Wenguang Huang, Sangamon State University (SSU) alumnus, and the 2012 commencement speaker shared wisdom, personal history and job tips for graduates of UIS through a personal interview and his commencement speech. After coming to the United States and SSU (now UIS) in 1990, Huang embarked on a journey that led him through his graduation from the Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), into a career in journalism and beyond.

  Almost a year ago, Susan Koch became chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield.  It was important for Koch to learn as much as possible about UIS, and she describes this past year as a year of listening. “I promised myself and the community that I would spend this year getting to know our campus and our community, the University of Illinois and the state of Illinois,” Koch said.

Student Commencement Speech

  Good afternoon. I would first like to start by welcoming, and thanking, the friends, family, and all those assisting the graduates in being able to participate in the 2012 commencement ceremony of the University of Illinois-Springfield. It is a great honor to stand before the largest commencement ceremony audience in UIS history.