Benjamin Walsh, associate professor of management at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been named University Scholar for 2017. The award, considered the university system’s highest faculty honor, recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Only one faculty member receives the annual award at UIS.

“Dr. Walsh’s achievements in both scholarship and teaching are impressive,” said one of his nominators. “In the six years since completing his doctorate, he has shown documented promise of becoming the very best in his field.”

The University of Illinois Springfield Research Board has honored two former graduate students, both from Sangamon County, with awards for their master’s thesis projects for the 2016-2017 academic year. The awards were presented during a ceremony on February 8, 2018.

Hometown: Mumbai, IndiaMajor: Management Information SystemsFuture Plans: Play cricket/find a full-time job

Hometown: Lagos State, NigeriaMajor: Management Information SystemsFuture Plans: Become an IT Consultant

There was nothing unlucky about Friday the 13th this year for the University of Illinois Springfield. That is the day that the Reaching Stellar Campaign hit its $40 million goal almost a year ahead of schedule.

The public portion of the fundraising campaign, the largest in the University’s history, launched in October 2017. As of Friday, Aug. 13, Reaching Stellar had recorded a total of $40.02 million in gifts and commitments.