On President Abraham Lincoln’s 212th birthday, the University of Illinois Springfield will hold a virtual grand opening for the new Center for Lincoln Studies at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12 via Zoom. The Center will be a national base for scholarship, teaching and public history about Lincoln's life, leadership and legacy.

The University of Illinois Springfield’s online bachelor’s degree programs have been ranked 34th best in the country (out of 357 institutions) by U.S. News and World Report. The 2021 ranking put UIS among the top 10 percent of best online bachelor’s degree programs in the United States.

Current Location: Lincoln, IL

Hometown: Springfield, IL

UIS Degree: B.S. 2001 (Chemistry)

Other Degrees & Education: M.S. 2003 (Physician Assistant Studies) Chicago Medical School/Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences, Diplomat, 2013, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

From a young age, I have always loved being accountable and found great joy in helping others in different areas of money management and putting ideas together. As I grew up, I got to understand the meaning of accounting and how it is not just limited to one aspect or one routine. I came to realize that accounting is a vast and exciting field to study because it is filled with specialized career paths tailored to each individual’s goals and interest.

My name is Brandon Smith, and this fall will mark the beginning of my senior year at UIS. The past three years that I have spent at this university have been incredibly beneficial and productive. I have lived in Springfield my whole life and I am very grateful to have such a wonderful university right here in my hometown. At UIS, I have been able to be a part of an exceptional learning community while also being able to remain close to my loved ones in the Springfield area.