Reaching Stellar: Scholarships change lives for UIS students

Andrew Adams graduated this month from UIS with a master’s degree that also gave him a fantastic internship experience.

“I grew up in Illinois. I went to high school during the budget impasse, that was a conversation every day,” Adams said. “The state Capitol has always loomed large in my life. I wanted to see the nuts and bolts, and contribute to the conversation about it.”

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UIS honors alumna and former Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara for outstanding advocate leadership

The University of Illinois Springfield honored Karen Hasara of Springfield with the University of Illinois Foundation’s William E. Winter Award for Outstanding Advocate Leadership during a Celebration of Philanthropy event on April 13, 2022, in the Student Union Ballroom.

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Reaching Stellar: Our Stage / Our Voices advances diversity in performing arts

The newest program to debut at the Performing Arts Center at UIS is the opposite of what they usually do.

And that’s a good thing.

“We usually buy a show and get the venue ready for that show,” said Carly Shank, artistic programs director for the Performing Arts Center. “Now, we are more involved in the creation of something. We are laying down the foundation for something special.”

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Reaching Stellar: Center for Lincoln Studies Just Getting Started

The goal of the Center for Lincoln Studies at UIS is to share the life and legacy of the nation’s 16th president.

And while those who run the Center wish they could have brought people onto campus during the first year it was open, they have no doubt they have succeeded in in sharing his life and legacy.

The Center for Lincoln Studies is one of the five priorities of the Reaching Stellar campaign, a $40 million campaign that is raising support for UIS. The Center opened on Feb. 12, 2021 – Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

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Reaching Stellar: Astronomy Program Builds the Future

For more than 40 years, thousands of people have come to UIS to look up at the stars.

Friday Night Star Parties have been held since 1980 and are a chance to learn about galaxies, the sun, stars and stellar evolution. Celestial objects that have been viewed over the years through the telescopes atop Brookens Library include the moon, planets, constellations and the Orion Nebula, among many others.

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UIS Perspectives: Fundraising campaign raises money for scholarship funds, much more

Jeff Lorber, Vice Chancellor for Advancement at the University of Illinois Springfield and Vice-President of the U of I Foundation, shares information on the university's Reaching Stellar campaign and how donors impact all aspects of university life in the latest edition of UIS Perspectives in The State Journal-Register.

The article was published on Dec. 5, 2021.

Reaching Stellar: Scholarships helping students soar

Edgar Gasca came to UIS because he knew he would be known by his name, not a number.

The small campus community was ideal for the first-generation college student. He is studying counseling psychology with hopes of becoming a mental health counselor or a therapist.

He knows reaching his goal will be easier thanks to the scholarships he has received. The generosity of others has allowed him to focus on his studies and involvement at the Diversity Center.

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Reaching Stellar: Center for Lincoln Studies thriving since February opening

The Center for Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield has been busy since officially opening its doors just a few months ago.

The Center is one of the five priorities of Reaching Stellar. The fundraising campaign, which hit its $40 million overall goal in August, continues until June 2022 as it raises funds to enhance the excellent opportunities the University offers its students, faculty, staff and larger Springfield-area community.

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