UIS honors Distinguished Alumni during annual awards

The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni Awards Dinner was held on Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in downtown Springfield.

The University of Illinois Alumni Association hosted the annual event, which recognized and celebrated the achievement, distinguished service, humanitarianism and loyalty of UIS alumni.

“It is one of the Alumni Association’s signature events and I think one of the highlights for the University. We do these on each campus and tonight is time for UIS to shine,” said Loren Taylor, U of I Alumni Association President.

Read more about the winners of this year’s awards and their accomplishments in a previous news release.

UI Alumni Association to host UIS Alumni Awards Dinner

The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni Awards Dinner will be held on Friday, November 6, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in downtown Springfield. The University of Illinois Alumni Association hosts this annual event, which recognizes and celebrates the achievement, distinguished service, humanitarianism and loyalty of UIS alumni.

The theme for this year’s dinner is “Celebrating Alumni Who Continue Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy”, and the program will include special remarks by world-renowned Lincoln scholar Dr. Michael Burlingame, who holds the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln Studies at UIS.

The Honorable Gordon S. Heddell M.A.’75 of Washington, DC, Inspector General for the United States Department of Defense, will receive the University of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding success and national or international distinction in one’s business, profession or life’s work.

Helen Jane Dunn M.A.’72 of Springfield, currently residing in Mesa, Arizona, retired educator, will receive the University of Illinois Distinguished Service Award for extraordinary commitment, dedication and service to the advancement of the University.

Robert Moore ’80 M.P.A.’85 of Springfield, retired U.S. Marshal, Police Chief and community leader, will receive the University of Illinois Alumni Humanitarian Award for significant contributions of leadership or service to improve the lives of others and the welfare of humanity.

For consistently demonstrating exceptional loyalty, commitment, dedication and service to the University and Alumni Association, Nancy L. Chapin M.A.’73 of Chatham and Roberta E. Volkmann M.A.’73 of Springfield will be awarded the University of Illinois Loyalty Award for Exceptional Alumni Service. Cost to attend is $65/person and reservations are required by Nov. 2 to attend the dinner.

For more information contact the Office of UIS Alumni Relations/UI Alumni Association at 217-206-7395 or alumni@uis.edu.

"Central Illinois: Patchwork of Creative Minds" to begin this fall

“Central Illinois: Patchwork of Creative Minds,” a three-session educational series about the heartland of Illinois, will begin in September at the University of Illinois Springfield. The series is sponsored by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Each session will include presentations by two experts. UIS professor emeritus Dr. Larry Shiner and UIS alumnus William Furry, director of the Illinois State Historical Society, will moderate the series. The presentations take place from 12 to 1:30 p.m., and a hot buffet luncheon is available at 11:30 a.m. There is a charge for lunch, but the presentations are free and open to the public. The luncheon and presentations will be held in the UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Rooms C/D, located on the lower level.

The series will begin on Wednesday, September 16, with the topic “Through the Lens - Images of Nature and Humanity.” Featured speakers will include Judith Lloyd Klauba, associate curator of Fine Arts for the Illinois State Museum in Chicago. Her presentation, “Photographic Visions: The Frank Sardorus Collection”, will feature an Illinois farmer's innovative photographs of the people and landscapes he knew intimately (from 1880 to the 1930s). Dr. Michael Jeffords, entomologist and photographer and public relations/educator for the Illinois Natural History Survey, will provide a whirlwind tour of the arthropod/insect fauna in a presentation titled, “A Close Look at the Insects of Central Illinois.”

The second program will be on Wednesday, October 21, and the topic will be “Springfield Public Garden Design: Historic and Modern.” Terri Cameron, master gardener, historic preservation advocate and retired webmaster of SIU School of Medicine, will make a presentation titled “Springfield's Early Park Design and Its Impact,” which will examine Springfield’s early parks through archival photos, publications and Springfield Park District minutes. Diane Mathis, director of marketing and development for the Springfield Park District, will speak on “Innovative Park Design.” She will preview Southwind Park, Springfield’s new universally-accessible and environmentally-friendly park.

The last session of the series on Wednesday, November 18 will focus on “Creative Images: Canvas and Glass.” Local architect and stained glass restoration expert, Ralls Melotte, principal of Melotte Morse Leonatti Parker Ltd., will make a presentation on the history and evolution of stained glass in Central Illinois. “Painters from the Heart of Lincolnland" is the topic to be addressed by Robert Sill, curator and assistant director of Art for the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Selected paintings from regional artists will be displayed and discussed.

Paid reservations are required for the luncheon at least one week before each session. The cost is $20 per person for lunch and the presentations or $50 per person for three lunches and the presentations if paid reservations are received by September 9. Pre-registration is also requested from those not purchasing the lunch who wish to attend the presentations. To register or for more information, visit www.uiaa.org/uis, or contact the Office of UIS Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or alumni @uis.edu.

UIS hosts third and final Central Illinois educational series for the spring

“Central Illinois: Patchwork of People,” a three-session educational series examining the people and cultures that have influenced life in central Illinois, will conclude on Tuesday, May 19, at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

The session will focus on “How They Made a Living.” Speakers will be Taylor Pensoneau, retired president of the Illinois Coal Association and Illinois author who will speak on “Dreams, Hardship and Danger—The Lives of Central Illinois Coal Miners,” and Dr. Debra Reid, associate professor of History at Eastern Illinois University who will speak on “Harvesting the Soil: Central Illinois Agricultural Practices.”

Sponsors of the event are the UIS Alumni SAGE (Service, Activity, Group and Enrichment) Society and the Illinois State Historical Society. UIS alumnus William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society, is the moderator of the series. The program is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council.

A delicious hot buffet luncheon is available at 11:30 a.m. The presentations are from 12 to 1:30 p.m. There is a charge for lunch, but the presentations are free and open to the public. The luncheon and presentations will be held on the University of Illinois at Springfield campus in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Rooms C/D, located on the lower level. Paid reservations are required for the luncheon by Tuesday, May 12. The cost is $20 per person for lunch and the presentations. Pre-registration is also requested from those not purchasing the lunch who wish to attend the presentations. To register or for more information, visit www.uiaa.org/uis or contact the Office of UIS Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or alumni @uis.edu.

UIS to host program in "Central Illinois Patchwork of People" series

The University of Illinois at Springfield is holding a program in its "Central Illinois Patchwork of People" series on Tuesday, November 18, in Conference Room C/D in the Public Affairs Center lower level on the UIS campus. A luncheon buffet begins at 11:30 a.m. and the presentation will take place at noon. Tickets for the luncheon are no longer available, but the presentation is free and open to members of the public who make reservations.

The presentation is part of a series that is examining the people and cultures that have influenced life in Central Illinois and will feature the topic "What They Built." John Hallwas, professor emeritus of English at Western Illinois University and Illinois Humanities Council Road Scholar, will discuss "Small Town Heritage: Illinois Townscapes 1870-1920." Richard Hart, president of the Elijah Iles House Foundation, will present "Prairie Acropolis: Greek Revival Influences on the Architecture of Central Illinois."

This series is being co-sponsored by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society. Reservations to attend the presentation should be made by Monday, November 17. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the UIS Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@uis.edu or 217/206-7395.

UIS men's basketball team will face ISU in Normal for the first time

UIS Alumni Relations will host pre-game party

The University of Illinois at Springfield Prairie Stars men's basketball team will travel to Redbird Arena in Normal for the first time on Tuesday, November 11, to take on the Redbirds of Illinois State University. UIS' Office of Alumni Relations will host a deli-buffet pre-game party, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Kaufman Football Building, adjacent to Redbird Arena.

The cost of the party, which includes a ticket to the game, is $15 per person, $10 per person for children 12 and under. For more information and to make a reservation, or call 217/206-7395.

Coached by former NBA star Kevin Gamble, the Prairie Stars finished the 2007-08 season with a 22-10 overall record while the Redbirds, coached by Tim Jankovich, ended their campaign with a 25-10 overall record.

UIS returns four starters, including All-American Kelvin Johnson at point guard, American Midwest Conference First Team guard Jacob Motteler and center Ralph Woodson, along with guard Nick Livas.

ISU returns two starters to their lineup and will fill the gap with four returning seniors on their roster. The Redbirds are led by Osiris Eldridge, who finished second in the voting for the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.

U of I Alumni Association to hold annual awards dinner

The University of Illinois Alumni Association's Office of UIS Alumni Relations will honor alumni and friends at the annual Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday, November 7, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in downtown Springfield.

Raju L. Indukuri, owner and president of Reachnet International, Inc., in Fremont, California, will receive the University of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding success and national or international distinction in one's business, profession, or life's work.

Shelley Hoffman, retired director of corporate affairs for Wiley Office Furniture in Springfield, will receive the University of Illinois Distinguished Service Award for extraordinary commitment, dedication, and service to the advancement of the University.

Barbara Dickerman, community activist and volunteer leader in Springfield for more than 50 years, will receive the University of Illinois Alumni Humanitarian Award for significant contributions of leadership or service to improve the lives of others and the welfare of humanity.

University of Illinois Alumni Loyalty Awards will be presented to Susan Blocker, coordinator, Surbanes-Oxley Information Technology at Caterpillar; Bruce Bullard, director, Office of the Auditor General; Ronda Guyton, deputy, Peoria County Sheriff's Office; Barbara Lestikow, educational consultant, retired school teacher and principal for Springfield School District #186; and Donovan Pepper, manager, State and Local Government Relations, Walgreens. This award recognizes consistent demonstration of exceptional loyalty, commitment, dedication, and service to the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Reservations are $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight. Contact the UIS Office of Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395.

UIS to host Speed Networking Experience

The University of Illinois at Springfield's Office of UIS Alumni Relations, in conjunction with the UIS Career Development Center and the Entrepreneurial Club, will host a Speed Networking Experience from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, in the Auditorium lobby area of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. Presented as a Homecoming event for students, alumni, businesses, and community professionals, the event is free, however advance registration is necessary.

Business trainer Marion Richter will be on hand to offer networking tips. Participants will learn how to make a large number of contacts in a short amount of time, and will also have the opportunity to make actual contacts that can enhance their professional and personal lives.

Reservations should be made by September 26; early registration is strongly encouraged. To register, go to www.uiaa.org/spfld and click on "Speed Networking Experience."

For more information, contact the UIS Career Development Center at careerservices@uis.edu, phone 217/206-7544.

Free Kaplan graduate/professional school practice exams

• GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT
• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, September 13, in PAC E-F-G
• Realistic setting
• Get results the following week

Preregistration required by September 11

Presented by the Office of UIS Alumni Relations

UIS alumni society co-sponsors lunch and learn series

"Central Illinois: Patchwork of People" – a six-part Lunch and Learn Series examining the people and cultures that have influenced life in central Illinois – will begin in September at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Sponsors are the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society. Programs are open to the public, however reservations are required.

Each session will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in conference room C/D, lower level of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus.

Three sessions will be held in fall 2008 and three in spring 2009. Each will feature a buffet lunch and presentations by two experts on the day's topic. William Furry, director of the Illinois State Historical Society and a UIS alumnus, will moderate the series.

The series will begin on Tuesday, September 16, with "Why They Came." Featured speakers will be Heather Bailey, UIS associate professor of History, who will discuss "Blessings from the Motherland: Early Russian Immigration in Downstate Illinois," and Michael Wiant, director of the Dickson Mounds Museum, whose topic will be "Under Emiquon: What We Know about the First Illinoisans from Recent Archaeology in the Illinois River Valley."

The session on Tuesday, October 21, will focus on "How They Organized Their Communities." Speakers will be Christopher Fennell, assistant professor of Anthropology at the U of I at Urbana-Champaign, who will speak on "Footprint of Freedom: What Archaeology Tells Us about the New Philadelphia Community," and Eileen McMahon, assistant professor of History, Culture, and Civilization at Lewis University, who will speak on "Erin on the Prairie: A Brief History of Irish Settlements along the Illinois and Michigan Canal."

The topic for Tuesday, November 18, will be "What They Built." Speakers will be John Hallwas, professor emeritus of English at Western Illinois University, who will examine "Small Town Heritage: Illinois Townscapes 1870-1920," and Richard Hart, president of the Elijah Iles Foundation, who will talk about "Prairie Acropolis: Greek Revival Influences on the Architecture of Central Illinois."

Cost for each session is $20 per person; or $45 for the three-session fall series for reservations received by September 2. To register or for more information, go to www.uiaa.org/uis, or contact the Office of UIS Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or alumni@uis.edu.

Strawbridge-Shepherd House to be site of painting event

Members of the Sangamon Watercolor Society will be painting at the historic Strawbridge-Shepherd House, located on Shepherd Road between the UIS and LLCC campuses, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.

Rachel Hasenyager, office manager for Alumni Relations at UIS and a member of the society, said that the event is open to anyone at any skill level. “Since we love to paint on location, we thought since this house has historical significance and is being restored, we’ll be painting outdoors around the house,” she said. She added that if the weather is bad, the event will move inside the house.

Landscape architect Sue Massie will give a short presentation to begin the event.

For more information, call Hasenyager at 6-7395.

Read an article about the group, and the event at UIS, from the June 5, 2008, State Journal-Register.