This Fourth of July holiday, a new flag proudly waves high in the sky above the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield.
The stars and stripes, in it's bright bold colors, were provided by a staff member.
For her, that flag holds special meaning.
Janine Toman replaced the U.S. flag, Illinois state flag, and the UIS flag to honor her father who died a year ago.
Janine first noticed the flag was tattered when she brought some English as a Second Language students to the flag pole to teach them about American culture.
"Freedom and bloodshed, and the bandages, and the colonies, and the states, I just thought it was a nice little tie in to wrap up for our international students. It's always a pleasure to learn about other cultures, but to share ours is just so neat," Toman said.
Toman was featured by WICS-TV 20 on July 4, 2014.
Watch the story online
Monday, July 7, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
Smoking ban close to reality for Illinois' colleges
For years, smokers at Springfield's sprawling University of Illinois campus could smoke at designated spots. But those spots could disappear if Governor Pat Quinn signs a new law banning smoking from all state campuses. Some wouldn't mind seeing it go.
"It's kind of bothersome walking in front of a door going to class and there's a bunch of people smoking out front and you have to walk right through it," said student Jake Boehm.
UIS spokesperson Derek Schnapp said the university expects some difficulty in transitioning to being 100 percent smoke free, but the law would give them a year to finish the transition.
"It's more about awareness to let people know we're going to be a smoke-free campus," Schnapp said.
On large campuses, smokers will only have a few choices, either smoke in their cars or drive off campus to take care of their craving.
The story was reported by WCIA-TV on June 26, 2014.
Watch the story online
"It's kind of bothersome walking in front of a door going to class and there's a bunch of people smoking out front and you have to walk right through it," said student Jake Boehm.
UIS spokesperson Derek Schnapp said the university expects some difficulty in transitioning to being 100 percent smoke free, but the law would give them a year to finish the transition.
"It's more about awareness to let people know we're going to be a smoke-free campus," Schnapp said.
On large campuses, smokers will only have a few choices, either smoke in their cars or drive off campus to take care of their craving.
The story was reported by WCIA-TV on June 26, 2014.
Watch the story online
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
UIS tries to repair relationship with soccer alumni
For many years at Sangamon State University — now the University of Illinois Springfield — men's soccer was the show.
The Prairie Stars won National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championships in 1986, 1988 and 1993. They played in two World Collegiate Soccer Championships. They grew a large fan base, which was heavily involved.
After Aydin Gonulsen retired as coach and athletic director in 2001, longtime UIS supporters and the university began slowly drifting apart. By the time Gonulsen's replacement as coach, Joe Eck, retired in 2009, the rift was clearly evident.
Gonulsen was one of many who felt UIS had forgotten its soccer roots. They were upset for many reasons, including the perceived lack of funding, dismantling of the Friends of the Prairie Stars Athletic Association and the lack of displaying trophies, banners and national championship signs.
“There was a fractured relationship with the old athletic administration and the soccer alumni,” said Sam Tate, who played for SSU's 1986 championship team. “The alumni felt soccer wasn't supported as part of the athletic program at UIS.”
That has changed with the presence of men's soccer coach Jesse Miech and athletic director Kim Pate, who were hired in 2011.
“They reached out,” said Peter Christofilakos, who played for UIS in 2003. “They wanted to get everybody back involved and get everyone on the same page. They started to see we have a strong but small army that has been there and supported them.”
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 25, 2014.
Read the article online
The Prairie Stars won National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championships in 1986, 1988 and 1993. They played in two World Collegiate Soccer Championships. They grew a large fan base, which was heavily involved.
After Aydin Gonulsen retired as coach and athletic director in 2001, longtime UIS supporters and the university began slowly drifting apart. By the time Gonulsen's replacement as coach, Joe Eck, retired in 2009, the rift was clearly evident.
Gonulsen was one of many who felt UIS had forgotten its soccer roots. They were upset for many reasons, including the perceived lack of funding, dismantling of the Friends of the Prairie Stars Athletic Association and the lack of displaying trophies, banners and national championship signs.
“There was a fractured relationship with the old athletic administration and the soccer alumni,” said Sam Tate, who played for SSU's 1986 championship team. “The alumni felt soccer wasn't supported as part of the athletic program at UIS.”
That has changed with the presence of men's soccer coach Jesse Miech and athletic director Kim Pate, who were hired in 2011.
“They reached out,” said Peter Christofilakos, who played for UIS in 2003. “They wanted to get everybody back involved and get everyone on the same page. They started to see we have a strong but small army that has been there and supported them.”
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 25, 2014.
Read the article online
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