Hometown: Highland, ILMajor: Anthropology and sociology and my minor is pre-medicineFuture Plans: Pursue a doctorate in osteopathic medicine

Today, Illinois enters the “Bridge to Phase 5” of the Restore Illinois plan, which further relaxes COVID-19 restrictions. This is a welcome development indicative of important progress in our pandemic journey.

University of Illinois Springfield junior Lexi Dhamrait of Springfield was in New Orleans with UIS administrator Mark Dochterman on an annual spring break service trip when they got word from the university system that in-person classes were canceled for the rest of the semester.

The University of Illinois Springfield could return to a more normal atmosphere in the fall if the pandemic trends continue in the right direction.  The university system has announced it plans to offer more in-person classes starting in August, citing the rising number of people getting vaccinated as a main reason. 

University of Illinois Springfield students spoke about their visions when the school hosted its first TEDx event on March 20. Antone Evans Jr. is a member of the UIS Student Government Association and serves as student senator for the UIS College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He brought other student organizations on board to help recruit speakers and market the event. "We wanted to focus on bridging the gap between the community and the university," said Evans.