Friday, September 10, 2010

University of Illinois Springfield reaches milestone

The University of Illinois Springfield marks not one, but two major milestones. For the first time in the university's history, more than 5,000 students are earning a degree at UIS. The record high enrollment comes as the school celebrates its 40th birthday.

UIS has come a long way since 1970. The first class to attend, what was then Sangamon State University, had just over 800 students. They've now grown to over 5,000.

"Its kind of a special number we've been shooting at for awhile. We thought we were going to make it last year, but we came up 30 something students short. This time we blew past it," said UIS Chancellor Richard Ringeisen.

Record enrollment was featured in a September 9, 2010, report by WICS-TV 20.

Watch the story on News Channel 20's website