Thursday, September 29, 2016

Online enrollment up at UIS

Online learning is a trend that has grown significantly in recent years, and the University of Illinois Springfield has seen a big uptick in online enrollment this year.

UIS has seen a 4.5% increase in online enrollment this fall, with over 30% of the entire student body made up of students who are only taking online classes. However, the growth is nothing new for UIS.

Dr. Vickie Cook is the Director of the UIS Center for Online Learning, Research and Service. She said, "We had online programs that started in late 1999-2000, and we have continued to grow every semester, except for one, throughout that time frame."

There are over 1,600 online students at UIS this fall.

Rene Corso is one of those students, who went back to school to get a bachelor's degree in business administration.

"Whenever I was younger, it was a lot better for me to go to a classroom," said Rene. "It offered more structure."

She says she chose to take online classes because of its convenience. "Being a little bit older, working full time and having a family, it just made it a lot easier for me to be able to do it online at my own leisure," said Rene.

The online learning program at UIS has expanded globally.

The program has students in 46 states, 2 territories and 9 countries.

This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on September 28, 2016.

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Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Unveiling Shakespeare Garden at UIS

On the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, a brand new garden will be unveiled on the University of Illinois Springfield campus Thursday around 1:30 p.m.

The themed garden will feature plants often mentioned in William Shakespeare’s work.

The Shakespeare Garden,was made possible by an award from the University of Illinois’ Chester Fund, and will include signs near each plant with the relevant quotes and references to the certain plays or poems where the plant or flower was used as a metaphor.

The centerpiece of the Garden is a life-sized bronze sculpture of the Bard himself, titled “Shakespeare,” by renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price.

Its location will be in between Brooken's Library and the UIS Police Station.

This story was posted on wandtv.com on September 27, 2016.

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Monday, September 26, 2016

Women's Soccer: Stars snap losing streak

Maggie Juhlin and Emily Matsen scored goals in the University of Illinois Springfield’s 4-1 victory over Saint Joseph’s in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Kiwanis Stadium.

UIS snapped a three-game losing streak -- all one-goal losses.

The Prairie Stars built a 4-0 lead.

Macy Martin and Hailey Hawkins also scored for UIS.

UIS goalie Paloma Guijarro made one save.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 24, 2016.

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Men's Soccer: UIS soccer team moves to 3-1 in conference

Second-half goals in a span of 12 minutes by Zach Allevi, Dylan Stockman and Jack Coombes lifted the University of Illinois Springfield to a 4-1 win against Saint Joseph’s in a Great Lakes Valley Conference match Friday at Kiwanis Stadium.

The Prairie Stars have a 3-1 conference record and a 3-3 overall mark.

Mario Falsone scored the sole goal in the first half and UIS led 1-0.

Allevi led UIS with five shots. Teammate Naba Alzhyri had four attempts. UIS goalkeeper Tommy Geile made three saves.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 24, 2016.

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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

UIS works with bomb squad to protect marathon

Springfield groups and law enforcement agencies have taken notice of the string of terror attacks. They said there are plans in place to prevent attacks from happening in the capital city.

Law enforcement said it is always mindful of potential local targets that are similar to those in national attacks. That's why the University of Illinois Springfield has already worked out a plan with the bomb squad to keep an upcoming marathon secure.

UIS said when making those plans, it looked at what happened in the Boston marathon bombing and decided the most security was needed at the starting and finish lines.

The bomb squad said it works with several Springfield groups to make plans for things like high school football games, school functions and potential business targets.

UIS police said the campus is on heightened alert following the national terror attacks over the weekend, but haven't taken specific safety precautions.

This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on Monday, September 19, 2016.

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Monday, September 19, 2016

Cross Country: Quarton Off And Running At UIS

Alexandria Quarton, a University of Illinois-Springfield freshman and Litchfield graduate, likes the longer distance races.

At the University of Illinois-Springfield hosted First Meet Ever Invitational, she proved she has the endurance to do it.

First UIS, along with the rest of the competing teams, ran the 4,000-meter race. Quarton would finish fifth in 15 minutes, 55.88 seconds. She would help UIS take fourth with 77 points.

"My times were both good," said Quarton. "I like the longer distance races. There are a group of us that try to stay together. I just want to keep learning and keep improving."

This article appeared in The Journal-News on September 19, 2016.

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Men's Soccer: Prairie Stars soccer blanks Maryville

With goals by Josh Moore and Mario Falsone, the University of Illinois Springfield coasted past host Maryville 2-0 Sunday.

Both goals came about seven minutes apart in the middle of the first half.

The Stars improved to 3-3 overall and to 3-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 18, 2016.

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Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Women's Golf: Stars’ Yn ties for 30th

University of Illinois Springfield sophomore Kayla Yn shot a 2-over-par 74 in the final round of the UIndy Fall Invitational and tied for 30th at Prairie View Golf Club.

Yn had a two-day total of 153. She shot a 79 in the opening round.

Dallas Baptist won the team title at 585. UIS placed 12th with 643.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 13, 2016.

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Men's Golf: Stars’ Supak places second

University of Illinois Springfield junior Talon Supak was the runner-up at the Wisconsin-Parkside Fall Invitational at The Club at Strawberry Creek.

Lewis’ Braden Bently shot rounds of 67 and 74 for 3-under-par 141.

Supak finished with a 142.

UIS placed third with a team score of 594.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 13, 2016.

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UIS tennis teams hope to build on last season's success

The University of Illinois Springfield women’s and men’s tennis teams hit some milestones with their performances last season.

On the men’s side, UIS set the program record for wins in the NCAA Division II era with a 13-13 record. The women’s team also set a record for wins with an 11-15 mark.

It was the first time since the Prairie Stars entered Division II in 2009 that both the men’s and women’s squads had more than 10 wins.

Now that the Stars have shown they are making strides, the goal is to keep it going. They hope to do so under first-year coach Samantha Schall, who was hired to replace Tom Rees in June.

“I’m excited about moving forward to keep seeing what this program can accomplish,” Schall said.

The foundation of the women’s team is No. 1 player Jane Carter. The junior is a two-time All-Great Lakes Valley Conference player who won the GLVC Freshman of the Year award in 2015.

The UIS men’s team is also larger with its 10 players. Senior Cole Buehnerkemper, the Stars' No. 1 singles player last season, returns.

“We have a really good foundation on the men’s side,” Schall said.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 13, 2016.

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Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Rejuvenated Talon Supak set for final golf season for UIS

Talon Supak’s crazy busy spring gave way to a low-key summer. The University of Illinois Springfield senior golfer made history last season.

He won a NCAA Division II Regional and became the first UIS male golfer to qualify for the national championships. He appeared on the all-Great Lakes Valley Conference team and was named to the Golf Coaches Association of America PING All-Region and All-America teams.

With an outstanding junior season behind him, Supak took it easy over the summer. “I didn’t want to play myself out of wanting to play this season,” he said. That meant limiting his rounds and tournament schedule.

Ready for senior season Supak is feeling fresh and excited for his final season of college golf.

UIS men’s golf team kicked off the season Monday and Tuesday at the Wisconsin-Parkside Fall Invitational in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Like the men’s team, the UIS women’s squad only graduated one player, Becca Ramirez, a Springfield High School alumnus who had the Prairie Stars' second-best scoring average and helped UIS place third at the conference tournament. The UIS women’s team is coming off a history-making season. The Stars qualified for an NCAA Super Regional as a team for the first time. They shot three of the program’s best four rounds ever at the GLVC Championships.

The women opened the season Sunday at the UIndy Invitational in Carmel, Indiana.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 12, 2016.

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Monday, September 12, 2016

Susan Koch: UIS' Shakespeare Garden will be campus landmark

The following column was written by UIS Chancellor Susan J. Koch and published in the September 11, 2016 edition of The State Journal-Register.

"This September is an exciting time on the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois — with construction of the new student union well underway and more students choosing to pursue their U of I degree in the personalized environment for which UIS is so highly regarded.

UIS is also participating this fall in an important worldwide celebration: the 400th anniversary of the death in 1616 of poet and playwright William Shakespeare, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.

Thanks to an award from the Chester Fund of the University of Illinois, UIS will soon be unveiling a Shakespeare Garden on campus — a themed garden that features plants mentioned in the works of Shakespeare. The Bard often used plants and gardens as metaphors for life, with many important scenes taking place in garden settings."

Read the full column online.

UIS women's soccer climbs to 4-0

Sophomore Macy Martin’s game-winning goal with five minutes three seconds left lifted the University of Illinois Springfield to a 1-0 win against Quincy and earned the Prairie Stars a 4-0 overall record Friday.

UIS is 4-0 for the first time in program history and is one victory away from tying the program record for wins. The Stars set the record at five in 2015.

Martin scored off an assist by sophomore Karisa Rogers with little time left in a Great Lakes Valley Conference opener at SASA Fields.

UIS freshman goalkeeper Courtney Johnson logged 10 saves. Quincy out shot UIS 18-10.

The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on September 10, 2016.

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Men's soccer: UIS gets first victory

Senior Zach Allevi tallied two second-half goals and the University of Illinois Springfield won 3-0 over Quincy in a Great Lakes Valley Conference opener on Friday at Kiwanis Stadium.

It is the first victory of the season for the Prairie Stars (1-2 overall, 1-0 in GLVC).

Senior Jack Coombes put UIS ahead 1-0 in the first half.

The Stars out shot Quincy 11-8. The Hawks had 10 corner kicks to UIS’ 3. UIS sophomore goalkeeper Tommy Geile made four saves.

The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on September 10, 2016.

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Cross Country: Cook, Nabatov, Quarton lead UIS

University of Illinois Springfield junior Eli Cook placed second and freshman teammate Elliot Nabatov finished third in the UIS Second Annual First Meet Ever Invitational on Friday.

Cook completed the 6,000-meter course in 19 minutes 55.67 seconds behind first-place Brice Pavey of Truman State. Pavey won in 19:46.91. Nabatov took third in 20:08.34.

UIS freshman Alexandria Quarton had the second fastest time on the 2,000-meter course at UIS Second Annual First Meet Ever Invitational on Friday.

The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on September 10, 2016.

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Friday, September 9, 2016

UIS enrollment up slightly for fall semester

University of Illinois Springfield enrollment is up slightly for the fall semester and makes up the second-largest student body in the school's history.

Census numbers on the 10th day of classes showed 5,428 students enrolled this fall, up from 5,402 in fall 2015.

That's an increase of about one-half of 1 percent.

UIS' largest enrollment was in fall 2014 when 5,431 students were enrolled.

"One of our highest priorities has been growing our enrollment, and we are pleased with this fall's census," said UIS Chancellor Susan Koch. "When students and families make the decision to pursue their educational goals at UIS, they know they will receive a high-quality, personalized experience at the same time they are earning their University of Illinois diploma."

Online enrollment also continues to grow at the university, with 1,665 students enrolled in online degree or certificate programs. That accounts for 30.7 percent of the student body and reflects an increase of 4.3 percent from fall 2015.

The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on September 9, 2016.

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Thursday, September 8, 2016

Juhlin's goal gives UIS women OT soccer win

Maggie Juhlin’s game-winning goal in overtime gave the University of Illinois Springfield a 1-0 victory against Judson Wednesday and earned the Prairie Stars’ a 3-0 record for the first time in program history.

Juhlin scored on a cross from teammate Karisa Rogers at Kiwanis Stadium. She is the first UIS women’s player to score an overtime goal.

The Stars outshot Judson 30-2. They hit the post or crossbar three times in the second half. Judson fell to 3-1.

UIS is two wins from tying the program record for wins in a single season.

It opens Great Lakes Valley Conference play at 5 p.m. Friday against Quincy (0-1-1) at Kiwanis Stadium.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 7, 2016.

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Tuesday, September 6, 2016

UIS soccer defeats Findlay 3-1

Macy Martin scored a goal in each half and helped the University of Illinois Springfield beat Findlay 3-1 Sunday in a non-conference meeting.

Karisa Rogers put UIS on the board with a ninth-minute header off a free kick from Madisyn Coudriet. 

Findlay tied the game in the 21st minute before Martin put the Prairie Stars (2-0-0) back out in front when Valentina Rodridguez’s pass led to a Martin one-on-one breakaway goal.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 4, 2016.

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Party with the stars on Fridays in September, October at UIS

Friday night will mark the return of the University of Illinois Springfield’s stars other than the Prairie Stars — the ones people may observe at the university’s longstanding Friday Night Star Parties.

The parties, hosted by John Martin, UIS associate professor of astronomy/physics, run from 8 to 10 p.m. and include the dates Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28, weather permitting.

Telescopes at the UIS Observatory on the roof of Brookens Library will be trained on a number of celestial objects, including the planets Saturn and Mars; the moon, when visible; the Ring Nebula; globular star clusters M13 and M15; and other double stars and star clusters.

The parties are free and open to the public and reservations are not required. Groups are encouraged to attend.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 5, 2016.

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Sunday, September 4, 2016

UIS volleyball team provides exciting end to Capital Classic

The University of Illinois Springfield volleyball program hosted the inaugural Capital Classic on Friday and Saturday, and the Prairie Stars capped the 12-match event in exciting fashion.

UIS and Wayne State played the nightcap Saturday, and it was a close one at The Recreation and Athletic Center.

The Stars pulled off a 17-20, 20-25, 25-23, 25-20, 17-15 win to avoid dropping to 1-3. They head into the second week of the season 2-2 thanks to a huge rally.

A NCAA Division II volleyball tournament in Springfield was a great idea. I hope it returns next year.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 3, 2016.

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Saturday, September 3, 2016

Volleyball: UIS wins opener

Sophomore Emma Burkle hit eight kills and sophomore Alyssa Hasler served four aces as the University of Illinois Springfield opened the season with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-17 win against Ohio Valley at the Capital Classic.

UIS junior Lexi Hall contributed 20 assists at The Recreation and Athletic Center.

Freshman Rachel Cobert led the team with six digs. Upper Iowa beat UIS 25-13, 25-18, 26-24 in the nightcap. Hasler and Alli Splitt had eight kills apiece.

Hall collected 20 assists for the Stars (1-1).

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 2, 2016.

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Friday, September 2, 2016

UIS women's soccer team aims to increase scoring, wins

The University of Illinois Springfield women’s soccer team could have had a much better record for the 2015 season had the Prairie Stars not lost six games by a single goal.

Despite the near misses, UIS set the program record for most wins in a season with a 5-11-2 record. It also set the record for Great Lakes Valley Conference wins with a 4-9-2 mark.

“Our goal is to make more history and set a record again for most wins,” UIS junior forward Emily Matsen said. “It’s good we set it last year, but we want to improve on that and make the conference tournament.”

Added UIS junior center back Regina Bolin, “Last year was definitely a steppingstone for this year, and this year we have a lot more talent.”

The team was featured by The State Journal-Register on September 2, 2016.

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Thursday, September 1, 2016

Salinas, UIS volleyball set to start season

The University of Illinois Springfield volleyball team has had a busy preseason with eight scrimmages, including matches with National Junior College Athletic Association Division II national champion Parkland and five Great Lakes Valley Conference teams.

“It gave us a chance to see the competition and teams in our conference that we are going to play throughout the season, but it doesn’t actually count,” UIS junior outside hitter Tiffany Sunderlin said.

With the Prairie Stars set to kick off the regular season Friday as hosts of the inaugural Capital Classic at The Recreation and Athletic Center, the preseason provided UIS volleyball coach Trey Salinas with a fairly clear vision of what the team should look like. “We feel like we have a lot of firepower,” he said. “We feel like our defense and serve receive are on point to compete well. “We’ll continue to be a really good blocking team. Defensively, we’ll be all around a much better defensive team as well. We should be significantly improved from last year.”

“We have six new girls and five of them are hitters, so we’re looking good," UIS sophomore libero Isabela Fonseca said.

We’ve also added some depth in giving us another option for the setter as well as adding another middle to the equation, which has really helped expand our offense.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on August 31, 2016.

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UIS cross country teams upgrade rosters, home course

The University of Illinois Springfield cross country course got an upgrade over the summer and was lengthened from a 2,000-meter (1.24-mile) loop to 3,000 meters (1.86 miles).

UIS cross country coach Mike De Witt also upgraded the men’s and women’s roster in both quality and quantity as the Prairie Stars approach their second season in program history.

“We’re much bigger,” UIS sophomore runner Maddie Logsdon said. “We’re pretty excited because we have so many new recruits who are good that can really help us stand out.”

De Witt has 16 males and 15 females, and the Prairie Stars have gained an increase in talent.

“It’s a very young team all around,” Reynolds said. “The talent is there. "We’re going to be young and improved. The other teams in the conference are going to have to definitely take note because of how young we are and we all are going to probably stay together.”

UIS hosts a home meet Friday with Illinois College, Blackburn and Lindenwood-Belleville participating.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on August 31, 2016.

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UIS Students Do Investigative Work As Part Of Course

One class at UIS did some investigative work Wednesday.

A forensic science lab simulated a crime scene in a campus courtyard this afternoon.

Students searched for evidence and looked for clues to help them find suspects throughout the semester.

Students will evaluate and test everything from hair samples, fingerprints, to footprint molds. The forensic class will be busy testing clues for the rest of the semester.

This story appeared on Fox 55 News on August 31, 2016.

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