Lynn, Moore honored by UIS at 50th anniversary celebration

UIS Chancellor Emerita Naomi B. Lynn and retired U.S. Marshal Robert Moore were honored by the University of Illinois Springfield with awards for service and alumni achievement during a virtual 50th-anniversary celebration.

Lynn was presented the 2021 Distinguished Service Award for extraordinary commitment, dedication and service to the advancement of the University of Illinois. Lynn served as president of Sangamon State University and then was the first chancellor of UIS. She retired in 2001 and continues to live in Springfield.

Moore received the 2021 Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding success and national or international distinction in one’s business, profession or life’s work.

Over a career spanning nearly 50 years, Moore has become a distinguished and nationally recognized leader in the practice of law enforcement, facilitator of community policing initiatives and historical research of African Americans in law enforcement.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on April 25, 2021.

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WBCA names UIS assistant coach Kotas to its Thirty Under 30 list

University of Illinois Springfield women’s basketball assistant coach Jenna Kotas has been named one of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Thirty Under 30 honorees, the organization announced on Wednesday.

“I am honored to be recognized by the WBCA and be named to the Thirty Under 30 class of 2021 with so many young, dedicated coaches,” Kotas said in a UIS press release. “It is a privilege to coach women's basketball, and mentor and impact student-athletes. I would like to thank those who nominated and voted for me for this award. A huge thank you to my family, mentors, peers, former coaches, current/former players, and also (head) coach (Casey) Thousand and (assistant) coach (Destiny) Ramsey for helping me grow as a coach and as an individual every single day.”

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 17, 2021.

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UIS online bachelor’s degree programs ranked among the top 10 percent in the country

The University of Illinois Springfield’s online bachelor’s degree programs have been ranked 34th best in the country (out of 357 institutions) by U.S. News and World Report.

The 2021 ranking put UIS among the top 10 percent of best online bachelor’s degree programs in the United States.

UIS’ online master’s degree programs were also ranked highly by U.S. News and World Report. The management information systems online master’s degree was ranked 53 out of 184 in the non-MBA business category. The UIS online master’s degree in education was ranked 91 out of 317 degrees.

“UIS has ranked among the top tier of U.S. News Best Online Program rankings of undergraduate programs since their inception in 2012,” said Ray Schroeder, UIS associate vice chancellor of online learning. “We are honored to once again be ranked among the top 10 percent of online programs by the rigorous and highly respected rankings by U.S. News. With this recognition comes our promise to continue to provide excellence in all of our online classes and programs.”

This story appeared on WAND January 26, 2021.

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Lincoln Academy of Illinois honors UIS student Kodi Smith with Student Laureate Award

Kodi Smith, a University of Illinois Springfield student, has been selected as the winner of the Student Laureate Award. The Lincoln Academy of Illinois honors one student with this prestigious award each year.

Smith said that she was surprised with she received the nomination letter. She began researching the award and knew how big it was. “It feels good to have my hard work be acknowledged by others,” said Smith. Smith of Taylorville graduated from Taylorville High School. She joined UIS to attain a bachelor’s degree in biology. She wants to become a trauma surgeon after completing her degree by attending a medical school.

Smith is a member of several student organizations including the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) and the pre-Health Society. The pre-Health Society is a group of students who pursue a career in the medical field. She packaged unused medical equipment several times at Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach as a volunteer. The purpose of this Mission is to send unused medical equipment to countries that are in need.

This story appeared in the Chicago Morning Star on November 5, 2020.

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UIS professor will be ‘invested’ in virtual ceremony Thursday

Graham Peck will be formally invested as the Wepner Distinguished Professor of Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield on Thursday at 2 p.m.

The ceremony, which can be viewed on Zoom, was originally scheduled for March 19.

During the ceremony, Peck will receive a medallion that symbolizes his position as a distinguished professor. He will be entitled to wear the medallion at special university ceremonies, like commencement.

Peck will present a lecture, “Abraham Lincoln and the Making of an Antislavery Nation,” at the ceremony.

Peck is the author of the 2017 book “Making an Antislavery Nation: Lincoln, Douglas and the Battle Over Freedom” (University of Illinois Press). His scholarship focuses on antebellum American political history, and particularly on Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas and the origins of the Civil War.

A ceremony of investiture is held when an endowed chair or distinguished professor is installed. The ceremony, modeled after knighthood ceremonies, began in early English universities.

There are five other Distinguished Chairs and Professorships at UIS, including Michael Burlingame, the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies. A renowned scholar, Burlingame has published a dozen books on the life and times of Lincoln, including the award-winning two-volume biography, “Abraham Lincoln: A Life.”

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on September 19, 2020..

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Report ranks UIS as top public regional university in Illinois

The University of Illinois Springfield was ranked the top public regional university in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report.

The university was also ranked as the fourth best public university in the Midwest and the fifth best in the Midwest regional category for students with the least amount of debt.

“We here at UIS are thrilled with the news that we have retained the No. 1 spot for public regional university in Illinois,” said UIS Associate Provost of Enrollment Management Natalie Herring. “What this means for our right-sized community, is that we are doing a good job challenging high-achieving students and supporting future stars of great potential.”

UIS officials said the university has been ranked among the top 15 best public regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report since 2006.

This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on September 14, 2020.

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Men's Baseball: Jensen gets UIS baseball sportsmanship nod

Brayden Jensen, a senior pitcher for the University of Illinois Springfield baseball team, was named that team’s Great Lakes Valley Conference James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award honoree.

Each team in the GLVC selected one player who distinguished himself through sportsmanship and “ethical behavior” throughout the coronavirus-shortened season. The honorees must also be in “good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting,” according to the GLVC press release on Monday.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on May 13, 2020.

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Women's Softball: Springfield’s Derhake is UIS softball sportsmanship winner

Bree Derhake, a senior infielder on the University of Illinois Springfield softball team and a 2016 Sacred Heart-Griffin High School graduate, was named the Prairie Stars’ Great Lakes Valley Conference James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award honoree.

Tuesday’s press release by the GLVC said the award goes to the player who “distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior.

“These individuals must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.”

In her shortened senior season, Derhake finished with a .362 average (21 for 58), with seven RBIs, six doubles, two triples and she was successful on all 18 of her stolen base attempts.

The Prairie Stars were 10-8 before spring sports were canceled throughout the country as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Derhake was UIS’ lone senior.

This story was published in The State Journal-Register on May 12, 2020.

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Men's Tennis: Servaes named Player of the Week

University of Illinois Springfield’s Menno Servaes went 2-0 in a dual match and was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Servaes, a sophomore, won his No. 1 singles match 6-4, 6-1 and teamed up with Tomas Martinez for a 7-5 victory at No. 1 doubles against William Woods last week.

It was Servaes’ fifth straight win at singles as he improved to 6-4 on the season. He currently has a 4-6 record in doubles.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 10, 2020.

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Men's Basketball: UIS’ Soetan named first-team all-GLVC

Daniel Soetan, a senior guard on the University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball team, was named to the all-Great Lakes Valley Conference’s first-team.

Soetan was named GLVC all-defensive team last season. He averaged 18.9 points and 6.5 rebounds this season — both were fourth best in the GLVC. He was also fourth in blocks, 14th in assists and 15th in steals.

His teammate, Chase Robinson, was named to the GLVC all-freshman team. He started all 28 games and averaged 15.3 points to lead all conference freshmen.

UIS finished 14-14 overall and 7-13 in the GLVC in coach Matt Brock’s first year.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 4, 2020.

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Women's Basketball: UIS’ Ladowski named all-GLVC third team

Lauren Ladowski, who averaged 14.3 points and 3.5 assists per game, was named to the Great Lakes Valley Conference third-team.

Her teammate, Malea Jackson, was selected to the GLVC all-freshman team with 9.4 points per game.

The Prairie Stars finished 9-19 overall and 4-16 in the GLVC — tied for one game above last place — in coach Casey Thousand’s first season.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 4, 2020.

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Women's Softball: UIS’ Long named GLVC’s softball Pitcher of the Week

University of Illinois Springfield pitcher Payton Long garnered Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the second time of her career on Monday.

Long, a sophomore, went 2-0 last week without allowing any runs in 7 2/3 innings of work. She gave up just six hits and three walks and struck out nine in both games combined.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 2, 2020.

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Two UIS athletes earn GLVC player of the week awards

Daniel Soetan, a senior guard for the University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball team, was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference’s Player of the Week on Monday.

The Prairie Stars won both games last week: an 87-74 win against former UIS coach Bill Walker and Missouri S&T on Feb. 13 and then an 82-79 win over Maryville on Saturday.

In those wins, Soetan averaged 30.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals and he shot 57.6 percent (19 of 33), knocked down 58.3 of his 3-point attempts (7 of 12) and was 88.2 percent of his free throws (15 for 17).

University of Illinois Springfield softball player Lakyn Wagoner was named Great Lakes Valley Conference’s Player of the Week on Monday for the second time in her career.

In the Prairie Stars’ first week of action, Wagoner went 7 for 13 with three doubles and a walk-off, three-run home run in the season-opening 7-6 win over Ferris State. Her batting average through four games is .538, she has a 1.000 slugging percentage and knocked in 10 runs, scored four times and stole a pair of bases. She also became the Prairie Stars’ career doubles leader on Sunday.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on Feb. 17, 2020.

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Men's Basketball: Stars named NCAA Division II Team of the Week

The University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball team notched back-to-back victories over ranked opponents and on Tuesday earned NCAA Division II Team of the Week honors by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

The Prairie Stars upset No. 8 Bellarmine 77-75 on Thursday thanks to a game-winning 3-pointer by Jesus Castillo with 0.7 seconds remaining at The Recreation and Athletic Center.

UIS then took down No. 22 Indianapolis 89-86 in overtime at home on Saturday.

Daniel Soetan leads the Stars with 17.9 points per game, followed by Chase Robinson (14.9), Keymonta Johnson (13.9) and Castillo (11.5).

UIS, led by first-year head coach Matt Brock, is tied for 10th place in the GLVC standings with Quincy and Lewis and is one game out of the eighth and final spot for the GLVC tournament, which the Stars last appeared in 2016.

This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on February 4, 2020.

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UIS online bachelor's degree programs ranked among top 10%

The online bachelor's degree programs at the University of Illinois Springfield are receiving national attention.

U.S. News and World Report ranked the university's programs among the top 10% in the country. The programs ranked 33rd out of the 353 institutions. This is the second year the school's programs have ranked high on the list.

Right now, UIS offers 14 online bachelor's degree programs in the following areas: Business administration, Communication, Computer Science, English, Health Care, Informatics, History, Information Systems Security, Liberal Studies, Management Information Systems, Mathematical Sciences, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Teacher Education.

“UIS offers a unique perspective to online learning,” said Vickie Cook, executive director of UIS online, professional and engaged learning. “We believe that connecting students to exceptionally qualified faculty through strong instruction and online technologies is key to providing experiences that will serve students in their careers and in their lives. UIS faculty often share their experiences of working with great students who are developing the skills needed to be successful.”

This story aired on WICS Newschannel 20 on Jan. 14, 2020.

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Susan Koch: Lincoln Academy Student Laureates lead into the future

The following is an excerpt from a column by University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan Koch. This column appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 16, 2019. 

Many Illinois residents are familiar with the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, a nonprofit organization created more than 50 years ago to honor distinguished Illinoisans. Since its founding, the Academy has recognized over 300 sons and daughters of Illinois, including a number of Springfield citizens, with the prestigious “Order of Lincoln.”

An equally important recognition bestowed by the Academy is the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement award - presented each year to one outstanding graduating senior from each four-year college, university and community college in the state.

According to Julie Kellner, Executive Director of the Lincoln Academy and a UIS graduate, the Student Laureate award is “a way for the State of Illinois to recognize outstanding student achievement, civic engagement and leadership.”

As Chancellor of UIS and an Academic Trustee of the Lincoln Academy, it is my honor each year to select one UIS student for this prestigious recognition. I’m delighted to announce that, just yesterday in a ceremony at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, UIS senior Melissa Van received the 2019 Student Laureate award, which includes presentation of the Lincoln Medal, a Certificate of Merit and a monetary award.

A member of the Capital Scholars Honors program at UIS, Van is from Lincoln and will be graduating this year with a major in business and minor in management.

“I am a first generation Vietnamese-American,” says Van. “My parents emigrated from Vietnam and have always been role models for me. They started from the bottom and worked hard to make a better life for me and my younger sisters.

Read the entire column online.

UIS Alumni Teresa Haley is 2019 First Citizen

The local and state leader of a national civil rights organization is The State Journal-Register’s 2019 First Citizen.

Civil rights leader Teresa Haley, president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the NAACP Illinois State Conference, was named First Citizen during a breakfast presentation Thursday at Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park.

The 57th annual First Citizen Award recognizes the unselfish service an individual gives to the community.

Haley’s fight for justice impacts Springfield, the state and beyond. Haley has worked with Springfield School District 186 to ensure fair and equitable treatment for minority students. She is working to have the site of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot designated a National Monument site. Haley, 54, has been involved for more than 25 years with NAACP, which has a vision of ensuring a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.

“The NAACP was founded because of the 1908 Race Riot here in Springfield,” Haley said. “I love my community. I love telling them about the rich history. I love telling them where we’ve been, and I’m excited about telling them where we’re going, so thank you, Springfield. I love you all.”

Haley is an alumni of the University of Illinois Springfield.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on October 24, 2019.

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UIS ranked best public regional university in Midwest

The University of Illinois Springfield has been ranked the fourth best public regional university in the midwest.

UIS moved up three spots from last year's rankings. It's also ranked as one of the best ethnically diverse campuses in the midwest.

"It's a real point of pride for us. We are very happy to have moved up in the rankings. It signals that families and prospective students are making a really good choice when they choose to learn more, apply, and enroll at the University of Illinois Springfield," said Provost of Management, Natalie Herring.

Herring also says there are lots of student grant opportunities. And the school will be able to provide for students who deserve scholarships.

This story aired on WICS Newschannel 20 on September 9, 2019.

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UIS Mock Trial team wins awards

The University of Illinois Springfield Mock Trial team recently received the Spirit of American Mock Trial Association Award at the first Scarlet and Cream Invitational hosted by the University of Nebraska.

Area team members are Chance Austin, of Rochester; and Adeola Babington, Andrew Jarmer and Jade Sisti, of Springfield.

Jarmer was recognized with an Outstanding Attorney award for his competition performance.

The American Mock Trial Association has awarded the team that best exemplifies its ideals of civility, justice and fair play with the Spirit of AMTA Award since 2000. The award is given to only one team at each tournament and is voted and scored by competing teams.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on January 24, 2019.

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Men's Soccer: Falsone earns scholar all-region honors

The United Soccer Coaches recognized University of Illinois Springfield forward Mario Falsone on its Scholar All-North/Central Region team, which was announced on Monday.

Falsone scored five goals and four assists for the Prairie Stars this past season and was second-team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on December 11, 2018.

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