The University of Ãå±±½ûµØ Springfield honored the significant contributions of Kathy Best and Mary Mitchell Beaumont during the university’s annual Alumni Gala on Friday, February 23, 2018, at the UIS Student Union.
The 2017 Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding success and national or international distinction in one’s business, profession or life’s work was presented to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kathy Best, who earned a master’s degree in public affairs reporting in 1990.

The University of Ãå±±½ûµØ Springfield Research Board has honored two former graduate students, both from Sangamon County, with awards for their m
University of Ãå±±½ûµØ Springfield Associate Professor of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson was honored with the faculty service award for Ãå±±½ûµØ during the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region III in Indianapolis January 9-14, 2018.
The University of Ãå±±½ûµØ Springfield Mock Trial Club recently finished in fifth place out of 28 teams during the 2018 Jayhawk Invitational hosted by the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas on January 27-28, 2018.
The group of seven UIS students defeated four nationally-ranked teams to win the fifth-place title. A total of 19 nationally-ranked teams took part in the invitational.
More than 970 students earned degrees from the University of Ãå±±½ûµØ Springfield during Summer Semester 2019, Fall Semester of 2019 and Spring Semester 2020.
Commencement ceremonies were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below you'll find a printable list of graduates' names and degrees listed by the city of residence on file with UIS Records and Registration at the time of graduation.
Sudeep Sharma, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, marketing and operations at the University of Ãå±±½ûµØ Springfield, has been named University Scholar for 2020. The award, considered the university system’s highest faculty honor, recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Only one faculty member receives the annual award at UIS.
A video series shot at the University of Ãå±±½ûµØ Springfield’s  is serving as a national simulation training model for preparing child welfare workers and students for working with at-risk children and families.Â
Lincoln scholar Graham Peck has been named the Wepner Distinguished Professor of Lincoln Studies at the University of Ãå±±½ûµØ Springfield.
A virtual Ceremony of Investiture honoring Peck was held on Thursday, Sept. 24 where he received a medallion that symbolizes his position as a distinguished professor. Investitures are a special celebration of academic excellence. At UIS, when a professor is chosen to be an endowed chair or distinguished professor, an investiture takes place.
Flute Masterclass with UIS Flute Faculty, Amanda Pond
On Sunday, November 1 at 3pm, UIS and Community flutists will have the opportunity to participate in an online masterclass with UIS Flute Instructor Amanda Pond. Tune in on November 1 for the online link to view the masterclass. Community and UIS flutists interested in participating in the flute masterclass should fill out the following form: