The Lunch and Learn Series, presented by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society, is a series of noontime lectures in the University's tradition of open and intelligent dialogue.

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Wednesday, March 25

From Pelts to Bitcoin: A History of Money
Dr. Matthew Brown
Time: 11am Doors Open | 11:30am Buffet Served | 12:00pm Program | 1:00pm Session Ends
Location: Illini Country Club, 1601 Illini Rd, Springfield, IL 62704
Cost: $50 (Lunch, Parking, and Gift to UIS included)

For the past 5,000 years, money has continuously evolved alongside human civilization. From early bartering systems—such as those used by Native Americans and French colonial traders—to Abraham Lincoln’s authorization of “Greenbacks” and the rise of paper currency, each era has reshaped how value is created and exchanged.
Today, as the American penny is phased out and new coinage is proposed, digital forms of payment like credit and debit cards dominate everyday transactions. At the same time, virtual cryptocurrencies have gained international recognition and continue to see growing acceptance across markets.
Join Dr. Matthew Brown of the UIS College of Business and Management for an engaging exploration of the history of money and how its evolution continues to shape our world.

Wednesday, April 15

The Constitution, Supreme Court and Interpretation
Dr. Jason Pierceson
Time: 11am Doors Open | 11:30am Buffet Served | 12:00pm Program | 1:00pm Session Ends
Location: Illini Country Club, 1601 Illini Rd, Springfield, IL 62704
Cost: $50 (Lunch, Parking, and Gift to UIS included)

Join Dr. Jason Pierceson of the UIS School of Politics and International Affairs, for an insightful exploration of how the U.S. Constitution is interpreted and applied in modern governance. This program considers the Constitution not only as a foundational historical document but as a living framework that shapes national policy, legal debates, and public life.
Through discussion of landmark Supreme Court cases and key social movements, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how constitutional interpretation evolves, how the Court reflects broader political dynamics, and how its decisions influence the daily lives of Americans. This program offers a thoughtful look at the enduring power—and ongoing controversy—surrounding the Constitution and the nation’s highest court.

Thursday, May 14

How Global Geopolitics is Changing – and How It Isn’t
Dr. Brandon Bolte
Time: 11am Doors Open | 11:30am Buffet Served | 12:00pm Program | 1:00pm Session Ends
Location: Illini Country Club, 1601 Illini Rd, Springfield, IL 62704
Cost: $50 (Lunch, Parking, and Gift to UIS included)

Intensifying strategic competition between the U.S. and China, Russia, Venezuela, Iran, and Europe are creating conditions of heightened tension and political uncertainty. America’s alliances, involvement in international institutions, and strategic priorities are shifting rapidly. But how many of these shifts have been predictable, and what isn’t changing at all?
Join Professor Brandon Bolte of the UIS School of Politics and International Affairs at UIS for an examination of how U.S. engagement in the world is evolving and whether it is indicative of a paradigmatic shift or geopolitics as usual.

Previous Lunch and Learn content is archived on MediaSpace.

If you have any questions, please contact UIS Advancement at advancement@uis.edu or 217-206-6058.