Program examines lessons to be learned in hurricane aftermath

The U of I Alumni Association and the UIS College of Education and Human Services Alumni Council will present “Katrina, Rita, and Their Aftermath – Human Service Disaster - What can we learn?” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, in PAC conference room H.

Discussion will examine implications that these and other recent disasters have, for those in the helping professions as well as for other concerned citizens. Featured speakers will be Mike Townsend, UIS associate professor emeritus of Social Work, and Michelle Boonaerts, a recent graduate of the Social Work program who was among the first responders providing social work services to victims of Hurricane Katrina at the Houston Astrodome. Read more>>

UIS to host Civic Engagement Forum

UIS and Illinois Campus Compact will co-sponsor the fifth in a six-part series of Civic Engagement Forums from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 10, in PAC conference room C/D. Education administrators, faculty, and students engaged in service learning, as well as anyone with an interest in civic engagement, civic responsibility, or service learning are especially encouraged to attend.

Civic Engagement Forums are designed as a “dialog of democracy” about actions that can be taken, individually and collectively, to focus attention on the importance of civic learning and civic engagement to Illinois’ educational system. Read more>>

WUIS to air documentary on Johnny Cash

Public radio WUIS 91.9/WIPA 89.3 FM will air a four-part documentary on the late country music legend Johnny Cash at 7 p.m. November 7 through 10. "Cash, The Legend: A Four-Part Radio Special" is produced by Joyride Media and features biography, music, and commentary. Read more>>

UIS Music to present percussionist Ronnie Engel in concert

Percussionist and avant garde artist Ronnie Engel will appear in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, November 12, in Brookens Auditorium. For much of the past 27 years Engel has been involved with the drumming and arts of Africa, Asia, Brazil, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Ireland, the Middle East, and Native America. Read more>>

WUIS adds Speaking of Faith to Sunday morning lineup

On November 6, Public Radio WUIS 91.9/WIPA 89.3 will add Speaking of Faith – an exploration of belief, meaning, ethics, and ideas in America – to its weekend programming. The show will air Sunday mornings at 7 a.m. Hosted by journalist and former diplomat Krista Tippett, the discussion will cover a wide range of subjects, from human interest topics to tougher issues. Read more>>

Taste of UIS examines “Integrity in Leadership”

The U of I Alumni Association at UIS will present “Integrity in Leadership,” the third program in this fall’s Taste of UIS: Distinguished Faculty/Alumni Lunchtime Lecture Series, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, November 17, at Maldaner’s Upstairs, 222 South Sixth St., Springfield. Reservations should be made no later than November 10. Featured speaker will be U of I President B. Joseph White. Read more>>

Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series concludes with “Lincoln and the Right to Rise”

Renowned author Gabor S. Boritt will deliver the third and final lecture in the 2005 Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, in Brookens Auditorium. The theme of this year’s series is “Lincoln and Economic Opportunity.”

Boritt is founder and director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College and received a Congressional appointment to serve on the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. His presentation will examine “Lincoln and the Right to Rise.” Read more>>

Visual Arts Gallery to present “Digital Environments”

“Digital Environments,” works by Michael Miller, will be on display at UIS' Visual Arts Gallery from November 1 through 23. The gallery will host an evening with the artist on Thursday, November 10, featuring receptions and an artist’s talk.

Miller is chair of the Visual Arts Program at UIS. His work combines the appearance of digital imagery with painting and printmaking processes, producing hybrid works of luminous color. Read more>>

UIS Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series continues with “Lincoln’s Whigs”

Michael F. Holt, prominent author and scholar of 19th century political history, will deliver the second program in the Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 20, in Brookens Auditorium. Holt’s topic will be “Lincoln’s Whigs: Expanding Economic Opportunities.” The theme of this year’s lecture series is “Lincoln and Economic Opportunity.” Read more>>

Professor to present Einstein centennial lecture

Charles Schweighauser, UIS professor emeritus of Astronomy/Physics, English, and Environmental Studies, will speak on “Einstein’s Insights: How They Shaped Our Modern View of the Universe” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 3, in the Carnegie Room at the main branch of Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh, Springfield.

Schweighauser will deliver this non-technical lecture in observance of the 100th anniversary of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Read more>>

UIS Theatre season opens with Oedipus the King

Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus the King, long considered one of the world’s greatest plays, will open the 2005-2006 World Tour of Drama season for the Theatre Program at UIS. The timeless story of murder, incest, and fate will be presented in six performances: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 4-6 and 11-13, in the PAC Studio Theatre.

For cast and ticket information, and a synopsis of the plot>>

UIAA to host Alumni Celebration Dinner

The U of I Alumni Association at UIS will sponsor an Alumni Celebration Dinner on Friday, November 4, starting with a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby. Alumni, friends of the university, and members of the community are invited to attend.

Alumni awards will be presented and the evening will also feature reminiscences on 35 years of campus life, displays of campus memorabilia, and musical entertainment. For information and to register>>

28th annual International Festival -- "Spirit of Diversity"

UIS will host the 28th annual International Festival, “Spirit of Diversity,” from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, October 30. The popular festival features cultural performances and a cultural bazaar complete with exhibits and food booths. Read more>>

Faculty member publishes new book on gay law and politics

Jason Pierceson, assistant professor of Political and Legal Studies at UIS, is the author of Courts, Liberalism, and Rights: Gay Law and Politics in the United States and Canada, a new book published by Temple University Press. Reviewers have called it “passionate scholarship at its best.” Read more>>

Pre-Law Center hosts discussion on bill to save war widow

UIS' Pre-Law Center will host its annual Fall Forum from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Tuesday, October 18, in PAC conference room G. This year’s forum will feature Christina Rogers and Bill Houlihan, aides to U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin, in a discussion titled “Illinois Lawmakers Push Bill to Save War Widow from Deportation.” Read more>>

UIS events mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month

UIS will host a screening of the film Once Were Warriors, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 19, in Brookens Auditorium. Sponsored by the UIS Women’s Center and Women’s Issues Caucus with support from the Inter Club Council Board, both the film and a preceding Pay Equity Bake Sale beginning at 6 p.m. in Brookens Concourse are presented in observance of national Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Read more>>

UIS to offer second session of “Spanish for Cultural Literacy”

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UIS will offer the second session of “Spanish for Cultural Literacy,” an online personal and professional development course, from October 17 through December 17.

The eight-week session will introduce essential vocabulary and provide opportunities to practice Spanish in a wide variety of practical situations. Read more>>

Dungey named University Scholar for 2005

Keenan Dungey, UIS assistant professor of Chemistry, has been named University Scholar for 2005-2006. He is one of 13 faculty members, and the only one from UIS, chosen for this award honoring and rewarding outstanding teachers and scholars at the three U of I campuses. Read more>>

UIS holds annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon

Outstanding accomplishments of UIS faculty were recognized at the thirteenth Faculty Recognition Luncheon, held October 6. The annual event recognizes scholarly achievements of current and emeriti faculty during the previous calendar year in such areas as research, published articles and other writing, creative works, grants, book reviews, and professional presentations.

See a list of faculty honored at this year's luncheon>>

WUIS to host “Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me!”

“Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me!®,” NPR’s popular news quiz, will record a live show at UIS' Sangamon Auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 27. “Wait Wait…" is a modern twist on old-time radio quiz shows, mining NPR news stories for its questions.

For more information, including how to get tickets>>

Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series features prize-winning authors

Dr. Allen C. Guelzo will begin the annual Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series Thursday, October 13, with “Lincoln’s Declaration of Economic Independence.” The theme of this year’s series is “Lincoln and Economic Opportunity.”

Additional speakers and their topics are Dr. Michael F. Holt, “Lincoln’s Whigs: Expanding Economic Opportunities,” on Thursday, October 20, and Dr. Gabor S. Boritt,“Lincoln and the Right to Rise” on Wednesday, October 26.

All lectures in the series are at 7:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium. Read more>>

WUIS to air tribute to John Lennon

On Sunday, October 9, WUIS will air a special tribute to music icon John Lennon on what would have been his 65th birthday.

Beginning at 5 p.m., the program includes Beatles performances from the Ed Sullivan show; Lennon talking about peace, family, and art; and fans' recollections on hearing the news of his death. Read more>>

UIS to host examination of HipHop culture

African American Studies at UIS will host “In the Mix: Cross-Dialogues Regarding HipHop Culture,” Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5, at Southeast High School and on the UIS campus.

Activities will include panel presentations, breakout discussions, performances, films and critiques, a fashion show, an awards banquet, and a teacher workshop on “Using Contemporary Youth Culture in the Classroom.” Read more>>

Fall Brownbag Concert to feature three ensembles

The Fall Music Brownbag at UIS -- featuring performances by the UIS Band, UIS Chamber Orchestra, and UIS Chorus – will begin at noon Friday, October 14, in PAC conference room C/D. Selections will include vocal music in Swahili, a barber shop quartet, Korean folk music, English madrigals and string music, a work by Bach, and the UIS School Song. Read more>>

UIS to host seminar on domestic violence

The Women’s Issues Caucus at UIS will host a seminar on preventing domestic violence at 11 a.m. Monday, October 17, in PAC conference room G. Featured speaker will be Vicki Crompton, co-author of the book Saving Beauty from the Beast: How to Protect Your Daughter from an Unhealthy Relationship. The seminar is presented as part of a week-long series of events promoting awareness of domestic violence issues. Read more>>