blog posts 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 National Jurist ranks Illinois Law a top school for government careers Jan 11, 2016 11:45 am In its Winter edition of prelaw magazine, the National Jurist recently recognized 49 of the best law schools for public service careers. Campus bans hoverboards from all facilities Jan 12, 2016 9:00 am Effective Jan. 18, hoverboards will not be allowed in any facilities owned, leased, occupied or controlled by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. How engineering will revolutionize the future of healthcare Jan 13, 2016 10:30 am "Look at what this University and the College of Engineering did for electronics and computing in the 20th Century. We have the opportunity to have the same kind of an impact in the 21st Century for health and medicine." National Medal of Arts winner Ping Chong: Artist-in-residence Jan 14, 2016 10:15 am Renowned artist and National Medal of Arts winner Ping Chong is working with dance students to create a performance based on racial history in the U.S. GSLIS introduces a new Masters in information management Jan 20, 2016 10:15 am Designed to meet the growing demand for information professionals in a rapidly changing workforce, the degree prepares professionals for information-intensive roles in a broad range of employment sectors. New Krannert Art Museum exhibition explores perception of time Jan 20, 2016 3:30 pm “Time / Image,” one of Krannert Art Museum’s spring exhibitions opening on Jan. 28, explores how time is perceived through contemporary art. Squirrel Appreciation Day is a thing. And it's today. Jan 21, 2016 11:45 am The story of how squirrels came to the U of I campus in the first place. Capturing the blues of 1990s Urbana-Champaign with photos by Jack Van Camp Jan 25, 2016 3:30 pm During the 1990s such blues musicians as Big Daddy Kinsey, Jimmy Rogers, Luther Johnson, and the Blind Boys of Alabama frequently performed here, and their performances influenced local musicians throughout central Illinois. LAS prof Karen Sears wins Lynn Martin Award for Distinguished Women Teachers Jan 26, 2016 11:15 am The Lynn M. Martin Award for Distinguished Women Teachers is designated to promote exceptional achievement in undergraduate teaching by women. Read about the work of this year's winner. Planning your Spring Break? Consider the Civil Rights Pilgrimage Feb 4, 2016 1:00 pm See pictures and hear from students who went last year, and check the itinerary for this year. Black Greek Letter Association: Fostering social spaces at Illinois Feb 4, 2016 1:45 pm Registered as student organization in 1972, the BGLA’s mission was “to promote black greek unity of organization” and “to improve the quality of social life on the U of I campus.” Bruce Nesbitt African American Cultural Center to get new home Feb 5, 2016 1:00 pm By 2018, after nearly five decades of using temporary campus facilities, the U. of I.'s Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center will finally have a permanent building of its own. February brings a variety of world music performances to campus Feb 8, 2016 10:45 am Fans of world music have a smorgasbord of events to choose from this month, including Slavic folk music performances, a percussionist playing handmade instruments and a conference devoted to Afro-Brazilian dance and music. Happy Lunar New Year! Feb 8, 2016 11:45 am Lunar New Year is the most significant and widely celebrated holiday for many Asian cultures. It marks the beginning of a new year and is associated with a myriad of cultural traditions. Professor Philip Krein, four other alumni elected to National Academy of Engineering Feb 8, 2016 3:30 pm Philip Krein, Grainger Endowed Emeritus Chair in Electric Machinery and Electromechanics, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. What's your #ILLINOISlove story? Feb 11, 2016 2:30 pm We asked University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign alumni to share how they first met their significant others, from a Reddit meetup to a nude drawing class to a Homecoming party. Extension kicks off $4.5 million school lunchroom program Feb 15, 2016 1:00 pm New federal nutrition standards call for increased promotion of healthy fare such as fruits and vegetables in schools and will be the focus of the U. of I. Extension’s new school lunchroom makeover program. IPRH’s ‘Cell Phone Slam!’ to present variety of views on cellphones Feb 16, 2016 6:30 am Twelve participants will each have six minutes to answer the question, “What do you see when you see a cellphone?” Co-founder of #blacklivesmatter visits campus Feb. 19 Feb 17, 2016 8:15 am Opal Tometi's "Friday Forum" talk is free and open to the public. Crain's: Companies are 'flocking' to U of I's Research Park Feb 17, 2016 7:45 pm An article published in the Feb. 15 print edition of Crain's Chicago Business examines the trend of large corporations opening innovation centers in the University of Illinois Research Park. Illinois again earns a spot on the Peace Corps’ annual Top Schools list Feb 18, 2016 3:30 pm The University of Illinois is the No. 7 all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers, with 2,026 graduates having served since the agency was created in 1961. Hack Illinois explores new frontiers this weekend Feb 19, 2016 5:15 am From its inception, HackIllinois, held this year Feb. 19-21, has ventured out into the unknown on a mission to build an exceptional and creative hacking culture. This starts with fostering an environment of innovation and impact. Unity and Action: The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center Feb 19, 2016 11:00 am By the fall of 1969, the Afro-American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois had opened in a temporary headquarters under the direction of Val Gray Ward, an activist and artist. DGS presents the first Major Exploration Week Feb 22, 2016 11:30 am Open to all undergrads, this week will provide opportunities for you to learn more in-depth information about majors. Energy conservation efforts projected to save $41M at five Engineering facilities Feb 22, 2016 11:30 am A set of energy conservation projects will guarantee more than $41M in cost avoidance over the next 20 years and reduce the campus deferred maintenance backlog by an estimated $25M. Insects explode onscreen – and in real life Feb 22, 2016 11:45 am The 2016 Insect Fear Film Festival will feature films of cockroaches that start fires through spontaneous combustion and lava-spewing tarantulas. Ebertfest announces initial slate of films and special guests for 2016 Feb 22, 2016 2:15 pm The 18th Annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival hosted by Chaz Ebert, also known as ‘Ebertfest,’ is pleased to announce the initial slate of films in this year’s festival with special guests. Former Miss America Erika Harold to headline 2016 National TRIO Day celebration Feb 22, 2016 4:15 pm TRIO programs focus on improving college access, retention, graduation, and enrollment in graduate school for first generation, low-income, disabled, adult, and veteran students. Five Illinois faculty members named Sloan Research Fellows Feb 23, 2016 1:15 pm This year, 126 Sloan Research Fellowships were awarded to early-career scientists and scholars from 52 colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada. Five were awarded to Illinois scholars. Prof. Chris Benson: Antonin Scalia's role in the Emmett Till case Feb 25, 2016 2:00 pm Chicago Tribune (Feb. 19) - How a legal rationale crafted by the ultra-conservative Scalia ultimately was used by a Kansas City activist to urge a federal investigation of the 1955 Mississippi murder of Emmett Till.