University of Illinois Springfield: Difference between revisions

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			{{Short description\|Public university in Springfield, Illinois, US}}
	{{Infobox University \|
			{{Use American English\|date=January 2025}}
	name = University of Illinois at Springfield \|
			{{Infobox university
	image_name = UIS_Logo.gif \|
			\|name = University of Illinois Springfield
	established = 1969 \|
			\| image_name = UIS Logo.png
	type = ] \|
			\| image_upright = 0.5
	chancellor = Richard D Ringeisen\|
			\| image_size =
	city = ] \|
			\| motto = "Leadership Lived"
	state = ] \|
			\| former_name = Sangamon State University (1969–1995)<br>University of Illinois at Springfield (1995–2021)
	country = ] \|
			\| established = {{start date and age\|1969}}
	enrollment = 4,855 \|
			\| parent = ]
	undergrad = 2,863\|
			\| type = ] ]
	postgrad = 1,898\|
			\| academic_affiliations = ]
	postgrad_label = graduate \|
			\| endowment = $20.4 million (2011)<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/springfield-il/university-of-illinois-springfield-9333 \|title=University of Illinois-Springfield \| University of Illinois Springfield \| Best College \| US News \|publisher=Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com \|access-date=2015-07-18 \|archive-date=2011-01-05 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105200557/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/springfield-il/university-of-illinois-springfield-9333 \|url-status=live }}</ref>
	online = 1,030 \|
			\| accreditation = ]
	honors students= 200\|
			\| chancellor = Janet L. Gooch
	faculty = 324 full and part time faculty \|
			\| president = ]
	mascot = Prairie Stars\|
			\| academic_staff= 740<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.uis.edu/about/facts/ \|title=Rankings & Facts \|publisher=University of Illinois Springfield \|access-date=2020-10-26 \|archive-date=2020-10-28 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028211916/https://www.uis.edu/about/facts/ \|url-status=live }}</ref>
	athletics = 9 teams in 6 sports - NAIA \|
			\| enrollment = 3,944 (fall 2021)<ref name="enrollment"/>
	campus = Suburban\|
			\| undergrad = 2,503 (fall 2021)<ref name="enrollment">{{cite web\|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=university+of+illinois&s=all&id=148654#enrolmt\|title=College Navigator\|website=nces.ed.gov\|access-date=June 12, 2023}}</ref>
	colors = Blue and white\|
			\| postgrad = 1,441 (fall 2021)<ref name="enrollment"/>
	website =
			\| city = ]
			\| state = ]
			\| country = United States
			\| coordinates = {{Coord\|39.729021\|N\|89.617656\|W\|region:US-IL_type:edu\|format=dms\|display=title,inline}}
			\| campus = Midsize city<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Springfield&s=all&id=148654\|title=IPEDS - University of Illinois Springfield}}</ref>
			\| campus_size = {{cvt\|740\|acre}}
			\| nickname = ]
			\| logo = UIS Wordmark.png
			\| sporting_affiliations = ] – ]
			\| colors = Deep navy and white<br/>{{color box\|#003366}} {{color box\|#FFFFFF}}
			\| free_label = Other campuses
			\| free = ]
			\| free_label2 = Newspaper
			\| free2 = ''The Observer''
			\| mascot = Orion
			\| website = {{url\|www.uis.edu}}
	}}		}}

	The '''University of Illinois at Springfield''' ('''UIS''') is a ~~small, liberal arts~~ university ~~located~~ in ]. The ~~school~~ is ~~one~~ ~~of three ] of~~ the ]~~. UIS was established~~ in 1969 as '''Sangamon State University''' by ~~the~~ ] ~~and~~ became a ~~part~~ of the University of Illinois on ], ].		The '''University of Illinois Springfield''' ('''UIS''') is a ] in ], United States. The university was established by the ] in 1969 as '''Sangamon State University''' with a focus on ]. It became the third member of the ] on July 1, 1995. The university serves 4,198 students as of fall 2022 with 56 bachelor's degrees, 39 minors, 44 master's degrees, one doctoral degree, 37 graduate certificates, and coursework that leads to six ISBE endorsements.<ref name=facts>{{Cite web \|title=Rankings & Facts {{!}} University of Illinois Springfield \|url=https://www.uis.edu/why-uis/rankings-facts \|access-date=2022-09-29 \|website=www.uis.edu \|language=en}}</ref>

			The university now also includes a liberal arts college and is a member of the ]. UIS is also a member of the ] and the ]. The campus' main repository, Brookens Library, holds a collection of nearly 800,000 books and serials in addition to accessible resources at the ] and ] campuses.
	UIS serves almost 5,000 students in 20 ], 20 ] programs, and a ] in ]. The academic curriculum of the campus emphasizes a strong ] core, and array of professional programs, extensive opportunities in experiential education, and a broad engagement in ] issues in its academic and community service pursuits.

			==History==
	UIS was once one of the two upper-division and ] universities in ]. In 2001, UIS switched to a full four-year undergraduate program, and now enrolls approximately 275 freshmen, including 125 honors students each year to the Capital Scholars Honors Program. Ongoing projects include a new residence hall on Eliza Farnham Drive (opening Fall 2008), and more suite-style and townhouse-style residences. Renovations of existing buildings, especially those constructed in the 1970s, are in the works. These buildings lie mostly on the east quad of the UIS campus.

			===Sangamon State University (1967–1995)===
	The campus offers internship and fellowship opportunities in state government and business, and an evolving technology-enhanced learning environment. UIS is also nationally known for its online programs, which offer dozens of online courses each semester and offer seven degree completion programs entirely online.
			In 1967, the ] created a Board of Regents to operate ] and ], as well as a third unnamed institution in Springfield. In 1969, ] ] signed into law a bill officially creating '''Sangamon State University'''. It originally operated as an ]—that is, a university that offers only the last two years of undergraduate education, as well as graduate work. The first classes were held on September 28, 1970, at the former Hotel Leland in downtown Springfield. In October, SSU began offering classes in the current campus location near ].

			Sangamon State aimed to be a "truly pioneering segment of public education" through a spirit of openness, innovation and adaptability.<ref name="uis.edu">{{cite web \|url=https://www.uis.edu/about/history-traditions/1970-1971 \|title=History of SSU-UIS: 1970-1971 – About - University of Illinois Springfield - UIS \|publisher=Uis.edu \|date=1971-09-01 \|access-date=2022-03-31 \|archive-date=2022-04-06 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406050143/https://www.uis.edu/about/history-traditions/1970-1971 \|url-status=live }}</ref>
	==Campus Life & Organizations==
	The ''UIS Journal'' is the weekly student newspaper of the University. Its circulation is 2,000 per week.<ref name=journal>, UIS Journal, University of Illinois - Springfield. Retrieved ] ].</ref>

			The school grew steadily over the years. Its first permanent building, Brookens Library, was dedicated in 1976, and its Public Affairs Center and first dormitories opened in 1980.
	==Campus Buildings==
	Most buildings are given a three-letter acronym based on the name.

			===University of Illinois Springfield (1995–present)===
	'''Upper Quad'''
			In 1995, Governor ] signed a bill which abolished the Board of Regents and merged SSU with the University of Illinois system. On July 1, SSU officially became the University of Illinois Springfield. ], the last president of SSU, became the first chancellor of UIS.
	*University Hall - UHB
	*Public Affairs Center - PAC
	*Brookens Library - BRK
	*Health & Sciences Building - HSB

			In 2001, it admitted freshmen for the first time in an honors program called the "Capital Scholars". On September 8, 2005, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved a new general education curriculum, making UIS a full-fledged four-year university for the first time. Freshmen were slated to be admitted under the general education curriculum beginning in fall 2006.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://library.uis.edu/archives/chronology.html \|title=UIS Chronology \| Archives and Illinois Regional Archives Depository \|publisher=Library.uis.edu \|access-date=July 18, 2015 \|archive-date=July 22, 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722000304/http://library.uis.edu/archives/chronology.html \|url-status=live }}</ref>
	'''Lower Quad'''
	*WUIS/WIPA Radio Station - WUIS
	*Student Life Building - SLB
	*Visual and Performing Arts Building - VPA
	*Student Affairs Building - SAB
	*Human Resources Building - HRB
	*Cox Child Care Center

	~~'''Elsewhere on~~ Campus~~'''~~		==Campus==
			]
	*The Recreation and Athletic Center - TRAC
	*Sangamon Schools Credit Union
	*Shepherd House
	*Spencer House
	*UIS Campus Police Dept.

			The University of Illinois Springfield is located six miles southeast of Springfield, occupying 740 acres of prairie land adjacent to ] and ].<ref name="uis.edu"/> In 1841, the land was acquired by Thomas Strawbridge Jr., a prosperous saddler and harness maker in Springfield. The ], constructed around 1845, still stands on the south edge of the University of Illinois Springfield campus and was restored in 2012.
	==Campus Housing==
	A diverse group of approximately 900 students live in campus housing, and many are actively involved with campus life and community events. Campus apartment flats, townhouse apartments, and family housing clusters are named after native Illinois plants.

	'''Residence Halls & Commons'''
	*Lincoln Residence Hall - LRH
	*Homer L. Butler Commons - HLB
	*Founders Residence Hall (Opening Fall 2008)

			Today, there are three easily identifiable areas on campus: Legacy Campus, SSU Permanent Construction, and the University of Illinois era. The first permanent construction on campus, Brookens Library was completed in 1976 and the Public Affairs Center, was completed in Fall of 1980.<ref name="uis.edu"/> These buildings were the first part of a master plan of 1970–1971 that called for an "urban campus" surrounded by restored prairie land, free of all vehicular traffic and easily navigable by pedestrians. All permanent campus buildings would be located within a "ring road", now known as University Drive. The Public Affairs Center also houses ], a 2,018 seat ] and ] center built in 1981. It occupies the entire second level of the Public Affairs Center.
	'''Apartment Flats'''
	*] Court - CLV
	*] Court - BBL
	*] Court - LKR

			===Legacy Campus===
	'''Townhouse Apartments'''
			The Legacy Campus hosts an array of student services and facilities buildings. There is also the Cox Children's Center which was established in 1970.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Cox Children's Center - Cox Children's Center - UIS\|url=https://www.uis.edu/childcarecenter/\|access-date=2021-09-27\|website=www.uis.edu\|language=en\|archive-date=2021-09-27\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927064116/https://www.uis.edu/childcarecenter/\|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the key buildings on this part of campus are the ] building, Student Life Building (SLB), Business Services Building (BSB), Human Resources Building (HRB), Student Affairs Building (SAB), and the Visual & Performing Arts Building (VPA).
	*] Court - PRL
			]
	*] Court - FXG
	*] Court - MGR
	*] Court - TRL

			===Residence life===
	'''Family Housing'''
			UIS offers four living options for more than 1,100 students.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.uis.edu/residencelife \|title=Residence Life {{!}} University of Illinois Springfield \|access-date=2021-09-25 \|archive-date=2021-09-25 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925035944/https://www.uis.edu/residencelife \|url-status=live }}</ref> On the East Campus there are four courts of apartments, one being designated for family housing including Sunflower, Larkspur, CLover, and Bluebell Courts. There is also the housing office at Homer L. Butler Commons (HCOM). On West Campus there are 96 townhouses encompassed within Pennyroyal, Marigold, Trillium and Foxglove court. For first and second year students there are two residence halls, Lincoln Residence Hall (LRH) and Founders Residence Hall (FRH).<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.uis.edu/residencelife/ApplyforHousing/housing-options-and-amenities/housing-amenities \|title=Housing Amenities \|publisher=University of Illinois Springfield \|access-date=2021-09-25 \|archive-date=2021-09-25 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925035946/https://www.uis.edu/residencelife/ApplyforHousing/housing-options-and-amenities/housing-amenities \|url-status=live }}</ref>
	*] Court - SFL

	==~~Campus Streets~~==		==Academics==
			The University of Illinois Springfield has been offering online courses and degrees since 1999. Currently UIS offers 56 bachelor's degrees, 39 minors, 44 master's degree, one doctoral degree, 37 graduate certificates and coursework that leads to six ISBE endorsements.<ref name=facts/>

			===Colleges===
	The streets that lie within the campus are all named after Illinois poets and novelists.
			* College of Business and Management
			* College of Health, Science, and Technology
			* College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
			* College of Public Affairs & Education

			==Student life==
	*] Drive
	*] Lane
	*] Drive
	*] Drive
	*] Lane
	*] Lane
	*] Drive
	*University Drive
	*University Plaza
	*Shepherd Road

			===Student newspaper===
	==Notable alumni==<!-- This section is linked from ] -->
			The ''UIS Observer'' is the student online news publication.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=The Observer – Award-winning, student-run, weekly campus newspaper of the University of Illinois, Springfield \|url=https://uisobserver.com/ \|access-date=2022-09-29 \|language=en-US}}</ref>
	*] - former ] ], ], ] ('74 BA Communications, '75 MA Communications)<ref name="NNDB">{{cite web\|url=http://www.nndb.com/edu/634/000082388/\|title=University of Illinois at Springfield\|author=NNDB\|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref>
	*] - Mayor of ] (attended, did not graduate)
	* Gary Delsohn - Reporter, chief speechwriter for California Governor ] ('77, MA Public Affairs Reporting)
	*] - Illinois state senator, 1975-2004 ('81 B.A. in Education and Human Services; '96, M.A. in Education and Public Policy)<ref name="Illinois Blue Book, 2005-2006">{{cite web\|url=http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/illinois_bluebook/2005_2006/legislative_branch/demuzio.pdf\|title=Vince DeMuzio\|author=Illinois Secretary of State's Office\|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref>
	* ] - Sculptor ('76 MA)
	* ] - Director, Marine Corps National Museum ('74 BA Literature)
	* ] - Former mayor of ], Illinois state senator, ('72 BA Psychology, '92 MA Legal Studies)
	* Gordon Heddell - ] inspector general ('75 MA Legal Studies)<ref name="NNDB">{{cite web\|url=http://www.nndb.com/edu/634/000082388/\|title=University of Illinois at Springfield\|author=NNDB\|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref>
	*]- vocal performer and conductor (attended 1976-77, did not receive degree)
	* ] - White House press secretary ('95, MA Public Affairs Reporting)<ref name="University of Illinois at Springfield">{{cite web\|url=http://www.uis.edu/newsreleases/2007/08/31-UISalumnamedWhiteHousepresssecretarybyPresidentBush.html\|title=UIS alum named White House press secretary by President Bush\|author=University of Illinois at Springfield\|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref>
	* Michael S. Schwartz - Chairman, US Railroad Retirement Board ('80 MA Educational Leadership)

			===Greek organizations===
	==Notable faculty==
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]
			* ]

			====Sororities====
	*Ron Michaelson, visiting professor of political studies - former executive director of the Illinois State Board of Elections
			* ]
	]
			* ]
	*Chris Mooney and Kent Redfield, professors of political science - among the most-often quoted state government pundits in Illinois media.
			* ]
	*], professor of history - ] and ] scholar, ] recipient, and the Naomi B. Lynn Distinguished Chair of Lincoln Studies.
			* ]
	*], Founder/first director of UIS' Public Affairs Reporting Master's Program - ], 1988 presidential candidate
			* ]
	*Charlie Wheeler, director of UIS' Public Affairs Reporting program - longtime ] reporter, award-winning columnist.

	*Larry Golden, professor emeritus of political science and legal studies - Director of Downstate Illinois Innocence Project.
			===Transportation===
	*Sviatoslav Braynov - professor of Computer Science, nationally known for talks about security and artificial intelligence.
			The main campus of UIS is accessible via ]. Routes 11, 15, and 905 provide bus service from campus to the ] and to downtown Springfield.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5304fe29e4b0658094be390f/t/5ff31b6310ee9f5922bccf3a/1609767795575/Jan+2021+Sked+Book+v1.0+%28web%29.pdf\|title=SMTD Rider Guide\|access-date=July 24, 2023}}</ref>
	*Cullom Davis, professor of history - Archivist, founder of

			==Athletics==
			{{Main\|Illinois–Springfield Prairie Stars}}
			]
			The Illinois–Springfield (UIS) athletic teams are called the Prairie Stars. The university is a member of the ] level of the ] (NCAA), primarily competing in the ] (GLVC) since the 2009–10 academic year, which they became a full-fledged Division II member on August 1, 2010. The Prairie Stars previously competed in the ] (AMC) of the ] (NAIA) from 2003–04 to 2008–09.

			UIS competes in 15 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.

			==Notable alumni and faculty==
			<!-- This section is linked from ] -->

			===Alumni===
			* ], former U.S. representative, Illinois's 17th district (M.A. Public Affairs Reporting)<ref>{{cite news\|title=Cheri Bustos\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cheri-bustos/e8b15fa2-4bb6-11e2-8758-b64a2997a921_topic.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611015535/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cheri-bustos/e8b15fa2-4bb6-11e2-8758-b64a2997a921_topic.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=11 June 2015\|newspaper=The Washington Post\|access-date=7 October 2013\|date=25 December 2012}}</ref>
			* ], right-wing social media personality and host of '']'' on ] (2001 B.A. Philosophy)<ref>{{cite news\|title=Oliver Darcy\|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/03/media/mike-cernovich-infowars-alex-jones/index.html\|work=CNN Money\|access-date=1 February 2021\|date=3 May 2017\|archive-date=7 May 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507021733/http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/03/media/mike-cernovich-infowars-alex-jones/index.html\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			* ], former ] ], ], ] (1974 B.A. Communications, 1975 M.A. Communications)<ref name="NNDB">{{cite web\|url=http://www.nndb.com/edu/634/000082388/\|title=University of Illinois Springfield\|author=NNDB\|access-date=2007-11-30\|archive-date=2007-12-10\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210201154/http://www.nndb.com/edu/634/000082388/\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			* ], Illinois state senator, 1975–2004 (1981 B.A. in Education and Human Services; 1996 M.A. in Education and Public Policy)<ref name="Illinois Blue Book, 2005-2006">{{cite web\|url=http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/illinois_bluebook/2005_2006/legislative_branch/demuzio.pdf\|title=Vince DeMuzio\|author=Illinois Secretary of State's Office\|access-date=2007-11-30 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080216001608/http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/illinois_bluebook/2005_2006/legislative_branch/demuzio.pdf \|archive-date = 2008-02-16}}</ref>
			* ], former mayor of ], Illinois state senator, (1972 B.A. Psychology, 1992 M.A. Legal Studies)<ref>{{cite web\|title=Karen A. Hasara\|url=http://www.bot.uillinois.edu/hasara\|publisher=The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois\|access-date=7 October 2013\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131008012022/http://www.bot.uillinois.edu/hasara\|archive-date=8 October 2013}}</ref>
			* ], basketball player<ref>{{cite web \|title=Men's Basketball / Kyle Gupton \|url=https://uisprairiestars.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=544 \|website=uisprairiestars.com}}</ref>
			* ], former ] inspector general (1975 M.A. Legal Studies)<ref name="NNDB"/>
			* ], former mayor of ]
			* ], columnist, Dow Jones Newswires<ref>{{cite news\|title=Al Lewis (columnist)\|url=http://extras.denverpost.com/business/albio.html\|publisher=The Denver Post\|access-date=7 October 2013\|archive-date=10 June 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610194728/http://extras.denverpost.com/business/albio.html\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			* ], current member, ]
			* ], vocal performer and conductor (attended 1975, did not complete degree)<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Schoenburg \|first=Bernard \|title=Illinois ball has glitz, glamour - and Bobby McFerrin \|url=https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/2009/01/20/illinois-ball-has-glitz-glamour/47473972007/ \|access-date=2024-01-29 \|work=Rockford Register Star \|language=en-US}}</ref>
			* ], author, ]-winning filmwriter-producer (1978 M.A.)<ref>{{cite web\|title=Milton J. Nieuwsma\|url=http://www.midlandauthors.com/nieuwsma.html\|publisher=The Society of Midland Authors\|access-date=7 October 2013\|archive-date=8 February 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208152641/http://www.midlandauthors.com/nieuwsma.html\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			* ], shooting guard on the Nigerian national basketball team (2010 B.A. Business Administration)
			* ], former CEO of ]
			* ], White House Press Secretary for the ] administration (1995 M.A. Public Affairs Reporting)<ref name="University of Illinois Springfield">{{cite web\|url=http://www.uis.edu/newsreleases/2007/08/31-UISalumnamedWhiteHousepresssecretarybyPresidentBush.html\|title=UIS alum named White House press secretary by President Bush\|author=University of Illinois Springfield\|access-date=2007-11-30\|archive-date=2007-09-22\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922202727/http://www.uis.edu/newsreleases/2007/08/31-UISalumnamedWhiteHousepresssecretarybyPresidentBush.html\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			* ], current member, ]
			* ], movie producer
			* ], communications consultant

			===Faculty===
			* ], historian
			* ], poet and translator
			* ], historian
			* ], political scientist

	==References==		==References==
	{{~~reflist~~}}		{{Reflist}}

	==External links==		==External links==
			{{Commons category}}
	*
			{{Wikiquote}}
	*
	*		* {{Official website}}
	*		*
	*
	*
	*
	*


			{{University of Illinois system}}
			{{Great Lakes Valley Conference navbox}}
	{{Public colleges and universities in Illinois}}		{{Public colleges and universities in Illinois}}
			{{Authority control}}

	~~{{DEFAULTSORT~~:Illinois at Springfield, ~~University of}}~~		]
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Latest revision as of 06:14, 6 January 2025

Public university in Springfield, Illinois, US

University of Illinois Springfield

Former name	Sangamon State University (1969–1995) University of Illinois at Springfield (1995–2021)
Motto	"Leadership Lived"
Type	Public liberal arts university
Established	1969; 56 years ago (1969)
Parent institution	University of Illinois System
Accreditation	HLC
Academic affiliations	COPLAC
Endowment	$20.4 million (2011)
Chancellor	Janet L. Gooch
President	Timothy L. Killeen
Academic staff	740
Students	3,944 (fall 2021)
Undergraduates	2,503 (fall 2021)
Postgraduates	1,441 (fall 2021)
Location	Springfield, Illinois, United States 39°43′44″N 89°37′04″W / 39.729021°N 89.617656°W / 39.729021; -89.617656
Campus	Midsize city, 740 acres (300 ha)
Other campuses	East Peoria
Newspaper	The Observer
Colors	Deep navy and white
Nickname	Prairie Stars
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division II – GLVC
Mascot	Orion
Website	www.uis.edu

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is a public university in Springfield, Illinois, United States. The university was established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1969 as Sangamon State University with a focus on post-graduate education. It became the third member of the University of Illinois system on July 1, 1995. The university serves 4,198 students as of fall 2022 with 56 bachelor's degrees, 39 minors, 44 master's degrees, one doctoral degree, 37 graduate certificates, and coursework that leads to six ISBE endorsements.

The university now also includes a liberal arts college and is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. UIS is also a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the American Council on Education. The campus' main repository, Brookens Library, holds a collection of nearly 800,000 books and serials in addition to accessible resources at the University of Illinois Chicago and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campuses.

History

Sangamon State University (1967–1995)

In 1967, the Illinois General Assembly created a Board of Regents to operate Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University, as well as a third unnamed institution in Springfield. In 1969, Governor Richard Ogilvie signed into law a bill officially creating Sangamon State University. It originally operated as an "upper-division" university—that is, a university that offers only the last two years of undergraduate education, as well as graduate work. The first classes were held on September 28, 1970, at the former Hotel Leland in downtown Springfield. In October, SSU began offering classes in the current campus location near Lake Springfield.

Sangamon State aimed to be a "truly pioneering segment of public education" through a spirit of openness, innovation and adaptability.

The school grew steadily over the years. Its first permanent building, Brookens Library, was dedicated in 1976, and its Public Affairs Center and first dormitories opened in 1980.

University of Illinois Springfield (1995–present)

In 1995, Governor Jim Edgar signed a bill which abolished the Board of Regents and merged SSU with the University of Illinois system. On July 1, SSU officially became the University of Illinois Springfield. Naomi Lynn, the last president of SSU, became the first chancellor of UIS.

In 2001, it admitted freshmen for the first time in an honors program called the "Capital Scholars". On September 8, 2005, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved a new general education curriculum, making UIS a full-fledged four-year university for the first time. Freshmen were slated to be admitted under the general education curriculum beginning in fall 2006.

Campus

The University of Illinois Springfield is located six miles southeast of Springfield, occupying 740 acres of prairie land adjacent to Lake Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College. In 1841, the land was acquired by Thomas Strawbridge Jr., a prosperous saddler and harness maker in Springfield. The Thomas Strawbridge homestead, constructed around 1845, still stands on the south edge of the University of Illinois Springfield campus and was restored in 2012.

Today, there are three easily identifiable areas on campus: Legacy Campus, SSU Permanent Construction, and the University of Illinois era. The first permanent construction on campus, Brookens Library was completed in 1976 and the Public Affairs Center, was completed in Fall of 1980. These buildings were the first part of a master plan of 1970–1971 that called for an "urban campus" surrounded by restored prairie land, free of all vehicular traffic and easily navigable by pedestrians. All permanent campus buildings would be located within a "ring road", now known as University Drive. The Public Affairs Center also houses Sangamon Auditorium, a 2,018 seat concert hall and performing arts center built in 1981. It occupies the entire second level of the Public Affairs Center.

Legacy Campus

The Legacy Campus hosts an array of student services and facilities buildings. There is also the Cox Children's Center which was established in 1970. Some of the key buildings on this part of campus are the WUIS building, Student Life Building (SLB), Business Services Building (BSB), Human Resources Building (HRB), Student Affairs Building (SAB), and the Visual & Performing Arts Building (VPA).

Residence life

UIS offers four living options for more than 1,100 students. On the East Campus there are four courts of apartments, one being designated for family housing including Sunflower, Larkspur, CLover, and Bluebell Courts. There is also the housing office at Homer L. Butler Commons (HCOM). On West Campus there are 96 townhouses encompassed within Pennyroyal, Marigold, Trillium and Foxglove court. For first and second year students there are two residence halls, Lincoln Residence Hall (LRH) and Founders Residence Hall (FRH).

Academics

The University of Illinois Springfield has been offering online courses and degrees since 1999. Currently UIS offers 56 bachelor's degrees, 39 minors, 44 master's degree, one doctoral degree, 37 graduate certificates and coursework that leads to six ISBE endorsements.

Colleges

College of Business and Management
College of Health, Science, and Technology
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
College of Public Affairs & Education

Student life

Student newspaper

The UIS Observer is the student online news publication.

Greek organizations

Sororities

Transportation

The main campus of UIS is accessible via Sangamon Mass Transit District. Routes 11, 15, and 905 provide bus service from campus to the Lincoln Land Community College and to downtown Springfield.

Athletics

Main article: Illinois–Springfield Prairie Stars

The Illinois–Springfield (UIS) athletic teams are called the Prairie Stars. The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) since the 2009–10 academic year, which they became a full-fledged Division II member on August 1, 2010. The Prairie Stars previously competed in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 2003–04 to 2008–09.

UIS competes in 15 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.

Notable alumni and faculty

Alumni

Cheri Bustos, former U.S. representative, Illinois's 17th district (M.A. Public Affairs Reporting)
Mike Cernovich, right-wing social media personality and host of The Alex Jones Show on InfoWars (2001 B.A. Philosophy)
Ward Churchill, former University of Colorado professor, social critic, activist (1974 B.A. Communications, 1975 M.A. Communications)
Vince Demuzio, Illinois state senator, 1975–2004 (1981 B.A. in Education and Human Services; 1996 M.A. in Education and Public Policy)
Karen A. Hasara, former mayor of Springfield, Illinois, Illinois state senator, (1972 B.A. Psychology, 1992 M.A. Legal Studies)
Kyle Gupton, basketball player
Gordon S. Heddell, former United States Department of Defense inspector general (1975 M.A. Legal Studies)
Jim Langfelder, former mayor of Springfield, Illinois
Al Lewis, columnist, Dow Jones Newswires
Kimberly Lightford, current member, Illinois State Senate
Bobby McFerrin, vocal performer and conductor (attended 1975, did not complete degree)
Milton J. Nieuwsma, author, Emmy-winning filmwriter-producer (1978 M.A.)
Richard Oruche, shooting guard on the Nigerian national basketball team (2010 B.A. Business Administration)
Richard Osborne, former CEO of Scotsman Industries
Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary for the George W. Bush administration (1995 M.A. Public Affairs Reporting)
Elgie Sims, current member, Illinois Senate
Russell Smith, movie producer
Thom Serafin, communications consultant

Faculty

Michael Burlingame, historian
John Knoepfle, poet and translator
Phillip S. Paludan, historian
Paul Simon, political scientist

References

"University of Illinois-Springfield | University of Illinois Springfield | Best College | US News". Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com. Archived from the original on 2011-01-05. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
"Rankings & Facts". University of Illinois Springfield. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
^ "College Navigator". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
"IPEDS - University of Illinois Springfield".
^ "Rankings & Facts | University of Illinois Springfield". www.uis.edu. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
^ "History of SSU-UIS: 1970-1971 – About - University of Illinois Springfield - UIS". Uis.edu. 1971-09-01. Archived from the original on 2022-04-06. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
"UIS Chronology | Archives and Illinois Regional Archives Depository". Library.uis.edu. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
"Cox Children's Center - Cox Children's Center - UIS". www.uis.edu. Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
"Residence Life | University of Illinois Springfield". Archived from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
"Housing Amenities". University of Illinois Springfield. Archived from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
"The Observer – Award-winning, student-run, weekly campus newspaper of the University of Illinois, Springfield". Retrieved 2022-09-29.
"SMTD Rider Guide" (PDF). Retrieved July 24, 2023.
"Cheri Bustos". The Washington Post. 25 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
"Oliver Darcy". CNN Money. 3 May 2017. Archived from the original on 7 May 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
^ NNDB. "University of Illinois Springfield". Archived from the original on 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
Illinois Secretary of State's Office. "Vince DeMuzio" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
"Karen A. Hasara". The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
"Men's Basketball / Kyle Gupton". uisprairiestars.com.
"Al Lewis (columnist)". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
Schoenburg, Bernard. "Illinois ball has glitz, glamour - and Bobby McFerrin". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
"Milton J. Nieuwsma". The Society of Midland Authors. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
University of Illinois Springfield. "UIS alum named White House press secretary by President Bush". Archived from the original on 2007-09-22. Retrieved 2007-11-30.

External links

v t e University of Illinois System
Campuses	University of Illinois Chicago University of Illinois Springfield University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
People	List of presidents List of chancellors Chicago Springfield Urbana-Champaign
Media	University of Illinois Press American Journal of Psychology American Philosophical Quarterly Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education The Invention of Art: A Cultural History Journal of American Folklore Journal of English and Germanic Philology Journal of Film and Video Public Affairs Quarterly The Philosophic Thought of Ayn Rand The Plains Across Red Diapers: Growing Up in the Communist Left Studies of the Book of Mormon
Related	Illinois Fighting Illini UIC Flames UIS Prairie Stars University of Illinois Global Campus

v t e Great Lakes Valley Conference
Members	Drury Panthers Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars Indianapolis Greyhounds Lewis Flyers Lincoln Blue Tigers Maryville Saints McKendree Bearcats Missouri S&T Miners Missouri–St. Louis Tritons Quincy Hawks Rockhurst Hawks Southwest Baptist Bearcats Truman Bulldogs Upper Iowa Peacocks William Jewell Cardinals
Women's bowling affiliates	Central Missouri Jennies Newman Jets Oklahoma Christian Lady Eagles
Women's lacrosse affiliates	Missouri Western Griffons
Men's volleyball affiliates (from 2025–26)	Roosevelt Lakers Thomas More Saints

v t e Public universities in Illinois
University of Illinois system	University of Illinois at Chicago (1965) University of Illinois Springfield (1969) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1867)
Individual universities	Chicago State University (1867) Eastern Illinois University (1895) Governors State University (1969) Illinois State University (1857) Northeastern Illinois University (1949) Northern Illinois University (1895) Western Illinois University (1895)
Southern Illinois University system	Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1869) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1957)

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