The Samuel K. Gove Illinois Legislative Internship Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois Springfield inducted five new members during a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Illinois Old State Capitol in Springfield. Prior to the awards ceremony, a reception was held at 5:30 p.m. This award honors former Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program (ILSIP) interns whose careers exemplify distinguished public service.

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield invites the public to a virtual lunch-and-learn panel discussion, “What You Voters Need to Know About the 2025 Government Shutdown.” The event will feature UIS faculty members Matt Geras, John Transue, Patty Byrnes and Ty Dooley, who will examine the causes and consequences of the ongoing partial government shutdown.

WHEN: Noon Oct. 21

WHAT: The Artist in Residence (AIR) program at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon will debut original works inspired by the Emiquon Preserve during “Fall Projects Unveiled.” The event is free and open to the public.

WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 2

WHERE: UIS Therkildsen Field Station, 11316 N. Prairie Road, Lewistown, Illinois

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield invites the public to the 47th annual International Festival, the university’s longest-running student-led event. The festival will feature live cultural performances and international cuisine. Admission is free.

WHEN: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 25

WHERE: The Recreation and Athletic Center, 2171 University Drive, Springfield

This story was updated on Oct. 14 to reflect a change in the speaker lineup.

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Center for Lincoln Studies will host the 23rd annual Beaumont Endowed Lincoln Legacy Lecture, “Lincoln and the Age of Disruption,” featuring Colleen Shogan, the 11th archivist of the United States, and author Jason Emerson. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Innovate Springfield, the University of Illinois Springfield’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, will host Founders Day on Tuesday, Oct. 7, as the kickoff to 2025 Founders Week events.

Founders Day is designed to shine a spotlight on entrepreneurship in Illinois. The event will bring together business founders, investors, government leaders and community members to share ideas, highlight local startups and discuss how to grow innovation across the state.

IBM Brings Mainframe Technology and Career Opportunities to UIS Campus

The IBM University Tour showcased cutting-edge mainframe technologies and career opportunities in IBMZ, featuring the innovative IBM Telum II chip and AI integration across multiple industries.

The University of Illinois Springfield welcomed IBM and several industry partners to campus on Tuesday, September 16th for the annual IBM Fall University Tour, held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Student Union North Ballroom.

The University of Illinois Springfield will host five Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series events during fall 2025. The series presents events that promote and adhere to the value of engaged citizenship, cultural awareness and respect for diversity.

All ECCE Speaker Series events are free and open to the public.

The University of Illinois Springfield invites alumni and the community to take part in its annual Homecoming celebration Sept. 14-20, 2025. This year’s theme, “Written in the Stars,” highlights the traditions and connections that unite Prairie Stars past and present.

UIS Homecoming has been a campus tradition since 1996, offering a week of events designed to foster pride and spirit. The celebration is hosted by UIS Athletics, the UIS Alumni Association, Student Affairs, the Student Activities Committee and Student Life.

WHAT: University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Janet L. Gooch will discuss the enduring legacy of President Abraham Lincoln during a Thinkers Series event featuring Jacob Friefeld, director of the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies. Friefeld was recently featured as a historical expert on the HBO Max and Magnolia Network series “Back to the Frontier.”

WHEN: 5 p.m. Sept. 15

WHERE: Brookens Auditorium, lower level of Brookens Library at UIS (visitor parking available in Lot B)