Distinguished scholar to guest lecture

On September 26 Nwachukwu-Agbada, one of the five most influential professors of English in Africa, will be guest lecturer in the course Third World Literature and the Canon taught by Livinus Odozor.

The class meets at 3 p.m. in UHB 2002. Following class, a reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the UHB second floor atrium.

Professor Nwachukwu-Agbada is recognized as one of the world's most accomplished African proverb scholars and has published four novels -- No Need to Cry (1980), A Taste of Honey (1981), God's Big Toe (1987), and The Forbidden Fruit (2005) – as well as collections of short stories and poetry. He has also contributed to the growth and development of the Nigerian educational sector at almost every level.

For more information, contact Jim Ottery at 6-7443 or jotte1@uis.edu.

Caring for Aging Family Members

A support group for individuals who are, or who anticipate, caring for aging family members

Presented by UIS Human Services Gerontology Concentration, UIS Counseling Center, and Community Learning at Lincoln Land Community College

• Open to members of the UIS and LLCC communities
• Learn to balance caregiver, work, and family roles
• Facilitators: Vince Flammini, UIS Counseling Center, and Carolyn Peck, Gerontology Concentration
• Three Wednesday sessions: October 3, November 7, November 28
  All sessions meet from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in HRB 64

For more information, contact Carolyn Peck at 6-7577 or cpeck2@uis.edu.

Schroeder's blog named Distance Learning Site of the Month

The blog Online Learning Update maintained by Ray Schroeder, professor emeritus of communication and director of the Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning, was named Distance Learning Site of the Month by BellaOnline - the second largest women's site on the web with more than 20 million page views each month.

In his review of the blog, Gregory A. Kompes, BellaOnline's distance learning editor, noted, "If you're interested in keeping up with online and distance learning news, Online Learning Update is the place."

Schroeder has published the blog for the past seven years, adding three new news and research pieces every day since 2001. Each entry contains brief summaries of daily news stories related to online and distance learning, as well as links and summaries to current online and distance learning research. Readers are also invited to post comments about the articles.

BellaOnline is designed to provide high-quality, helpful, trustworthy content in an encouraging, supportive publishing community for women. The site makes free training, support, and promotion available to help writers reach personal and business goals.

Online Learning Update is available at: http://otel.uis.edu/Portal/index.asp

Read Kompes' review at: www.bellaonline.com/articles/art24868.asp

For more about Bella Online: www.bellaonline.com/misc/about.asp

SGA election results

The following results of the fall 2007 Student Government Association elections were certified on September 21.

• Vice President: Renee Rathjen
• Senator – Capital Scholars: Dan Bosomworth
• Senator - Transfer Students: D. Craig McFarland
• Senator - At Large: Nathan Bennett
• Senator - Peoria Campus: Amy Camp
• Senator - Graduate Students: Aaron P. Hughes

Many other leadership opportunities remain within the SGA and interested individuals are encouraged to pursue them.

For more information, contact Cynthia Thompson , director of Student Life, at 6-6665 or thompson.cynthia@uis.edu.

Journal editors attend seminar

Steven Black and Dustin Morrison, editor-in-chief and assistant editor, respectively, for UIS’ student newspaper, The Journal, attended a seminar presented by the Mid-America Press Institute September 14 through 16 in St. Louis. This is the third year in a row that Journal staff members have received scholarships to attend weekend seminars sponsored by the MPI.

At the seminar, professional journalists presented workshops focusing on in-depth reporting to college journalists from around the region.

UIS Student Publications Adviser Debra Chandler Landis said, "I am grateful to the Mid-America Press Institute, which serves college and professional newspapers, for providing assistance that makes it possible for college journalists to attend such programs. Participation aids the students' future career goals and helps improve their respective student papers.

"Of course, I am also very pleased that Journal staff members are willing to devote a full weekend to journalism," she said.

Landis also noted that The Journal has been selected as an at-large representative to the Illinois College Press Association board of directors. This fall, staff from The Journal will attend a planning meeting at the Illinois Press Association headquarters in Springfield to organize the February 2008 ICPA convention.

For more information, contact Landis at 6-7717 or dland2@uis.edu.

Staff Scholarship Silent Auction

October 31

Donations needed: New & gently used items, handcrafted items

To make a donation, contact Ann Cole, 6-8262, or Janice Marvel, 6-6378.

Free Kaplan practice test sessions

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, September 15, PAC conference rooms C, D, & F

Tests being offered include the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, & LSAT

Sponsored by the Alumni Association at UIS

To reserve a spot or confirm your reservation, call 1-800-KAP-TEST between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Be sure to indicate that you will be taking the test at UIS.

For additional information, contact the Alumni Association at 6-7395 or alumni@uis.edu.

Friends of Brookens used book sale

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, October 5, overhang area in front of the library

Books/cassettes/DVDs

Sponsored by Friends of Brookens Library Board

All proceeds will benefit Brookens Library

To donate items (in good shape, please) contact Marcia Rossi at 6-6597.

Donations must be received by September 21.

Convocation 2007: Sights and Sounds

The annual Fall Convocation was held August 16. Audio, video, and web presentations are now available at www.uis.edu/faculty/.

• View a web-based PowerPoint presentation featuring photos of and information about new faculty and administrative staff.
  
• Read the text of Chancellor Ringeisen's remarks outlining the year ahead.
  
• Now available on UIS on iTunes U (http://itunes.uis.edu/):
  UIS Presents... An audio podcast of Chancellor Ringeisen's convocation remarks.
  Faculty Spotlight - An audio podcast of Provost Berman, deans, and department heads introducing new faculty and staff.
  
• Watch video on demand of the entire Convocation (Real Player).

Join the UIS Speech and Debate team

Team meets Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. in VPA 127

Or contact Thomas Bartl, director of Forensics, at tbart2@uis.edu