing on retaining it, according to Kent Redfield, a political science professor emeritus at UIS.
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 14, 2009, article in the Chicago Current.
Download a PDF of the article
20091214-ChiCurrent-redistrict.pdf
Democrats currently hold all of the power and will be focusing on retaining it, according to Kent Redfield, a political science professor emeritus at UIS.
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 14, 2009, article in the Chicago Current.
Download a PDF of the article
20091214-ChiCurrent-redistrict.pdf
Monday, December 14, 2009
Budget crisis could get worse in Illinois
Though the Illinois state budget seems to be bad enough, it could get worse, experts say.
Ultimately, budget crises in some states can even lead to the closing down of state government for brief periods, according to Chris Mooney, a political science professor at UIS. State shutdowns, or the threat of one, may be one of the few things that convince lawmakers to make the more difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions, like raising taxes and cutting services, he said.
Mooney's comments were featured in a December 14, 2009, article on Stateline.org.
Download a PDF of the article
20091214-Stateline-statebudget.pdf
Ultimately, budget crises in some states can even lead to the closing down of state government for brief periods, according to Chris Mooney, a political science professor at UIS. State shutdowns, or the threat of one, may be one of the few things that convince lawmakers to make the more difficult, sometimes unpopular decisions, like raising taxes and cutting services, he said.
Mooney's comments were featured in a December 14, 2009, article on Stateline.org.
Download a PDF of the article
20091214-Stateline-statebudget.pdf
Friday, December 11, 2009
Professor weighs in on power company's proposed plan
Rocky Mountain Power in Salt Lake City wants to change the way it bills customers for the electricity they use, a decision it says will help lower costs and allow Utahns to better track their electricity usage and respond to changing prices, but that is receiving criticism from experts in the field.
Karl A. McDermott, a professor of business and government at UIS, was one expert who weighed in on the situation in a December 11, 2009, article in the Salt Lake Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article
20091211-SaltLakeTribune-utility.pdf
Karl A. McDermott, a professor of business and government at UIS, was one expert who weighed in on the situation in a December 11, 2009, article in the Salt Lake Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article
20091211-SaltLakeTribune-utility.pdf
Rate plan receives criticism from experts
Customers who buy their power from Duke Energy in South Carolina face a 9.2 percent price hike by February under a settlement agreement between the company and the Office of Regulatory Staff, the state agency charged with protecting the public interest in utility matters.
If South Carolina's Office of Regulatory Staff had employed the same average and peak method for cost allocation method as other states like Michigan, Duke's residential customers might not be facing such a steep rate hike at the same time manufacturers are set to get a decrease, according to Carl Peterson, a professor in the Center for Business and Regulation at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Comments from Peterson were featured in a December 11, 2009 article published in the (South Carolina) State.
Download a PDF of the article
20091211-State-Dukerateplan.pdf
Thursday, December 10, 2009
UIS women's soccer team receives conference award
The University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars women’s soccer team has received a Great Lakes Valley Conference Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Sportsmanship Award for the fall season.
The news was announced in the December 10, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091210-SJR-socceraward.pdf
The news was announced in the December 10, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091210-SJR-socceraward.pdf
Local film premieres at UIS' Brookens Auditorium
On World Aids Day, Kimberly D. Conner’s short film "This Life Ain’t Pretty," premiered at UIS’ Brookens Auditorium. The auditorium was more than full of cast, crew, friends and supporters for her film.
The film's premiere was featured in a December 10, 2009, article in the Illinois Times.
Download a PDF of the article
20091210-IT-moviepremiere.pdf
The film's premiere was featured in a December 10, 2009, article in the Illinois Times.
Download a PDF of the article
20091210-IT-moviepremiere.pdf
Vintage Brass Band created by employees of UIS
The Vintage Brass Band will be presenting "A Vintage Brass Christmas" at the First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 12. The band was created by husband and wife musician team of UIS staff members R. Todd Cranson and Rose Schweikhart Cranson in 2009.
The band was the subject of a feature in the December 10, 2009, Illinois Times.
Download a PDF of the article
20091210-IT-brassband.pdf
The band was the subject of a feature in the December 10, 2009, Illinois Times.
Download a PDF of the article
20091210-IT-brassband.pdf
Lawmakers suspected of favoring politically-connected with scholarships
Lawmakers have awarded at least 197 tuition-free scholarships to relatives of campaign contributors, and some lawmakers and good government groups have raised concerns that the scholarship program favors the politically connected.
Charles N. Wheeler, III, director of the public affairs program at UIS, said lawmakers can protect themselves from suspicion by using independent committees and using objective guidelines to nominate scholarship recipients.
Wheeler's comments were featured in a December 8, 2009, article in the Southwest Daily Herald.
Download a PDF of the article
Forum includes former and current WUIS news directors
Six of the seven Republican candidates for governor will participate in a forum Monday in Springfield.
Rich Bradley, who recently retired as WUIS-FM news director, will moderate the forum and the panel of reporters asking questions will include Sean Crawford, current WIUS news director.
The forum was announced in the December 9, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091209-SJR-repubforum.pdf
Rich Bradley, who recently retired as WUIS-FM news director, will moderate the forum and the panel of reporters asking questions will include Sean Crawford, current WIUS news director.
The forum was announced in the December 9, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091209-SJR-repubforum.pdf
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Presidential search forum at UIS
Members of the University of Illinois’ presidential search committee hope a public forum allowed faculty, students, staff and the general public an opportunity to discuss qualities they feel are needed by the university’s next president.
“We like as many comments as possible,” said U of I trustee Karen Hasara of Springfield, who chaired the forum. “We’re hoping the publicity will encourage people to e-mail.”
The forum was featured in a December 9, 2009, edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091209-SJR-Presidential-search-forum.pdf
U of I Presidential Search Forum Comes to Springfield
The search continues for a new president at the University of Illinois and the committee in charge of hiring wants to hear from you.
Several members of the presidential search committee heard feedback on qualities they want to see in the next university president.
WICS-TV 20 featured U of I trustee Karen Hasara and student committee member Charles Oliver in a December 8, 2009 report.
Watch the report online here.
Several members of the presidential search committee heard feedback on qualities they want to see in the next university president.
WICS-TV 20 featured U of I trustee Karen Hasara and student committee member Charles Oliver in a December 8, 2009 report.
Watch the report online here.
One year later: 'Blagojevich hangover' continues
Believe it or not it was one year ago today (December 9, 2008) that FBI agents knocked on Rod Blagojevich's front door and opened the final chapter in the former governor's troubled tenure in office.
Political science professor Kent Redfield said it could be a decade or more before the state is cured of its "Blagojevich hangover."
The University of Illinois at Springfield professor says voters will have to find new faith in new leaders. He said Blagojevich did so much damage that voters may have a hard time trusting any elected official.
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 8, 2009, edition of the Quad-Cities Dispatch-Argus.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091208-QuadCities-One-year-Blagojevich.pdf
Political science professor Kent Redfield said it could be a decade or more before the state is cured of its "Blagojevich hangover."
The University of Illinois at Springfield professor says voters will have to find new faith in new leaders. He said Blagojevich did so much damage that voters may have a hard time trusting any elected official.
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 8, 2009, edition of the Quad-Cities Dispatch-Argus.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091208-QuadCities-One-year-Blagojevich.pdf
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Elluminate is one online tool used at UIS
Elluminate gives an instructor the ability to hold a web conference with up to 300 participants, host interactive displays, video streaming and just about every function a teacher could want in an online classroom.
UIS is one of a few higher education institutions using the very popular Elluminate. UIS was mentioned in a December 8, 2009, article in the Vator News about Elluminate.
Download a PDF of the article
20091208-VatorNews-Elluminate.pdf
UIS is one of a few higher education institutions using the very popular Elluminate. UIS was mentioned in a December 8, 2009, article in the Vator News about Elluminate.
Download a PDF of the article
20091208-VatorNews-Elluminate.pdf
Some high schoolers opt for early graduation
In the Springfield school district alone, more than 100 high school seniors have applied for early graduation this year, with various reasons of why they want to graduate early, including getting a head-start on college.
Amanda Bly, an admissions counselor at UIS, said that early high school graduates may now start classes at UIS in the spring due to a new policy.
Bly's comments were featured in a December 8, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register about early graduation.
Download a PDF of the article
20091208-SJR-DecHSgrads.pdf
Amanda Bly, an admissions counselor at UIS, said that early high school graduates may now start classes at UIS in the spring due to a new policy.
Bly's comments were featured in a December 8, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register about early graduation.
Download a PDF of the article
20091208-SJR-DecHSgrads.pdf
UIS Downstate Innocence Project director comments on big case
On November 10, filing by Illinois State's Attorney Anita Alvarez raised serious questions about the methods students used to gather evidence in a case currently in Cook County Circuit Court. The actions will have a big impact on the case of Anthony McKinney, whose case is being worked on by students at Northwestern University's Center for Wrongful Convictions.
Larry Golden, co-director of the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project and a professor emeritus at UIS, teaches classes on wrongful convictions. Golden's comments were featured in a December 7, 2009, article in the Truthout about McKinney's case.
Download a PDF of the article
20091207-truthout-innocenceproject.pdf
Larry Golden, co-director of the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project and a professor emeritus at UIS, teaches classes on wrongful convictions. Golden's comments were featured in a December 7, 2009, article in the Truthout about McKinney's case.
Download a PDF of the article
20091207-truthout-innocenceproject.pdf
Monday, December 7, 2009
UIS finds success with iTunes Story
Through its new iTunes Store listing, UIS is bringing some of its archived oral history to more than 200 million users worldwide.
In the first three months UIS has been part of the iTunes Store, new downloads have increased by more than 75,000. Previously, the campus averaged only 3,000 downloads every three months.
A story about UIS and the iTunes story was published in the December 7, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091207-SJR-itunes.pdf
In the first three months UIS has been part of the iTunes Store, new downloads have increased by more than 75,000. Previously, the campus averaged only 3,000 downloads every three months.
A story about UIS and the iTunes story was published in the December 7, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091207-SJR-itunes.pdf
UIS donates to Central Illinois Foodbank
UIS collected a record 6,209 pounds of food — 40 percent more than last year — for the Central Illinois Foodbank as part of the 2009 Holiday Stars Project.
The news was featured in the December 5, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the clip
20091205-SJR-HolidayStarscollection.pdf
The news was featured in the December 5, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the clip
20091205-SJR-HolidayStarscollection.pdf
Friday, December 4, 2009
UIS wins at buzzer during first GLVC game
During UIS' inaugural game in the Great Lakes Valley Conference at TRAC, UIS senior guard Zach Lewis tipped in the game-winning basket at the buzzer for a thrilling 115-114 double-overtime victory over the Missouri S&T Miners.
The game was featured in a December 4, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091204-SJR-GLVCopener.pdf
The game was featured in a December 4, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091204-SJR-GLVCopener.pdf
UIS collects food for Central Illinois Foodbank
UIS collected 6,209 pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank as part of the 2009 Holiday Stars Project, which was an increase of more than 40 percent over last year.
The news was featured in a story from WICS-TV on December 3, 2009.
To watch the news clip, go online here.
The news was featured in a story from WICS-TV on December 3, 2009.
To watch the news clip, go online here.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Quinn uses office to advantage with State of the State Address
In 2010, Gov. Pat Quinn will stand before legislators and lay out his vision for state government. His State of the State address could be a State of the Campaign address as well, some say, and criticize him for taking advantage of his office during the election.
But that's the kind of perk that comes with being governor, according to Chris Mooney, professor of political science at UIS.
Mooney's comments were featured in a December 3, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register about the topic.
Download a PDF of the article
20091203-SJR-Quinnstateaddress.pdf
But that's the kind of perk that comes with being governor, according to Chris Mooney, professor of political science at UIS.
Mooney's comments were featured in a December 3, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register about the topic.
Download a PDF of the article
20091203-SJR-Quinnstateaddress.pdf
UIS presents Fall Music Showcase
The University of Illinois Springfield Chorus, Choir and Band will present the Fall Showcase Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Studio Theatre at the Public Affairs Center on campus.
Information about the fall showcase was published in the December 3, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091203-SJR-musicshowcase.pdf
Information about the fall showcase was published in the December 3, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091203-SJR-musicshowcase.pdf
UIS staff is part of Springfield Choral Society
Janette Kirkham, employee at UIS, has been a part of the Springfield Choral Society since 1985.
This weekend, the Choral Society will present “Peace in All the Earth,” a concert of 22 songs from 12 different countries, in eight different languages. The chorus will dedicate its program to men and women serving in the military.
A December 3, 2009, article featuring the Choral Society and comments from Kirkham was published in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091203-IllTimes-JanKirkham.pdf
This weekend, the Choral Society will present “Peace in All the Earth,” a concert of 22 songs from 12 different countries, in eight different languages. The chorus will dedicate its program to men and women serving in the military.
A December 3, 2009, article featuring the Choral Society and comments from Kirkham was published in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091203-IllTimes-JanKirkham.pdf
"Avenue Q" comes to Sangamon Auditorium
“Avenue Q” recently embarked on its first national tour of smaller cities, which brings the grown-up puppet musical to Springfield for the first time Saturday night at Sangamon Auditorium on the UIS campus.
An article about Avenue Q was featured in the December 3, 2009, State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Ethnicity in politics: 1986 and beyond
The last Polish-American to seek a prominent state office was Aurelia Pucinski, daughter of prominent Polish-American politician and community leader Roman Pucinski. He served as U.S. Representative from 1959 to 1973 and alderman (41st) from 1973 to 1991.
In 1986, Aurelia Pucinski ran for secretary of state alongside George E. Sangmeister for lieutenant governor and Adlai Stevenson for governor with the Solidarity Party.
Charlie H. Wheeler, director of the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois Springfield, said that Pucinski and Sangmeister didn’t necessarily lose because of their ethnic names.
Wheeler's comments were featured in a December 1, 2009, article in Medill Reports.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091201-Medill-Ethnicity-in-politics.pdf
In 1986, Aurelia Pucinski ran for secretary of state alongside George E. Sangmeister for lieutenant governor and Adlai Stevenson for governor with the Solidarity Party.
Charlie H. Wheeler, director of the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois Springfield, said that Pucinski and Sangmeister didn’t necessarily lose because of their ethnic names.
Wheeler's comments were featured in a December 1, 2009, article in Medill Reports.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091201-Medill-Ethnicity-in-politics.pdf
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
WUIS launches new alternative digital radio station
WUIS/Illinois Public Radio has launched a new “alternative” digital radio station, which is part of a nearly $300,000 upgrade.
The station, called “Xponential Radio,” first arrived on the airwaves in mid-October and can be received using an HD radio or listening online at www.wuis.org.
The news was the subject of a December 1, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091201-SJR-WUISalternativestation.pdf
The station, called “Xponential Radio,” first arrived on the airwaves in mid-October and can be received using an HD radio or listening online at www.wuis.org.
The news was the subject of a December 1, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091201-SJR-WUISalternativestation.pdf
Social networking sites are beneficial tools for government candidates
Those running for statewide office in Illinois see the Internet and its new social networking tools as inexpensive, invaluable gateways to reach voters. The emergence of the Internet as an everyday part of life has political candidates pushing the boundaries of “e-campaigning,” from Facebook and Twitter posts to YouTube videos and blogs, just as President Obama did in his presidential campaign.
“A lot of folks say, ‘I want to be like Barack,’” said Michael Cheney, a senior fellow at the Institute of Government and Politics at the University of Illinois, in a November 30, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091130-SJR-ecampaigning.pdf
State government candidates use Obama's campaign practices
State political candidates have collected donations and campaigned through the World Wide Web for years, but now social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, are taking over the campaign trail.
The trend comes in part from President Obama's campaign, which took his message directly to voters, according to Michael Cheney, a senior fellow at the Institute of Government and Politics at the University of Illinois. Cheney's comments were featured in a November 30, 2009, article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article
20091130-ChiTrib-campaignssocialnetworking.pdf
The trend comes in part from President Obama's campaign, which took his message directly to voters, according to Michael Cheney, a senior fellow at the Institute of Government and Politics at the University of Illinois. Cheney's comments were featured in a November 30, 2009, article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article
20091130-ChiTrib-campaignssocialnetworking.pdf
Monday, November 30, 2009
Locals weigh in on U.S. in Afghanistan
Local veterans weighed in about the strategy of the U.S. in Afghanistan during a news story from WICS channel 20 on Sunday, November 29, 2009.
Chris Mooney, professor of political science at UIS, commented during the story about the connection of health care reform and sending more troops in.
To watch the news clip, go here.
Chris Mooney, professor of political science at UIS, commented during the story about the connection of health care reform and sending more troops in.
To watch the news clip, go here.
UIS Diversity Center sponsors film premiere
A locally-directed short film aimed at challenging stereotypes surrounding HIV and AIDS is premiering Tuesday, December 1, at UIS.
The screening of the film, called "This Life Ain't Pretty," is free and open to the public, and it will be held at Brookens Auditorium. An article about the screening and the film was featured in a November 26, 2009, article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
20091126-SJR-filmpremiere.pdf
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
U of I plans public forums on president search
The University of Illinois plans to hold public forums on its three campuses in December to seek input on the search for a new president.
The university says the committee is starting to build a pool of applicants. Forums will be held Dec. 2 at the Chicago campus, Dec. 3 at the flagship campus in Urbana-Champaign, and Dec. 8 in Springfield.
The university wants to hire a replacement for outgoing President B. Joseph White by July 2010.
The forums were featured in an November 25, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091124-SJR-U-of-I-plans-public-forums.pdf
The university says the committee is starting to build a pool of applicants. Forums will be held Dec. 2 at the Chicago campus, Dec. 3 at the flagship campus in Urbana-Champaign, and Dec. 8 in Springfield.
The university wants to hire a replacement for outgoing President B. Joseph White by July 2010.
The forums were featured in an November 25, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091124-SJR-U-of-I-plans-public-forums.pdf
UIS men's basketball team routs MacMurray
The University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars didn’t score more than 100 points in a men’s basketball game last season.
The Stars lit up the scoreboard in this season’s opener for a 115-60 non-conference victory over the MacMurray Highlanders on Tuesday at The Recreation and Athletic Center.
“I liked our pace of the game,” UIS coach Kevin Gamble said. “What I didn’t like was we didn’t play hard the entire game. We took plays off. You can’t do that against good teams.”
The team was featured in an November 25, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091125-SJR-UIS-mens-basketball-team.pdf
The Stars lit up the scoreboard in this season’s opener for a 115-60 non-conference victory over the MacMurray Highlanders on Tuesday at The Recreation and Athletic Center.
“I liked our pace of the game,” UIS coach Kevin Gamble said. “What I didn’t like was we didn’t play hard the entire game. We took plays off. You can’t do that against good teams.”
The team was featured in an November 25, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091125-SJR-UIS-mens-basketball-team.pdf
Monday, November 23, 2009
Cuomo took campaign cash from lawyers with matters before him
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s campaign fund took tens of thousands of dollars from law firms representing clients his office investigated or accused of wrongdoing, state records show.
If Cuomo were to reject lawyer donations to avoid any appearance of conflict, he could still raise enough for “a credible campaign,” said Ronald Michaelson, a former national chairman of the Council of Governmental Ethics Laws who teaches at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
“Even if he’s going to use the money in a gubernatorial race, he would still be the attorney general,” he said in an e- mail. “The perception of impropriety is obviously clear, and that’s reason enough to refuse the money.”
Michaelson's comments were featured in an November 23, 2009 Bloomberg.com article.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091123-Bloomberg-Cuomo.pdf
If Cuomo were to reject lawyer donations to avoid any appearance of conflict, he could still raise enough for “a credible campaign,” said Ronald Michaelson, a former national chairman of the Council of Governmental Ethics Laws who teaches at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
“Even if he’s going to use the money in a gubernatorial race, he would still be the attorney general,” he said in an e- mail. “The perception of impropriety is obviously clear, and that’s reason enough to refuse the money.”
Michaelson's comments were featured in an November 23, 2009 Bloomberg.com article.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091123-Bloomberg-Cuomo.pdf
Access 4 producers wish to take over station
Comcast took over operation of Access 4 several years ago. Before then, it had been operated at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Gerald Burkhart, director of the Office of Electronic Media at UIS, said Comcast pulled Access 4 out of the university when UIS decided not to renew its contract with Comcast to provide cable to apartments and dorms on campus.
Comcast and predecessor cable companies had paid UIS to operate Access 4. The station’s budget at the time was about $170,000 per year, Burkhart said, and Access 4 had one full-time employee, one part-time worker and numerous student workers.
The station was featured in an November 21, 2009 article.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091121-SJR-Access-4-producer.pdf
Gerald Burkhart, director of the Office of Electronic Media at UIS, said Comcast pulled Access 4 out of the university when UIS decided not to renew its contract with Comcast to provide cable to apartments and dorms on campus.
Comcast and predecessor cable companies had paid UIS to operate Access 4. The station’s budget at the time was about $170,000 per year, Burkhart said, and Access 4 had one full-time employee, one part-time worker and numerous student workers.
The station was featured in an November 21, 2009 article.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091121-SJR-Access-4-producer.pdf
Area colleges: Baseball: UIS signs six recruits
University of Illinois Springfield coach Brian Grunzke has signed the fledgling program’s first recruiting class.
The Prairie Stars will play their first season in the spring of 2011, and Lincoln High School senior infielder Hayden Cosby is among their six signees.
UIS’ other recruits are Bartonville Limestone High School senior pitcher Barry Arnett, Lincoln College sophomore outfielder Nate Blessman, Princeton High School senior catcher Reid Clary, Naperville Central High School senior Matt Cmiel and Washington senior infielder Marshall Escue.
The team was featured in an November 21, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091121-SJR-Area-colleges-Baseball-UIS.pdf
The Prairie Stars will play their first season in the spring of 2011, and Lincoln High School senior infielder Hayden Cosby is among their six signees.
UIS’ other recruits are Bartonville Limestone High School senior pitcher Barry Arnett, Lincoln College sophomore outfielder Nate Blessman, Princeton High School senior catcher Reid Clary, Naperville Central High School senior Matt Cmiel and Washington senior infielder Marshall Escue.
The team was featured in an November 21, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091121-SJR-Area-colleges-Baseball-UIS.pdf
Friday, November 20, 2009
Special Report: Why so few male elementary teachers?
Why are there so few male elementary teachers locally and across the nation?
"I think it has a lot to do with perceptions of what teachers do during the day, especially elementary school teachers," said Dr. Curby Alexander, UIS assistant professor of education.
Alexander is a former elementary teacher and says many men stay out of the classroom because they think being a teacher means being a babysitter.
Demetrius Davis wanted to go into criminal psychology, but spent a summer teaching kids how to read. Now he is one of only a handful of male UIS students studying to become an elementary school teacher.
The special report aired on News Channel at Nine on Fox Illinois (WRSP-TV) on November 18, 2009.
Watch the report online:
http://www.myfoxillinois.com/dpp/springfield/11192009_why_so_few_male_teachers
"I think it has a lot to do with perceptions of what teachers do during the day, especially elementary school teachers," said Dr. Curby Alexander, UIS assistant professor of education.
Alexander is a former elementary teacher and says many men stay out of the classroom because they think being a teacher means being a babysitter.
Demetrius Davis wanted to go into criminal psychology, but spent a summer teaching kids how to read. Now he is one of only a handful of male UIS students studying to become an elementary school teacher.
The special report aired on News Channel at Nine on Fox Illinois (WRSP-TV) on November 18, 2009.
Watch the report online:
http://www.myfoxillinois.com/dpp/springfield/11192009_why_so_few_male_teachers
College Notes: UIS men's basketball made progress in loss
The University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars’ exhibition men’s basketball game against Illinois-Chicago finished better than it started.
The end result was a 72-59 loss Saturday to UIC, but UIS made progress. After trailing 33-19 at the half, the Stars bounced back and outscored the Flames 40-39 in the second half.
“UIC played a zone the whole night and we didn’t get to see much in our man-to-man offense, which we really worked on,” UIS coach Kevin Gamble said. “We didn’t play bad. We just didn’t make shots."
The team was featured in an November 20, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091120-SJR-College-Notes-UIS-men.pdf
The end result was a 72-59 loss Saturday to UIC, but UIS made progress. After trailing 33-19 at the half, the Stars bounced back and outscored the Flames 40-39 in the second half.
“UIC played a zone the whole night and we didn’t get to see much in our man-to-man offense, which we really worked on,” UIS coach Kevin Gamble said. “We didn’t play bad. We just didn’t make shots."
The team was featured in an November 20, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091120-SJR-College-Notes-UIS-men.pdf
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Dedication Day: 146th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address
On Thursday, the 146th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address will be honored with numerous events in Gettysburg.
Dr. Michael Burlingame will deliver the 48th Annual Fortenbaugh Memorial Lecture at 8 p.m. Burlingame is currently the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Burlingame's lecture was featured in an November 18, 2009 article in The Gettysburg, PA Times.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091118-Getty-Dedication-Day.pdf
Dr. Michael Burlingame will deliver the 48th Annual Fortenbaugh Memorial Lecture at 8 p.m. Burlingame is currently the Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Burlingame's lecture was featured in an November 18, 2009 article in The Gettysburg, PA Times.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091118-Getty-Dedication-Day.pdf
Win worth the wait for UIS women
The University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars waited and then waited some more for their first women’s basketball game of the season.
After practicing and scrimmaging against each other for more than 34 days, the Stars had their urge to play quenched Wednesday. UIS welcomed the Robert Morris University Eagles to The Recreation and Athletic Center. The end result was a 78-58 non-conference victory for the Stars.
“It felt good to finally get on the floor,” UIS sophomore guard Alex Blair said. “It was a long preseason, but it just gave us time to work harder and prepare.”
The win was featured in an November 19, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091119-SJR-Win-worth-the-wait-for-UIS.pdf
After practicing and scrimmaging against each other for more than 34 days, the Stars had their urge to play quenched Wednesday. UIS welcomed the Robert Morris University Eagles to The Recreation and Athletic Center. The end result was a 78-58 non-conference victory for the Stars.
“It felt good to finally get on the floor,” UIS sophomore guard Alex Blair said. “It was a long preseason, but it just gave us time to work harder and prepare.”
The win was featured in an November 19, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091119-SJR-Win-worth-the-wait-for-UIS.pdf
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Books of the Year: The Top Five
Dr. Michael Burlingame’s book “Abraham Lincoln: A Life” has been picked by The Atlantic Monthly magazine as one of the top five books of 2009. Burlingame is a professor of history at the University of Illinois Springfield and holds the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies.
Read more online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200912/books2009
Download a PDF of the article:
20091116-Atlantic-Monthly-Books-2009.pdf
Read more online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200912/books2009
Download a PDF of the article:
20091116-Atlantic-Monthly-Books-2009.pdf
U of I graduate instructors go on strike
Officials at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign say classes are continuing after graduate instructors went on strike.
The strike hasn’t been felt at the U of I Springfield because graduate assistants are handled differently at each campus.
“We do not have any graduate assistants not showing up for work today,” said Leslie DeFrates, assistant to the vice chancellor for graduate education and research at UIS. “We don’t use graduate assistants as instructors of record,” she said. “We do have teaching assistants, but they assist professors in areas such as tutoring and grading papers.”
DeFrates' comments were featured in an November 16, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091116-SJR-U-of-I-graduate-instru.pdf
The strike hasn’t been felt at the U of I Springfield because graduate assistants are handled differently at each campus.
“We do not have any graduate assistants not showing up for work today,” said Leslie DeFrates, assistant to the vice chancellor for graduate education and research at UIS. “We don’t use graduate assistants as instructors of record,” she said. “We do have teaching assistants, but they assist professors in areas such as tutoring and grading papers.”
DeFrates' comments were featured in an November 16, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091116-SJR-U-of-I-graduate-instru.pdf
Monday, November 16, 2009
Good Deeds: UIS canned food drive
"I want to thank the people of Springfield for their generosity this Halloween. I was captain of a team of students from the University of Illinois Springfield that spread throughout the city on Halloween collecting canned goods for the Central Illinois Foodbank. There were 14 teams total, and together UIS collected more than 4,000 pounds of food!"
UIS student Jaleesa Earthely was featured in the Good Deeds section of the State Journal-Register in a November 14, 2009 edition.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091114-SJR-Good-Deeds.pdf
UIS student Jaleesa Earthely was featured in the Good Deeds section of the State Journal-Register in a November 14, 2009 edition.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091114-SJR-Good-Deeds.pdf
Review: 'Shape of Things' pushes boundaries of art, love
By the final curtain, the first line in “The Shape of Things” could be directed at every character: “You stepped over the line.”
The Neil LaBute play, which opened Friday in the Studio Theatre at the University of Illinois Springfield, follows four college students testing the boundaries of love and life — and each other.
As Adam, Joey Cruse displays some of the same fecklessness he used to great comic effect as Leo Bloom in “The Producers” this year at The Muni. Evelyn has to be everything Adam isn’t, and Carol Schulte plays the role with enough of an edge to make you wonder if everything is as it seems.
Lauren Braden’s Jenny blends likability with vulnerability, and Kevin Brownell’s Phil steals several scenes with some of the funniest lines in the play.
The review was published in an November 14, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091114-SJR-Review-Shape-of-Things.pdf
The Neil LaBute play, which opened Friday in the Studio Theatre at the University of Illinois Springfield, follows four college students testing the boundaries of love and life — and each other.
As Adam, Joey Cruse displays some of the same fecklessness he used to great comic effect as Leo Bloom in “The Producers” this year at The Muni. Evelyn has to be everything Adam isn’t, and Carol Schulte plays the role with enough of an edge to make you wonder if everything is as it seems.
Lauren Braden’s Jenny blends likability with vulnerability, and Kevin Brownell’s Phil steals several scenes with some of the funniest lines in the play.
The review was published in an November 14, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091114-SJR-Review-Shape-of-Things.pdf
Friday, November 13, 2009
U of I committee starts presidential search
The retiring president of the University of Illinois got a standing ovation at his final meeting of the school’s board of trustees.
Meeting in Springfield, the board also appointed a 19-member committee, including former Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara, to search for a new president. The committee will be chaired by trustee Pamela Strobel.
Also appointed to the committee from the University of Illinois Springfield were:
* Faculty members Tih-Fen Ting, chair of the campus senate and associate professor of environmental studies, and James Patrick Hall, director of the MBA program and vice chair of the campus senate.
* Student representative Charles Olivier, vice president of the Student Government Association. He is an undergraduate in accountancy and business administration.
The appointments were reported in an November 13, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091113-SJR-U-of-I-committee.pdf
Meeting in Springfield, the board also appointed a 19-member committee, including former Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara, to search for a new president. The committee will be chaired by trustee Pamela Strobel.
Also appointed to the committee from the University of Illinois Springfield were:
* Faculty members Tih-Fen Ting, chair of the campus senate and associate professor of environmental studies, and James Patrick Hall, director of the MBA program and vice chair of the campus senate.
* Student representative Charles Olivier, vice president of the Student Government Association. He is an undergraduate in accountancy and business administration.
The appointments were reported in an November 13, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091113-SJR-U-of-I-committee.pdf
U of I President Apologizes, Search for New President
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has picked a committee to search for a new president for the university.
The U of I Board of Trustees meeting took place all day at UIS Thursday. The meeting started off with an apology from President B. Joesph White. He told the board he regrets the admissions problems at occured at the Urbana campus.
The Springfield meeting was featured in a live report on WICS-TV 20 on November 12, 2009.
Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_916.shtml
The U of I Board of Trustees meeting took place all day at UIS Thursday. The meeting started off with an apology from President B. Joesph White. He told the board he regrets the admissions problems at occured at the Urbana campus.
The Springfield meeting was featured in a live report on WICS-TV 20 on November 12, 2009.
Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_916.shtml
Washington's Escue Signs with UI-Springfield
Grant Escue likes to be first.
The Washington senior is one of the first recruits for the new baseball program at Illinois-Springfield. Escue signed his National Letter of Intent with UIS Thursday.
"I think I might have been one of the first guys to officially commit to the program which is unique," said Escue. "Not too many guys can say that. I think that's pretty cool. It means a lot."
Escue was featured on November 12, 2009 in a sports report on WMBD-TV in Peoria.
Watch the report online:
http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=86421
The Washington senior is one of the first recruits for the new baseball program at Illinois-Springfield. Escue signed his National Letter of Intent with UIS Thursday.
"I think I might have been one of the first guys to officially commit to the program which is unique," said Escue. "Not too many guys can say that. I think that's pretty cool. It means a lot."
Escue was featured on November 12, 2009 in a sports report on WMBD-TV in Peoria.
Watch the report online:
http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=86421
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Intern Queen visits UIS
UIS students got a dose of reality to help them gain an edge in today’s tough job market and it came from the queen herself, "The Intern Queen".
Lauren Berger had 15 internships under her belt by the time she graduated from college, each with different companies. Now the self-titled "Intern Queen" has made a career of helping others land internships.
Berger's visit to the UIS campus was featured by WICS-TV reporter Heather Hubbs in a November 11, 2009 report.
Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_906.shtml
Lauren Berger had 15 internships under her belt by the time she graduated from college, each with different companies. Now the self-titled "Intern Queen" has made a career of helping others land internships.
Berger's visit to the UIS campus was featured by WICS-TV reporter Heather Hubbs in a November 11, 2009 report.
Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_906.shtml
Young characters walk fine line in UIS play
At the center of “The Shape of Things” is the line between art and life.
The Neil LaBute play, which opens Friday at UIS Theatre, begins with a literal interpretation of that divide when Adam, a college student and part-time museum security guard, finds Evelyn on the wrong side of a velvet rope guarding a statue.
Suffice to say that Evelyn’s can of spray paint was just a small indication of how dirty she’s willing to get smudging the line between art and life.
“In other words, how much should art be infused in our daily living?” director Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson said. “Is art something that should just be seen on the occasional weekend visit to the museum, and keep it over there, safe? Or should we live all our lives artistically?”
The play was featured in an November 12, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091112-SJR-Young-characters-UIS-play.pdf
The Neil LaBute play, which opens Friday at UIS Theatre, begins with a literal interpretation of that divide when Adam, a college student and part-time museum security guard, finds Evelyn on the wrong side of a velvet rope guarding a statue.
Suffice to say that Evelyn’s can of spray paint was just a small indication of how dirty she’s willing to get smudging the line between art and life.
“In other words, how much should art be infused in our daily living?” director Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson said. “Is art something that should just be seen on the occasional weekend visit to the museum, and keep it over there, safe? Or should we live all our lives artistically?”
The play was featured in an November 12, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091112-SJR-Young-characters-UIS-play.pdf
If not for Richard, Prairie Stars would be poorer
The University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball team is depending on Richard Oruche, and the 6-foot-3 senior guard is expecting a lot from himself.
A role player last season, Oruche will look to continue to contribute but in a larger quantity.
“He was more of an energy guy last year because we had some very good players on our ballclub,” UIS coach Kevin Gamble said. “He didn’t get the time he felt he could get, but the time that he got we wanted him to come in with high energy, guard the best player and just be one of those guys that puts it all on the floor when he gets out there.”
Oruche was featured in an November 12, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091112-SJR-If-not-for-Richard.pdf
A role player last season, Oruche will look to continue to contribute but in a larger quantity.
“He was more of an energy guy last year because we had some very good players on our ballclub,” UIS coach Kevin Gamble said. “He didn’t get the time he felt he could get, but the time that he got we wanted him to come in with high energy, guard the best player and just be one of those guys that puts it all on the floor when he gets out there.”
Oruche was featured in an November 12, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091112-SJR-If-not-for-Richard.pdf
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
UIS student gov't backs athletic fee increase
The University of Illinois Springfield’s move to NCAA Division II athletics got another boost Sunday night when the Student Government Association voted to support a $17 increase in the intercollegiate athletic fee paid by students.
If the increase is approved by the U of I board of trustees, UIS students next fall will be paying an athletic fee of $149 per semester, up 12.9 percent from the 2009-2010 school year.
The increase will be used to help cover equipment and travel costs for the inaugural UIS baseball team, which scheduled to compete in 2010-11.
The fee change was featured in an November 10, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091110-SJR-UIS-student-government.pdf
If the increase is approved by the U of I board of trustees, UIS students next fall will be paying an athletic fee of $149 per semester, up 12.9 percent from the 2009-2010 school year.
The increase will be used to help cover equipment and travel costs for the inaugural UIS baseball team, which scheduled to compete in 2010-11.
The fee change was featured in an November 10, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091110-SJR-UIS-student-government.pdf
Military loan program expanding in Illinois
State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is expanding a state-operated loan program that aims to help military veterans regain their financial footing once they return home from deployment.
Shannon Kirby, a University of Illinois Springfield student and a Navy veteran, said she wished the program had been available for her after she left active duty in 2008.
“I came back home. I didn’t have a lot of money saved up,” said Kirby, 30, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Kirby was featured in an November 10, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091110-SJR-Military-loan-program-expan.pdf
Shannon Kirby, a University of Illinois Springfield student and a Navy veteran, said she wished the program had been available for her after she left active duty in 2008.
“I came back home. I didn’t have a lot of money saved up,” said Kirby, 30, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Kirby was featured in an November 10, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091110-SJR-Military-loan-program-expan.pdf
Monday, November 9, 2009
UIS student addresses dignitaries at academic awards ceremony
Priyanka Deo, a 21-year-old student at the University of Illinois Springfield who is studying pre-law and sociology, knows the importance of hard work.
And on Saturday, she got reinforcement of the payback for such work.
She was one of 50 Illinois college students who received a Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award for their outstanding curricular and extracurricular work. The award is given to only one student at each of Illinois’ four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and Deo got the extra honor of addressing the crowd of dignitaries and students during the ceremony at the Old State Capitol.
Deo was featured in an November 8, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091108-SJR-UIS-student-addresses.pdf
And on Saturday, she got reinforcement of the payback for such work.
She was one of 50 Illinois college students who received a Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award for their outstanding curricular and extracurricular work. The award is given to only one student at each of Illinois’ four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and Deo got the extra honor of addressing the crowd of dignitaries and students during the ceremony at the Old State Capitol.
Deo was featured in an November 8, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091108-SJR-UIS-student-addresses.pdf
Area colleges: UIS volleyball finishes with victory
The University of Illinois Springfield ended the season by beating Kentucky Wesleyan 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 in a Great Lakes Valley Conference match at The Recreation and Athletic Center.
UIS won two of its last three matches to finish 11-20 overall and 2-12 in the GLVC.
Courtnee Brown led UIS with 14 kills and 10 digs, and Cayla Roberts added 10 digs. Carrie Gerberding had 36 assists and four service aces for the Prairie Stars.
The game was featured in an November 8, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091109-SJR-Area-colleges.pdf
UIS won two of its last three matches to finish 11-20 overall and 2-12 in the GLVC.
Courtnee Brown led UIS with 14 kills and 10 digs, and Cayla Roberts added 10 digs. Carrie Gerberding had 36 assists and four service aces for the Prairie Stars.
The game was featured in an November 8, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article:
20091109-SJR-Area-colleges.pdf
Friday, November 6, 2009
UIS' Glogovsky gets it done on and off basketball court
Erin Glogovsky is a college sophomore, but that didn’t stop her from trick-or-treating last weekend.
It was for a good cause. Glogovsky and her teammates on the University of Illinois Springfield women’s basketball team weren’t going door-to-door wanting candy. The players collected canned goods for a Trick-Or-Eat competition with the products going to a local food bank.
Glogovsky, a 6-foot center from Gurnee, has involved herself with community service for years. At Mundelein Carmel Catholic High School, she dedicated herself to 20 service hours each semester.
Glogovsky was featured in an November 6, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091106-SJR-UIS-Glogovsky-gets-it-don.pdf
It was for a good cause. Glogovsky and her teammates on the University of Illinois Springfield women’s basketball team weren’t going door-to-door wanting candy. The players collected canned goods for a Trick-Or-Eat competition with the products going to a local food bank.
Glogovsky, a 6-foot center from Gurnee, has involved herself with community service for years. At Mundelein Carmel Catholic High School, she dedicated herself to 20 service hours each semester.
Glogovsky was featured in an November 6, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091106-SJR-UIS-Glogovsky-gets-it-don.pdf
Funding in limbo for low-income college students
Gov. Pat Quinn pledged in October to reinstate the remaining $205 million in Monetary Award Program (MAP) funds to keep the program in full force for the next fiscal year. But where exactly the money will come from, and its effect on a growing state budget deficit, is undecided.
“This was done without a real clear revenue source,” said University of Illinois-Springfield political science professor emeritus Kent Redfield. “This is one more drop in the bucket in terms of a really, really bad (budget) situation.”
Redfield's comments were featured in a November 5, 2009 Elmhurst Press article.
Download a the article as a PDF.
20091105-Elmhurst-Funding-in-limbo.pdf
“This was done without a real clear revenue source,” said University of Illinois-Springfield political science professor emeritus Kent Redfield. “This is one more drop in the bucket in terms of a really, really bad (budget) situation.”
Redfield's comments were featured in a November 5, 2009 Elmhurst Press article.
Download a the article as a PDF.
20091105-Elmhurst-Funding-in-limbo.pdf
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Richard Judd: Small business recovery is lagging
If the economic recovery touted as taking place right now seems weak and prepared to relapse, what might be the causes of a relapse?
Unemployment has crept above 10 percent and may stubbornly stay there if not rise higher for some time to come.
Richard Judd is a National City Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Springfield. Judd's comments were featured in an November 4, 2009 opinion article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091104-SJR-Richard-Judd-.pdf
Unemployment has crept above 10 percent and may stubbornly stay there if not rise higher for some time to come.
Richard Judd is a National City Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Springfield. Judd's comments were featured in an November 4, 2009 opinion article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091104-SJR-Richard-Judd-.pdf
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
UIS Hopes to Gain International Appeal
In an effort to increase enrollment from students overseas UIS is hosting a group of EducationUSA advisers who come from 5 different countries around the globe.
"By brining international students here they connect with our students, they're involved in our courses, they're helping to internationalize the curriculum," said Dana Atwell, UIS ESL Coordinator in the Office of International Programs.
The international visitors were featured in an November 2, 2009 report by Heather Hubbs of WICS-TV 20 Springfield.
Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_839.shtml
"By brining international students here they connect with our students, they're involved in our courses, they're helping to internationalize the curriculum," said Dana Atwell, UIS ESL Coordinator in the Office of International Programs.
The international visitors were featured in an November 2, 2009 report by Heather Hubbs of WICS-TV 20 Springfield.
Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_839.shtml
February primary ballots to be lengthy
The question almost becomes, “Who’s not running for governor or U.S. Senate?”
The close of the filing period for the Feb. 2 primary on Monday left seven Republicans, four Democrats and two Green Party candidates running for governor and eight Republicans, seven Democrats and one Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate.
Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield, said Democrats have the problem of having inherited “an incredible mess” from ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Redfield's comments were featured in an November 3, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091103-SJR-February-primary-ballots.pdf
The close of the filing period for the Feb. 2 primary on Monday left seven Republicans, four Democrats and two Green Party candidates running for governor and eight Republicans, seven Democrats and one Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate.
Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield, said Democrats have the problem of having inherited “an incredible mess” from ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Redfield's comments were featured in an November 3, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091103-SJR-February-primary-ballots.pdf
Monday, November 2, 2009
Illinois' borrowing bonanza
Facing both an election and the politically unpalatable prospects of raising taxes or cutting social programs, Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers increasingly have turned to borrowing as a quick fix and are on track to rack up more than $6.5 billion in loans to keep the state afloat.
As University of Illinois at Springfield state budget expert Charles Wheeler asks: "How are they going to pay that money back?"
Wheeler's comments were featured in an November 2, 2009 article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091102-TRIB-chi-state-of-denial.pdf
As University of Illinois at Springfield state budget expert Charles Wheeler asks: "How are they going to pay that money back?"
Wheeler's comments were featured in an November 2, 2009 article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091102-TRIB-chi-state-of-denial.pdf
UIS Notebook: It's all new for Gamble's Prairie Stars
Not only will the University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball team play in a new division and a new conference this season, but the roster will have a new look.
UIS officially will move up from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2009-10 and from the American Midwest Conference to the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Nine of coach Kevin Gamble’s 14 players are new to the UIS Prairie Stars program.
“It was a little scary at the beginning, but I like the intensity and the effort that the guys are putting out,” Gamble said.
The team was featured in an October 31, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091031-SJR-UIS-Notebook-Gamble.pdf
UIS officially will move up from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2009-10 and from the American Midwest Conference to the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Nine of coach Kevin Gamble’s 14 players are new to the UIS Prairie Stars program.
“It was a little scary at the beginning, but I like the intensity and the effort that the guys are putting out,” Gamble said.
The team was featured in an October 31, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091031-SJR-UIS-Notebook-Gamble.pdf
Friday, October 30, 2009
U of I Classes in Peoria
The UIS Peoria Center was previously located on the ICC campus in East Peoria.
According to the Dean of the College of Business Management, moving downtown provides convenience and affordability for those seeking a bachelors or M.B.A.
He says in these economic times, it's important for Peoria to have affordable public education in the heart of the city.
The Peoria Center was featured in an October 29, 2009 report on WEEK-TV and WHOI-TV.
Read more and watch the report online:
http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/news/local/67424667.html
According to the Dean of the College of Business Management, moving downtown provides convenience and affordability for those seeking a bachelors or M.B.A.
He says in these economic times, it's important for Peoria to have affordable public education in the heart of the city.
The Peoria Center was featured in an October 29, 2009 report on WEEK-TV and WHOI-TV.
Read more and watch the report online:
http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/news/local/67424667.html
Trick-or-Eat competition to collect canned goods
The Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at the University of Illinois Springfield will sponsor a Trick-or-Eat competition to collect canned goods Saturday.
The event is part of the UIS Holiday Stars Project. The overall goal is to collect 4,500 of pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank by Dec. 3.
Teams of UIS students have been assigned to neighborhoods where they will collect non-perishable food items. The teams have already canvassed the neighborhoods, distributing collection bags, along with door hangers that explain the project.
The article was featured in an October 29, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download the article as a PDF.
20091029-SJR-Trick-or-Eat-competition.pdf
The event is part of the UIS Holiday Stars Project. The overall goal is to collect 4,500 of pounds of food for the Central Illinois Foodbank by Dec. 3.
Teams of UIS students have been assigned to neighborhoods where they will collect non-perishable food items. The teams have already canvassed the neighborhoods, distributing collection bags, along with door hangers that explain the project.
The article was featured in an October 29, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download the article as a PDF.
20091029-SJR-Trick-or-Eat-competition.pdf
Best of Springfield 2009: Best Theatrical Production - Drama
BEST THEATRICAL PRODUCTION - DRAMA
As You Like It
University of Illinois at Springfield
Shakespeare’s tale of love, deception and cross-dressing has been performed many times, many ways, in many places. For the first time ever, UIS was the stage, and its students not-so-merely the players. Associate Professor of Theatre, Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson tells us that the show came about as schoolwork. “For the 2008-2009 school year, my idea was to offer, in tandem, a Shakespeare class and a Shakespeare production.” The class, “Playing Shakespeare,” was offered for the first time in the fall of 2008 and by spring, they were ready to take the stage, with Thibodeaux-Thompson encouraging his students to audition. “We had a total of 18 actors in 23 roles. Approximately 80 percent were students, with 20 percent community actors, faculty and alumni. I enjoy a mix of students and community actors. I was very proud in a lot of ways.”
The honor was given the the Illinois Times in an October 29, 2009 edition.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091029-ILTimes-Best%20of%20Springfield%202009.pdf
As You Like It
University of Illinois at Springfield
Shakespeare’s tale of love, deception and cross-dressing has been performed many times, many ways, in many places. For the first time ever, UIS was the stage, and its students not-so-merely the players. Associate Professor of Theatre, Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson tells us that the show came about as schoolwork. “For the 2008-2009 school year, my idea was to offer, in tandem, a Shakespeare class and a Shakespeare production.” The class, “Playing Shakespeare,” was offered for the first time in the fall of 2008 and by spring, they were ready to take the stage, with Thibodeaux-Thompson encouraging his students to audition. “We had a total of 18 actors in 23 roles. Approximately 80 percent were students, with 20 percent community actors, faculty and alumni. I enjoy a mix of students and community actors. I was very proud in a lot of ways.”
The honor was given the the Illinois Times in an October 29, 2009 edition.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091029-ILTimes-Best%20of%20Springfield%202009.pdf
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Taking a Second Look
A 20 year old murder case could soon be re-opened. 18-year-old Melissa Koontz’s body was found near her hometown of Waverly in the summer of 1989.
Five people were sent to prison; two are still serving life sentences, Gary Edgington and Tom McMillen. Edgington confessed, but McMillen has maintained his innocence. It’s a plea that was finally heard by the UIS Downstate Innocence Project. They’re asking to take a second look at the case in hopes of proving McMillen is innocent.
“He was convicted based on a mentally retarded individual who claimed to be an eyewitness to the murder. None of what [that individual] said matched the crime scene,” says Bill Clutter with the Innocence Project.
The story was featured by WCIA-TV reporter Marissa Torres in an October 29, 2009.
Read the story and watch it online:
http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=114422
Five people were sent to prison; two are still serving life sentences, Gary Edgington and Tom McMillen. Edgington confessed, but McMillen has maintained his innocence. It’s a plea that was finally heard by the UIS Downstate Innocence Project. They’re asking to take a second look at the case in hopes of proving McMillen is innocent.
“He was convicted based on a mentally retarded individual who claimed to be an eyewitness to the murder. None of what [that individual] said matched the crime scene,” says Bill Clutter with the Innocence Project.
The story was featured by WCIA-TV reporter Marissa Torres in an October 29, 2009.
Read the story and watch it online:
http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=114422
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Innocence Project to sponsor DNA workshop
A workshop on post-conviction DNA testing is being held at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Brookens Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Registration is still open to the public.
The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project housed at UIS is sponsoring the workshop on introducing Touch DNA to Illinois courtrooms. The program features the defense team of Timothy Masters, convicted in 1999 of murder in 1987 in Fort Collins, Colo.
The article was featured in an October 28, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091028-SJR-Innocence-Project.pdf
The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project housed at UIS is sponsoring the workshop on introducing Touch DNA to Illinois courtrooms. The program features the defense team of Timothy Masters, convicted in 1999 of murder in 1987 in Fort Collins, Colo.
The article was featured in an October 28, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091028-SJR-Innocence-Project.pdf
Kathryn Rem: Better cooking through chemistry
“Let the magic begin,” announced Harshavardhan Bapat to a crowd of students as he stirred liquid nitrogen into a bowl of sugar and heavy cream.
With a temperature of -320 degrees F, the nitrogen turned into a white gas when poured, looking a bit like puffy Cumulus clouds.
Last week was National Chemistry Week. At the University of Illinois Springfield, the annual event was celebrated by the school’s Chemistry Club with a public demonstration of instant ice cream-making.
The story was featured in an October 28, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091028-SJR-UIS-National-Chemistry-Week.pdf
With a temperature of -320 degrees F, the nitrogen turned into a white gas when poured, looking a bit like puffy Cumulus clouds.
Last week was National Chemistry Week. At the University of Illinois Springfield, the annual event was celebrated by the school’s Chemistry Club with a public demonstration of instant ice cream-making.
The story was featured in an October 28, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091028-SJR-UIS-National-Chemistry-Week.pdf
Monday, October 26, 2009
Eck ends 31-year career with Prairie Stars
After 31 years, today is the first day Joe Eck is no longer with the Prairie Stars’ men’s soccer program, first with Sangamon State University and, since 1995, with the University of Illinois Springfield.
Eck, 54, announced his retirement earlier this month, citing family and employment reasons. Eck has worked at the university since 1981 and is assistant director for planning at the Department of Facilities and Services.
He said the school’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II status has “drastically increased” the paperwork associated with his part-time job as soccer coach.
Eck's story was featured in an October 26, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091026-SJR-Eck-ends-31-year-career.pdf
Eck, 54, announced his retirement earlier this month, citing family and employment reasons. Eck has worked at the university since 1981 and is assistant director for planning at the Department of Facilities and Services.
He said the school’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II status has “drastically increased” the paperwork associated with his part-time job as soccer coach.
Eck's story was featured in an October 26, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091026-SJR-Eck-ends-31-year-career.pdf
Sixty people naturalized at Springfield ceremony
Sixty people became new U.S. citizens during a ceremony at the Old State Captiol on Friday, October 23. The new citizens come from 29 different countries and more than half are from Asia.
Tih-Fen Ting says her heart swelled with pride as she took the oath to become an American citizen. Like many of her fellow immigrants Tih-Fen is educated. She holds a Ph.D. and teaches Environmental Science at UIS.
Ting was interviewed by reporter Gordon Graham of WAND-TV 17 in an October 23, 2009 report.
Watch the report online
Tih-Fen Ting says her heart swelled with pride as she took the oath to become an American citizen. Like many of her fellow immigrants Tih-Fen is educated. She holds a Ph.D. and teaches Environmental Science at UIS.
Ting was interviewed by reporter Gordon Graham of WAND-TV 17 in an October 23, 2009 report.
Watch the report online
Sports complex plan to get national boost
Plans for a new Springfield athletic complex received a boost recently when a letter of intent was signed between organizers of the facility and an as-yet-unidentified national sports group.
The baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields and 3,000-seat baseball stadium are proposed for 123 acres owned by Calvary Temple near Interstate 72 and Second Street. Both the Springfield Sliders and University of Illinois Springfield baseball teams have expressed preliminary interest in playing at the complex.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091026-SJR-STAR-sports-complex-announ.pdf
The baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields and 3,000-seat baseball stadium are proposed for 123 acres owned by Calvary Temple near Interstate 72 and Second Street. Both the Springfield Sliders and University of Illinois Springfield baseball teams have expressed preliminary interest in playing at the complex.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091026-SJR-STAR-sports-complex-announ.pdf
Friday, October 23, 2009
Robert Williams named new police chief
Robert Williams, a Springfield native has been nominated to succeed Ralph Caldwell as chief of the Springfield Police Department. Williams has been serving in the role of assistant chief under Caldwell.
Williams earned a bachelor's degree in social justice from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Williams was featured in an October 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091023-SJR-Robert-Williams-named.pdf
Williams earned a bachelor's degree in social justice from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Williams was featured in an October 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091023-SJR-Robert-Williams-named.pdf
UIS soccer team breaks 14-game winless streak
The University of Illinois Springfield slopped its way to its first win since the season opener, beating Millikin 1-0 in a non-conference men’s soccer game Thursday night at Kiwanis Field.
It was also the first lead the Prairie Stars have taken since going ahead 1-0 against Maryville on Sept. 17, a game that ended in a 1-1 tie.
UIS upped its record to 2-13-1 while the Big Blue fell to 5-11-1. The Prairie Stars broke a 14-game winless streak dating to a 5-1 victory over Blackburn on Aug. 28.
The win was featured in an October 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091023-SJR-Prairie-Stars-break-14-ga.pdf
It was also the first lead the Prairie Stars have taken since going ahead 1-0 against Maryville on Sept. 17, a game that ended in a 1-1 tie.
UIS upped its record to 2-13-1 while the Big Blue fell to 5-11-1. The Prairie Stars broke a 14-game winless streak dating to a 5-1 victory over Blackburn on Aug. 28.
The win was featured in an October 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091023-SJR-Prairie-Stars-break-14-ga.pdf
Thursday, October 22, 2009
GOP Candidates for Illinois Governor Meet in Forum
While the five Republican candidates tackled questions about education, abortion and government reform, two of the biggest names looming in the GOP primary race were missing from the event: former Illinois GOP chairman Andy McKenna and former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan.
Ryan's entry into the race could help overcome a potential weakness in the Republican field, said Chris Mooney, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
''There are no statewide-elected or former statewide-elected officials in the field,'' he said.
Mooney's comments were featured in an Associated Press article which appeared on the New York Times and Washington Post websites.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091021-NYT-GOP-Candidates-for-Illinois.pdf
Ryan's entry into the race could help overcome a potential weakness in the Republican field, said Chris Mooney, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
''There are no statewide-elected or former statewide-elected officials in the field,'' he said.
Mooney's comments were featured in an Associated Press article which appeared on the New York Times and Washington Post websites.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091021-NYT-GOP-Candidates-for-Illinois.pdf
Springfield college students see through eyes of a drunk driver
Students used fatal vision goggles as they walked the line simulating a roadside sobriety test. Students also got into a golf cart and tested the goggles with impaired vision.
The simulator is one of three big events planned by UIS as the university celebrates National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week.
The story was featured in a WAND-TV 17 news report on October 21, 2009.
Watch the story online
The simulator is one of three big events planned by UIS as the university celebrates National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week.
The story was featured in a WAND-TV 17 news report on October 21, 2009.
Watch the story online
Bernard Schoenburg: New job for Jaeger
Bethany Jaeger, who has been Statehouse bureau chief for Illinois Issues magazine since early 2006, is leaving that job to become a management consultant for Kerber, Eck & Braeckel in Springfield.
Jaeger, 29, of Chatham, is an Algonquin native who has a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield. She interned with Illinois Issues as part of her master’s program in 2004.
Jaeger's departure was featured in Bernard Schoenburg's column in an October 22, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091022-SJR-Schoenburg-Jaeger.pdf
Jaeger, 29, of Chatham, is an Algonquin native who has a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield. She interned with Illinois Issues as part of her master’s program in 2004.
Jaeger's departure was featured in Bernard Schoenburg's column in an October 22, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091022-SJR-Schoenburg-Jaeger.pdf
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Funding MAP Grants could add to state budget crisis
Michelle Claussen is a junior at the University of Illinois Springfield. She relies on several forms of financial aid including MAP Grants to keep her in school.
When MAP grant funding was slashed she worried about how she'd pay for school, but now that the funding has been restored some believe the financial hardship has been handed over to the state.
"We're spending more than we're taking in on a regular basis," said UIS Political Science Professor Chris Mooney.
The story was featured in a WICS-TV 20 report on October 20, 2009 by reporter Heather Hubbs.
Watch the story online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_748.shtml
When MAP grant funding was slashed she worried about how she'd pay for school, but now that the funding has been restored some believe the financial hardship has been handed over to the state.
"We're spending more than we're taking in on a regular basis," said UIS Political Science Professor Chris Mooney.
The story was featured in a WICS-TV 20 report on October 20, 2009 by reporter Heather Hubbs.
Watch the story online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_748.shtml
Monday, October 19, 2009
Upstate split benefits Brady in gubernatorial race
These are the best of times for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady of Bloomington.
"For Brady, this is all a benefit because he'd like to see the others fight it out," said Chris Mooney, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
"The fact that there are seven candidates now means that no one has been able to clear the field," said Kent Redfield, another University of Illinois at Springfield political scientist. "But in the cold light of day they're going to look at what it costs to do media buys and someone is going to drop out."
Mooney and Redfield were featured in an October 18, 2009 article in the Champaign News-Gazette.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091018-NG-upstate_split_benefits_Brady.pdf
"For Brady, this is all a benefit because he'd like to see the others fight it out," said Chris Mooney, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
"The fact that there are seven candidates now means that no one has been able to clear the field," said Kent Redfield, another University of Illinois at Springfield political scientist. "But in the cold light of day they're going to look at what it costs to do media buys and someone is going to drop out."
Mooney and Redfield were featured in an October 18, 2009 article in the Champaign News-Gazette.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091018-NG-upstate_split_benefits_Brady.pdf
Lack of soccer wins doesn't take way Torricelli's enthusiasm
The victories haven’t been numerous in Ryne Torricelli’s collegiate soccer career.
“I’ve been watching the Prairie Stars since I was a kid,” Torricelli said. “I’ve always wanted to play here."
“This was a dream come true to play here. I’m still in Springfield, my family can watch me play, and I’m getting a good education. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Torricelli along with men's soccer coach Joe Eck were featured in an October 19, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download the article as a PDF.
20091019-SJR-Lack-of-wins-doesn-t-tak.pdf
“I’ve been watching the Prairie Stars since I was a kid,” Torricelli said. “I’ve always wanted to play here."
“This was a dream come true to play here. I’m still in Springfield, my family can watch me play, and I’m getting a good education. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Torricelli along with men's soccer coach Joe Eck were featured in an October 19, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download the article as a PDF.
20091019-SJR-Lack-of-wins-doesn-t-tak.pdf
Friday, October 16, 2009
MAP grant threat brings college students to Springfield
The threat of losing a key piece of financial aid next semester spurred thousands of Illinois college students to rally Thursday in Springfield and pressure lawmakers to replenish funding for the Monetary Award Program.
Jaime Casinova, a University of Illinois Springfield junior, said he depends entirely on financial aid -- including MAP grants -- to attend college.
MAP grant recipient Charles Olivier, a junior at UIS, said education should be one of the state's top funding priorities, he said.
The students comments were featured in an October 16, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091016-SJR-MAP-grant-threat.pdf
Jaime Casinova, a University of Illinois Springfield junior, said he depends entirely on financial aid -- including MAP grants -- to attend college.
MAP grant recipient Charles Olivier, a junior at UIS, said education should be one of the state's top funding priorities, he said.
The students comments were featured in an October 16, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091016-SJR-MAP-grant-threat.pdf
Thursday, October 15, 2009
GOP governor candidates appear at forum
Five GOP candidates for Illinois governor fielded questions about subjects ranging from college tuition costs to budget reduction to 2nd Amendment rights during a forum at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday.
The candidates included Sen. Bill Brady, Sen. Kirk Dillard, DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, Political Commentator Dan Proft and Businessman Adam Andrzejewski. The forum was hosted by the College Republicans at UIS and the Illinois College Republican Federation.
Highlights from the debate were featured in an October 15, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091015-SJR-GOP-gubernatorial-candidate.pdf
The candidates included Sen. Bill Brady, Sen. Kirk Dillard, DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, Political Commentator Dan Proft and Businessman Adam Andrzejewski. The forum was hosted by the College Republicans at UIS and the Illinois College Republican Federation.
Highlights from the debate were featured in an October 15, 2009 State Journal-Register article.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091015-SJR-GOP-gubernatorial-candidate.pdf
Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Face Off
The University of Illinois Springfield College Republican's hosted five GOP candidates for governor in an October 14, 2009 forum at Brookens Auditorium.
Candidates answered questions on a variety of issues and talked about why they are running.
WICS-TV 20's Kelly Larson reported on the forum during the 10:00 news on October 14th.
Watch the story online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_718.shtml
Candidates answered questions on a variety of issues and talked about why they are running.
WICS-TV 20's Kelly Larson reported on the forum during the 10:00 news on October 14th.
Watch the story online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_718.shtml
'Darwin the Dinosaur' features family events
Sangamon Auditorium hosts a performance of “Darwin the Dinosaur” on Friday — and kids and grownups can get involved with related activities this weekend.
“Darwin the Dinosaur” begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Sangamon Auditorium, on the University of Illinois Springfield campus. Tickets: $19 adults, $11 children, available by calling 206-6160 or online at http://www.sangamonauditorium.org/. Family activities begin at 6 p.m. Friday in the auditorium lobby.
The show was featured in an October 15, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091015-SJR-Darwin-the-Dinosa.pdf
“Darwin the Dinosaur” begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Sangamon Auditorium, on the University of Illinois Springfield campus. Tickets: $19 adults, $11 children, available by calling 206-6160 or online at http://www.sangamonauditorium.org/. Family activities begin at 6 p.m. Friday in the auditorium lobby.
The show was featured in an October 15, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091015-SJR-Darwin-the-Dinosa.pdf
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Quinn fights for college grants he helped cut
To hear Gov. Pat Quinn tell it, the General Assembly failed tens of thousands of would-be college students by slashing funding for a financial aid program.
For more than a month, Quinn has crisscrossed Illinois, promising to push lawmakers to find $200 million for the Monetary Award Program and chastising them for leaving 137,000 students wondering if they'll be able to pay tuition next spring -- even though he helped create the problem.
"It's not fair at all," said Kent Redfield, an emeritus political science professor at the University Illinois-Springfield. "It's the governor's budget, he signed off on it. There was clearly enough discretionary spending in what the governor signed off on to cover this."
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 14, 2009 Associated Press article, which was published in the Chicago Tribune and State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091014-Trib-chi-ap-il-quinn-higheredmon%2C.pdf
For more than a month, Quinn has crisscrossed Illinois, promising to push lawmakers to find $200 million for the Monetary Award Program and chastising them for leaving 137,000 students wondering if they'll be able to pay tuition next spring -- even though he helped create the problem.
"It's not fair at all," said Kent Redfield, an emeritus political science professor at the University Illinois-Springfield. "It's the governor's budget, he signed off on it. There was clearly enough discretionary spending in what the governor signed off on to cover this."
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 14, 2009 Associated Press article, which was published in the Chicago Tribune and State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091014-Trib-chi-ap-il-quinn-higheredmon%2C.pdf
Larry Golden: Secrecy gets city into trouble time and again
Larry Golden, emeritus professor of political science and legal studies at the University of Illinois Springfield was featured in an October 14, 2009 State Journal-Register opinion column.
"The recent State Journal-Register editorial on the Springfield Civil Service Commission’s consideration of the suspension of City Water, Light and Power workers in the noose incident was merely an introduction to an event with secretive and anti-democratic actions that bring shame to the entire city and its citizens," wrote Golden.
Download the entire opinion article as a PDF.
20091014-SJR-Larry-Golden-Secrecy-ge.pdf
"The recent State Journal-Register editorial on the Springfield Civil Service Commission’s consideration of the suspension of City Water, Light and Power workers in the noose incident was merely an introduction to an event with secretive and anti-democratic actions that bring shame to the entire city and its citizens," wrote Golden.
Download the entire opinion article as a PDF.
20091014-SJR-Larry-Golden-Secrecy-ge.pdf
Monday, October 12, 2009
Springfield looking more like a college town
No one is going to confuse Springfield with Ann Arbor or South Bend, but there's a sense that it might be becoming a bit of a college town.
“If it’s going to be a college town, it will be UIS driving it,” said Richard Ringeisen, chancellor at UIS.
UIS’s campus has taken on a more collegiate look in recent years, with a quad, a central colonnade, two 200-bed residence halls for freshmen and sophomores, and a new recreation and athletic center.
Ringeisen's comments were featured in an October 12, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091012-SJR-Springfield-college-town.pdf
“If it’s going to be a college town, it will be UIS driving it,” said Richard Ringeisen, chancellor at UIS.
UIS’s campus has taken on a more collegiate look in recent years, with a quad, a central colonnade, two 200-bed residence halls for freshmen and sophomores, and a new recreation and athletic center.
Ringeisen's comments were featured in an October 12, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091012-SJR-Springfield-college-town.pdf
Illinois Issues magazine starts program with libraries
Illinois Issues, the not-for-profit public affairs magazine published at the University of Illinois Springfield, has started a new program in cooperation with state legislators to provide the magazine and other publications to public libraries.
“Issues for Citizens,” designed to promote public policy information and education through the public library system, began last month with 31 legislators providing Illinois Issues to 59 libraries across the state.
The program was featured in an October 12, 2009 story in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091012-SJR-Illinois-Issues-magazi.pdf
“Issues for Citizens,” designed to promote public policy information and education through the public library system, began last month with 31 legislators providing Illinois Issues to 59 libraries across the state.
The program was featured in an October 12, 2009 story in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091012-SJR-Illinois-Issues-magazi.pdf
UIS volleyball team gets first league win
The University of Illinois Springfield earned the first Great Lakes Valley Conference victory in program history Saturday, downing Maryville 29-27, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22.
UIS (7-13 overall, 1-7 in the GLVC) and Maryville (2-14, 1-8) are both first-year GLVC members. Courtnee Brown led UIS with eight kills and 14 digs, and Kim Bartosiak added six kills. Carrie Gerberding dished out 22 assists and Cayla Roberts chipped in with nine digs.
The win was featured in an October 12, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091011-SJR-Area-colleges-Volleyball.pdf
UIS (7-13 overall, 1-7 in the GLVC) and Maryville (2-14, 1-8) are both first-year GLVC members. Courtnee Brown led UIS with eight kills and 14 digs, and Kim Bartosiak added six kills. Carrie Gerberding dished out 22 assists and Cayla Roberts chipped in with nine digs.
The win was featured in an October 12, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091011-SJR-Area-colleges-Volleyball.pdf
Friday, October 9, 2009
UIS Notes: Basketball season starts later for Prairie Stars
In past years, basketball season already would have tipped off for the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars.
The program’s move to NCAA Division II from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has pushed the first day of men’s and women’s basketball practice to Thursday.
“It starts a little later than NAIA,” UIS men’s basketball coach Kevin Gamble said. “NAIA started practicing Oct. 1, whereas we’re starting Oct. 15.”
The story was featured in an October 9, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091009-SJR-UIS-Notes-Basketball-sea.pdf
The program’s move to NCAA Division II from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has pushed the first day of men’s and women’s basketball practice to Thursday.
“It starts a little later than NAIA,” UIS men’s basketball coach Kevin Gamble said. “NAIA started practicing Oct. 1, whereas we’re starting Oct. 15.”
The story was featured in an October 9, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091009-SJR-UIS-Notes-Basketball-sea.pdf
Hynes first to air TV ad in Ill. gov.'s race
Democrat Dan Hynes criticizes Gov. Pat Quinn's tax proposal while touting his own plan to raise income taxes in the first TV ad of the governor's race, which debuted Thursday.
It's risky for Hynes to spend money on TV airtime now, but it's understandable because he's trying to topple a sitting governor, said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
"It's a risk because people aren't really thinking politics. On the other hand, he's playing catch-up. He doesn't really have any other option," Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 8, 2009 Chicago Tribune article.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091008-TRIB-chi-ap-il-governorsrace-hy%2C0.pdf
It's risky for Hynes to spend money on TV airtime now, but it's understandable because he's trying to topple a sitting governor, said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
"It's a risk because people aren't really thinking politics. On the other hand, he's playing catch-up. He doesn't really have any other option," Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 8, 2009 Chicago Tribune article.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091008-TRIB-chi-ap-il-governorsrace-hy%2C0.pdf
Sangamon Co. Sheriff lobbies for budget increase
The Sangamon County Sheriff is calling for a sales tax hike to fill a growing budget gap.
WAND-TV 17 reporter Gordan Graham interviewed UIS Public Administration Associate Professor Beverly Bunch about the growing trend across the country.
"At some point it comes down to what services we can afford," said Bunch.
The report aired on October 8, 2009.
Watch the full report online
WAND-TV 17 reporter Gordan Graham interviewed UIS Public Administration Associate Professor Beverly Bunch about the growing trend across the country.
"At some point it comes down to what services we can afford," said Bunch.
The report aired on October 8, 2009.
Watch the full report online
Thursday, October 8, 2009
UIS adding new undergrad degree program
The University of Illinois Springfield is adding a 23rd undergraduate degree program that is expected to attract 25 students next year.
The state Board of Higher Education approved the Management Information Systems bachelor’s degree for UIS at its meeting in Chicago on Tuesday.
The undergraduate major is designed to provide students with a balance of technical skills and business knowledge and to prepare them for employment in private and public sectors in a changing global economy.
The announcement was featured in an October 8, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091008-SJR-UIS-adding-new-undergra.pdf
The state Board of Higher Education approved the Management Information Systems bachelor’s degree for UIS at its meeting in Chicago on Tuesday.
The undergraduate major is designed to provide students with a balance of technical skills and business knowledge and to prepare them for employment in private and public sectors in a changing global economy.
The announcement was featured in an October 8, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091008-SJR-UIS-adding-new-undergra.pdf
Republican Forum at UIS
Several remaining candidates for governor are slated to participate in a forum from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Brookens Auditorium at the University of Illinois Springfield.
The College Republicans at UIS and the Illinois College Republican Foundation are hosting the event, which is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served afterward.
Among candidates planning to attend are state Sens. KIRK DILLARD and BILL BRADY, DuPage County Board Chairman BOB SCHILLERSTROM, businessman ADAM ANDRZEJEWSKI and political activist DAN PROFT.
The forum was featured in Bernard Schoenburg's column on October 8, 2009 in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091008-SJR-Bernard-Schoenburg-Ald.pdf
The College Republicans at UIS and the Illinois College Republican Foundation are hosting the event, which is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served afterward.
Among candidates planning to attend are state Sens. KIRK DILLARD and BILL BRADY, DuPage County Board Chairman BOB SCHILLERSTROM, businessman ADAM ANDRZEJEWSKI and political activist DAN PROFT.
The forum was featured in Bernard Schoenburg's column on October 8, 2009 in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091008-SJR-Bernard-Schoenburg-Ald.pdf
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Illinois not alone in disputes over high-speed rail
Illinois isn't the only state where some local officials are balking at the prospect of having high-speed passenger rail service running through their communities.
For sure, not everyone in Springfield is against the high-speed rail line.
In a letter to federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, University of Illinois-Springfield Chancellor Richard Ringeisen expressed support for the concept.
Ringeisen's comments were featured in an October 7, 2009 edition of the Bloomington Pantagraph.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091007-Pantagraph-Illinois-not-alone.pdf
For sure, not everyone in Springfield is against the high-speed rail line.
In a letter to federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, University of Illinois-Springfield Chancellor Richard Ringeisen expressed support for the concept.
Ringeisen's comments were featured in an October 7, 2009 edition of the Bloomington Pantagraph.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091007-Pantagraph-Illinois-not-alone.pdf
Fire Safety Grant at UIS
The University of Illinois Springfield now has more money for fire safety on campus. The school received a $10,000 grant from State Farm Insurance.
WICS-TV 20 interviewed Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center Director Kelly Thompson about the grant and how it's being used in an October 6, 2009 report.
Watch a video of the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_672.shtml
WICS-TV 20 interviewed Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center Director Kelly Thompson about the grant and how it's being used in an October 6, 2009 report.
Watch a video of the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_672.shtml
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
UIS students face hate crime charges
Three University of Illinois Springfield students were arrested early Saturday in connection with an incident that authorities are calling a hate crime.
The three men allegedly were at an off-campus party when they began calling two other men derogatory names aimed at homosexuals.
The story was published in an October 6, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091006-SJR-Three-face-charges-in-f.pdf
The three men allegedly were at an off-campus party when they began calling two other men derogatory names aimed at homosexuals.
The story was published in an October 6, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091006-SJR-Three-face-charges-in-f.pdf
Monday, October 5, 2009
Chicago supporters crushed, confused by early elimination
An audible gasp swept through the Daley Plaza when the large-screen video boards showed Chicago's elimination in the first round of voting for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Kent Redfield, political science professor at University of Illinois Springfield, said "Obama is personally very popular internationally, but the U.S. as a country is still suffering the fallout of eight years of the cowboy foreign policy under Bush. Any acting out of negative feelings" by the IOC "is more a repudiation of the U.S.'s image and standing in the world, which Obama is trying to repair."
Redfield's comments were featured in a October 3, 2009 edition of USA Today.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091003-USAToday-Chicago-supporters.pdf
Kent Redfield, political science professor at University of Illinois Springfield, said "Obama is personally very popular internationally, but the U.S. as a country is still suffering the fallout of eight years of the cowboy foreign policy under Bush. Any acting out of negative feelings" by the IOC "is more a repudiation of the U.S.'s image and standing in the world, which Obama is trying to repair."
Redfield's comments were featured in a October 3, 2009 edition of USA Today.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091003-USAToday-Chicago-supporters.pdf
Friday, October 2, 2009
Eck says he'll retire after UIS' season
Joe Eck is retiring as the University of Illinois Springfield men’s soccer coach at the end of this season, leaving a program he has been a part of since 1979.
Eck announced Thursday he’s stepping down after eight seasons as head coach. He’s leaving the coaching ranks, but not college soccer. Both of his children will play for NCAA Division I soccer programs next year and he doesn’t want to miss out on their college experiences.
Eck's announcement was featured in a October 2, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091002-SJR-Eck-to-retire-as-UIS-soc.pdf
Eck announced Thursday he’s stepping down after eight seasons as head coach. He’s leaving the coaching ranks, but not college soccer. Both of his children will play for NCAA Division I soccer programs next year and he doesn’t want to miss out on their college experiences.
Eck's announcement was featured in a October 2, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091002-SJR-Eck-to-retire-as-UIS-soc.pdf
Lanphier HS looks for solutions to in-school violence
Police have arrested 44 students at Springfield's Lanphier High School for fighting so far this year.
WAND-TV reporter Gordan Graham interviewed UIS Associate Professor in Teacher Education Allan Cook about what can be done to stop the problem.
"What we need to look at is violence prevention a lot of schools I think now are going towards anger managment counseling," said Cook.
The interview aired on October 1, 2009.
Watch the report online
WAND-TV reporter Gordan Graham interviewed UIS Associate Professor in Teacher Education Allan Cook about what can be done to stop the problem.
"What we need to look at is violence prevention a lot of schools I think now are going towards anger managment counseling," said Cook.
The interview aired on October 1, 2009.
Watch the report online
Thursday, October 1, 2009
MAP grants fall victim to state budget cuts
MAP Grant funds for more than 700 students on the University of Illinois Springfield campus are in question for the spring 2010 semester. Lawmakers cut the money from the budget to keep the program fully funded.
WAND-TV reporter Gordan Graham interviewed UIS students April Fountain and Charles Olivier along with UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen in a September 29, 2009 report.
Watch a video of the report online
WAND-TV reporter Gordan Graham interviewed UIS students April Fountain and Charles Olivier along with UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen in a September 29, 2009 report.
Watch a video of the report online
An Uncommon Employment Opening
A Springfield business is looking for a Chinese interpreter to help improve their operation. They buy a majority of shirts, hats and other items overseas.
UIS Associate Professor Dr. Baker Siddiquee is interviewed about the global economy and why this is becoming a more common trend. WICS-TV 20 Springfield reporter Andrew Hansen filed the report, which aired September 30, 2009.
Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_631.shtml
UIS Associate Professor Dr. Baker Siddiquee is interviewed about the global economy and why this is becoming a more common trend. WICS-TV 20 Springfield reporter Andrew Hansen filed the report, which aired September 30, 2009.
Watch the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_631.shtml
Oh Governor, Where Art Thou?
Within 12 days of the Chicago Tribune’s initial article about an admissions scandal at the University of Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn was on the case.
Yet, when faculty members at Chicago State University urged Quinn in April to intervene in a presidential appointment they say smacked of cronyism, the governor took no formal action.
Christopher Mooney, a professor of political science at the University of Illinois’s Springfield campus, says it’s difficult to separate race from any political decision in Illinois. But race and the politics of race are never simple, and how lawmakers and the governor reacted -- or didn’t react -- to Chicago State illustrate that complexity, he says.
Mooney's comments were featured on the Inside Higher Ed website on October 1, 2009.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091001-HigherEd-Oh-Governor.pdf
Yet, when faculty members at Chicago State University urged Quinn in April to intervene in a presidential appointment they say smacked of cronyism, the governor took no formal action.
Christopher Mooney, a professor of political science at the University of Illinois’s Springfield campus, says it’s difficult to separate race from any political decision in Illinois. But race and the politics of race are never simple, and how lawmakers and the governor reacted -- or didn’t react -- to Chicago State illustrate that complexity, he says.
Mooney's comments were featured on the Inside Higher Ed website on October 1, 2009.
Download a PDF of the article.
20091001-HigherEd-Oh-Governor.pdf
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
UIS Celebrates Homecoming – With Mashed Potatoes?
They're doing the mashed potato for the University of Illinois Springfield Homecoming celebration this year.
We're not talking about the dance. We're talking about the actual mashed potatoes.
That would be 25 pounds of mashed potatoes, to be exact. That's what students used Tuesday during the campus lunch rush to express themselves creatively during Homecoming Week.
The mashed potato sculpting event was featured in a WICS-TV 20 report on September 29, 2009.
Read the story online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_625.shtml
We're not talking about the dance. We're talking about the actual mashed potatoes.
That would be 25 pounds of mashed potatoes, to be exact. That's what students used Tuesday during the campus lunch rush to express themselves creatively during Homecoming Week.
The mashed potato sculpting event was featured in a WICS-TV 20 report on September 29, 2009.
Read the story online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_625.shtml
Monday, September 28, 2009
Pep rally kicks off UIS homecoming week
Homecoming activities kick off today (Monday) at the University of Illinois Springfield and later in the week include a parade, a barbecue and varsity soccer games.
UIS Family Weekend also coincides with homecoming events on Saturday and Sunday.
The theme of the 2009 event is “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.”
The homecoming schedule was published in a September 28, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090928-SJR-UIS-homecoming-activiti.pdf
UIS Family Weekend also coincides with homecoming events on Saturday and Sunday.
The theme of the 2009 event is “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.”
The homecoming schedule was published in a September 28, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090928-SJR-UIS-homecoming-activiti.pdf
Rich Bradley signs off at WUIS
Friday was pretty much like any other weekday for Rich Bradley, news director at WUIS radio at the University of Illinois Springfield. That is until the last 45 seconds of his seven-minute noon newscast, when he acknowledged he is retiring and thanked his listeners.
Bradley, 69, will officially retire on Oct. 1, which also is his 35th anniversary at the university station.
Bradley's story was featured in a September 26, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090925-SJR-Rich-Bradley-signs-off.pdf
Bradley, 69, will officially retire on Oct. 1, which also is his 35th anniversary at the university station.
Bradley's story was featured in a September 26, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090925-SJR-Rich-Bradley-signs-off.pdf
Friday, September 25, 2009
Radio Legend Retires
After 35 years on the air WUIS radio News Director Rich Bradley anchored his last newscast on September 25, 2009.
WICS-TV 20 Anchor/Reporter Carl Madonna featured Bradley in a report aired on September 24th on the 5:00 p.m. news. Bradley talks about some of the big stories he's covered and his feelings on leaving the station he helped create.
Watch the video of the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_599.shtml
WICS-TV 20 Anchor/Reporter Carl Madonna featured Bradley in a report aired on September 24th on the 5:00 p.m. news. Bradley talks about some of the big stories he's covered and his feelings on leaving the station he helped create.
Watch the video of the report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_599.shtml
Good police work, public awareness keys to anti-terrorism effort, experts say
Alert police work led to the arrest of an alleged would-be federal building bomber in Springfield Thursday.
Bruce Liebe, a retired Illinois State Police officer who teaches a class on terrorism as a law-enforcement challenge at the University of Illinois Springfield, agreed that Finton’s arrest shouldn’t prevent anyone fom going about their normal routine.
“But I think it definitely heightens the message that’s been put out by the FBI and other law enforcement that people need to remain diligent and observe … people or persons or things that may be out of place and report those to the appropriate authorities,” Liebe said.
Liebe's comments were featured in a September 25, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090925-SJR-Good-police-work.pdf
Bruce Liebe, a retired Illinois State Police officer who teaches a class on terrorism as a law-enforcement challenge at the University of Illinois Springfield, agreed that Finton’s arrest shouldn’t prevent anyone fom going about their normal routine.
“But I think it definitely heightens the message that’s been put out by the FBI and other law enforcement that people need to remain diligent and observe … people or persons or things that may be out of place and report those to the appropriate authorities,” Liebe said.
Liebe's comments were featured in a September 25, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090925-SJR-Good-police-work.pdf
Prairie Stars find 'keeper in Kubal
Kelli Kubal isn’t bothered by an unexpected turn of events — she just goes with the flow.“Things don’t really bother me,” the University of Illinois Springfield sophomore goalkeeper said. “Plans change. It’s not a big deal to me.”
“She’s an upbeat kid,” UIS women’s soccer coach Pete Kowall said. “If you go to a restaurant she doesn’t like, she deals with it. If we don’t buy her the gloves she exactly likes, she deals with it. Last year, she didn’t like the soccer balls I bought, she dealt with it.”
Kubal's story was featured in a September 25, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090925-SJR-Prairie-Stars-find-keepe.pdf
“She’s an upbeat kid,” UIS women’s soccer coach Pete Kowall said. “If you go to a restaurant she doesn’t like, she deals with it. If we don’t buy her the gloves she exactly likes, she deals with it. Last year, she didn’t like the soccer balls I bought, she dealt with it.”
Kubal's story was featured in a September 25, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090925-SJR-Prairie-Stars-find-keepe.pdf
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Brown contributes for UIS
Avon native Courtnee Brown, a junior at the University of Illinois Springfield, had 22 kills recently against Christian Brothers University.
“She’s made an immediate impact from day one,” said Prairie Stars coach Angie Riggle, in her first year. “She works hard every day in practice and in every game.”
The story was featured in a September 23, 2009 edition of the Galesburg Register-Mail.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090923-GRM-Brown-contributes.pdf
“She’s made an immediate impact from day one,” said Prairie Stars coach Angie Riggle, in her first year. “She works hard every day in practice and in every game.”
The story was featured in a September 23, 2009 edition of the Galesburg Register-Mail.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090923-GRM-Brown-contributes.pdf
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
UIS students respond to volunteer fair
Representatives of two dozen non-profit groups and organizations set up on the concourse of the Public Affairs center as part of UIS’ first-ever “Fall into Volunteering Fair.”
“It was an idea developed by students who wanted a volunteer fair,” said Kelly Thompson, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center. The center and UIS Housing got together to sponsor the fair.
The fair was featured in a September 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090923-SJR-UIS-students-respond.pdf
“It was an idea developed by students who wanted a volunteer fair,” said Kelly Thompson, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center. The center and UIS Housing got together to sponsor the fair.
The fair was featured in a September 23, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090923-SJR-UIS-students-respond.pdf
Monday, September 21, 2009
Australian ambassador to speak in Springfield
The Australian ambassador to the United States will kick off the 2009-10 Ambassador Series, a Springfield tradition that brings people face-to-face with ambassadors from around the world.
Vicki Megginson, associate chancellor for development at the University of Illinois Springfield, said 100 to 130 people have been attending the series, but the sponsors have increased their outreach this year.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we have more attend,” she said.
Megginson's comments were featured in a September 21, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090921-SJR-Australian-ambassador-t.pdf
Vicki Megginson, associate chancellor for development at the University of Illinois Springfield, said 100 to 130 people have been attending the series, but the sponsors have increased their outreach this year.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we have more attend,” she said.
Megginson's comments were featured in a September 21, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090921-SJR-Australian-ambassador-t.pdf
Student loan defaults up, but cause unclear
Figures released this week by the U.S. Department of Education show an increase in the student loan default rate, and Illinois numbers bear that out, too -- though the details vary among individual colleges and universities.
At the University of Illinois Springfield, the student loan default rate improved slightly. The most recent rate was 3.8 percent, compared with 3.9 percent for the prior year.
Gerard Joseph, director of financial assistance at UIS, said the school -- like many others -- tries to encourage students to borrow only what they need.
The story was featured in a September 18, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090918-SJR-Student-loan-defaults.pdf
At the University of Illinois Springfield, the student loan default rate improved slightly. The most recent rate was 3.8 percent, compared with 3.9 percent for the prior year.
Gerard Joseph, director of financial assistance at UIS, said the school -- like many others -- tries to encourage students to borrow only what they need.
The story was featured in a September 18, 2009 article in the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090918-SJR-Student-loan-defaults.pdf
UIS' Doellman has unfinished business on soccer field
Quincy natives Brian Doellman and Anthony Longo grew up playing soccer together, so when Longo made a commitment to attend the University of Illinois Springfield, Doellman took a campus visit and knew that’s where he wanted to spend his college career.
“Anthony and I have played on traveling teams together since we were about 12, and we’ve known each other longer than that,” Doellman said. “When he came here, I knew it was at least a place I had to look at.
“When I visited, I liked the campus, the town, the academics, and the tradition, so the decision wasn’t too difficult. I felt comfortable here. This was the right place for me.”
Doellman's comments were featured in a September 19, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090919-SJR-UIS-Doellman-has-unfinis.pdf
“Anthony and I have played on traveling teams together since we were about 12, and we’ve known each other longer than that,” Doellman said. “When he came here, I knew it was at least a place I had to look at.
“When I visited, I liked the campus, the town, the academics, and the tradition, so the decision wasn’t too difficult. I felt comfortable here. This was the right place for me.”
Doellman's comments were featured in a September 19, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090919-SJR-UIS-Doellman-has-unfinis.pdf
Friday, September 18, 2009
The latest Republican Gubernatorial candidate
University of Illinois Springfield Political Science Professor Chris Mooney was interviewed by WICS-TV 20 about former Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna entering the governor's race.
Reporter Catie Sheehan asked Mooney about McKenna pairing up with Sen. Matt Murphy, who could run for Lt. Governor on the so far unofficial ticket.
Watch September 17, 2009 report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_557.shtml
Reporter Catie Sheehan asked Mooney about McKenna pairing up with Sen. Matt Murphy, who could run for Lt. Governor on the so far unofficial ticket.
Watch September 17, 2009 report online:
http://www.wics.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wics_vid_557.shtml
Thursday, September 17, 2009
UIS notebook: Prairie Stars to host sports smorgasbord Friday
The south side of the University of Illinois Springfield campus will be abuzz with activity Friday.
The UIS Prairie Stars’ volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer teams all play their first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference home matches that evening, making Kiwanis Stadium and The Recreation and Athletic Center the places to be.
The teams were featured in a September 17, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090917-SJR-UIS-notebook.pdf
The UIS Prairie Stars’ volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer teams all play their first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference home matches that evening, making Kiwanis Stadium and The Recreation and Athletic Center the places to be.
The teams were featured in a September 17, 2009 edition of the State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090917-SJR-UIS-notebook.pdf
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Slide Ended in Apparent Suicide
Christopher Kelly was a roofer, a fundraiser, a gambler and a felon. He started small, made millions, befriended a young politician named Rod Blagojevich and died last weekend in an apparent suicide.
Kent Redfield, a professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield, described Kelly as "part of the inner circle from the beginning." He called it ironic at best that Blagojevich made Kelly his point man with the Illinois Gaming Board.
Redfield's comments were featured in a September 15, 2009 edition of the Washington Post.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090915-WashPost-Slide-Ended-in-Apparent-Suicide.pdf
Kent Redfield, a professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield, described Kelly as "part of the inner circle from the beginning." He called it ironic at best that Blagojevich made Kelly his point man with the Illinois Gaming Board.
Redfield's comments were featured in a September 15, 2009 edition of the Washington Post.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090915-WashPost-Slide-Ended-in-Apparent-Suicide.pdf
Garrison Keillor cancels appearance in Illinois
Humorist Garrison Keillor has canceled an appearance at the University of Illinois-Springfield a week after suffering a minor stroke.
Keillor, host of A Prairie Home Companion, on Monday canceled the performance scheduled for Sept. 21. It will be rescheduled.
The news was featured in a September 14, 2009 article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090915-Trib-Garrison-Keillor.pdf
Keillor, host of A Prairie Home Companion, on Monday canceled the performance scheduled for Sept. 21. It will be rescheduled.
The news was featured in a September 14, 2009 article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090915-Trib-Garrison-Keillor.pdf
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wojciechowski to be a Prairie Star
La Salle-Peru senior right-side hitter Brittnee Wojciechowski literally found the perfect fit when looking for a college to attend next year.
Wojciechowski, one of the many talented front-row players on the Lady Cavaliers, felt at home when she visited the campus of University of Illinois Springfield.
“When I stepped on campus at UIS, I was like, ‘Oh, this feels like home,’” Wojciechowski said.
Wojciechowski was featured in a September 10, 2009 article in the LaSalle News Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090910-NewsTrib-Wojciechowski.pdf
Wojciechowski, one of the many talented front-row players on the Lady Cavaliers, felt at home when she visited the campus of University of Illinois Springfield.
“When I stepped on campus at UIS, I was like, ‘Oh, this feels like home,’” Wojciechowski said.
Wojciechowski was featured in a September 10, 2009 article in the LaSalle News Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article.
20090910-NewsTrib-Wojciechowski.pdf
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