Photography students shift focus to capture pandemic moments

UIS Associate Professor of Communication Kathy Novak, Ph.D., was only a few weeks into  her COM 407 Photojournalism and Photo Documentary Class when Illinois began to shelter in place and UIS students returned home to begin remote learning.

The already-online class did not have to adjust for remote learning, but assignments had to be modified immediately.

“Their weekly photo assignments normally send them out into the public to photograph people, places and events,” Novak said. “I encourage them to meet people, introduce themselves and take photographs, these are all professional skills. Meeting and photographing people are central to what this course is about.”

But in the midst of a pandemic, when the world is essentially shut down, meeting people in public spaces would prove to be a challenge.

“A teacher’s goal is to impress and exercise the content of the course, and I was worried that wasn’t going to happen,” Novak said.

But it did.

Olivia Mitchell, a 2020 PAR graduate and student in the class, was worried whether she would be able to complete assignments on lighting, profiles and angles.

“I was scared to be outside and be around people,” Mitchell said. “But I let go of the fear and decided to take pictures of any opportunity I saw.”

One of those opportunities was her 30th birthday, when she snapped photographs of her niece and nephew playing outdoors.

Mitchell admits the pandemic closures forced her to re-think her dynamic angles assignment, as she had originally planned to take pictures from the top of the Wyndham Hotel.

“I still went downtown. It was so empty,” she said. “Since I couldn’t go inside, I laid down on the ground to take the photo looking up. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, I still accomplished everything I was supposed to do.”

Novak said when students turned in their final project photo essays, she was amazed at the stark moments that were captured; photos that tell the story of how the world stood still and how life was altered by COVID-19.

Some of those photos included a hospital laryngoscope prepped and ready to be used on patients, a pop-up COVID-19 testing site, social distancing while grocery shopping, volunteers delivering meals and the empty streets of downtown Chicago during rush hour.

“Even with the added restraint on their daily lives, students were able still to chronicle what it has meant to live during the COVID-19 outbreak, to create visual work of consequence,” Novak said.

A sampling of this important work can be found on the UIS Communication Department Facebook page. Mitchell’s work is also featured on the NPR Illinois website.

“I learned that I loved to take photographs,” Mitchell said. “People may read the story, but they will always look at the photos. A picture really is worth one-thousand words.”

History Professor Elizabeth Kosmetatou named 2015 University Scholar at UIS

Elizabeth Kosmetatou, associate professor of History at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been named University Scholar for 2015.

The award, considered the university’s highest faculty honor, recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Only one faculty member receives the annual award at UIS.

“Elizabeth has garnered praise from students as well as colleagues for her enthusiasm, energy, and creativity as a teacher, and for the encouragement she provides to her students,” said Lynn Pardie, UIS Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Kosmetatou is regarded as an expert on the period in Hellenistic history between the deaths of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE and of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE. Her scholarship involves the interdisciplinary study of the story of the Attalids of ancient Pergamon, the votives of the temple of Artemis, and the epigrams of the poet Poseidippus of Pella.

“The depth and range of Professor Kosmetatou’s scholarship is a testament to her many academic skills and strengths,” said Pardie. Some of those skills include expertise in several areas of specialization, such as the analysis of ancient coins, inscriptions, literary and historiographical texts, and ancient politics. She is also fluent in English, Modern Greek, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Turkish languages, and she has a reading knowledge of classical Greek, Latin, Biblical Hebrew, Coptic, and Pharaonic Egyptian.

Kosmetatou has published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and has additional work in progress, including projects titled The Votives in the Delian Artemision and History and Society in the Classical Period. She has also delivered numerous scholarly presentations at national and international conferences, organized international conferences in her field, and given invited guest lectures at universities in the U.S. as well as abroad.

At UIS, Professor Kosmetatou teaches courses online and on campus, and she received the Burks Oakley II Distinguished Online Teaching Award in 2012.

She obtained her doctorate in Classics from The University of Cincinnati. Previously, she served as a lecturer of Ancient History in the Department of History at Ohio State University. She has participated in numerous archaeological digs in Greece.

As University Scholar, Kosmetatou will receive $15,000 a year for three years to support research and other scholarly activities.

Faculty do not apply for this award; they are nominated by their peers. A committee of senior faculty makes the final selection.

For more information on the award, contact Derek Schnapp, director of public relations at 217/206-6716 or email dschn3@uis.edu.

Karen Swan to be inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame

Karen Swan, the University of Illinois Springfield James J. Stukel Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership, has been selected for the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame at the University of Oklahoma.

Swan is recognized as a leading researcher in the nation when it comes to the effectiveness of online teaching and learning.

She has received numerous awards, including the Burks Oakley II Distinguished Online Teaching Award from UIS in 2014 and the Columbia University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2010.

Swan was in inducted into the inaugural class of Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Fellows and in 2006 received the OLC Award for “Most Outstanding Achievement in Online Learning by an Individual.” The award recognized her for national innovation, research and service in online learning.

Swan’s research is in the area of media, technology and learning on which she has authored over 150 publications, several hypermedia programs and two books and given over 300 presentations. Her current research interests center on online learning; in particular, the development of social presence and learning community in online and blended courses, online course design/redesign; MOOCs, and how taking online courses affects students’ retention and progression.

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

She will be inducted during a special ceremony held in conjunction with the American Association for Adult Continuing Education’s 64th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, November 18th.

Clarissa Fisher honored with Student Laureate Award from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois

University of Illinois Springfield senior Clarissa Fisher has been honored with the Student Laureate Award from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

Fisher, a Rochester, Ill. native, is majoring in Accountancy at UIS. She holds a 4.0 GPA and plans to take the CPA exam upon her graduation. Her plans also include pursuing a career in international financial management.

“I look forward to taking all that I have learned at UIS and applying it to my CPA exam which will open so many doors professionally, though I will not forget the institution that made it possible,” said Fisher.

Following a year in China teaching English and Art to elementary school students, and a subsequent mission trip to Haiti, Fisher found her passion for community service. She is involved with the Family Service Center in Springfield, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois and Big Brothers Big Sisters - Illinois Capital Region.

On campus, Fisher is active with the campus Accounting Society, Habitat for Humanity, and is on her way to becoming a LGBTQA Resource Office Safe Zone member and advocate.

“I am a work in progress,” said Fisher. “I am blessed to be constantly changing as a person and continually improving myself. UIS has given me some incredible opportunities.”

Fisher began her collegiate career at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis and transferred to UIS. She was the recipient of the Transfer Student Scholarship.

“Personally, I want to do well enough for myself that I can donate my time and efforts to giving others a chance,” said Fisher.

Fisher says her education and experience serving others overseas is helping her carve a path to her future.

“Educationally, I intend to never stop learning because, each experience that I’ve had the privilege to be a part of has shaped me into someone who wants to leave the world a better p
lace,” she said. “I know that sounds contrived, but some extraordinary people who have changed the course of human events have had similar sentiments and I’m glad to count myself among them.”

Each year an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Student Lincoln Academy Medallion and thereby becomes a Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Student Laureates are honored for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.

For more information, contact Derek Schnapp, UIS director of public relations, at 217/206-6716 or dschn3@uis.edu.

Tarah Sweeting-Trotter wins the 2014 CAPE Award

Tarah Sweeting-Trotter, an undergraduate academic advisor at the University of Illinois Springfield, was honored with the 11th annual Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence Award (CAPE) on April 24, 2014.

Sweeting-Trotter, along with Karen Moranski, associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education, created the Students Transitioning for Academic Retention and Success (STARS) Living Learning Community at UIS. The program helps select freshmen by offering them enhanced academic support services to help ensure success at UIS.

“This program was created because Tarah saw a need that wasn’t being fulfilled and stepped up to fill that gap,” said her nominator. “She spends extra time, extra effort and goes above and beyond for her students. She has a very can-do-attitude and is a pleasure to work with.”

She’s also helped to create and implement two summer bridge programs for freshmen and sophomore students and a peer advising program. She offers Faculty Development workshops to promote faculty advising, among many other projects.

Sweeting-Trotter has presented at several national advising conferences and recently earned her Ph.D. in English from St. Louis University. She teaches in both the Sociology/Anthropology and Women and Gender Studies departments at UIS.

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.

All academic professionals 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.

Others nominated for the 2014 CAPE Award include Jeannie Capranica, Sean Crawford, Rachel Lattimore, Kathryn Kleeman Lesniak, Tulio Llosa, Kara McElwrath, Kerry Poynter, Christina Ryan, Natalie Taylor, and Lisa Whelpley.

UIS announces the winner of 2011-12 academic year Outstanding Master's Thesis Award

The University of Illinois Springfield Research Board has awarded English master’s student Sarah Collins with the UIS Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award for the 2011-2012 academic year. Collins’s thesis is entitled “The Face of Disability: Humanizing Effects of Autographics on the Physically and Mentally Impaired”.

Five graduate programs nominated finalists for the award. Each of the submitted thesis/projects have, thus, already received departmental recognition for excellence and will be publicly honored at a reception on January 28, 2013.

“The Research Board was impressed by the interesting range of topics and methodologies among this year’s nominees. Members found it challenging to select a single recipient of the award,” said Cecilia Stiles Cornell, faculty associate in the Provost’s Office.

UIS Outstanding Master’s Theses/Projects: Academic Year 2011-2012 

The following students received their departments’ Outstanding Thesis or Project Award for 2011-12 and were nominated for the UIS Outstanding Master’s Thesis/Project competition:

Educational Leadership 
Jeremy Larson
“Teacher Collaboration in Rural School Districts through Online Social Networking” 
Committee Chair: Dr. Daniel Matthews

English (Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award) 
Sarah Collins
“The Face of Disability: Humanizing Effects of Autographics on the Physically and Mentally Impaired” 
Committee Chair: Dr. Lan Dong

Environmental Studies 
Gregory R. Fretueg
“Latrine Site Selection and Diet Composition of River Otters (Lontra canadensis) in a Restored Illinois Floodplain” 
Committee Chair: Dr. Dennis Ruez

History 
E. Claire Jerry
“Tracing the Trumans: An American Story’: An Exhibit at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum” 
Committee Chair: Dr. William Siles

Human Services 
Mary K. McGuire
“Identifying Needs and Barriers for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Older Adults”
Committee Chair: Dr. Donna Weinstein

Former UIS leader named Interim Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education

Former University of Illinois Springfield Provost and Interim Chancellor Dr. Harry Berman has been named the Interim Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).

Berman succeeds Executive Director George W. Reid, who announced his decision to step down. Governor Pat Quinn noted the action taken by the Board and praised the selection of Dr. Berman as Interim Executive Director, “Dr. Berman is an excellent choice to serve as the Interim Executive Director of IBHE while the Board searches for a new Director. He has a strong commitment to the Illinois Public Agenda and many years of experience in higher education in our State.”

A nationwide search will be launched to find a permanent replacement who will ensure that the State remains committed to the goals of the Public Agenda and that the State continues to fulfill Governor Quinn’s goal of making higher education more accessible, more affordable, and more effective for every Illinois student.

Carrie Hightman, IBHE Chairwoman, said, “The Board is looking forward to working with a seasoned higher education professional like Dr. Berman, pending completion of a nationwide search for a permanent Executive Director. Dr. Berman will ensure that our work moves forward to achieve the goals of the Public Agenda for College and Career Success.”

Berman most recently served as Interim Chancellor of UIS, where he oversaw all campus operations. He previously served the school as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs where he led development of the UIS Strategic Plan and as Associate Chancellor, when he chaired the development planning committee following Sangamon State University’s merger with the University of Illinois.

Dr. Berman is a widely-published scholar in the field of gerontology and human development and holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Washington University. He remains active in numerous community organizations in central Illinois.

Avery Brundage Scholarships available for the 2011-2012 academic year

University of Illinois students who excel in both academics and athletics are encouraged to enter the 38th annual Avery Brundage Scholarship competition.

Scholarship applications can be submitted online at www.usp.uillinois.edu/brundage. The deadline for submission is February 11, 2011. Paper applications will not be distributed.

Full-time University of Illinois students at the Chicago, Springfield and Urbana campuses, including incoming freshmen, graduate and transfer students, may apply. Grant-in-aid recipients may be eligible for Brundage scholarships, under specific conditions. Academic and athletic excellence will be considered over financial need.

Undergraduate and transfer student applications must rank in the top 25 percent of their college, and incoming freshmen must rank in the upper 25 percent of their incoming class. Graduate and professional students must be in good academic standing.

Students must demonstrate “special athletic ability” in an amateur sport. However, their participation must be for personal development, rather than as preparation for professional athletics. Previous Brundage scholarship winners represent a wide variety of sports from archery and tennis to swimming and wheelchair basketball. Last year, 16 winners were awarded $2,250 each.

The late Avery Brundage, a 1909 U of I graduate, competed in the 1912 Olympics and later was president of the U.S. and International Olympic committees. He established the scholarship in 1974, with a $343,000 endowment to the University of Illinois Foundation. Over the past 37 years, 809 scholarships with a total value of $1,017,200 have been awarded. Brundage maintained his interest in the University through service as a member of the University of Illinois Foundation, President's Council and Citizen's Committee.

For more information contact Gayle L. Layman, Director University-wide Student Programs at 217-333-2030.

American Sign Language classes offered at UIS

The University of Illinois Springfield has been offering American Sign Language courses in the Department of Teacher Education since the spring semester of 2008.

“I have a feeling that a lot of people have no idea that sign language is even here,” said Randy Knuppel, a junior accounting and business major.

Dene Lynn Scott, who is deaf, teaches the sign language courses. At UIS she teaches three sections of ASL along with a course on finger spelling and numbers.

“They’ve been learning for two and a half years. They’ve been studying and learning and getting a lot of knowledge,” said Scott about her advanced students.

Learning sign language isn’t only important in the teaching field, but also when it comes to business. Some students have already put what they’ve learned to use.

“I actually work at JC Penny’s and I’ve actually had to use it. People come in and I can help them because I can communicate with them and see what they need,” said Kasey Figgins, a sophomore business and management major.

The ASL program at UIS was made possible by a $30,000 gift from Springfield attorney Joe Gibbs and his wife, Lynn for first-year development and several years after.

The UIS Office of Development is currently working to raise funds to support the program. For more information visit the development website at www.uis.edu/development/give/departments.html

Students analyze first semester with Capital Scholars composition projects

Freshmen in the Capital Scholars Honors Program at UIS had a chance to look back over their first semester at both the good and the bad during a project for Capital Scholars course 111, Honors Composition.

To wrap up the class, the students completed bibliographical projects analyzing themselves and the changes they’ve seen in their personal lives since coming to college at UIS. The dozens of projects were then presented and explained to several different Capital Scholars instructors on Wednesday morning in the lobby of the Public Affairs Center.

“I thought it was a really good project because I got to reminisce back to the beginning of the semester and think back on everything and put it all into art,” said Breanna Ligaya, a freshman in biology.

Amy Spies, coordinator of Composition and Academic Support for the Capital Scholars Honor Program, said the goal of the project was to give students the opportunity to critically analyze their learning experiences for the semester.

“It required them to look at each experience with more than just how they felt at that time, but to look back and recognize what they learned and how that experience contributed to who they have become,” she said. “Some changes are good and some are not so good, which they recognized, and they’ve included the bad as well as the good in their presentations.”

Students created everything from poster boards to sculptures to collages. One student even hung notes and pictures on himself with yarn.

“It was a lot more fun than writing a paper; being able to be creative in a regular writing class was really fun,” said freshman Melissa Frost.

And according to the students, the intent of the project was a success.

“It really helped me see me as a person and how I grew,” Ligaya said.

2010-2011 Avery Brundage Scholarships available

University of Illinois students who excel in both academics and athletics are encouraged to enter the 37th annual Avery Brundage Scholarship competition.

Scholarship applications can be submitted online at www.usp.uillinois.edu/brundage. The deadline for submission is February 12, 2010. Paper applications will not be distributed.

Full-time University of Illinois students at the Chicago, Springfield and Urbana campuses, including incoming freshmen, graduate and transfer students, may apply. Grant-in-aid recipients may be eligible for Brundage scholarships, under specific conditions. Academic and athletic competence will be considered over financial need.

Undergraduate and transfer student applications must rank in the top 25 percent of their college, and incoming freshmen must rank in the upper 25 percent of their incoming class. Graduate and professional students must be in good academic standing.

Students also must have demonstrated “special athletic ability” in an amateur sport. However, their participation must have been for personal development, rather than as preparation for professional athletics. Previous Brundage scholarship winners have represented a wide variety of sports from archery and tennis to swimming and wheelchair basketball. Last year, 15 winners were awarded $2,400 each.

The late Avery Brundage, a 1909 U of I graduate, competed in the 1912 Olympics and later was president of the U.S. and International Olympic committees. He established the scholarship in 1974, with a $343,000 endowment to the University of Illinois Foundation. Over the past 36 years, 794 scholarships with a total value of $983,200 have been awarded. Brundage maintained his interest in the University through service as a member of the University of Illinois Foundation, President's Council and Citizen's Committee.

For more information contact Gayle L. Layman, Director University-wide Student Programs at 217-333-2030.

Mims has seen tremendous growth in computer science

By Courtney Westlake

photovideo

Dr. Ted Mims first started out his career in computer science working with paper tape, and then punched cards. The next years brought the era of terminals before desktop computers and laptops finally began serving the needs and wants of the general public and causing great impact in the field of computer science.

Mims came to UIS in 1990 and now serves as not only a professor of computer science, but as the chair of the computer science department. Mims' college studies originally focused on math, but after teaching math at the high school level, he eventually made the switch to the field of computer science.

After obtaining a master's and Ph.D. in computer science and teaching at Louisiana State and Nicholls State universities, Mims moved to Springfield to be part of the computer science department here at UIS, in which student enrollment has skyrocketed.

"In 1990, we had approximately 45 graduates and 75 undergraduates," Mims said. "In the spring semester of 2007, we had 350 graduate students and 200 undergraduates. So we've had more than 500 percent growth since 1990."

Mims said he enjoys working with both the faculty and the students within the program.

"I really like the faculty; they're energetic and enthusiastic about teaching," he said. "We have excellent students. When I came here, the majority of our students were adult students in their 30's with fulltime jobs. Now we also have evolved into admitting lower division students who are younger, less than 30 years old."

Three years ago, the computer science online program began bringing in more non-traditional working students who hail from all over the country. Nationwide enrollment in computer science has dropped anywhere from 30 to 60 percent, but in adding an online program, enrollment has increased 50 percent at UIS, Mims said.

"The online program brought students," he said. "Those are some of the brighter students we have; they are working for companies in the aerospace industry and major computer corporations."

As for the future of the field of computer science, Mims anticipates that security will be an area of interest and that online classes will continue to flourish.

"It seems younger students want to take more online classes than classes on campus," he said. "And I think that the programming will remain but language will change. We teach Java now, but it will be some other language in a few years from now."

Several students in UIS' computer science program have been recognized for national awards, and partnerships that have been recently developed are also an asset to the program. In 2007, for example, a partnership was developed with State Farm Insurance to make UIS the 18th university from which State Farm recruits nationally.

"This opportunity allows our students to do internships at State Farm, and several students of ours have been hired for fulltime positions with them," he said. "So that's been a great partnership, and we look to expand those partnerships with other companies."