The following is an excerpt from University of Illinois Springfield Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney. The column appeared in The State Journal-Register on May 24, 2022.

For the 650 students who walked across the stage at the BOS Center Saturday to receive a diploma from the University of Illinois Springfield, graduation day had no shortage of anticipation and meaning.

No. 7 the University of Illinois Springfield baseball team woke up Great Lakes Valley Conference champions Monday morning and now turn their focus to the NCAA Tournament.

University of Illinois Springfield Police officers are helping people in Ukraine.

In a social media post, officials said they are donating eight used body armor vests. Those vests will first be sent to the Illinois State Police, who will then send them to the US/Ukrainian Resistance Foundation.

Armor vests are replaced by UISPD every five years, according to officials. “The vests are usually surplussed, but this year they decided to help Ukraine.”

University of Illinois Springfield students had the chance to pet miniature horses and therapy dogs as a way to reduce stress leading into finals week.

The event was one of several Relax with Campus Recreation events planned through the week.

This story aired on WAND TV on May 3, 2022. Watch the story online.

Jade Anderson is a student at the University of Illinois Springfield. During the 2022 spring semester, she has worked with the Community Voices team to learn about radio broadcasting. She spoke to Community Voices about participating in UIS athletics and her careen plans in media.

This interview took place on WUIS on April 29, 2022. Listen to the interview online.

In a joint statement from the University of Illinois Springfield Administration and the UIS United Faculty parties say,

“The University of Illinois Springfield and UIS United Faculty have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a four-year contract (Aug. 16, 2021-Aug. 15, 2025) for the UIS United Faculty collective bargaining unit, representing 134 tenure and tenure-track faculty.

The University of Illinois Springfield announced plans for two commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, May 14. 

Commencement is happening at the Bank of Springfield Center, located at Ninth and Adams streets in downtown Springfield. The school said 622 people will be in the ceremonies out of 1,131 students eligible to graduate. 

One of the longest traditions is back at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Springfest is planned by multiple student organizations and features a variety of activities for students across campus.

"Fun that's what it's geared towards," said Springfest chairwoman Paige Williams. "Fun and I think the service project is fun. A lot of other students here think that the service project is fun, so the entire week is geared towards fun but we do set aside one day in the week to give back."

This year the University of Illinois Springfield softball team made each game played count. The Prairie Stars are having a remarkable season on the field, but it's because of how the team acts off the field that is leading to all of their success.

"We just knew from the fall that this was our year to shine," UIS senior pitcher Payton Long said.