WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Women’s Center will hold its annual Take Back the Night march and rally against sexual violence during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 

WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 16, 2021

WHERE: UIS Student Union North Patio

The University of Illinois Springfield presented awards for service and alumni achievement during the virtual 50th anniversary celebration held via Zoom webinar on Thursday, April 22, 2021. 

The University of Illinois Springfield’s Harry and Deborah Berman Sabbatical Award has been presented to Sharon Graf, professor in the Sociology/Anthropology department. She will receive $3,000 to support her research during her sabbatical leave.

Graf’s sabbatical plan is to conduct a second phase of ethnographic field research in Oceania that will contribute to the scholarly body of knowledge on the cultural practices—including art, music, the performing arts and seafaring—of the inhabitants of the Pacific Island region. 

University of Illinois Springfield Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney, faculty and staff helped to plant the first of 1,000 donated Japanese maples on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 near the UIS Pond on campus.

Hometown: Rumst, Antwerp, Belgium

Major: Business Administration

Future Plans: Pursue a masters and/or Ph.D. in organizational behavior/development