Debra Chandler Landis, University of Illinois Springfield student publications adviser, has been recognized with a
Presidential Citation for her volunteer work as editor of the College Media Review, the
online professional journal of the national College Media Association.
The editing position involves recruiting and editing scholarly and popular articles pertaining to trends, innovations and activities of print, broadcast and web-based college media.
“I was surprised and humbled to receive this award,” Landis said. “The volunteer work I do with
College Media Review helps keep me up-to-date on college media research and what’s occurring with
college media across the country, and by extension, aids my work as UIS student publications adviser.”
Under College Media Association bylaws, the CMA president is authorized to award the Presidential Citation to “individuals and
institutions deemed to be deserving of such recognition.”
Landis was among six members of CMA awarded the citation for 2016.
University of Illinois Springfield men’s basketball player Zach Steinberg says he’s learned that leadership is not about age, but how you overcome adversity.
He’s faced many challenges not only on the basketball court, but at home. At the age of 11 his father passed away from colon cancer.
“It really taught me and my brother how to grow up fast,” he said. “It was a devastating experience upon the whole family, but it made us all closer and it really taught me to have to be my own man.”
Now he’s living his dream of playing college basketball and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accountancy. He’s also a member of the UIS Student Athlete Advisory Committee, the University Bible Fellowship and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
As part of the men’s basketball team, he regularly volunteers in the community visiting sick children at local hospitals and making appearances at elementary schools.
“I think it’s important to give back because we’re given such a great opportunity playing a sport here,” said Steinberg.
“The kids look up and they want to have the same opportunity we have and to share our abilities with them and telling our story can really help them for the future,” he said.
Following graduation from UIS, Steinberg hopes to continue his basketball career and eventually become an accountant.
“I think (UIS is) everything I wanted it to be and more, honestly,” he said. “Coming into UIS, I knew we’d make connections outside of the school and I knew I’d have great experiences, but I didn’t know it would be this awesome.”
The Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, chapter at the University of Illinois Springfield inducted seven new members during a ceremony on October 22, 2016.
Kim Thomas, the Illinois State Board of Education’s 2016 Teacher of the Year, was the guest speaker at the event. She is a math teacher at Woodruff Career and Technical Academy in Peoria, Illinois.
The Society inducts individuals who have exhibited the ideals of scholarship, integrity in service, and commitment to excellence in teaching and its allied professions. Selection as a member of Kappa Delta Pi is based on high academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career, and a professional attitude that assures steady growth in the profession.
Students inducted at this year’s ceremony include: Nicole Barney, Thomas Kollmann, Katlyn Krones, Roberta Kubik, Samantha Missey, James Shamp and Allie Wright.
Kappa Delta Pi was established in 1911 to recognize and promote excellence in education. Through its programs, services, and strategic partnerships, the honor society supports the professional growth and teaching practices of educators throughout all phases and levels of their careers. The organization currently has more than 600 chapters and an active membership of nearly 40,000 worldwide.
For more information, contact Ronda Mitchell, chapter advisor and UIS assistant professor of Teacher Education, at 217/206-7008 or rmitche@uis.edu.
