3 stories I really like

Our students at UIS are making a big difference in the world.

It's starting to look like this next generation is going to reach out farther and more passionately than boomers like me ever did. For example, UIS students set out to collect 2008 pounds of food for the needy this fall; our campus doubled that goal. Remarkable. And somebody else in the world identified one of our student's Jump for Joel project as THE ONE CHARITABLE PROJECT to support if you have to choose something. Yep, our students are making a difference. Very nice.

Also, UIS was named "fourth best in Midwest" in our category by U.S. News and World Report in its 2009 college rankings. It's the first year UIS was eligible for these rankings. Nice.

One other thing: we need to keep letting people know that for the first time, more than 1,000 students live on campus in our residence halls and apartments. That's more than some small private colleges. The atmosphere keeps getting more lively, but pictures tell this story much better than these words do.

Yet another African link to UIS

A story in the Springfield paper on Friday described the "Lost Boys" of Sudan, and how a few of them arrived at UIS. I had no idea. It's a chilling tale. Also very inspirational. These young men, who don't even know how old they are, want to help their brothers and sisters back in Sudan, and they want people to know their story. I feel compelled to find out more about this.

Stopping and pausing for good reason

I stopped and paused today -- twice -- going through the PAC lobby. I was so moved; I really can't explain why; I just know I felt connected to people across the globe, and to our own students who are connected to their sisters and brothers in Kenya. The first time, I caught myself gazing at and into the replica of a small metal Kenyan hut, where 15 or 20 people might live. I couldn't imagine it, though I know it's true. (Thanks to Jeremy Wilburn for the photo posted here.) The next time, the pictures on exhibit grabbed my heart: smiling Kenyan children living in awful conditions. Happiness and horror all in one picture. Some UIS students have been to Kenya to help these kids, feed them and improve their living conditions in small ways. Their commitment to service of the poor is awesome. And admirable. Not to mention the Jump for Joel fundraiser they are conducting. It was especially great to see Shana Stine on campus today as part of this one-day exhibit. She's an inspiration to many of us; her courage gives a different context to the day-to-day nuisances I sometimes complain about.

"Speed networking" for our students

Something really great is going on right now in the PAC lobby. About 20 distinguished alumni are donating their time to meet with UIS students at a "speed networking" session. With one alum at each table, students have up to 15 minutes to meet with them informally, one on one, to learn about their careers and anything else they want to ask. There's a lot of energy in the room. It's part of two days of the Leadership Roundtable here at UIS. I always tell students, "Contacts. You can never have enough contacts," and it's great that some are taking advantage of the opportunity today.

It's still about the students, with Dr. Miller leaving

The chancellor announced today how we'll handle the transition when Dr. Chris Miller departs this summer as vice chancellor of student affairs and administrative services. Two senior administrators, Steve Chrans and Marya Leatherwood, will become "interim assistant chancellors" and basically run Student Affairs while we search for a new vice chancellor. While this is big news on the UIS campus, it will be less than big news to some of our constituents and students. My hope is that our students, who are always our number one priority, will feel no glitches and that they continue to enjoy their educational and developmental experiences to the fullest. A few people posted comments about Dr. Miller's departure after a previous post about this issue.