Celebrating the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln

The UIS Center for Lincoln Studies has been approved for the University of Illinois Springfield.
According to James Ermatinger, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: “Through education, research, and outreach programs, the Center for Lincoln Studies will provide students, faculty, scholars and the public with opportunities to understand Lincoln’s life and times and his continual impact on our world and society.  There is perhaps no better time for us to study the ideas and humanity of our 16^th president.” Learn more about the initiative here.

Funds related to the Center that you can support

• Lincoln Studies Fund
• Mary and James Beaumont Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series Fund
• Marilyn and Dennis Lawler Endowment in Lincoln Studies Fund
• Richard D. Raymond Scholarship Endowment Fund

A gift in any amount to the following funds will provide support for the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies.

Lincoln Studies Fund

This fund provides unrestricted support, so your gifts to this fund can be used with great advantage wherever needed.

Mary and James Beaumont Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series Fund

Now a part of the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies, the UIS Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series was inaugurated in 2002 with the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The series brings scholars and policy specialists of national renown to Springfield to present a lecture on a contemporary public policy issue. Each topic is one that engaged both Abraham Lincoln and the citizens of his era and our society today. Subjects have included:

• Race relations
• Civil liberties
• Presidential leadership
• Federalism

Marilyn and Dennis Lawler Endowment in Lincoln Studies Fund

This fund provides resources to be used to support the Center for Lincoln Studies at UIS.  Possible uses could include support for graduate and undergraduate research and activities, scholarships and graduate assistantships. 

Richard D. Raymond Scholarship Endowment Fund

This endowed scholarship is merit-based for graduate students, with preference given to history students with a demonstrated interest in Abraham Lincoln and his legacy. Otherwise, a student from Education, Educational Leadership or Educational Technology (an online graduate certificate) will be chosen. If at any time a master’s degree in Lincoln studies is in place, students in that program will be given first preference.
 

About the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies

The UIS Center for Lincoln Studies will include three areas of focus, explained below. Please contact the Office of Advancement with questions.

Scholarship and Learning

• Curriculum and educational modules
• Sustained public history projects
• Publication of Lincoln primary sources
• Graduate assistantships and fellowships
• Visiting scholars
• Research and practical application opportunities for undergraduate students

Lincoln’s Leadership and Legacy

• A minor in Lincoln studies
• A Lincoln Caucus in the Illinois General Assembly
• Campus activities to encourage enthusiasm for American democracy and increase voter participation
• Seminars and lectures to facilitate civil and informed discussions on national issues

Local, National and International Engagement

• Connect UIS students through collaborative projects with Lincoln organizations in Springfield and the state of Illinois
  Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
  Abraham Lincoln Association
  Illinois Historical Preservation Agency and its Lincoln sites
  NPR Illinois
  Illinois State Historical Society
  The Lincoln Academy of Illinois
  
• Connect Lincoln to a national and international context
  National Archives
  Tokyo Lincoln Institute at Meisei University
  Wilberforce Institute at University of Hull, England

Frequently Asked Questions

We have gathered some Frequently Asked Questions about academic centers in general and the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies in particular.