UIS hosting International advisers from five foreign countries

WHAT: UIS will be hosting five EducationUSA advisers from Azerbaijan, Peru, Philippines, Oman, and Russia as part of a U.S.-based training program, which is supported financially by the U.S. Department of State.

WHEN: Monday, November 2, 2009 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) on UIS campus

DETAILS: The advisers will participate in cultural events in Springfield and a day of informative meetings and workshops with administrators, academic department chairs, various support services, and international students. It is expected that about 20 representatives from around the state as well as a Senior International Trade Specialist from the U.S Department of Commerce will attend the meeting.

EducationUSA advisers are posted at centers around the world to help foreign students learn about higher education in the United States. The campus visit program will be more than just a tour of area institutions. Advisers will discuss the admissions process with campus officials, sample orientation and other programs available to foreign students.

UIS is working with Study Illinois, a consortium of over fifty accredited
institutions of higher learning to promote international education. UIS will also host the Study Illinois annual meeting from 12-4 on Nov. 2 as well.

For more information contact Dana Atwell, Associate Director of International Programs at 217/206-8356 or ddersh1@uis.edu.

This U.S.-based training program is supported financially by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, as amended. The program is administered by the College Board.

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.

UIS Peoria Center to hold open house at new location

The University of Illinois Springfield is celebrating its new downtown Peoria location by hosting an open house. The Peoria Center is located inside the Illinois Central College Perley Building, Room 120, 115 Southwest Adams Street in Peoria. The open house will take place on Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and is open to UIS alumni and friends. The new space will provide a central location and more room to allow the center to continue providing place-bound working adults with affordable, convenient way to pursue their dreams.

The UIS Peoria Center had long been located on the ICC campus before the move and will mark 34 years in the city this year. Since its establishment in 1975, more than 2,426 area students have graduated from the degree programs at the Center. The programs offered have changed over the years, but the focus has remained on providing Peoria area working adults the opportunity to earn a degree and enhance their career options.

“The programs we offer in Peoria are business related in direct response to demand,” said Jana Wise, director of the UIS Peoria Center. “Our students, most of whom are not only working full-time but raising families, tell us it’s a tremendous opportunity to earn a U of I degree from an accredited College of Business and not have to leave Peoria.”

The programs currently offered at the UIS Peoria Center are a bachelor of arts degree in Accountancy; a bachelor of arts degree in Management; a bachelor of arts in Criminal Justice; a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), and a minor in Management Information Systems. In addition, three business degree completion programs are offered entirely online, a bachelor’s degree in Economics, bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA), and the Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems.

Most classes at the UIS Peoria Center are offered evenings and weekends, which accommodates working students and also the faculty. The same faculty who teach on the main campus in Springfield drive to Peoria to teach in the evenings. The business courses offered in their programs are relevant to issues impacting the economy, such as Technology, Management, Forensic Accounting, and Global Leadership.

For more information contact Jana Wise, director of the UIS Peoria Center at 309/999-4250 or wise.jana@uis.edu.

UIS raises pride flag as part of National Coming Out Week

The University of Illinois Springfield is celebrating National Coming Out Week on campus by showing its pride. A group of students, faculty and staff gathered in front of the Public Affairs Center to raise a rainbow-colored flag Monday, October, 5, 2009.

The first pride flag raising ceremony was held three years ago on campus and the celebration has been growing ever since. UIS Chancellor Richard D. Ringeisen issued a statement in support of the LGBTQ community at UIS calling them "important members of the entire university community."

“I think for an institution to display our pride flag so publicly is very important and it really says we’re not ashamed to have you here, we’re proud of you,” said UIS student Renee Rathjen.

“This is just another example of showing this is a very inclusive university that everyone has value to us,” said Ringeisen

The flag will fly over campus for the entire week.

Other National Coming Out Week Events:

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Meet the Author, Dr. Pierceson Book Signing, 4:00pm PAC Lobby

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Speak Out 1:00-5:00 UIS Quad

Friday, October 9, 2009
Safe Zone Training Phase 1 - 1:00-4:00 pm, PAC C/D (registrations reqd.)

For more information contact the LGBTQ Resource Office at 217/206-8316 or e-mail: LGBTQ@uis.edu.

Sunday Night Star Parties held for Disabled

The University of Illinois Springfield is holding several Star Parties for people with disabilities throughout the fall in the UIS observatory, located at the top of Brookens Library on the UIS campus. Sunday Night Star Parties for people with disabilities are free, but reservations are required.

The dates of the Star Parties this fall are Sunday, September 20, and Sunday, October 18 weather permitting. The events begin at 8:00 p.m. and will include a short presentation before the viewing. The featured objects for viewing will be the first-quarter moon and the planet Jupiter.

John Martin, UIS professor of astronomy and physics, conducts Sunday Star Parties. The sessions use a unique telescope specially designed to give people with disabilities access to the sky by using a fixed eyepiece that brings the image to the viewer. This eyepiece can be moved backward and forward in its tube to be able to accommodate anyone from a large person in a high wheelchair to a child in the lowest, smallest wheelchair. The telescope is the first one of its kind in the world.

For more information or to make a reservation for a Sunday Star Party, contact Professor Martin at 217/206-8342 or jmart5@uis.edu.

UIS Homecoming and Family Weekend

The University of Illinois Springfield will be holding its annual Homecoming activities during the week of September 28 through October 3. UIS Family Weekend will also coincide with the events on October 3 and 4. The theme of Homecoming Week 2009 is “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.”

The schedule of events for the week is as follows:

Monday, September 28
- “Network: Strategic Alliances” from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby. Beth Reutter of the Hospitality Program at the U of I in Champaign will present the program about networking skills. Go to www.uis.edu/careerservices to register or for more info or call 217-206-6508.
- Homecoming Pep Rally at 9:30 p.m. at The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC). First 200 students with ID through the door will get a free Homecoming T-shirt.

Tuesday, September 29
- Homecoming Court voting and Mashed Potato Sculpting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Public Affairs Center (PAC) Food Emporium Patio (Rain Location: PAC Concourse).
- Make Your Own Spirit Wear at 9:30 pm in the Food Emporium. Paints, poster board and blank t-shirts are provided.

Wednesday, September 30
- Homecoming Court voting and Over the Rainbow Relay Race from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the UIS Quad
- Neo-Futurists performance at 9:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library. The Neo-Futurists are a collective of wildly productive writer/director/performers who create theater that is a fusion of sport, poetry, and living newspaper.

Thursday, October 1
- Homecoming Court voting and Come on 6’s dice game from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the PAC Main Concourse.
- Homecoming Dance at 9:30 p.m. in the Student Life Building gym. Dress is semi-formal.

Friday, October 2
- Volunteer Service Event from 1 to 5 p.m.
- UIS Women’s Soccer vs. Bellarmine at 5 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium
- Student Cookout at 6:30 p.m. on the east side of Kiwanis Stadium
- Movie: Wizard of Oz at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium
- UIS Men’s Soccer Game vs. Bellarmine at 7:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium. A firework display will be held immediately following game.

Saturday, October 3
- Yellow Brick Road 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. at TRAC. Cost is $10 for UIS students; $15 for non-students and $20 the day of the event. Registration deadline is September 16, and t-shirts will be provided to those registered by the deadline.
- Educational Technology Showcase at 10:00 a.m. in Brookens Library 141A on the lower level.
- Family Weekend Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in PAC rooms C and D. Reservations are required.
- UIS Homecoming Parade at 5 p.m. on the UIS Campus.
- Homecoming BBQ & Lawn Party from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the east side of Kiwanis Stadium.
- UIS Students vs. UIS Alumni/Faculty/Staff Basketball Game at 7 p.m. at TRAC

For more information, contact the UIS Student Life Office at 217/206-6665 or go online to the Homecoming Web site at http://www.uis.edu/homecoming.

UIS Theatre Program holds auditions for fall 2009 production

The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois Springfield will hold open auditions for the first production of its 2009-2010 season – Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things – on Tuesday, September 8, and Wednesday, September 9, beginning at 7 p.m. both nights in the Studio Theatre, located on level one of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. Call-backs will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 10.

Auditions are open to anyone, with or without experience. Auditions will consist of “cold readings” from the script, and prepared monologues and resumes are appreciated but are not required.

The Shape of Things is set in a liberal arts college, in a conservative Midwestern town. In the production, four characters struggle to find their voice in matters of love and art. After a chance meeting in a museum, Evelyn and Adam become embroiled in an intense affair. Before long, Evelyn steers Adam toward a new appearance and character. The final, shocking exhibition reveals Evelyn’s true intentions and challenges long-held ideas about art and love.

UIS Associate Professor of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct. Production dates are November 13-15 and 19-21. Beginning with this production, evening curtain times will be changed to 7:30 p.m., instead of 8 p.m. as in the past. Sunday performances remain at 2 p.m.

Those interested in working backstage (stage managers, props crew, sound research, costumes, dresser, running crew) are asked to attend one night of auditions to fill out an audition form and indicate area of interest. Thibodeaux-Thompson will meet with those interested in working backstage and discuss the area of interest.

For more information about auditions, the play, or helping behind the scenes, contact Thibodeaux-Thompson at 217/206-6613, or go to www.uis.edu/theatre.

Visual Arts Gallery presents artwork by Arthur Danto

The UIS Visual Arts Gallery will be presenting a series of woodcut prints by world-renowned author, philosopher and artist Arthur C. Danto. The artwork, which was last exhibited in 1960, will be on display in the gallery from Thursday, August 27, through September 23.

Danto is the author of more than twenty books and is currently the Johnsonian Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University.

There will be a presentation by Danto on September 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library. The presentation will be followed by a reception, including food and refreshments, until 8 p.m. at the Visual Arts Gallery. The artist’s talk, reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

The Visual Arts Gallery is located in room 201 of the Health and Sciences Building on the UIS campus. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For further information, go to www.uis.edu/visualarts/ or contact the gallery by phone at 217/206-6506 or by e-mail at gallery@uis.edu.

Friday Night Star Parties resume for Fall 2009

The University of Illinois Springfield’s popular Star Parties will begin for the fall on Friday, September 11, and continue every Friday night through October 30, weather permitting. Star Parties are from 8 to 10 p.m. in the UIS observatory.

John Martin, assistant professor of Astronomy/Physics at UIS, will host the Star Parties. The observatory’s three telescopes will be used to view a number of celestial objects, including the giant planet Jupiter and its moons; the Ring Nebula in Lyrae, a star like the sun which has reached the end of its life; the globular cluster M13 in Hercules, which is a ball of one million stars roughly 13 billion years old; other star clusters and double stars; and the moon, when possible.

On October 2, a special Star Party will be held in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend at UIS that will occur regardless of the weather. If the weather is too cloudy for telescope observing, there will be a presentation at a location still to be determined.

The normal Friday night Star Party on October 23 will be part of the “Galilean Nights” celebration as part of the International Year of Astronomy. That night, UIS will be celebrating the achievements of Galileo and the 400th anniversary of him using his first telescope.

Star Parties are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, and groups are encouraged to attend. The entrance to the campus observatory is located outside Brookens Library on the southeast corner.

Questions about whether the weather is suitable for viewing should be directed to 217/206-8342 at 7 p.m. on the evening of the Star Party. For more information about UIS’ Star Parties, contact John Martin at 217/206-8342 or go online to www.uis.edu/astronomy/about/starparties.html.

UIS Career Development Center hosts Foot in the Door Fair

The Career Development Center at the University of Illinois Springfield will sponsor the 2009 “Foot in the Door” Fair for UIS students interested in part-time jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities – both on- and off-campus – from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, in the lower level concourse area of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. The event is free to all UIS students.

The “Foot in the Door” Fair is intended to bring students and local employers or organizations together to discuss career opportunities in a broad range of available positions.

A partial list of off-campus employers attending include State Farm Insurance, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum and the Illinois Policy Institute. On-campus employers attending include UIS Athletics, UIS Recreational Sports, Brookens Library and UIS’ Office of Graduate Intern Programs. The complete listing of employers and other event details can be found online at www.uis.edu/careerservices.

The Career Development Center will also have a table at the event where students can come to ask any questions they may have. Students are encouraged to bring their resumes and networking cards to the event and should be prepared to briefly outline their education, experience, goals and what types of positions they are interested in. A business casual dress code will be observed.

Additionally, the UIS Career Development Center will be holding walk-in hours on Monday, August 24, Tuesday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Student Affairs Building (SAB) 50, during which students can receive resume help and other suggestions to prepare for the event.

Students who cannot attend the event can go to the Career Development Center’s Web site and use UIS CareerConnect, a job and internship posting system, to find on- and off-campus jobs and internships, upload their resumes, as well as schedule an appointment with the Career Development Center.

For more information about the “Foot in the Door” Fair, go online to www.uis.edu/careerservices/foot_fair/foot_recruiter.html or call the Career Development Center at 217/206-6508. Individuals requesting disability related accommodations should also contact the UIS Career Development Center.

"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.

Emiquon hosts meteor shower event

A late evening star-gazing event called “Meteors and Thompson Lake – 2009,” will be held at Thompson Lake on The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve, located between Havana and Lewistown, from Tuesday, August 11, at 8 p.m. until Wednesday, August 12, at 1 a.m.

This program is free and open to the public and is presented by the University of Illinois Springfield’s Emiquon Field Station in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy. UIS professor Dr. John Martin will be the guest lecturer, and members of the Sangamon Astronomical Society will also be present to share views of the night sky through their telescopes.

The event will take advantage of the peak display of the Perseids Meteor Shower, the annual mid-August display of “falling stars.” As the sky becomes dark after sundown, the meteor showers should be readily visible.

Martin, assistant professor of Astronomy/Physics, will help guide sky-watchers as they view the meteor shower. Dr. Michael Lemke, associate professor of Biology and director of the Emiquon Field Station, will be available to share information regarding the station and associated wetland ecological research.

Participants should gather after 8 p.m. at the lakeside entrance to Thompson Lake, located directly off Illinois Rts. 97/78, approximately one-half mile north of the Dickson Mounds turnoff. A sign will be posted at the entrance. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.

Everyone entering the property will be asked to sign a liability waiver. Participants younger than 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult and must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

For more information, contact Dr. Michael Lemke at 217/206-7339 or lemke.michael@uis.edu.

UIS Career Center invites employers to participate in “Foot in the Door” Fair

The Career Development Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield will sponsor the 2009 “Foot in the Door” Fair for UIS students interested in part-time jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities – both on- and off-campus – from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, in the lower level concourse area of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. The event is free to all UIS students.

The “Foot in the Door” Fair is intended to bring students and local employers or organizations together to discuss career opportunities in a broad range of available positions. Local employers with job opportunities are invited to participate in the event, which typically yields around 300 students in attendance.

Booth assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served response basis. Additionally, interviewing rooms will be available for employer use during the fair.

Registration for the event takes place through the Career Center’s online system called UIS-SUCCESS, which also allows employers to establish a company profile and post career opportunities at no cost. UIS students and alumni are then able to view and apply for positions directly through the system by uploading their resume.

All employer services through the UIS Career Center are free of charge. Employers are given the opportunity to host on-campus information sessions, informational tables, interviews and more. For more information about employer services, contact the Employer Relations Recruitment Coordinator at (217)206-6508 or e-mail employerrelations@uis.edu.

For more information about the “Foot in the Door” Fair or to sign up for an employer booth, go online to http://www.uis.edu/careerservices/foot_fair/foot_recruiter.html or call the Career Development Center at 217/206-6508.

ECCE program focuses on poststructuralism

The University of Illinois at Springfield will be hosting its final program for the summer Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series on Wednesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus. The program is called “This Event is Not Taking Place: Truth, Reality and History in Baudrillard’s Political Philosophy” and will be presented by Dr. Richard Gilman-Opalsky.

The lecture, followed by an open discussion, will focus on some of the central claims of the work of Jean Baudrillard and the most provocative tenets of late 20th century French social and political philosophy, especially the movement known as “poststructuralism.” Gilman-Opalsky will discuss how this movement challenges the ways we think and speak about the world in which we live. Background knowledge about Jean Baudrillard or “poststructuralism” is not needed to understand and participate in this program.

Gilman-Opalsky is an assistant professor of political philosophy in the Department of Political Science at UIS. His teaching areas and research interests include the history of political philosophy, continental and contemporary political theory, socialist philosophy, globalization, cosmopolitanism, critical theory, and poststructuralism.

For information about the ECCE Speaker Series, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or e-mail speakerseries@uis.edu.

ECCE program to discuss cultural connections

The University of Illinois at Springfield will be hosting a program called “Bridging Across Cultures: Challenges and Opportunities” presented by Dr. Nithyakala Karuppaswamy on Wednesday, July 1, at 12 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus.

The event is part of the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series at UIS.

The program will discuss why developing the skills of cross-cultural connection is not only recommended, but necessary to succeed in today’s global environment. Connecting across cultures involves understanding one’s own background, strengths and biases; being curious and learning about the others’ culture; and developing genuine connection by persisting in the face of obstacles. Karuppaswamy will address each of these steps by using cross-cultural connections between individuals from India and the U.S. as examples.

Karuppaswamy is an assistant professor of Human Development Counseling at UIS. Her areas of specialization include multicultural counseling, racial identity development, couples and family therapy, spirituality and the intersection of Western and Eastern worldviews in therapy.

For information about the ECCE Speaker Series, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or e-mail speakerseries@uis.edu.

Theatre Program announced schedule for 2009-2010 season

The University of Illinois at Springfield’s Theatre Program has announced the schedule for the 2009-2010 season with productions that tell the stories of conflicted relationships.

The fall production is The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute. Set in a liberal arts college, in a conservative Midwestern town, four characters struggle to find their voice in matters of love and art. After a chance meeting in a museum, Evelyn and Adam become embroiled in an intense affair. Before long, Evelyn steers Adam toward a new appearance and character. The final, shocking exhibition reveals Evelyn’s true intentions and challenges our most deeply entrenched ideas about art and love.

UIS Assistant Professor of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct. Production dates are November 13-15 and 19-21. Open auditions will be held September 8-10, from 7 to 10 p.m. each day, in the Studio Theatre at UIS.

The spring production is The Runner Stumbles by Milan Stitt. The setting is in a remote northern Michigan parish in 1911, where a young nun, Sister Rita, mysteriously dies. Her superior, Father Rivard, is charged with the crime.

As the trial unfolds four years later, the story alternates between the past and the present, revealing a conflicted relationship between the young nun and the priest. Sister Rita tries to inject color and life into the rural, drab town, bringing more tension to the surface. Part-courtroom drama, part-memory play and part-romance, the play explores conflicts between duty to the church and duty to self, forbidden passions, and divisions between strict traditional morality and complex human emotions.

UIS Assistant Professor of Theatre Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct. Productions dates are April 23-25 and April 29-May 1. Open auditions will be held on January 31-February 2.

Beginning with the fall 2009 production, evening curtain times will be changed to 7:30 p.m., instead of 8 p.m. as in the past. Sunday performances remain at 2 p.m.

For more information about auditions, the plays, or the Theatre Program at UIS, go to www.uis.edu/theatre .

UIS hosts Distance Credentialed Counselor Workshop

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC) Workshop on Thursday, July 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, July 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

ReadyMinds, a leader in distance counseling, will be offering this training under the authorization by the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc., an affiliate of the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Counselors will experience hands-on training that can be applied effectively in their current work environment. The need for distance services is growing, and the workshop will provide professional enhancement to counselors who are engaging in more e-mail and telephone exchanges with their clients.

The workshop will cover such topics as establishing a counselor/client relationship via distance, determining counselor and client suitability to distance counseling and confidentiality strategies.
This workshop has been approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), and by the Human Services Education Council (HSEC), for up to 15 continuing education hours.

To attend the DCC training, participants must possess a master’s degree in counseling or an appropriately-related field from a regionally-accredited college or university. To also obtain the DCC Credential in addition to attending the DCC training, participants must have a master’s degree, be licensed to practice counseling or a related field in the state or country in which the candidate resides or works or be certified in good standing as a National Certified Counselor, and successfully complete the DCC Training Program and the DCC written Training Accountability Requirement document.

The training fee is $595 and includes the two-day training, all training materials and breakfast and lunch on both days. Licensed professional counselors and national certified counselors are eligible to receive a $150 discount. Contact Lisa Miller at lisa@readyminds.com or call (888) 225-8248 to receive this discount.

To register for the DCC training, go online to www.readyminds.com/dcclocations and click on the training site “University of Illinois at Springfield.” For more information about the DCC credential, visit www.cce-global.org or call (336) 482-2856.

Dr. Peter Wenz to discuss political philosophies in the U.S. during ECCE presentation

Dr. Peter Wenz, University of Illinois at Springfield Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, will present a program called “How to Form Political Coalitions without Sacrificing Personal Integrity” on Tuesday, June 9, at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus.

Wenz’s presentation is part of the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series at UIS. The event is free and open to the public.

The program will examine the cultural and political division in the United States between the left wing and right wing. Wenz argues that Americans use 12 political philosophies in their thinking, not simply a dual, Republican/Democrat approach when analyzing political and controversial issues. His talk will illustrate this possibility with discussion of same-sex marriage, school vouchers, genetic engineering and other current issues.

Wenz retired from UIS in December 2004 after spending 28 years as a member of the Philosophy Department. He also had a one-third joint appointment to do research and writing in what was originally called the Center for Legal Studies, now called the Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Policy Studies.

Wenz is the author of six books, the most recent of which is titled Beyond Red and Blue: How Twelve Political Philosophies Shape American Debates. After his presentation, the UIS bookstore will be selling copies of the book, and Wenz will also do a book signing.

This program is the first of four ECCE presentations this month. Other events include a program called “V for Vendetta: A Discussion of Terrorism and Political Violence,” with a showing of the movie V for Vendetta and a discussion with Dr. Richard Gilman-Opalsky, on Monday, June 15 at 6 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, and a program about the Southwind Park Project by Diane Mathis and Butch Elzea on Tuesday, June 23, at 2 p.m. in University Hall room 2008. Marc Miller will give a second program about the Southwind Park Project that will take place at the park on Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m., when community members and UIS students are invited to plant trees and gardens.

For information about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or e-mail speakerseries@uis.edu.

Emiquon to host two presentations about fish and aquatic species

Two public lectures, “Restoring the Thompson Lake Fish Community” and “Aquatic Invasives in the Upper Mississippi River Basin,” will be presented on Wednesday, May 27 at 6 p.m. at the University of Illinois at Springfield’s Emiquon Field Station. The program is free and open to the public; reservations are not required.

The first lecture, “Restoring the Thompson Lake Fish Community,” will be presented by Nerissa N. Michaels, Emiquon Project Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy. The program will include an overview of the Thompson Lake/Emiquon history starting from the early 1900s to the present. Additionally, information relevant to the Thompson Lake fish community, including stocking efforts, monthly monitoring and additional research, as well as information pertaining to the Thompson Lake aquatic vegetation community, will be shared.

Greg Sass, director of the Illinois River Biological Station, will present the second lecture, “Aquatic Invasives in the Upper Mississippi River Basin.” Sass will discuss the establishment of aquatic invasive species in the Upper Mississippi River Basin as well as their effects on native species.

The Emiquon Field Station is at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve, located between Havana and Lewistown. Entrance to the field station is on Prairie Road, located off Illinois Rts. 97/78, approximately one-and-a-half miles north of the Dickson Mounds turnoff. A sign will be posted at the turnoff. A map is also available online at: www.uis.edu/emiquon/about/images/mapToTNCEmiquon.jpg.

For more information, contact Mike Lemke, Emiquon Field Station Director, at lemke.michael@uis.edu or (217) 206-7339.

Downstate Innocence Project awards reception will also host unveiling of new book

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project, housed at the University of Illinois at Springfield, will host Michale Callahan, former Illinois State Police Commander of Investigations, as he unveils his new book at the Defenders of the Innocent Awards Reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 18, at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield.

In 2000, Michale Callahan was the newly promoted Investigations Commander over a nine-county area in East Central Illinois. His first assignment was to review the fourteen-year-old Paris, Illinois murder of a young, newlywed couple, Dyke and Karen Rhoads. Randy Steidl and Herbert Whitlock were convicted for those murders based primarily on the unreliable testimony of two witnesses. Callahan quickly recognized the injustice of the convictions and called for a reinvestigation of the case, only to be told by his superiors that it was “too politically sensitive.”

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project was one of a number of organizations that were involved in attempting to exonerate Steidl, who received the death penalty, and Whitlock, who received a life sentence. In particular, Bill Clutter, the Project’s Director of Investigations, was actively involved in critiquing the convictions and generating the evidence that was ultimately used to overturn them and to free both individuals.

In his book, Callahan tells the story about his fight against the attempts to cover up the scandal of the convictions and silence him as he attempted to reopen the investigation. Ultimately, the fight cost him his career and his belief that our system was one of fairness and justice. As stated in the release about his book: “This book is about everyone’s worst nightmare, when the cover-up of any crime becomes more important than the injustice done to the victims. This true story is a warning and foreboding example of just what can happen now that a government can muzzle its employees to cover up its criminal acts.”

Callahan will be present to sell and sign the books for those attending the awards reception. Tickets to the awards reception are $100 and will be available at the door, or make reservations in advance by calling 217/206-7989.

For more information, contact Larry Golden at 217/553-7171.

UIS Innocence Project to hold awards reception

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project, housed in the Institute for Legal, Legislative and Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, will hold the Defenders of the Innocent Awards Reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 18, at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield. The event is open to the public; however, reservations are required.

The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project works to assist the wrongfully convicted by providing resources for investigation and research, and to develop policy proposals that would help prevent the conviction of innocent persons in the future. This awards reception is the second annual event to recognize individuals and organizations who have worked to help achieve those goals.

The featured speaker at the reception will be Larry Marshall, who founded the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern University Law School. Marshall’s work on death penalty exoneration cases led to reforms in the death penalty process in Illinois.

Springfield criminal defense attorney Michael Metnick will be honored with a Defender of the Innocent Award for his lifetime achievement in the defense of the innocent. During his career, Metnick devoted pro bono representation in the defense of two clients who had been sentenced to death for crimes they didn’t commit.

In 1988, Metnick undertook the retrial of Alejandro Hernandez, who was set free in 1995 after being convicted in the high-profile murder of Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville. That case, also involving Rolando Cruz, was one of the major inspirations for the innocence movement in Illinois and the nation.

In 1992, Metnick volunteered his services in the post-conviction representation of Randy Steidl, freed in 2004, after being convicted of the murder of Dyke and Karen Rhodes in Paris, Illinois in 1989.

Bill Clutter, the Project’s director of investigations, who worked with Metnick on both cases, said, “Mike Metnick’s heart and soul went into these cases with great passion and commitment. His determination to fight for his clients’ lives is the reason they are free today. He is a true champion of justice and deserves this recognition.”

The event will also honor the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, whose charitable support was instrumental in the formation of the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project. The Dominican Sisters of Springfield have devoted themselves to work in opposition to the death penalty.

Innocence Project Director Larry Golden, who has worked with the Dominican Sisters on a number of social justice projects, noted “The Sisters have a commitment to social justice unequaled in our community. They lead through their actions as well as their teaching. While they don’t seek publicity, these awards are one way their contributions can be recognized.”

Tickets are $100 and will be available at the door, or reservations may be made in advance by calling 217/206-7989.

For more information, contact Golden at 217/553-7171.

Voices in Praise choir to perform at Six Flags St. Louis

The Voices in Praise choir at the University of Illinois at Springfield, along with other choirs and groups, will be participating in Gospel Fest with the Spirit of Praise 2009 on Saturday, May 9, in St. Louis. The choirs will perform live in front of an audience and a panel of judges at Six Flags St. Louis for a chance to open for renowned artist Kirk Franklin.

Voices In Praise will be singing “My Name is Victory” and “If It Wasn’t For Your Grace.”

Voices in Praise has performed at various local events such as the “Amazing Grace” event at the Old State Capitol and Lincoln’s Tomb in celebration of Lincoln’s 200th birthday and the “Do the Right Thing” Festival for the Springfield Urban League. They have also performed at Living Word Fellowship Ministries and Abundant Faith, the Healing Waters Reception, the grand opening of the new Springfield Urban League Studio and Faith AME Church in February for the Black History Month Women's Breakfast.

Future endeavors for the choir include singing at the Graduating Seniors Capitol Honors Breakfast for the Capitol Honors Scholars Program at UIS on Saturday, May 16.

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 holds 2nd annual Take Back the Night with LLCC

The University of Illinois at Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College are teaming up to hold the second annual LLCC/UIS Take Back the Night on Saturday, May 2, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Take Back the Night is a movement inclusive of all genders and sexual orientations that brings survivors, supporters and activists together in a call for the end of violence against women.
The Speak Out and March start at the Lincoln Land campus in the Helen Hamilton Area at 7:30 p.m. Musician Tom Irwin, a UIS student, will perform at the start of the rally.

The keynote speaker for the Speak Out will be Candi Clouse, UIS alum and Prevention Coordinator for the Sojourn Shelter.

Around 8:15 p.m., the group will then march to the UIS campus. The band A Day and a Wake Up will play at around 8:30. There will also be an Information Fair and refreshments on the UIS Quad, as well as The Clothesline Project, a project to support victims of domestic violence.

The event is presented by the Women’s Issues Caucus club from UIS and the Feminist Activist Coalition student club at LLCC. Co-sponsors of the event include the Lincoln Land Women’s Studies and International Club and the UIS Women’s Center, Women and Gender Studies, Student Government Association, African Student Association, Black Student Union, Christian Student Fellowship, Delta Sigma Omicron, Diversity Center, Indian Student Organization and Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS).

More information about Take Back the Night is available at www.takebackthenight.org/. For more information about the rally and march, contact womenscenter@uis.edu or 206-7173.

UIS Music presents Spring Showcase Concert

University of Illinois at Springfield Music will present its annual Spring Showcase Concert on Friday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre, located on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus.

A live webcast of the event will also be available.

The concert will feature the UIS Band, Chorus and Chamber Orchestra. The UIS Band will present a program designed to kick off the summer concert season, presenting works by Henry Fillmore, D’Arcangelo, Andrew Boysen Jr., and Percy Grainger.

In addition to their individual repertoire, the Chorus and Chamber Orchestra will also combine and perform Eric Whitacre’s Five Hebrew Love Songs.

The program is free and open to the public. Donations benefiting the UIS Music Student Merit Award will be accepted.

For more information, contact Todd Cranson, director of the Chamber Orchestra and Band, at 217/206-7549.

Emiquon hosts lecture on bird migration

“Spring Migration by the Numbers,” a public lecture and nature walk, will be presented at the University of Illinois at Springfield’s Emiquon Field Station beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29. The program is free and open to the public; reservations are not required.

The program will be led by Jim Herkert, director of conservation science for The Nature Conservancy. Heckert will explore the phenomenon of migration in birds, discussing how many species of birds migrate through Illinois each year, how birds navigate while migrating, Emiquon’s role in migration and more.

“Emiquon is a great place to observe bird migration because it contains a wide variety of habitats, including woodlands, prairie and wetlands, and therefore provides habitat for a wide range of migratory birds,” Herkert noted. “Because of its large size, Emiquon allows for very large concentrations of birds to use the site during their annual migrations.”

The Emiquon Field Station is at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve, located between Havana and Lewistown. Entrance to the field station is on Prairie Road, located off Illinois Rts. 97/78, approximately one-and-a-half miles north of the Dickson Mounds turnoff. A sign will be posted. A map is also available online at www.uis.edu/emiquon/about/images/mapToTNCEmiquon.jpg.

The program will start with a presentation and then follow with a walk on the nearby trails.
Everyone entering the property will be asked to sign a liability waiver. Participants younger than 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult and must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. All are encouraged to wear walking or hiking shoes and to bring binoculars.

For more information, contact Mike Lemke, Emiquon Field Station Director, at lemke.michael@uis.edu or 217/206-7339.

Stalking Victimization is focus of ECCE Speaker Series program

The University of Illinois at Springfield’s Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series will host a program called “Real Fear, Real Crime: Stalking Victimization in the United States” on Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center, room G, on the UIS campus. The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be provided.

A recent national report showed that 3.4 million people are stalking annually in the United States, and this program will address the realities of stalking and the role everyone can play to stop stalking.

The program’s speaker is Michelle Garcia, director of the Stalking Resource Center in Washington D.C., a non-profit program within the National Center for Victims of Crime working to raise national awareness about stalking. Garcia, a past resident of Champaign-Urbana, has more than fifteen years experience working with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking in both rural and urban settings and advocating for victims’ rights on a local, state and national level.

The event is sponsored by the ECCE Speakers Series and the UIS Women’s Center. The complete schedule of ECCE speakers and topics for the 2009 Spring Semester is available at http://illinois.edu/goto/speakerseries. For information about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or e-mail speakerseries@uis.edu.

UIS Theatre’s 2008-2009 season concludes with Shakespeare’s "As You Like It"

The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois at Springfield will conclude its 2008-2009 season with the play As You Like It by William Shakespeare, opening Friday, April 17. Six performances will be presented in the Studio Theatre, on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at UIS - on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 17, 18, and 19, and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, April 23, 24, and 25. All shows will begin at 8 p.m. except the Sunday performance (April 19), which will begin at 2 p.m.

As You Like It is set in France, where Duke Senior and his followers are hiding in the Forest of Arden after Duke Senior is usurped and exiled by his brother, Duke Frederick. Duke Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, is permitted to stay at court because she and Frederick’s daughter are close. But when Rosalind falls in love at first sight with young Orlando, and after Orlando is forced to flee persecution by his older brother, Rosalind and Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, and Rosalind disguises herself as a man.

As is common in many of Shakespeare’s plays, confusion and mistaken identity ensue, lovers pine for each other, and Duke Senior and his followers search for meaning while in hiding in the Forest of Arden.

Characters in the play include Duke Frederick; Duke Senior; Rosalind, daughter to Duke Senior; Celia, daughter to Duke Frederick and Rosalind’s cousin; Orlando, youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys; Oliver and Jacques, his brothers; Adam and Dennis, servants to Orlando and Oliver respectively; Touchstone, a court Fool; Charles and Le Beau, part of Duke Frederick’s court; and Jacques and Amiens, lords attending to Duke Senior. Other characters are Corin and Silvius, shepherds; Phoebe, a shepherdess; Audrey, a goatkeeper; William, who is in love with Audrey; and Sir Oliver Martext, a parish priest.

Eighteen actors are playing 23 roles in the production. The cast is Dwight Langford* (Orlando); Ben Beams* (Oliver); Matt Craven* (Jacques the brother/Dennis); Patrick O’Brien (servant/Sir Oliver Martext); Aasne Vigesaa (Rosalind); Ashley Warren* (Celia); Joey Cruse* (Touchstone); Kevin Purcell (Duke Frederick/Corin); Larry Smith (Charles/William); Karina Diaz* (Le Beau); Kevin Cline (a lord); Tom Hutchinson (Duke Senior); Ted Keylon (Jacques the lord); Nick Teeter* (Amiens); Nicole Butts (a lord); Roger Boyd* (Silvius); and Sarah Clinch* (Phoebe).* denotes a UIS student.

UIS Associate Professor and Director of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct.

Tickets – $12 general adult; $10 senior citizen, 65+ with photo ID; $8 UIS faculty/staff with current I-card; $6 all students with current school ID – are available now at the UIS Ticket Office, located on level two of the Public Affairs Center. Purchase tickets in person, by phone at 217/206-6160 or 800/207-6960 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.uis.edu/theatre. Tickets will also be available at the ticket office on the day of the performance, beginning 90 minutes before curtain time.

For more information, contact Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson at 217/206-6613.

PAPS series to show film “Montoneros”

The third and final installment for the University of Illinois at Springfield’s spring 2009 Political Art and the Public Sphere (PAPS) series will be held on Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus.

The event will offer a viewing of the film “Montoneros” with a discussion to follow. Special guest Adriana Crocker, professor of political science at UIS, will speak about her personal experience as a young child living in Argentina during the time of the Montoneros.

The Montoneros Movement was an Argentine left-wing guerrilla group active during the 1960s and 1970s. The Montoneros were dedicated to the overthrow of the government in Argentina.

Founded as a militant fighting division by General Juan Perón before his exile to Paraguay in 1955, the Montoneros remained active during his 18-year absence. When Perón returned to Argentina in 1973, he condemned the Montoneros, who in response formed a revolutionary left wing. The military government and right-wing groups suppressed the Montoneros in the late 1970s.

Political Art and the Public Sphere features a showing or performance of some kind of “political art,” followed by a group discussion of the issues it raises. “The basic idea behind PAPS is to consider how ‘art’ raises provocative social and political questions,” noted Richard Gilman-Opalsky, coordinator of the series and professor of political philosophy at UIS.

“Public spheres are the places where people come together to communicate, to evaluate, and to circulate ideas and arguments,” Gilman-Opalsky added. “In the public sphere, people form a collective political opinion and will. Ultimately and ideally, the public sphere brings the interests and demands of the public to bear on those who hold power.”

For more information about this program or the PAPS series, contact Gilman-Opalsky by phone at 217/206-8328 or by e-mail at rgilm3@uis.edu.

UIS hosts 6th annual U of I Communication Collaboration Conference

The Sixth Annual University of Illinois Communication Collaboration (UICC) Conference will be held at the University of Illinois at Springfield on Friday, April 10.

The conference will take place in University Hall Building, room 2008, on the UIS campus from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Communication students from all three University of Illinois campuses will participate in an academic forum where they are able to present their planned, in-progress and finished work.

Guest speaker Dr. Sandra Metts will speak on “The Role of Emotion Experience and Expression in the Development and Maintenance of Close Relationships” at 11 a.m.

The conference is free and open to the public. Attendees of the conference must register by Wednesday, April 8. For more information or to register, contact conference organizers at uicc2009@gmail.com.

UIS to hold Symbolism conference in Monticello

The University of Illinois at Springfield will be holding a three-day conference called “Symbolism, Its Origins and Its Consequences” from April 22 through April 25 at Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello, Illinois.

The purpose of the conference is to explore the origins of Symbolism, a variety of Symbolist manifestations in art, literature, music and philosophy, its consequences in art and literature, and to understand how ideas moved from one European country to another.

Symbolism was based on a certain world view that expressed itself in different genres in different countries. European Symbolism was a complex movement that started in England, then moved to France, back to England, and then finally into Russian culture.

The keynote address for the conference will be given by Geneviève Lacambre, general honorary curator of the patrimony at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, and is titled “Toward Symbolism: Gustave Moreau and the Masters of the Past and his Contemporaries.”

Each day of the conference will be comprised of various sessions focusing on Symbolism, with breaks for meals. Registration fees are $180, and $90 for students.

The conference is co-sponsored by the Strategic Initiative Grant from the UIS Provost’s Office and UIS’ Information Technology Services, Visual Arts Department and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Lodging can be booked at the Allerton Retreat Center by calling 217/333-3287. For more information or to register for the conference, go online to http://www.uis.edu/hosted-orgs/conferences/symbolism/index.html or contact Rosina Neginsky, organizer and coordinator of the conference, at 217/206-7431.

Central Illinois: Patchwork of People resumes with second program

“Central Illinois: Patchwork of People”, a thought-provoking, three-session educational series examining the people and cultures that have influenced life in central Illinois, continues on Tuesday, April 21 at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

The program will be held in the Public Affairs Center rooms C/D and will focus on “How They Lived at Home.” Speakers will be Dr. Stacy Pratt McDermott, Assistant Editor of Papers of Abraham Lincoln, who will speak on “Domestic Law, Matrimony and Divorce in Sangamon County: 1837-1861,” and Dr. Stacey Robertson, Director of Women’s Studies at Bradley University in Peoria, who will speak on “Myths and Realities in the Lives of Frontier Women.”

UIS alumnus William Furry, Executive Director of the Illinois State Historical Society, is the moderator of the series. Sponsors of the event are the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council.

A hot buffet luncheon is available at 11:30 a.m., and the presentations are from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The presentations are free and open to the public, but there is a cost of $20 for those with lunch reservations.

Paid reservations are required for the luncheon by Tuesday, April 14. Pre-registration is also requested from those attending the presentations but not eating lunch.

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.

The Central Illinois Patchwork of People series will hold its final program on Tuesday, May 19, and the topic will be “How They Made a Living.” Speakers will be Taylor Pensoneau, Retired President of the Illinois Coal Association and Illinois author, and Dr. Debra Reid, Associate Professor of History at Eastern Illinois University.

"The Lazarus Project" author to hold reading and Q&A session at UIS

As part of the Verbal Arts Festival and the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Aleksandar Hemon, author of the 2008 novel The Lazarus Project, will be holding a reading, presentation, and question and answer session on Friday, April 3, at 7 p.m.

The program will be held in the Studio Theater, on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. It is free and open to the public.

Hemon, a native of Bosnia, is also the author of Nowhere Man and The Question of Bruno. The Lazarus Project was one of five finalists for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction.

For more information, contact Michael Gammon at mgamm01s@uis.edu or 217/206-7460.

Astronomy program discusses Pluto - planet or not?

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host a presentation by Dr. Mercedes Richards called “Pluto and the New Dwarf Planets” on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center room F on the UIS campus.

In August 2006, Richards was one of 411 International Astronomical Union members worldwide to vote on a new definition of planets, leading to the demotion of Pluto to the status of “dwarf planet.” Richards’ program will give a first-hand look at the decision to change Pluto’s planet status and will examine the structure of the solar system to understand the different classes of objects that orbit the Sun.

Richards, a native of Jamaica, is a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State University. In October 2008, she was awarded a Musgrave Gold Medal by the Institute of Jamaica, which is the highest academic honor awarded by the government of Jamaica and is given to scholars who have attained international recognition in their particular field.

Richards’ interest is pairs of stars called binary stars, which are like twin stars. She was the first astronomer in the world to make clear images of the gravitational flow of gas between the stars in any interacting binary pair.

Richards’ lecture is part of the Harlow Shapley lecture series, sponsored by the American Astronomical Society.

Following the lecture, a Friday Night Star Party will be held at the UIS Observatory, located on the roof of Brookens Auditorium, weather permitting.

For more information about the presentation, contact Professor Charles Schweighauser at 206-6721 or cschw1@uis.edu.

Smithereens' lead singer to perform at WUIS studio

Pat DiNizio, the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the Smithereens, will appear in Springfield on Thursday, April 9 for a benefit “living room” concert at 7:30 p.m. for WUIS, the public radio affiliate based at the University of Illinois at Springfield campus.

DiNizio is currently traveling around the country doing a series of living room concerts in people’s homes. He will perform in the WUIS Suggs’ Performance Studio, which will take on a living room motif for the show, for an audience of up to 50 people.

DiNizio will showcase acoustic versions of Smithereens songs, along with performances from his tribute to Buddy Holly released this year on the 50th anniversary of Holly’s death.

“The show will allow DiNizio and fans to interact, and proceeds will go to the fund dedicated to the performance studio. It will also be recorded for later broadcast,” said Bill Wheelhouse, WUIS General Manager.

Admission is $50 per person, with proceeds going to the WUIS Suggs Performance Studio Fund. For more information or to make a reservation for the show, call WUIS at 217/206-6516.

Speaker for Islam program at UIS changed

Due to an illness in the family, Dalia Mogahed, executive director at the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, will not present “Who Speaks for Islam?” on Monday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium on the UIS campus. Instead, Magali Rheault, senior analyst at the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, will give a presentation. The event is free and open to the public.

Rheault’s main areas of research are integration and identity of European Muslims and perceptions of African Muslims. As part of the Muslim-West Facts Initiative and in collaboration with the Coexist Foundation, she travels the world to disseminate key findings from the Gallup World Poll to inform opinion leaders about Muslims’ views.

Rheault is also a senior consultant with the Gallup World Poll, where she analyzes public attitudes toward governance and entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa.

The program is sponsored by the World Affairs Council, the International Visitors' Commission, Sister Cities, the Islamic Society of Greater Springfield and the UIS ECCE Speaker Series.

An overflow area will be available in the Public Affairs Center conference rooms C/D. The presentation will be followed by a reception in the PAC Restaurant from 9 to 10 p.m.

UIS hosts 11th annual Health Awareness Day

The University of Illinois’ Masters in Public Health Student Association and Campus Health Services will host the 11th annual Health Awareness Day on Wednesday, April 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) lobby and conference rooms on the concourse level of the PAC.

The event is held to educate the university community and others in the Springfield and surrounding area about positive health practices. Representatives from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center will be present.

The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. John K. Lee, a first-year resident in Family Medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Lee’s topic is “The secret of supplements: do they really work?” The presentation will be held in conference room F on the lower level of the PAC from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and lunch and drinks will be served.

Screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, bone density, cholesterol and more will be offered, as well as testicular and prostrate exams given by Springfield Clinic. Information about topics such as healthy eating and decreasing stress will be available. UIS’ Recreation and Athletic Center will also perform fitness testing and give participants a detailed analysis of their health.

Attendees to the event are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to a local food pantry. Attendees who complete an evaluation form about the day will be entered into a drawing for prizes donated by individuals and organizations in the Springfield community.

UIS’ Health Awareness Day is held in coordination with National Public Health Week, which is organized by the American Public Health Association. The theme of this year’s National Public Health Week is “Building the Foundation for a Healthy America.”

For more information about Health Awareness Day at UIS, contact Linda Tait at ltait2@uis.edu or 217/206-6676.

Project Success focuses on proper business attire

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host “Project Success: Dress to Impress” on Thursday, April 2 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Sangamon Auditorium on the UIS campus. Project Success is a runway fashion show and presentation about how to dress for business casual and business professional.

UIS students have been invited to gather teams of five and compete by showing their best and worst examples of business attire. The runway show will be judged by the audience and a panel of judges. Each member of the winning student team will receive a $100 gift card.

Following the runway competition, Jennifer Hunt, extension educator in Computer and Family Economics for the University of Illinois Extension, will give a presentation on business attire, first impressions and on creating an affordable professional wardrobe.

The event will also be available via live Webcast, and the online audience can participate in the runway judging through Elluminate.

Project Success is sponsored by UIS’ Career Development Center, Alumni Relations, Student Government Association and Diversity Center.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kristen Chenoweth at 217/206-6501 or kchen01s@uis.edu.

UIS helps celebrate 100 Hours of Astronomy

The University of Illinois at Springfield will be hosting a series of events called 100 Hours of Astronomy, in partnership with the Sangamon Astronomical Society, from Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5.

The events are part of an international 100 Hours of Astronomy celebration in conjunction with the International Year of Astronomy 2009, a global effort to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky.

The series of events will begin with a Friday Night Star Party in the UIS Barber Observatory on Friday, April 3 from 8 to 10 p.m. The observatory will be open for participants to view the night sky through the observatory telescopes.

The observatory is located on the roof of Brookens Library on the UIS campus, accessible by a door on the southeast corner of the library. In the event of uncooperative weather, there will be a special presentation about International Year of Astronomy 2009. The event is free and open to the public; reservations are not required.

On Saturday, April 4, the Sangamon Astronomical Society will be holding a star party at Centennial Park from 4 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; reservations are not required. In the event of cloudy weather, the Saturday star party will be cancelled.

On Sunday, April 5, UIS will host “Sun-Day” from 1 to 3 p.m. at the UIS Barber Observatory. Charles Schweighauser and John Martin, UIS professors of astronomy/physics, will give a lecture about the Sun, featuring photos and video footage of the sun taken through UIS’ 14-inch telescope. The lecture will start at 1 p.m. and will take in the Public Affairs Center, room F.

Weather permitting, the campus observatory will be open following the lecture for the public to look at the Sun through the telescope, and the Sangamon Astronomical Society will also have telescopes set up for viewing. The Sun should not normally be viewed through a telescope; however, special equipment will be installed on the telescopes for this event to ensure safe viewing of the Sun.

“Sun-Day” is free and open to the public; reservations are not required.

To complete the 100 Hours of Astronomy celebration, UIS will host a Sunday Night Star Party for people with disabilities, beginning at 7 p.m. at the UIS observatory. A modified eight-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope will be used for this Star Party, which has a fixed eyepiece to bring the image to the viewer and can accommodate anyone from a large person in a high wheelchair to a child in the lowest, smallest wheelchair.

Reservations are required for the Sunday Night Star Party. To make reservations, contact Schweighauser at 217/206-6721.

For more information on the 100 Hours of Astronomy, go online to http://www.uis.edu/astronomy/about/iya2009.html or contact Martin at 217/206-8342. More information on UIS Star Parties can be found at http://www.uis.edu/astronomy/about/starparties.html, and more information about the Sangamon Astronomical Society can be found at http://www.sas-sky.org/main.html.

Rockefeller fellows to discuss gender and sexual orientation

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host a Diversity Forum titled “The Role of Women in 2009” on Tuesday, March 24, at 12:15 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus. The forum is free and open to the public. There will also be a live Webcast of the event; go here to access the Webcast on the day of the event.

Leading the forum as panel members will be fellows from the Rockefeller Foundation’s Next Generation Leadership Program. The program was created in 1997 to create a diverse network of leaders. Program fellows learn to work with individuals from different backgrounds, outlooks and political persuasions with the goal of improving democracy.

Panel members will encourage forum participants to think about issues like fair compensation between men and women and the role of women in positions of leadership in businesses and corporations.

The members of the panel include Sonya Lopez, who works on the recruitment and attrition of first generation college students in her position as the Upward Bound Director at Texas State University; Hilary Morgan, creator and director of Homeward Bound, a transitional housing program for chronic homeless street alcoholics; Arlene Mayzel, vice president and dean of degree programs at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management; and Robert Kallen, founder of RSK Strategies, LLC, which provides expertise and capital to small and growing companies specializing in the food and education sectors.

The event is sponsored by the Barat Education Foundation’s Green Coffey Lecture Series and the UIS Engaged Citizenship Common Experience Speaker Series.

The ECCE Speakers Series at UIS is a campus-sponsored lecture series that aims to exemplify engaged citizenship as part of the university’s effort to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

Upcoming ECCE programs include two showings of the film Milk combined with an “Out in Politics” panel discussion on Friday, March 27, Who Speaks for the Muslim World? with Dalia Mogahed on March 30 and “Lifework of a Bosnian Writer Displaced in Chicago” with Aleksandar Hemon on April 3.

The complete schedule of speakers and topics for the 2009 Spring Semester is available at http://illinois.edu/goto/speakerseries. For information about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or e-mail speakerseries@uis.edu.

9th annual Science Research Symposium

The University of Illinois at Springfield’s ninth annual Science Research Symposium – featuring presentations on applied or theoretical research by undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in science programs at UIS and other four-year colleges in the area – will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 17, on the UIS campus. The symposium is free and open to the public.

Awards will be presented for the best student posters and oral presentations. College-level science presentations are welcome from schools outside UIS. The presentations and a keynote address will be held in Brookens Auditorium, located in the lower level of Brookens Library.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Peter Ward, professor of Paleontology from the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington, who will speak on “Extinctions: Past, Present, and Future” from 3 to 4 p.m. A reception for Dr. Ward will immediately follow the keynote program.

UIS began hosting the symposium in 2001 to recognize the growing number of college students engaged in research projects. Dr. Rebecca Landsberg, UIS assistant professor of Biology and symposium co-coordinator, noted, “The symposium aims to encourage scientific dialog and inform the academic community of scientific research conducted at UIS and neighboring campuses. It is open to undergraduate and graduate students and faculty involved in applied or theoretical research. We particularly encourage presentations by students.”

Other goals include promoting community interest in scientific research and inviting nationally recognized scholars to share information about their own research.

The deadline to submit an abstract is March 27. For details, including format, guidelines and registration, go to www.uis.edu/biology/. The registration fee for presenters is $10; however the fee is waived for students who are members of biology or chemistry student clubs.

Symposium sponsors at UIS are the Biology, Chemistry and Clinical Laboratory Science programs, the Speaker’s Fund, the Research Board and student science clubs.

For more information, contact Landsberg at 217/206-7338 or rland3@uis.edu, or Dr. Yash Mhaskar, assistant professor of Chemistry and symposium co-coordinator, at 217/206-7336 or ymhas2@uis.edu.

Visual Arts Gallery hosts Vogele print collection

Highlights from the Vogele Print Collection will be on display at the Visual Arts Gallery at the University of Illinois at Springfield from Monday, March 30 through Wednesday, April 22. An opening reception will be held in the gallery, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17.

The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. The reception will be held in conjunction with UIS’ Arts Night.

The gallery is proud to present work from a collection of more than 20 prints by leading American contemporary artists donated by Robert and Ruth Vogele to the University’s permanent collection. Included in the collection are prints by Jim Dine, Sol LeWitt and Philip Pearlstein, among others. The Vogeles are alumni of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Visual Arts Gallery is located in room 201 of the Health and Sciences Building on the UIS campus. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

For more information, go to www.uis.edu/visualarts or contact the gallery by phone at 217/206-6506 or by e-mail at gallery@uis.edu.

Friday night Star Parties to resume Spring 2009

The University of Illinois at Springfield’s popular Star Parties will begin for the spring on Friday, March 27, and continue every Friday night through May 1, weather permitting. Star Parties are held from 8 to 10 p.m. in the UIS observatory, located on the roof of Brookens Library.

The Star Parties will be hosted by John Martin, assistant professor of Astronomy/Physics. The observatory’s three telescopes will be used to view a number of celestial objects, including Saturn, the ringed planet; the Great Orion Nebula, a nearby cradle of new stars; and the Moon, when visible. Other double stars and star clusters will also be viewed.

At a typical Star Party, visitors learn about galaxies, the sun, stars and stellar evolution, as well as star and constellation identification, prior to using the telescopes. These discussions take place in the stairway gallery of astronomical pictures on the way to the observation deck.

Star Parties are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, and groups are encouraged to attend. The entrance to the campus observatory is located outside Brookens Library on the southeast corner.

Questions about whether the weather is suitable for viewing should be directed to 217/206-8342 at 7 p.m. on the evening of the Star Party. More information about Star Parties can be found online at http://www.uis.edu/astronomy/about/starparties.html.

For other questions about Star Parties, contact Martin at 206-8342.

Good as Gold ceremony calls for nominations to honor volunteer work

The University of Illinois at Springfield and the Junior League of Springfield have formed a partnership to host the Springfield Good as Gold Ceremony, a recognition event to acknowledge community members and organizations for their volunteer efforts.

The Good as Gold Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. Six award categories will be announced during the ceremony.

Nonprofit organizations are invited to consider up to two individuals who exemplify the true meaning of volunteerism with enthusiasm, dedication, a caring attitude and leadership. These individuals will be automatically selected and recognized during the ceremony as Heart of Gold volunteers.

Other categories for which an individual can be nominated include an award for Distinguished Volunteer, Youth Volunteer and Organization Agent of Service Award. UIS will also honor with Golden Star Awards one staff or faculty member and one student who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service and volunteerism.

In addition, the Junior League of Springfield will feature the winner of its Outstanding Graduate Award, recognizing a local junior high school girl for her leadership and volunteerism.

All nominees will be recognized in a keepsake program for the event and will also receive a certificate of appreciation at the event. Five nominees for the Distinguished Volunteer Award will also be acknowledged during the event with a short presentation. The Distinguished Volunteer award winner will have the opportunity to give a brief presentation to showcase his or her accomplishments within the Springfield community and will receive a donation stipend to give to the charity of his or her choice.

The nomination deadline for all of the award categories is Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m. To nominate an individual for an award, visit www.uis.edu/volunteer or email volunteer@uis.edu.

Annual Etiquette Dinner helps participants with social and business etiquette

An enjoyable and informative dinner featuring instruction in business and social etiquette will be hosted by the University of Illinois at Springfield on Tuesday, March 31, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center restaurant on the UIS campus. The etiquette dinner program is open to the public; however, space is limited, and advance registration is required.

The four-course dinner will give participants a chance to brush up on their table manners and learn other tips that will enhance their careers and personal lives. Beth Reutter, coordinator of the Hospitality Management Program at the U of I campus at Urbana-Champaign, will be the instructor. Reutter, who is a corporate etiquette consultant certified by the Protocol School of Washington, has presented this program to students and other college groups as well as to business groups in the Champaign-Urbana area.

The cost of the event, including dinner, is $10 for current UIS students and $25 for everyone else. The deadline to make a reservation for the program is March 24. Reservations may be made online at www.uiaa.org/spfld or by contacting Alumni Relations by phone at 206-7395 or by e-mail at alumni@uis.edu.

The event is presented by the Office of UIS Alumni Relations/U of I Alumni Association and co-sponsored by the UIS Career Development Center, Student Government Association, Office of Student Life and Graduate Public Service Internship Program. Northwestern Mutual Financial Network is the local business sponsor.

For more information, contact Mary Caroline Mitchell at 217/206-7395.

Cyber Defense and Disaster Recovery Conference focuses on protecting online data

“Keeping Secrets Safe: Protecting Your Data” is the subject of the Cyber Defense and Disaster Recovery Conference to be held Friday, March 13, in the Studio Theater, first floor of the Public Affairs Center, at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The conference is hosted by UIS' Computer Science department, in conjunction with InfraGard Springfield and the Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance. Advance registration is required.

Janis Rose, conference chair and instructor of Computer Science at UIS, noted, “Identity theft is big business in today’s economy, and protecting business and personal data is about more than using a shredder. What information are our children posting online that increases their vulnerability? What data protection strategies can companies use to fill in gaps and improve results?”

Breakout sessions will focus on various relevant topics, including cyber bullying, identify theft, corporate data leakage, cloud computing, foreign intelligence collection, hacking and remote access.

“Participants will learn effective problem-solving techniques based on real-world applications,” said Rose. “This is a unique opportunity in Springfield. Professionals in all fields are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn what they can do to better protect corporate and personal data.”

Conference speakers will include John Bace, Vice President, Gartner’s Compliance & Risk Management Research; John Bambenek, SANS Internet Storm Center; Mike Bernico, GSEC Network Service Analyst; Adam Hansen, Manager of Security, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP; John D. Johnson, John Deere; Bob Kowalski, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Sarah Migas, High Tech Crimes Bureau, Office of the Illinois Attorney General; Gary Monnard, St. Ambrose University; Ken Pappas, Vice President Security Strategies, Top Layer Security; and Jeff Thompson, Certified Expert Penetration Tester Central Management Services, State of Illinois.

The deadline to register is Monday, March 9. The $30 registration fee includes lunch. CISSP credit and CPDUs will be available to those who request them.

InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI and leaders in business, education and government. CSSIA is the first comprehensive Information Technology Security and Data Assurance Center in the Midwest. Partial funding for this conference has been provided by the National Science Foundation ATE Program.

For more information or to register, contact Rose at 217/206-8246, or go to http://csc.uis.edu/cyberconference.

Expanding Your Horizons encourages young women in math, science and technology

“Expanding Your Horizons in Math, Science and Technology” – a hands-on conference designed specially for girls in sixth, seventh and eighth grades – will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, on the campus of the University of Illinois at Springfield. Advance registration is required, and space is limited.

The event is presented by the American Association of University Women - Springfield Branch, and is sponsored by UIS and The Children’s Center, a Memorial Health System affiliate.

Many cutting-edge careers of the future will involve science, math and technology and will be wide open to well-prepared young women. Girls who attend this conference can choose three sessions from more than 20 hands-on, experiential workshops. Separate workshops for parents and teachers will be held concurrently.

Girls’ workshops will allow participants to interact with successful women who are scientists, physicians, engineers, architects and professionals in many other careers traditionally held by men. They will meet other girls with similar interests and learn about career opportunities for women in these fields.

A partial list of topics includes Online Businesses, Bone Engineering, At the Scene of a Crime, Space Walking, Green Architecture, Protecting the Earth with Ethanol and Digital Photography Editing.

The workshops for adults will provide essential information on how to encourage girls to take classes that will keep their options open as they approach college and choose careers. Topics for these sessions include Your Daughter’s Future – Too Important to Leave to Chance, Stress: How to Help Teens Cope and Be Healthy, and Tools for Planning for College…and Paying for It!

For a brochure and registration information, call 217/529-4165 or go to www.aauw-il.org/springfield.

Sunday Night Star Parties held for people with disabilities

The University of Illinois at Springfield is holding several Star Parties for people with disabilities throughout the spring in the UIS observatory, located at the top of Brookens Library on the UIS campus. Star Parties are free, but reservations are required.

Weather permitting, the dates of the Star Parties include Sunday, March 8, Sunday, April 5, and Sunday, May 3. The events begin at 8 p.m. and will include a short presentation before the viewing. The featured objects for viewing will be the first-quarter moon and the ringed planet Saturn.

Sunday Star Parties are conducted by Charles Schweighauser and John Martin, UIS professors of astronomy and physics. The sessions use a telescope designed to give people with disabilities access to the sky.

The modified eight-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope at UIS uses a fixed eyepiece that brings the image to the viewer. This eyepiece can be moved backward and forward in its tube to be able to accommodate anyone from a large person in a high wheelchair to a child in the lowest, smallest wheelchair. The telescope is the first one of its kind in the world.

For more information or to make a reservation for a Sunday Star Party, contact Schweighauser at 206-6721 or cschw1@uis.edu.

UIS hosts three presentations for "Central Illinois: Patchwork of People" educational series

“Central Illinois: Patchwork of People,” a thought-provoking three-session educational series examining the people and cultures that have influenced life in Central Illinois, will begin in March at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Sponsors are the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.

The series will begin on Tuesday, March 17, with “How Their Diversity Enriched Us.” Moderator of the series is UIS Alumnus William Furry, executive director of the Illinois State Historical Society. Featured speakers will be Kathryn Harris, director of library services at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, who will address “In Search of Freedom: African Americans in 19th Century Sangamon County.” Also speaking will be Rabbi Barry Marks of Temple Israel, Springfield, who will discuss “The Jewish Experience in Springfield.”

A hot buffet luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Public Affairs Center conference rooms C/D with the presentations from noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch is $20 per person and must be paid for at least one week before the session, or $45 per person for all three lunches if reservations are paid for by Feb. 17. The presentations are free and open to the public, although those wishing to attend only the presentations are asked to pre-register.

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.

The second program in the series on Tuesday, April 21, will focus on “How They Lived at Home.” Speakers will be Dr. Stacy Pratt McDermott, assistant editor of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, who will talk about “Domestic Law, Matrimony and Divorce in Sangamon County: 1837-1861.” Also speaking will be Dr. Stacey Robertson, director of Women’s Studies at Bradley University, Peoria, whose topic is “Myths and Realities in the Lives of Frontier Women.”

The final program, on Tuesday, May 19, will be on “How They Made a Living.” Speakers will be Taylor Pensoneau, retired president of the Illinois Coal Association and an Illinois author. His remarks are titled “Dreams, Hardship and Danger – The Lives of Central Illinois Coal Miners.” In addition, Dr. Debra Reid, associate professor of History at Eastern Illinois University, will discuss “Harvesting the Soil: Central Illinois Agricultural Practices.”

The series is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly.

9th annual Technology Day held at UIS

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host its ninth annual Technology Day from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. The focus of this year’s program is “EnviroTech: Educational Technologies that Advance Sustainability.”

The day features demonstrations, discussions, and poster and breakout sessions led by members of the UIS academic community that highlight a variety of topics designed to showcase interesting and innovative ways that the campus is using technology in education.

All activities will be held on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center at UIS and are free and open to the public. Participants are welcome to attend some or all of the sessions.

Dr. Donald Spicer, associate vice chancellor for Information Technology and CIO at the University of Maryland, will deliver the keynote address at 11:30 a.m. in conference rooms C/D. Spicer’s topic is “IT’s Role in Campus Sustainability Efforts.”

Presentations and technology demonstrations will follow the keynote address and continue until 4:30 p.m. Topics include teaching and learning techniques, resources, services and other creative uses of technology.

UIS sponsors of the event include the Academic Technology Committee, Brookens Library, Information Technology Services, Office of Web Services and Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning.

Prizes and light refreshments will be provided. Additional details and information for guests with special needs are available by contacting Tulio Llosa, director of Educational Technology at UIS, at 206-7755 or by going to www.uis.edu/technologyday.

Whitney Young program to showcase student fellows

The Whitney M. Young Graduate Fellowship Program at the University of Illinois at Springfield will host a spring symposium to showcase the work of students who are current Fellows. The symposium will be held on Friday, February 20, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in conference room G in the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The fellowship program is open to full-time students who are accepted into a graduate degree program at UIS and is designed to help students pursue and complete their degrees in a timely manner. The program also aims to enhance research and leadership skills through regular seminars and by involving students in public service projects that complement their academic disciplines.

The program is named after the late Whitney M. Young Jr., former Executive Director of the National Urban league, educator, and activist. The program carries on his legacy and is focused on graduate students who are underrepresented at UIS, including ethnic and racial minorities, first generation college students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

During the symposium, current Fellows of the program will speak about both academic and public service work they have done this year in the classroom and in the community. Students have been involved with projects this year that include mentoring school-age and college students and working with a variety of community organizations.

Light refreshments will be served at the event. Those interested in becoming part of the fellowship program are also encouraged to attend. For more information about the symposium or the fellowship program, contact Cecilia Cornell, director of the program, at 206-7430.

UIS hosts Carol Moseley Braun for HistoryMakers series

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host United States Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun for The HistoryMakers’ Dr. Frances G. Carroll 2008-2009 Speaker Series on Wednesday, February 4. A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. before the program begins at 6:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located in Brookens Library on the UIS campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The event is part of a series titled Agents of Change, and the speaker series is named in honor of University of Illinois Trustee Dr. Frances G. Carroll, who will be present at the program.

The HistoryMakers, a Chicago-based, independent nonprofit, is the nation’s largest African-American video oral history archive. It uses state-of-the-art technology to chronicle the lives of well-known and unsung African-Americans.

The HistoryMakers has partnered with the University of Illinois to offer the Agents of Change series, interactive exhibits on all three campuses and a summer fellowship for University of Illinois students. Through collaborative efforts, the U of I and The HistoryMakers are heightening awareness of African-American achievements. Earlier on Feb. 4, there will be an interactive exhibit featuring material from The HistoryMakers archives from 11:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. in conference rooms C/D, located on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center.

The Agents of Change speaker series highlights and honors individuals who have affected great change in society. Carol Moseley Braun, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, will be participating in the UIS Agents of Change event.

In 1978, Moseley Braun was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives where she was an advocate for education. After only two terms in the House, she was selected to become the first African-American woman in Illinois history to serve as Assistant Majority Leader.

In 1992, she became the first African-American woman ever to be elected to the United States Senate. In 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed her Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, a role she served in until 2001. She is now the founder and president of Good Food Organics, parent company of Ambassador Brand Organic Products.

Moseley Braun will be talking with students and visiting classes in the morning before the evening program. The event is co-sponsored by the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series at UIS.

Overflow seating for the program will be available in conference rooms C/D with a televised viewing of the program, and the program can also be viewed through a live webcast at www.uis.edu/technology/uislive.html. To attend the program, call 217/206-8497 or email ga_aas@uis.edu by January 28 to make a reservation. For more information about The HistoryMakers, go online to http://www.thehistorymakers.com/.

Spring auditions to be held for As You Like It

The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois at Springfield will hold open auditions for the 2009 spring production – As You Like It by William Shakespeare – on Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26, beginning at 7 p.m. both nights, in the Studio Theatre, located on level one of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. Call-backs will be at the same time and place on Tuesday, January 27.

Auditions are open to anyone, with or without experience. UIS Director of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, who will direct, noted that everyone auditioning is strongly encouraged to read the play in advance. He added that headshots and resumes, as well as brief prepared monologues, are appreciated but not mandatory. Anyone interested in working backstage on the production should also plan to attend one night of auditions.

As You Like It is generally regarded as one of Shakespeare’s finest comedies. The setting is France, where Duke Senior -- usurped and exiled by his brother, Duke Frederick – has gone into hiding in the Forest of Arden with his followers. Duke Senior’s daughter, Rosalind, is permitted to stay at court because she and Frederick’s daughter Celia are close. However, Rosalind soon falls in love with Orlando, and when the young man is forced to leave court to escape persecution by his older brother, Rosalind (disguised as a boy) and Celia (disguised as "his" sister) also flee to the Forest. After much confusion, mistaken identity, and love-struck pining, Duke Frederick repents, Duke Senior is restored to his rightful position, and everybody lives happily ever after. (Plot synopsis from The Shakespeare Resource Center at http://www.bardweb.net/)

Thibodeaux-Thompson also noted that this production of As You Like It will be translated into a modern-day setting, while remaining faithful to Shakespeare’s original play.

A limited number of scripts are available for 24-hour checkout from UIS’ Brookens Library. In addition, some copies are available for 24-hour check-out, with a refundable $10 cash deposit, from the Communication/Theatre program office in UIS’ University Hall, room 3010, phone 206-6790, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Rehearsals will begin Sunday, February 1, and are generally scheduled for Sunday through Thursday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. Production dates are April 17, 18, 19 and 23, 24, 25.


More information about auditions is available at www.uis.edu/theatre/auditions.html or contact Thibodeaux-Thompson by phone at 206-6613 or by e-mail at ethib1@uis.edu.

Variety of spring events honor Lincoln Bicentennial

UIS will host a variety of programs during the 2009 spring semester in observance of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial.

Applications are being accepted for the Lincoln Legacy High School Forum -- a statewide contest for high school juniors and seniors co-sponsored by UIS and the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Three categories of competition are: Historical Essay, Creative Expression in the Written Word, and Performance/Visual Arts; the first prize in each category is a one-year tuition scholarship to UIS. Winners will come to campus to present their work to the public in April. Entries must be postmarked by January 2, 2009. Get complete information

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason will lead a musical "Early Birthday Celebration for A. Lincoln" at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009, in Sangamon Auditorium. Their performance of Ungar's composition "Ashokan Farewell," heard in Ken Burns' The Civil War, earned the couple an Emmy nomination and a Grammy award. Special guests for this program are the 10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Band, directed by Todd Cranson, assistant director of co-curricular music.

In February, WUIS will broadcast a number of special programs focusing on Lincoln. More information about "Lincoln the Poet," "Lincoln the Lawmaker," and "Lincoln and Humor," including broadcast times and dates, will be available from the WUIS website.

On Saturday, February 21, faculty and students will present a readers' theater production of Ronald Gow's one-act play The Lawyer of Springfield beginning at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium. A discussion session with the audience will follow the performance.

At 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, Wynton Marsalis will lead the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in a concert at Sangamon Auditorium. This "extraordinarily versatile" orchestra is composed of leading jazz soloists performing a repertoire that ranges from their own compositions to jazz classics.

From April 2 to 17, a juried "Lincoln Legacy" exhibit of selected artwork from the High School Forum will be on display in the VPA Access Gallery.

All three U of I campuses are hosting events in the University's Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration. Get more information.

Also see information about programs and events sponsored by the Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

Film screening

Jashn-e-Azadi (How We Celebrate Freedom) presented by the director, Sanjay Kak

1:30 p.m., Sunday, December 7, Brookens Auditorium

Discussion session will follow

The film is a provocative look at democracy in India's 60th year of independence, through Kashmir, India's only Muslim majority state -- a reflection on power, resistance, and freedom.

Sponsor: Illinois Network on Islam and Muslim Societies

International Education Week activities

Presented in conjunction with International Education Week 2008, November 17 to 21, a program of the U.S. Departments of State and Education

Sunday, November 16
31st annual International Festival, 4 to 8 p.m., lower level PAC and Brookens Auditorium

Monday-Wednesday, November 17-18
Information Fair, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m., Food Emporium
Information on Study Abroad, ESL, International Student Association, Global Studies major, Diversity Center
T-shirt sales (Ashikaga, Japan and Study Abroad themes), games, and surprises

Monday, November 17 and Tuesday, November 18
Presentation on Study Abroad Opportunities, noon and 5 p.m., PAC conference room F

Wednesday, November 19
Presentation on the new Global Studies Major, noon and 5 p.m., PAC conference room E

Thursday, November 20
International Center Open House, 1 to 2:30 p.m., HRB 52

For more information, contact Jonathan GoldbergBelle at 6-8319

Bookstore Grand Opening

UIS' new bookstore will celebrate its Grand Opening in Founders Hall on Thursday, November 13.

• Ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.
• Discounts on clothing and gift items
• Refreshments
• Prizes
  

Campus blood drive

• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 19
• Bloodmobile will be parked near Lincoln Residence Hall
• If you have questions about donating, call 753-1530.
• Walk-ins are welcome, but to schedule an appointment, call Jessica at 753-1530 x 6814 or sign up online.
  

Central Illinois Community Blood Center is the only blood provider to 19 central Illinois hospitals, including Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in Springfield.

University to hold Sustainability Week

The University of Illinois at Springfield is raising awareness about sustainability and the environment by hosting Sustainability Week from November 10 through November 15. Activities held throughout the week focused on sustainability include:

Monday, November 10
A bike ride will begin at 1:30 p.m. in front of Lincoln Residence Hall on the UIS campus and will be led by UIS Bike Enthusiasts.
Battery recycling begins – dead batteries will be collected in designated containers in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) Food Emporium and the lobby of University Hall until 12 p.m. on Friday, November 15.

Tuesday, November 11
Students Allied for a Greener Earth (SAGE) will be holding a recycled art contest, and judging will take place in the PAC Food Emporium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, November 12
Judging for the SAGE recycled art contest will take place in the PAC Food Emporium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, November 13
Judging for the SAGE recycled art contest will take place in the PAC Food Emporium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A Sustainability Forum will be held at 6 p.m. as part of the ECCE Speakers Series at 6 p.m. in PAC Room F. Members of the UIS faculty from various disciplines will discuss ideas generated from current literature on sustainability and shared societal responsibility.

Friday, November 14
A Coffee House with Chad Perrone, a singer/songwriter, will be held at 8:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Residence Hall Great Room. Students are encouraged to bring their own coffee mugs, and attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card to Target.

Saturday, November 15
The UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center will hold a service project in coordination with America Recycles Day. America Recycles Day is a national event promoting the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling. For more information about or to participate in America Recycles Day, contact the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at 206-7716 or volunteer@uis.edu.

“We hope the events planned for the week will help students learn more about ethical and sustainable decision-making and will encourage students to evaluate their impact on the environment,” said Mae Marie Noll, undergraduate academic advisor and co-presenter of Sustainability Week.

For more information about UIS Sustainability Week, email Noll at mnoll1@uis.edu.

UIS to host first annual Graduate and Professional School Fair

The Career Development Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield will host the first annual Graduate and Professional School Fair on Thursday, November 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The Graduate and Professional School Fair will connect UIS students, alumni, and community members with representatives of higher educational institutions from many disciplines. Participating recruiters include the University of Illinois at Springfield, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, SIU School of Medicine, Western Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University School of Law, Bradley University, and Illinois State University's Mennonite College of Nursing.

"Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the different graduate programs that are available, discuss program requirements, and network with recruiters to gain valuable insight and contacts," said Tammy Craig, director of the UIS Career Development Center.

In the afternoon, three breakout sessions will be held in PAC in conference room C/D. They include: Deciding to go to Grad School (12:30 to 1 p.m.); The Grad School Application Process (1:30 to 2 p.m.), and a Panel Discussion/Q&A Session (2 to 3:30 p.m.)

Advance registration is not required; however, registration tables will be available at the event to provide participants with event materials, nametags, and other information. Individuals requesting disability-related accommodations should contact the UIS Career Development Center prior to the event.

For more information, contact the Career Development Center at 217/206-6508.

The China Experience

A brown bag presentation by Kathy Petitte Jamison, assistant professor of Communication and 2008 UIS China Faculty Exchange Scholar

Noon-12:45 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, PAC 3B

Bring your lunch and learn about China and the exchange program.

Campus Adobe Day

Representatives from the U of I Software WebStore and Adobe will be on hand to present free workshops that explore Adobe Creative Suite 4’s new features and functionality.

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday, November 3, PAC C/D

Three sessions:

• 9:30-11:30 a.m. See how Creative Suite Design Premium enables a cross-media workflow
• Noon-1 p.m. Learn how to move your projects into the digital age quickly and effectively
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. Empower learning with PDF and Adobe Acrobat 9
  

Seating is limited; register for one or all of the sessions and get additional information

UIS to host Campus Preview Day

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host a Campus Preview Day for prospective students and their families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 8. The program will include an academic fair, campus tours, lunch, and greetings from Chancellor Richard Ringeisen and Provost Harry Berman.

For reservations or additional information, call the UIS Office of Admissions at (217) 206-4847 (toll-free 1-888-977-4847), or send an e-mail to admissions@uis.edu. For those unable to attend the regular session, individual visits can be arranged by contacting the Admissions Office.

The next Preview Day is scheduled for Saturday, January 24.

UIS speaker to discuss "Queer Love in the Time of War and Shopping"

"Queer Love in the Time of War and Shopping," a presentation by Dr. Martin Manalansan (shown at left), will be held beginning at 3 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, in Brookens Auditorium, lower level of Brookens Library at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The program and discussion session that follows are free and open to the public.

Dr. Manalansan is interim director of Asian American Studies and an associate professor of Anthropology at the U of I Urbana-Champaign campus. "Queer Love…" reflects his interdisciplinary research into socio-cultural anthropology, gay and lesbian studies, sexuality and gender, and race and ethnicity. It is also the title of the chapter he contributed to The LGBT Studies Reader (currently under review). Manalansan's other research interests include immigration and globalization, cities and modernity, food and culture, public health, the Filipino diaspora, Asian Americans, and the Philippines.

His address is presented as part of the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS -- events that aim to exemplify engaged citizenship as part of the university's effort to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

The next ECCE program will be "Indians from India" and "Bollywood Satirized," an art exhibit and discussion on November 6. See the complete schedule of speakers and topics for the 2008 Fall Semester.

For more information about Dr. Manalansan's presentation, contact Lan Dong, assistant professor of English, at 206-8334.

For information about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or send an e-mail to speakerseries@uis.edu.

Webcast for Campus Sustainability Day

A live interactive webcast on "Climate Realities, Challenges and Progress in Higher Education" will be open to members of the campus community (release time policy applies for staff)

1 to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 22, in Brookens Auditorium

Made possible by the UIS Provost’s Office, Senate Committee on Sustainability, and Office of Sustainability

See a description of the program and information about the moderator and speakers

Contact Facilities and Services at 6-6530 for details.

UIS to present survey of 1908 riot by noted historian and author

"Centennial of Fire," an address by noted historian and author Dr. Roberta Senechal (at left), will be presented beginning at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 23, in the lobby of the Public Affairs Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The program is free and open to the public.

In this lecture, Senechal surveys the course of Springfield's 1908 race riot, and the reaction of the press and public, weighing the known facts in light of her later work on collective violence, in the United States and elsewhere.

Senechal's published works include the award-winning In Lincoln's Shadow, the only book-length study of the Springfield riot. Originally published in 1990 by the University of Illinois Press as The Sociogenesis of a Race Riot: Springfield, Illinois, in 1908, a reprint of the book under its new title is forthcoming from Southern Illinois University Press. She is currently an associate professor of History at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, where she specializes in American social and urban history, the history of crime and violence, women's history in the United States, and African-American history.

Senechal's presentation is one of the keynote addresses for the 30th Annual Conference of the Association for Integrative Studies, hosted by UIS and held October 23-26 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel. It is also a program in the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS -- events that aim to exemplify engaged citizenship as part of the university’s effort to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

Upcoming ECCE programs include "Queer Love in the Time of War and Shopping" with Martin Manalansan on October 29; and "Indians from India" and "Bollywood Satirized," an art exhibit and discussion, on November 6. See the schedule of speakers and topics for the 2008 Fall Semester.

The Association for Integrative Studies is an interdisciplinary professional organization founded in 1979 and charged with promoting the interchange of ideas about integration and interdisciplinarity, in all of the arts and sciences, among scholars and administrators around the world.

For more information about Dr. Senechal's presentation, contact Karen Moranski, associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education at UIS and associate professor of English, at 206-7440.

For information about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or send an e-mail to speakerseries@uis.edu.

UIS to host array of Lincoln Bicentennial events

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host a variety of programs in observance of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial, ranging from lectures to musical events to a contest for high school students across the state.

On Wednesday, October 15, UIS' annual Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series will present "Lincoln and Presidential Campaign Politics." Speakers will be Dr. Jennifer Weber from the University of Kansas, who will examine "How Lincoln Handled the Antiwar Movement," and Dr. Silvana Siddali, from St. Louis University, who will discuss "Lincoln and the Constitution in Civil War Era Presidential Campaigns." Illinois State Historian Dr. Thomas Schwartz will moderate the discussion. The program begins at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium on the UIS campus. Admission is free.

Composer/folklorist duo Jay Ungar and Molly Mason will lead a musical Early Birthday Celebration for A. Lincoln at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009, in UIS' Sangamon Auditorium. Their performance of Ungar's composition "Ashokan Farewell," heard in Ken Burns' The Civil War, earned the couple an Emmy nomination and a Grammy award. Special guests for this program are the 10th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment Band, directed by R. Todd Cranson, assistant director of co-curricular music at UIS. Ticket information is available from the Auditorium Ticket Office at 206-6160 or 800-207-6960.

In February, public radio WUIS 91.9 will broadcast a number of special programs focusing on Lincoln. More information about "Lincoln the Poet," "Lincoln the Lawmaker," and "Lincoln and Humor," including broadcast times and dates, will be available from the WUIS website.

On Saturday, February 21, UIS faculty and students will present a readers' theater production of Ronald Gow's one-act play The Lawyer of Springfield beginning at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium. A discussion session with the audience will follow the performance.

At 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, acclaimed performer/composer Wynton Marsalis will lead the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in a concert at Sangamon Auditorium. This "extraordinarily versatile" orchestra, which Marsalis serves as musical director, is composed of leading jazz soloists who perform an extensive repertoire that ranges from their own compositions to jazz classics. Ticket information is available from the Auditorium Ticket Office at 206-6160 or 800-207-6960.

Applications are now being accepted for the Lincoln Legacy High School Forum -- a statewide contest for high school juniors and seniors co-sponsored by UIS and the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. The three categories of competition are: Historical Essay, Creative Expression in the Written Word, and Performance/Visual Arts. The first prize in each category is a one-year tuition scholarship to the University of Illinois at Springfield; winners will be invited to UIS to present their work to the public on Saturday, April 4. Entries must be postmarked by January 2, 2009. Get complete information.

From April 2 to 17, a juried "Lincoln Legacy" exhibit, presenting selected artwork from the High School Forum, will be on display in the Access Gallery, located in the lobby of the Visual and Performing Arts Building on the east side of the UIS campus.

For more information about any event in UIS' series of Lincoln Bicentennial events, contact the Office of the Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at 217/206-6512.

All three campuses in the U of I system are hosting events in the University's Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration. Get more information.

See information about programs and events sponsored by the Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

UIS to screen "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama"

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama, a film by Rick Ray, will be presented beginning at 7 p.m., Friday, October 17, in Brookens Auditorium, lower level of Brookens Library at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The film and a discussion session that follows are free and open to the public.

In this 2006 film, Ray examines some of the fundamental questions of our time by weaving observations from his own journeys throughout India and the Middle East together with the wisdom of an extraordinary spiritual leader. Speaking at length with the Dalai Lama over the course of an extended private visit to his monastery in Dharamsala, India, Ray asked a number of questions, including: How do you reconcile a commitment to non-violence when faced with violence? Why do the poor often seem happier than the rich? Must a society lose its traditions in order to move into the future? The result has been described as "part biography, part philosophy, part adventure, and part politics." Also included are rare historical filmclips and footage by individuals who, at great personal risk, filmed with hidden cameras inside Tibet.

Part of UIS' Fall 2008 Foreign and Independent Film Series, the film is also presented as part of the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS -- events that aim to exemplify engaged citizenship as part of the university's effort to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

Upcoming ECCE programs include "Centennial of Fire" with author/historian Roberta Senechal on October 23; and "Queer Love in the Time of War and Shopping" with Martin Manalansan on October 29. See the complete schedule of ECCE speakers and topics for the 2008 Fall Semester.

See the line-up of remaining foreign and independent films for the fall semester.

For information about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or send an e-mail to speakerseries@uis.edu.

UIS political art series to present a look at the Black Panther Party

The next program in the Political Art and the Public Sphere series at the University of Illinois at Springfield will be a screening of excerpts from "What We Want, What We Believe," a documentary about the Black Panther Party, at 6 p.m. Monday, October 13, in Brookens Auditorium, lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus. Both the film and the discussion session that follows are free and open to the public.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Black Panthers were considered one of the most dangerous militant groups in America. Newsreel Films was the unofficial documenter of the Panthers, and "What We Want, What We Believe" -- not a documentary so much as living history preserved on film -- has been described as "a fantastic journey back to a time when equal rights were the name of the game, and the price to pay for them was very high."

Footage includes interviews with founding members Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, and Huey P. Newton; a look at some of the group's activities, such as demonstrations, speaking appearances, and the Breakfast Program for neighborhood children; and interviews with FBI agents and film of police raids on party offices.

Each month Political Art and the Public Sphere features a showing or performance of some kind of "political art," followed by a group discussion of the issues it raises. "The basic idea is to consider how 'art' raises provocative social and political questions," said series facilitator Richard Gilman-Opalsky, UIS assistant professor of political philosophy.

This fall, the series focuses on questions of race and class in 20th century American politics with topics ranging from the Springfield race riot of 1908 to the disenfranchisement of black voters in the 2004 elections.

"Public spheres are the places where people come together to communicate, to evaluate, and to circulate ideas and arguments," said Gilman-Opalsky. "In the public sphere, people form a collective political opinion and will. Ultimately and ideally, the public sphere brings the interests and demands of the public to bear on those who hold power."

The presentation of "What We Want, What We Believe" is also co-sponsored by the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS – events that aim to exemplify engaged citizenship as part of the university’s effort to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

The next PAPS event will be a showing of the film "American Blackout" at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 10, in Brookens Auditorium. For more information about the PAPS series, contact Gilman-Opalsky by phone at 206-8328 or by e-mail at rgilm3@uis.edu.

Upcoming ECCE programs include a screening and discussion of the film "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama" on October 17. For more information about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or send an e-mail to speakerseries@uis.edu.

Depression screening day

Thursday, October 9

The Counseling Center and Campus Health Service will offer free depression screenings in HRB 64 (noon to 4 p.m.) and the LRH conference room (noon to 3 p.m.).

• Written self-tests
• Confidential screening interviews
• Videos
• Brochures
  

Symptoms of depression include: loss of interest in favorite activities; feeling sad, helpless, or worthless; changes in sleeping and eating habits; an inability to concentrate; fatigue and loss of energy; feeling irritable, tense, anxious, and restless; suffering unexplained aches and pains; and thoughts of death or suicide

For more information, call the Counseling Center at 6-7122

UIS to host Campus Preview Day

The University of Illinois at Springfield will host a Campus Preview Day for prospective students and their families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 18. The program will include an academic fair, campus tours, lunch, and greetings from Chancellor Richard Ringeisen and Provost Harry Berman.

For reservations or additional information, contact the UIS Office of Admissions -- phone (217) 206-4847 (toll-free 1-888-977-4847), e-mail admissions@uis.edu. For those unable to attend the regular session, individual visits can be arranged by contacting the Admissions Office.

The next Preview Day is scheduled for Saturday, November 8.

UIS to host address by expert in Constitutional and national security law

Was part of successful challenge to administration's use of military tribunals

"Lawyers, 'Lawfare,' the War on Terrorism, and the Rule of Law" is the topic of a program beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, October 9, in Brookens Auditorium, lower level of Brookens Library at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The program and discussion session, as well as an informal reception immediately following, are free and open to the public.

The featured speaker will be attorney/professor Steve Vladeck (left), who was part of the legal team that successfully challenged the Bush administration's use of military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay. Vladeck will discuss what the rule of law should mean in the context of the war on terror, not just for lawyers on both sides of the issues, but for society as a whole.

Vladeck has also been a consultant and co-author for amicus briefs in a host of other cases arising out of the war on terror, and he is the author of reports on related topics for various organizations, including the ABA Standing Committee on National Security. He is currently an associate professor at Washington College of Law, American University, where his teaching focuses on Constitutional law, the federal courts, and national security law.

Vladeck's address is presented as part of the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS -- events that aim to exemplify engaged citizenship as part of the university's effort to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

Upcoming ECCE programs for October include a screening and discussion of the documentary "What We Want, What We Believe" on October 13; the film "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama" on October 17; and a presentation by author/historian Roberta Senechal on October 23.

See the complete schedule of speakers and topics for the 2008 Fall Semester.

For more information about Vladeck's presentation or about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or send an e-mail to speakerseries@uis.edu.

Flu shots scheduled

When and Where

• Thursday, October 2, PAC C/D, 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 7, PAC G, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 22, in PAC C/D, 1 - 7 p.m.
• Thursday October 23, PAC C/D, 3 - 7 p.m.
  

Cost

• Students: $16
• Significant others of students: $20
• Employees without State of Illinois Insurance and their spouses, significant others, and their family members living in the home; who are 17 years of age or older: $20
• State Employees and retirees who provide proof of State of Illinois Health Care Insurance: Free
  

For more information, call Campus Health Services at 6-6676

UIS to present address on "Japan and a Changing Asia"

"Japan and a Changing Asia" is the subject of a presentation beginning at 7:30 p.m., Monday, October 6, in Brookens Auditorium, lower level of Brookens Library at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The program is free and open to the public.

The featured speaker will R. Michael Schiffer (left), program officer in Policy Analysis and Dialogue at the Stanley Foundation, where he is responsible for the Foundation's Asia programs as well as a range of other national and global security issues. Schiffer previously served as a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow at the National Institute of Defense Studies in Japan and, from 1995 to 2004, he was senior national security adviser and legislative director on the staff of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). Schiffer is widely published on a range of international security, political, and media issues.

The Stanley Foundation -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan, private operating foundation -- works to promote public understanding, constructive dialogue, and cooperative action on critical international issues. The Foundation's efforts recognize the essential roles of both the policy community and the broader public in building sustainable peace.

This event is sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois and the Sister Cities Association of Springfield and is also presented as part of the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS -- events that aim to exemplify engaged citizenship as part of the university’s effort to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

Upcoming ECCE programs for October include "Lawyers, 'Lawfare,' the War on Terrorism, and the Rule of Law," with law professor Steve Vladeck, on October 9; a screening and discussion of the documentary "What We Want, What We Believe" on October 13; the film "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama" on October 17; and a presentation by author Roberta Senechal on October 23.

See the complete schedule of speakers and topics for the 2008 Fall Semester.

For more information about Schiffer's presentation, contact Steve Schwark, UIS professor of Political Science, at 206-6650.

For information about any ECCE event, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or send an e-mail to speakerseries@uis.edu.

Bookstore moving to Founders Hall

The UIS Bookstore in the PAC will be closed September 26, 27, 28, and will reopen in Founders Hall on September 29.

AAUW book sale benefits scholarships

American Association of University Women annual used book sale

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 27, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut in Springfield

Pre-sale for early shoppers - 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, September 26

$5 entrance fee will be charged on Friday; Saturday admission is free

Thousands of good-quality hardcover and paperback books, LPs, CDs, videos, and DVDs will be available.

All proceeds benefit the AAUW local scholarship fund that for over 35 years has provided support for women returning to school at UIS and St. John's College. Endowed and annual scholarships at UIS support four women annually, and one nursing scholarship is awarded at St. John's.

Event also supported by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

For information or to donate items, contact Amy Green, AAUW educational foundation co-chair, at 546-3271 or e-mail booksale@juno.com.

UIS to present performance of multimedia play "99 Questions"

99 Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask an African American but Were Too Afraid for Fear They’d Break Their Foot Off in Your A**, a new multi-media play addressing stereotypes commonly held about African Americans, will be presented beginning at 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 1, in the Studio Theatre, lower level of the Public Affairs Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The performance is free and open to the public.

Created by actor/playwright/professor Mark Cryer (above left) in response to a racial slur written on a college student's door, 99 Questions is an attempt to break down barriers and begin conversations about race.

Cryer began his exploration armed with a video camera and a simple offer to anyone who chose to respond to the question "What have you always wanted to ask an African American, but were too afraid?" The result has been called "insightful, funny, poignant, and powerful."

An associate professor at Hamilton College where he teaches a variety of courses in acting and African American theatre, Cryer previously taught at Cornell University and Hobart and William Smith Colleges. His other plays include Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear, Buzzard Luck, and No Other People. His acting credits include performances off-Broadway, in television, film, and at many regional theatres.

The UIS Theatre program is co-sponsoring the performance, which is also presented as part of the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS -- events that aim to exemplify engaged citizenship as part of the university’s effort to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

Upcoming ECCE programs include "Japan and a Changing Asia," with international security expert R. Michael Schiffer, on October 6; "Lawyers, 'Lawfare,' the War on Terrorism, and the Rule of Law," with law professor Steve Vladeck, on October 9; and a screening and discussion of the documentary "What We Want, What We Believe" on October 13.

See the complete schedule of speakers and topics for the 2008 Fall Semester.

For more information about the performance of "99 Questions," contact Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson, UIS assistant professor of Theatre, at 206-8307.

For information about any ECCE event, contact series coordinator Kimberly Craig at 206-6245 or send an e-mail to speakerseries@uis.edu.

Energy Report open forums

1-2 p.m., Tuesday, September 9, PAC G

11 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, September 10, PAC G

Those who are unable to attend in person are invited to provide feedback via e-mail to any member of the energy task force: Al Barnhart, Dave Barrows, Joan Buckles, Joe Eck, Wes King, Marc Klingshirn, John Ringle, Tim Ritzo, and Tih-Fen Ting (chair).

UIS speaker series hosts multiple events commemorating riot centennial

Five sessions in the ECCE Speakers Series at the University of Illinois at Springfield this fall will commemorate the centennial observance of the city's 1908 race riot.

Programs in the ECCE series are campus-sponsored lectures or other events exemplifying engaged citizenship. The series is also part of the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience, a set of courses taken by undergraduates at UIS to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

All events in the speakers series are free and open to the public.

On Thursday, September 11, James Loewen, author, professor, and expert in race relations, will speak on "Lincoln's Unfinished Legacy" beginning at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library on the UIS campus.

A native of Decatur, Dr. Loewen taught race relations for 20 years at the University of Vermont and was also on the faculty at Tougaloo College in Mississippi. He has been an expert witness in more than 50 civil rights, voting rights, and employment cases. His book Sundown Towns was chosen as a Distinguished Book of 2005 by the Gustavus Myers Foundation and he is the recipient of an Oliver Cromwell Cox Award for Distinguished Anti-Racist Scholarship.

On Monday, September 15, the documentary "Springfield Had No Shame" will be shown at 6 p.m., also in Brookens Auditorium.

Written and produced by David Antoine, staff member in UIS' Office of Electronic Media, this film examines the riot through historical photographs, dramatic readings, and re-enactments of original newspaper accounts. Commentary from historians and eyewitnesses is also included.

This event is presented in conjunction with UIS Political Art and the Public Sphere series, monthly programs that consider how 'art' raises provocative social and political questions.

On Wednesday, October 1, "99 Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask an African American but Were Too Afraid for Fear They'd Break Their Foot Off in Your A**" -- a multi-media play by Mark Cryer that addresses stereotypes commonly held about African Americans -- will be presented beginning at 7 p.m., in the Studio Theatre, lower level of UIS’ Public Affairs Center.

On Monday, October 13, "What We Want, What We Believe," a documentary about the Black Panther Party, will be shown at 6 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium. In the 1960s and '70s Newsreel Films served as the unofficial recorder of much of the group's activities, and the film has been called "not a documentary so much as living history preserved on film." This program is also part of the PAPS series.

On Thursday, October 23, noted historian and author Dr. Roberta Senechal will speak on "Centennial of Fire" beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Public Affairs Center. Her book The Sociogenesis of a Race Riot: Springfield, Illinois, in 1908 (University of Illinois Press, 1990) received the Illinois State Historical Society Superior Achievement Award in 1991 and the Gustavus Myers Center Award for the Study of Human Rights in the United States in 1992.

See the complete schedule of speakers and topics for the 2008 fall ECCE Speakers Series, or contact series coordinator Kimberly Craig at 206-6245 or speakerseries@uis.edu.

A variety of other events related to the riot centennial, ranging from an art installation to special podcasts, is planned at UIS throughout the fall semester.

Expert on race relations to speak at UIS

Dr. James Loewen (left), author, professor, and expert in race relations, will be the special guest at the University of Illinois at Springfield on Thursday, September 11, when he will speak on "Lincoln's Unfinished Legacy: What It Means for Springfield." The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library, and is free and open to the public.

Dr. Loewen will discuss race relations in the region following the Lincoln era, including the city’s 1908 race riot. A native of Decatur, he is the author of Lies My Teacher Told Me, an acclaimed critical review of high-school history texts, as well as the book Sundown Towns, which studied the thousands of towns in America that required minorities to leave the city limits before dark. Sundown Towns was named a Distinguished Book of 2005 by the Gustavus Myers Foundation.

Loewen taught race relations for 20 years at the University of Vermont and was also on the faculty at predominantly black Tougaloo College in Mississippi. He has been an expert witness in more than 50 civil rights, voting rights, and employment cases, and he is the recipient of an Oliver Cromwell Cox Award for Distinguished Anti-Racist Scholarship.

His address is presented as part of the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS -- campus-sponsored lectures by speakers who exemplify engaged citizenship. The series is also a course in the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience, the distinctive set of courses taken by undergraduates at UIS to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

Upcoming ECCE programs for September include the documentary "Springfield Had No Shame," written and produced by UIS staff member Dave Antoine, on September 15; a Constitution Day panel presentation on "Freedom of the Press in 2008" on September 17; and "Rethinking the Economics of Energy, Climate, and Food," with Dr. John Ickerd, on September 29. The complete schedule of speakers and topics for the 2008 Fall Semester is available at www.uis.edu/generaleducation/about/index.html, or contact series coordinator Kimberly Craig at 206-6245 or speakerseries@uis.edu.

UIS speaker series will begin with a look at modern Iran

Dr. Ali Ansari (left), professor of Iranian History and director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, will speak on "Iran under Ahmadinejad: Populism and its Malcontents" beginning at 7 p.m., Monday, September 8, in Brookens Auditorium on campus at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The presentation is free and open to the public. Brookens Auditorium is located on the lower level of Brookens Library at UIS.

Dr. Ansari's talk will explore developments in domestic politics in Iran, especially since the ascendancy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and will discuss the role, influence, and consequences of the resurgence in charismatic autocracy, particularly its domestic and international repercussions.

In addition to his duties at St. Andrews, Dr. Ansari is an associate fellow of the Middle East Programme, Royal Institute for International Affairs (Chatham House); a member of the Council, British Institute of Persian Studies; and program manager of the Institute's Modern Iran Project. His teaching and research interests include development of the state in the modern Middle East; social and intellectual history; and Islam and the West. At St. Andrews, his undergraduate teaching includes the honors course Jihad, Community, and Identity: Islamic Political Thought Past and Present.

Dr. Ansari's books include Iran under Ahmadinejad (Adelphi Papers, Routledge, 2008) and Confronting Iran: The Failure of American Foreign Policy and the Roots of Mistrust (C Hurst and Co., 2006). More information about Dr. Ansari is available at www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/staff/aliansari.html.

His address is presented as part of the ECCE Speakers Series at UIS -- campus-sponsored lectures by speakers who exemplify engaged citizenship. The series is also a course in the Engaged Citizenship Common Experience, the distinctive set of courses taken by undergraduates at UIS to foster appreciation for and practice of diversity and the active effort to make a difference in the world.

Upcoming programs for September include an examination of the 1908 Springfield race riot, presented by Dr. James Loewen, on September 11; the documentary "Springfield Had No Shame," written and produced by UIS staff member Dave Antoine, on September 15; a Constitution Day panel presentation on "Freedom of the Press in 2008" on September 17; and "Rethinking the Economics of Energy, Climate, and Food," with Dr. John Ickerd, on September 29. The complete schedule of speakers and topics for the 2008 Fall Semester is available at www.uis.edu/generaleducation/about/index.html.

For more information about the ECCE series, contact Kimberly Craig, series coordinator, at 206-6245 or send an e-mail to speakerseries@uis.edu.

Download a pdf file of an article titled "Iran under Ahmadinejad" by Dr. Ansari

IranunderAhmadinejad.pdf