campaign priorities
affirming the aspirations, energy and diversity of our students
learning that empowers the future
to instruct, inspire and elevate all of us
engagement. collaboration. impact.
building tomorrow's university today
the gift of impact
The future is full of possibilities. With your support, we can propel the University and today’s students to new heights and continue to impact the generations to come.
UIS Center for Lincoln Studies
Lincoln Legacy Lecture | Save the Date
Each year, Dr. Michael Burlingame, the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair of Lincoln Studies, invites nationally renowned Lincoln scholars to join him in presenting original lectures on a contemporary issue from the perspective of Abraham Lincoln and his era. These very popular Lincoln Legacy Lectures link us to a time when many of the biggest issues of democracy came to a head, issues that are still pertinent today.
We encourage you to Save the Date for the 2019 Lincoln Legacy Lecture with the topic of Lincoln, Immigration, & Citizenship. The event will be held at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, in the UIS Student Union.
The UIS Center for Lincoln Studies is a Reaching Stellar priority because…
Lincoln still has the power to instruct, inspire and elevate all of us.
Facilities & Technology
UIS Performing Arts Center Renovations
Plans for the intimate UIS Studio Theatre located on the first floor of the Public Affairs Center include an all new seating system providing wider chairs and better sight lines along with a more intimate feel to the space overall. Upgrades will also occur to the lighting and sound system. Finally, a new high-intensity projections system and movie screen are being added to allow feature films to be shown. Renovations are underway with completion expected by Labor Day weekend.
Bryan Rives, director of UIS Performing Arts Services says “It was important to us for the Studio Theatre to be a priority in our renovation plans as it is most used by our students including the UIS Theatre program which has now grown to providing a Theatre major degree. We always want our students to have access to modern facilities and equipment as they begin their careers.”
Facilities & Technology is a Reaching Stellar priority...
because UIS is building tomorrow's University today.
Scholarships
Malavika Mujumdar | A Literary Activist
Malavika Mujumdar is an English and history major at UIS and plans to go to graduate school, either to pursue an MFA in creative writing or a master's degree in English literature. "Social change has always been a goal of literature," she says. "As a writer I hope to be an agent of that change."
This year Malavika received the Rosie Richmond Scholarship, named in memory of an accomplished UIS grad, author and business woman. Rosie taught creative writing at UIS (then SSU) and co-founded a local women's writing group. Before her death from cancer in 1994, she asked that a scholarship be awarded annually to a female undergraduate student aspiring to be a writer.
"I was happy and appreciative to be selected as the Rosie Richmond Scholarship," says Malavika. "It has lightened my financial burden so that I can focus more on learning."
Scholarships are a Reaching Stellar priority…
Because scholarships affirm the aspirations of UIS students.
The Public Good
NPR Illinois' Statewide has a State-Wide Reach
When NPR Illinois staff travel to other locations in the state, according to Managing Director Randy Eccles, people frequently approach Sean Crawford with statements like, "We listen every week, Sean," or "Love your show, Sean!"
These far-flung fans are talking about Statewide, hosted by Sean Crawford, a show that is heard on nine public radio stations in Illinois. The show airs reports and conversations from in and around Illinois. In addition to government issues, the show covers topics as diverse as cave exploration, electric vehicles, mortuary science, and baseball history. It is a production of NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS with help from other Illinois public radio stations.
Statewide is a great example of the Public Good to which UIS contributes, not only in Central Illinois but in this instance throughout the State of Illinois.
The Public Good is an important Reaching Stellar priority…
…because we are all on this journey together.
Academic Excellence
UIS Helps Alleviate Nursing Shortage
Illinois has a nursing shortage. To help meet this shortage, in 2014 the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing worked with UIS and Memorial Health System to launch a nursing program here in Springfield. Students take pre-nursing classes at UIS, and then apply to complete two more years at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing, Springfield Regional Campus, with classes held at UIS and clinical work at Memorial Hospital.
Twelve nurses graduated from the program in 2018, the first graduates from the program. This year, 24 more nurses will graduate, and 65% say they plan to stay in Springfield.*
Darlene Steinkamp is one of the students completing her nursing program this May. "It's really hard coursework," she says, "but at the end of the day, it's important to know all this because we are taking care of lives."
Academic Excellence…learning that empowers the future.
*See "Illinois lawmakers trying to find solution to nurse shortages," by Katie Bandish, NewsChannel20 (2/27/2019).