The University of Illinois Springfield will hold its 54th annual commencement during three ceremonies in the UIS Performing Arts Center’s Sangamon Auditorium on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10. A total of 1,071 students will participate in the ceremony out of the 1,587 students who are eligible to graduate.
The ceremony for graduates in the College of Health, Science and Technology will be held at 7 p.m. on May 9. College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and College of Public Affairs and Education students will graduate at 10 a.m. on May 10, followed by a ceremony for the College of Business and Management at 3 p.m.
Tickets are required to attend the UIS Commencement ceremonies and will be provided to each graduate for distribution to their guests. The doors to the auditorium will open an hour before each ceremony.
Overflow seating with live streaming for guests without tickets will be available in the lower level of the UIS Performing Arts Center. The ceremony will also be webcast live.
Two honorary degrees to be awarded
UIS will award two honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degrees during its 2025 commencement ceremonies.
At the 7 p.m. ceremony Friday, William L. Bloemer, a longtime faculty member and academic leader, will be honored. Bloemer joined UIS, then Sangamon State University, in 1973 and has held several roles, including 16 years as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Since 2007, he has served as a research associate at the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service. A leader in chemistry and medical technology education, Bloemer is widely published and has received numerous grants, including support from the Gates Foundation, the Sloan Foundation and the National Science Foundation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Thomas More College and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Kentucky.
At the 3 p.m. ceremony Saturday, Richard “Dick” Osborne will be recognized for his achievements in the manufacturing industry and his longtime support of UIS. Osborne earned an MBA from UIS in 1973 while working at The Pillsbury Co. He later served as CEO of Scotsman Industries, growing its revenue fivefold, and as managing director of Madison Industries, transforming it into a global firm with $5 billion in annual revenue. He and his wife, Charlene, have donated nearly $4 million to UIS. Osborne received the UIS Alumni Achievement Award in 2015 and currently serves as chair of the University of Illinois Foundation Board, the first UIS-affiliated director in the role.
Student speaker and faculty grand marshal announced
Valerie Udemba from Lagos, Nigeria, graduating with an MBA, has been chosen as the student commencement speaker for all three ceremonies.
Tena Helton, professor of English, has been named the faculty grand marshal.
Pre-commencement events planned
Several events are planned for graduates, their families and guests before the commencement ceremonies. Admission to some commencement events is by invitation only. Updated information, including a complete list of events, is available on the commencement website.