blog posts U of I named a finalist for 2015 Innovation & Economic Prosperity University Awards Oct 15, 2015 9:45 am "Finalists for the 2015 APLU Innovation & Economic Prosperity University Awards have all demonstrated a clear commitment to economic engagement and have followed through by delivering results." - APLU President Peter McPherson Illinois awarded $8M from NIH to study nuclear structure Oct 15, 2015 11:00 am Professor Andrew Belmont will lead a team of investigators that has been awarded an $8M grant over five years to study nuclear structure as part of the recently-unveiled 4D Nucleome Program. What ‘Back to the Future Part II’ got wrong (and right), according to Illinois experts Oct 15, 2015 4:30 pm Experts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign weigh in on a few predictions the movie 'Back to the Future Part II' got wrong – and right – and their own forecasts for future technology. Illinois campus recognized as a 'Milestones in Microbiology' site Oct 20, 2015 10:30 am The American Society for Microbiology, the largest and oldest life science society in the world, named Illinois one of the Milestones for its “rich history of major microbiological achievements.” Klues Family Foundation gives $1 million to College of Media Oct 21, 2015 1:00 pm The gift will provide scholarship support to underrepresented students in advertising who have significant financial need. Jack Klues is a 1977 advertising graduate. Cancer Scholars Program links education to real-world issues Oct 26, 2015 4:00 pm The goal is to show the students the relevance of their coursework and to provide clinical and research opportunities for them to apply what they are learning to cancer research. Students' Space Society wins design competition for Mars exploration satellite communications Oct 27, 2015 12:30 pm Members of the ISS team will travel to Boston in November for the SpaceVision 2015 conference to receive the award. Students learn more than they often realize in studying English Oct 28, 2015 11:30 am English majors should be prepared for the questions, concerns and even mocking about the value of their degree. November Dance features a tribute to Beverly Blossom Oct 30, 2015 1:45 pm The performances will feature a new presentation of 'Brides,' a signature work by the late Beverly Blossom, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and a professor of dance at Illinois from 1967 to 1990 Another major step forward for Carle Illinois College of Medicine Nov 2, 2015 11:30 am Carle Health System and Illinois recently signed four important establishing documents, including a Research Affiliation Agreement, a Translational Research Agreement, Hiring Practices Guidelines, and a Joint Liaison Committee Charter. Recapping the NEH Chairman's visit: High time for the humanities Nov 2, 2015 3:15 pm William Adams's high profile visit shines light on the importance of a well-rounded education Illinois to lead NSF Midwest Big Data Hub Nov 3, 2015 3:15 pm To accelerate advancements in the rapidly emerging field of big data analysis, the National Science Foundation is establishing four regional Big Data Hubs. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will lead the Midwest Hub. Study finds U. of I. contributes $13.9 billion in annual income to Illinois economy Nov 4, 2015 12:45 pm The University generates a 19.3 percent return on the public’s investment – through spending by its campuses, employees and students and the increased earning power of its graduates ACES students blog about recent travel experiences Nov 9, 2015 7:15 am The ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss funded the trips of eight undergraduate students to its first worldwide conference in Rome Agrible celebrates grand opening in Research Park Nov 9, 2015 11:15 am Agrible is one of the fastest growing companies in Champaign-Urbana, and is a proud graduate of the EnterpriseWorks incubator. UI professor on White House team working to improve access to federal programs Nov 9, 2015 1:45 pm Political science professor Jake Bowers has been appointed to a White House team that’s applying insights from social and behavioral science to improve access to federal programs. 3-D printing lab fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, interdisciplinary teamwork Nov 10, 2015 12:00 pm Located on the third floor of the Business Instructional Facility, the Illinois MakerLab is touted as the world’s first 3-D printing lab in a business school. University Housing honored with 2015 Governor's Sustainability Award Nov 11, 2015 10:15 am The Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Awards, the “Emmy Awards for Sustainability,” were presented by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, a unit of the Prairie Research Institute. Illinois student Patricia Starks on being a veteran at Illinois Nov 11, 2015 10:30 am As of Fall 2015, Illinois is home to 315 student veterans. It’s also the home of the new Chez Family Foundation Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education. Lincoln Hall earns Frank Lloyd Wright Award in Architecture Nov 11, 2015 4:45 pm The prestigious award came in part because of how designers were able to preserve historical aspects of the building while suiting it for 21st century higher education. East St. Louis Archaeological Project named a 'top ten field project in the world' Nov 12, 2015 11:30 am Shanghai Archaeological Forum of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, has recognized the Illinois State Archaeological Survey’s East St. Louis Archaeological Project Digital technologies the focus of new College of Education programs Nov 12, 2015 11:45 am New degree programs in the College of Education will focus on the research and design of digital learning and teaching technologies and their applications across a range of disciplines. Campus remembers Tim Nugent: The father of Accessibility Nov 12, 2015 12:00 pm Tim Nugent, who died Wednesday at the age of 92, was a visionary who changed the world for people with disabilities. Professor gets $2.5 m to study climate change and tick-borne diseases Nov 19, 2015 9:15 am The grant was awarded by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, the Department of Defense's environmental science and technology program. Meet the most recent alumnus inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame Nov 20, 2015 3:00 pm William Sparks's invention of butyl rubber was critical to keeping the U.S. and its allies supplied with tires, rafts, boots, and other products during World War II when Japanese warships cut off shipments of natural rubber. Six Illinois researchers named AAAS fellows Nov 23, 2015 10:15 am Six Illinois researchers, including U. of I. President Timothy Killeen, are new Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. U. of I. student Leah Matchett named Marshall Scholar Nov 23, 2015 10:45 am A senior pursuing a double major in global studies and geology, Matchett is one of more than 30 students from the U.S. selected as Marshall Scholars for postgraduate study at a university in the U.K. Solar Farm ready to provide renewable energy to campus Nov 25, 2015 12:00 pm The Solar Farm was connected to the university’s electrical distribution system Nov. 12. The next day, production reached 4.48 megawatts. Professor Stephen Long to speak at Paris climate convention Dec 1, 2015 11:45 am Agricultural innovation is needed now — not later — to avoid food shortages in a world with an ever-changing climate and a growing population. Illinois's Monica Chen named 2015 Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Dec 2, 2015 9:30 am As a result of Chen’s academic excellence and extracurricular involvement, she was named the 2015 Lincoln Academy Student Laureate for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Grant may unlock 9 million new acres previously unusable for energy crop production Dec 2, 2015 2:00 pm Team hopes to develop sorghum with a 40% improvement in Water Use Efficiency. “That means that we should be able to expand the growing area into regions that are currently too dry to produce a profitable crop.” James Anderson named Presidential Fellow for inclusivity matters Dec 7, 2015 10:45 am Each campus is currently working on existing and new initiatives aimed at eliminating racial inequity and discrimination. Professor Anderson will act as a liaison from the Office of the President to those efforts. Illinois second in nation among public universities for international students Dec 8, 2015 11:15 am The highly anticipated Open Doors report ranks Illinois as second in the nation for international student body in 2014-15 (fifth when accounting for private schools) and ninth for students participating in study abroad programs in 2013-14. New study maps evidence of conservation impacts on human well-being Dec 9, 2015 10:30 am “Evidence maps are emerging as a powerful new tool to visually distill a huge amount of information on what works and what doesn’t in a particular field, says Professor Daniel Miller. $4.5 million to U of I Extension for school food-service training Dec 9, 2015 3:30 pm The State Board of Education contracted with U of I Extension to develop and conduct in-person and web-based training that supports child nutrition standards and promotes a more appealing cafeteria environment. Core curriculum committee formed for Carle Illinois College of Medicine Dec 10, 2015 10:30 am U. of I. Interim Provost Edward Feser said the group has an opportunity to have a significant impact on the future of medical education. “Our aim is to create something truly new and transformative,” he said. Illinois named #11 of The 25 Fittest U.S. Colleges in 2015 Dec 10, 2015 3:15 pm The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been named #11 of “The 25 Fittest U.S. Colleges in 2015” by the Active Times. Illini Union to host Finals Nap Room on Tuesday, Dec. 15 Dec 11, 2015 2:45 pm The event will be held in Illini Union room 210 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Which college students are likely candidates for risky sex? Dec 14, 2015 6:00 pm AnIllinois study suggests a significant link between instability in the lives of college-age young adults and the likelihood that they will engage in risky sex. Adesida receives 2016 TMS Functional Materials John Bardeen Award Dec 15, 2015 10:30 am The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) will recognize Adesida for his contributions to the field of electronic materials. U. of I.'s annual charity drive was a great success Dec 17, 2015 7:30 am Urbana campus employees came through in a big way for the Campus Charitable Fund Drive, donating more than $1.3 million to local charities. Dial-A-Carol has nary a silent night after news of it goes viral Dec 17, 2015 11:00 am The campus Dial-A-Carol program broke its previous record by a long shot this holiday season after news of the free live caroling service went viral. Illinois recognized on several lists in 2015 Dec 18, 2015 2:30 pm A variety of businesses, organizations and news publications included Illinois on "best of" lists this year. Events throughout the week Dec 21, 2015 9:15 am 2016 Theme: Developing New Relationships: Building a Community for Everyone Digital Marketing specialization one of the most coveted Coursera certificates Dec 22, 2015 10:15 am The Digital Marketing Specialization offered by the University of Illinois came in at the top of the list of Coursera offerings that “had the biggest impact on the lives of our learners.” Undergrads build biobots in new bioengineering course Jan 6, 2016 11:00 am This past semester, Illinois' Bioengineering department piloted a brand new course, BIOE 306, BioFabrication Lab, that teaches undergraduate students how to build biobots, too. Researchers Develop Powerful Fashion-Optimized Image Search Tool Jan 6, 2016 1:45 pm Researchers at the Advanced Digital Sciences Center have commercialized FashionMatch, a fashion-optimized tool that analyzes apparel in an image to instantly find visually similar items and where to purchase them. Journalist Bob Woodward is first speaker in "New Lincoln Lecture" series Jan 7, 2016 2:15 pm The College of Law will host a lecture series titled “The New Lincoln Lectures: What Abraham Lincoln Means to the 21st Century.” Vet Med Student Blog: 10 Lessons from Down on the Farm Jan 7, 2016 5:30 pm Ten observations from a student caregiver at the University’s Veterinary Medicine Research Farm Illinois Public Media lands veteran public radio host to launch new show Jan 8, 2016 8:45 am Illinois Public Media is launching The 21st, a new hour-long talk show, that will be made available to other public radio stations throughout Illinois for simulcast