Munindra Khaund wins the 2010 CAPE Award

Munindra Khaund was named the recipient of the seventh annual Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence Award at the University of Illinois Springfield on Wednesday afternoon, April 28, during a celebration in the Public Affairs Center Restaurant.

Khaund is the Associate Director of the Office of Web Services in the Chancellor’s Division at UIS. He started working as an employee in 2004 in the Information Technology Service’s Department. He graduated from UIS in 2000 with an M.A. in both Political Studies and Communication. He also holds a graduate diploma from Johns Hopkins University in International Studies.

“I’m truly proud to be here. That’s why I’m here and that’s why I came back,” said Khaund.

The CAPE Award recognizes U of I academic professionals for their efforts in three general categories: work projects, professional development and affiliations, and contributions to their units. The winner receives $500 in cash for personal use, and another $500 is given to the winner’s department.

“You all should have had the pleasure of looking through the accomplishments of this young man,” said Chancellor Richard Ringeisen in handing out the award. “The number of presentations he’s made all over the country in his field and the number of times he’s helped faculty and students with very difficult problems. It was an amazing thing to read and it’s a great privilege to give you this award.”

All APs are eligible to receive the CAPE Award; nominations are reviewed by campus committees and candidates' names are forwarded to the chancellor, who makes the final selections.

Other UIS nominees for the 2010 CAPE Award were: Jerry Burkhart, director of the Office of Electronic Media; Brian Clevenger, director of Records and Registration, Andy Egizi, program information coordinator for Liberal & Integrative Studies; Gale Kilbury, career counselor at the Career Development Center; Jim Korte, associate dean of students in Student Affairs; Denise Howard Long, online English coordinator in the English Department; Lynn Otterson, director of the Women’s Center; Beverley Scobell, projects editor at Illinois Issues magazine; Judy Shipp, director of the Counseling Center; Shawn Craig Shures, assistant director graduate recruitment for the Graduate Public Service Internship program; Patti Sims, assistant provost in Academic Affairs; Stephen Smith, director of bibliographic services at Brookens Library; and Teresa Szabo, associate director of business and stewardship in the Office of Development.

Khaund was presented with a personal plaque and another with his name will hang in the Chancellor's office.

UIS Legacy Dance Team teaches elementary students some moves

The Legacy Dance Team from the University of Illinois Springfield paid a visit Monday, April 26, to students at the St. Patrick’s Freedom School after-school program in Springfield. The team gave a performance and taught the students some dance moves before they sat down to eat pizza and cake.

Legacy is a hip hop culture dance team that was formed on campus last spring. The group performs at events such as the International Festival and basketball half time.

UIS sophomore, Blake Johnson is one of the many remarkable young “servant leaders” from the Urban League that helps staff the program, which provides a powerful enrichment curriculum for the students. Due to budget restraints at St. Patrick’s, the after-school program will close at the end of the school year in May.

“Legacy Week” is April 25-May 1, 2010 on the UIS campus, with a variety of programs being planned for the week. On Wednesday, April 28, the team will be teaching dancing 101 to students in the SLB gym from 7 to 9 p.m. On Friday, April 30, the team will host the “Rip the Runway” fashion show followed by a performance in the SLB gym from 6 to 9 p.m. All UIS students are welcome to attend.

UIS Professor Karen Swan honored with Columbia University Distinguished Alumni Award

Karen Swan, Ph.D. a professor in the Teacher Leadership program at the University of Illinois Springfield and the James J. Stukel Distinguished Professor in Educational Leadership is being honored.

Swan has been selected to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Teachers College at Columbia University. The Columbia Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology will be hosting a graduation luncheon on May 18, 2010, at the Teachers College where Dr. Swan will receive her award.

Swan is recognized as a leading researcher in the nation when it comes to the effectiveness of online teaching and learning. In 2006, Dr. Swan received the Sloan Consortium for Asynchronous Learning Networks Award for “Most Outstanding Achievement in Online Learning by an Individual.” This award recognized her for national innovation, research and service in online learning.

Swan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Keene State College, and Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees in Instructional Technology from Columbia University.

Read our previous coverage on Swan’s distinguished professor award

Read a feature story on Swan’s work involving online learning