UIS in the news

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Center for State Policy and Leadership (CSPL), the University of Illinois System Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) and the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) will present two days of presentations, discussion and networking around policy and social innovation. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided. Registration is required.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24

WHERE: UIS and downtown Springfield

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield, in partnership with the City of Springfield, will host an inaugural UIS Nature Scavenger Hunt. The scavenger hunt is part of the City of Springfield’s Earth Month events and is free and open to the public.

WHEN: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13

WHERE: UIS Colonnade

University of Illinois Springfield English Instructor Jennifer Whalen is releasing a new book of poetry titled “Eveningful.” Pre-orders are now available for the book that is expected to be published in May 2024.

The following story was published by Decatur Herald and Review on Feb. 22, 2024.

Michael K. Slover Jr., convicted of being part of a Decatur family plot to kill his ex-wife, is due to be paroled March 15 from Robinson Correctional Center.

He will have served just under 22 years of a 65-year sentence for the murder of 23-year-old Karyn Hearn Slover, whose dismembered body was found in Lake Shelbyville in January 1996...

The following article was published by Springfield business Journal on March 19, 2024.

The Springfield Park District has appointed Nathan Essex as the director of recreation and marketing, effective March 18.

Originally from Farmington, Illinois, Essex relocated to Sangamon County in 2002.

Before joining the Springfield Park District, he served as the principal of Auburn High School from 2012-2023, and as assistant principal for three years prior to that.

The following article was published by NPR Illinois March 14, 2024.

Dr. Karen Moranski is the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Sonoma State University, but prior to this role she spent 21 years at the University of Illinois Springfield as a faculty member and administrator.

She spoke to Community Voices about her role in creating the Capital Scholars Honors Program at UIS. She also discussed higher education and ways to create a more inclusive experience.

The following article was published by The State Journal-Register on March 4, 2024.

A Chatham local is serving an even larger community with a new executive promotion; giving people around the U.S. options and assistance with the nation’s leading end-of-life care provider.

Joel Wherley of Chatham was promoted to president and chief operating officer, or COO, of VITAS Healthcare on Feb. 26. The promotion followed several other recent strategic promotions by the hospice company...

The following story was published by WICS- TV 20 on Feb. 29, 2024.

The University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS) School of Education has been awarded a $145,000 grant.

The grant is from Grow Your Own Teachers (GYO) to develop a consortium aimed at addressing teacher shortages in central Illinois. The grant, titled “Future Ready Teaching: Thinking Critically, Acting Boldly and Inspiring Brilliance,” seeks to empower and cultivate a pipeline of skilled, critically minded, and committed teachers.

The following story was published by NPR Illinois on Feb. 20, 2024.

The University of Illinois Springfield will waive the application fee for students from three area community colleges starting with the fall semester.

UIS will waive the $50 fee for transfer students applying from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Richland Community College in Decatur and Illinois Central College in East Peoria. The fee waiver will be automatically applied to transfer applications.

The following story was published by Block Club Chicago on Feb. 13, 2024.

Brian Beals was visiting home in fall 1988 when his life changed forever. 

Beals, then 22, was majoring in administrative justice and law enforcement at Southern Illinois University. He wanted to become a police officer modeled after the coaches who taught his Englewood sports teams. A lifelong athlete, he played college football in Carbondale.