What a gift!

We were pleased to announce this week that UIS has established it first professorship in political science in the College of Public Affairs and Administration. The Wepner Distinguished Professorship in Political Science was made possible by a $1.2 million estate gift from Wilbur and Margaret Wepner, longtime supporters of the university. The gift was unrestricted, and we will use some of the money for scholarships, too. See http://www.uis.edu/newsreleases/jan07/20070116c.html.

UIS welcomes the House, welcomes the state

Today was a historic day for the Illinois House of Representatives. It met at UIS, in Sangamon Auditorium, to organize itself for the next session of the General Assembly. We were pleased to host the House and their 1,500 guests. They tell me the entire House has not met like this for official business outside of its chamber since 1841.

There was so much energy in the lobby and reception areas before the ceremony. Well-dressed people from every part of Illinois were there to support their representatives from every part of Illinois. We also had Supreme Court justices and four constitutional officers: Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulis and Comptroller Dan Hynes.

We're proud to be the state's four-year public university in the state capital, and one of our specialties long has been the area of public affairs. When House staff realized the House chamber would not be ready for today's great ceremony, we were glad to help out. For a look at some photos from the day, see http://www.uis.edu/mediaquad/houseofreps/index.html.