Dennis McDonald is proof that you can reach a goal if you don't give up.
McDonald is set to receive his bachelor's degree in computer science in two weeks at age 49.
That in itself is an accomplishment, but there's more: McDonald was among three University of Illinois Springfield students to recently participate in one of the National Cyber League's annual competitions.
During the two competitions, students deploy anti-hacking measures to defend real-time network attacks. McDonald finished in the top 15 percent of both competitions in which he participated. He ended finishing 342nd of 3,070 in the first and 362nd of 2,736 in the second.
"It takes persistence. The challenges are pretty difficult. You have an eight-hour window to get it done," McDonald said. "It is pretty tedious but really interesting work. I felt great about how I finished, especially since there was a lot on there I haven't been trained to do."
McDonald has deftly handled curveballs in his life for years.
The Barry native joined the U.S. Navy's nuclear power program after graduating from high school in 1985. When he returned to the area, he worked as an electrician and ran a computer store.
"I always wanted to get my degree in computer science, but things happen," McDonald said.
Having a family, he said, as well as running a business, left him with little time to devote to higher education. In the late 1990s, he started attending John Wood Community College on an Illinois Veteran Grant and GI Bill benefits.
"Then I got custody of my kids, so I put that on hold," he said.
Undeterred, McDonald would return to earn his associate degree from John Wood, maintaining a 3.93 grade-point average. He enrolled in the University of Illinois Springfield's computer science program online, and has managed a 4.0 grade-point average.
"It's been tough balancing working full time and going back to school," McDonald said, "but getting this degree is something I've always wanted to do."
The story was reported by the Quincy Herald-Whig on December 2, 2016.
Read the story online.
Friday, December 2, 2016
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Shining a light on college campus security
From recent reports of violence at Ohio State University and even to the not-so-distant horrors at Virginia Tech, colleges must be constantly aware of student safety.
The blue security light poles are one of the ways students can stay safe and connect with law enforcement in minutes. 44 blue emergency lights can be seen throughout the UIS college campus. In just a press of a button, law enforcement is paged and will show up in minutes.
"We think with the security poles, we call them code blues, they're also a source of light on campus and we would think that it would hopefully deter other type of activity," said Derek Schnapp of UIS.
Schnapp says it’s giving students, who often walk across campus alone or at night, a feeling of safety.
"I was very glad to see these when I came to UIS because I know what they do," said Jonathan Camacho, a junior at UIS. “If something is happening you can push the button for help and there's immediate, or not immediate but very fast, response.”
But these blue lights could be on the way out. Some colleges in the U.S. have already removed them due to cost and the rise in cellphones.
Southwind Park in Springfield removed their poles earlier this year. "Technology became outdated,” said Park Police Chief Limey Nargelenas. “The cost for purchasing the technology and then for monitoring -- the decision was made to go ahead and remove them.”
Luckily, the Park Police says Springfield park crime is typically low. However, the blue light poles were out of service for about a year before they were even removed. "You can't leave them out here when they don't work. For somebody it could be a false sense of security that they can run to it, call and get some help right away," said Nargelenas.
With a rise in violent crime on college campuses, UIS says despite the cost, these lights still serve a purpose. "To maintain every year it costs about $15,000 a year. That does not include man hours that our police officers do a test on them every week," said Schnapp.
This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on November 30, 2016.
Watch the story online.
The blue security light poles are one of the ways students can stay safe and connect with law enforcement in minutes. 44 blue emergency lights can be seen throughout the UIS college campus. In just a press of a button, law enforcement is paged and will show up in minutes.
"We think with the security poles, we call them code blues, they're also a source of light on campus and we would think that it would hopefully deter other type of activity," said Derek Schnapp of UIS.
Schnapp says it’s giving students, who often walk across campus alone or at night, a feeling of safety.
"I was very glad to see these when I came to UIS because I know what they do," said Jonathan Camacho, a junior at UIS. “If something is happening you can push the button for help and there's immediate, or not immediate but very fast, response.”
But these blue lights could be on the way out. Some colleges in the U.S. have already removed them due to cost and the rise in cellphones.
Southwind Park in Springfield removed their poles earlier this year. "Technology became outdated,” said Park Police Chief Limey Nargelenas. “The cost for purchasing the technology and then for monitoring -- the decision was made to go ahead and remove them.”
Luckily, the Park Police says Springfield park crime is typically low. However, the blue light poles were out of service for about a year before they were even removed. "You can't leave them out here when they don't work. For somebody it could be a false sense of security that they can run to it, call and get some help right away," said Nargelenas.
With a rise in violent crime on college campuses, UIS says despite the cost, these lights still serve a purpose. "To maintain every year it costs about $15,000 a year. That does not include man hours that our police officers do a test on them every week," said Schnapp.
This story appeared on WICS Newschannel 20 on November 30, 2016.
Watch the story online.
UIS seeks 'sanctuary' status for immigrants
Professors at the University of Illinois Springfield are circulating a petition to make the school a sanctuary campus for students living in the U.S. without legal permission.
Lynn Fisher, associate professor of sociology and anthropology, said Wednesday that the petition is being circulated because of statements made by President-elect Donald Trump.
“For example, (Trump) said he would repeal President Obama’s DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which helps many Illinois residents get access to a great public higher education,” Fisher said. “Also, there were references from President-elect Trump that he would consider creating a registry for Muslim citizens. We have many Muslim students. We think that these are issues a university campus has to look at.”
The petition, available at facebook.com/UISDiversityCenter, lists several measures, such as asking the university to adopt a resolution that effectively bans Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and other immigration officials from the campus.
The petition also requests that the university instruct its security and police force to not act on behalf of ICE or other immigration enforcement agents.
The petition drive in Springfield is being done in conjunction with the two other University of Illinois campuses in Urbana/Champaign and Chicago.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 30, 2016.
Read the entire article online.
Lynn Fisher, associate professor of sociology and anthropology, said Wednesday that the petition is being circulated because of statements made by President-elect Donald Trump.
“For example, (Trump) said he would repeal President Obama’s DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which helps many Illinois residents get access to a great public higher education,” Fisher said. “Also, there were references from President-elect Trump that he would consider creating a registry for Muslim citizens. We have many Muslim students. We think that these are issues a university campus has to look at.”
The petition, available at facebook.com/UISDiversityCenter, lists several measures, such as asking the university to adopt a resolution that effectively bans Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and other immigration officials from the campus.
The petition also requests that the university instruct its security and police force to not act on behalf of ICE or other immigration enforcement agents.
The petition drive in Springfield is being done in conjunction with the two other University of Illinois campuses in Urbana/Champaign and Chicago.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 30, 2016.
Read the entire article online.
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