A graphic showing a pink map of Illinois with Clayville, Springfield, Decatur, Chicago and the Historic French Colonial District listed. Text on the graphic says "University of Illinois Springfield, Lunch and Learn Series, Spring 2024."

Spring 2024 Lunch and Learn Series

Please mark your calendars for the Spring 2024 Lunch and Learn Series presented by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.

All Programs will be available for in-person and virtual attendance, as well as recorded.

In-person winter warm-up on February 16: Free (no lunch included)
In-person sessions in March, April & May: $40/person includes lunch
Illini Country Club
1601 Illini Rd
Springfield, IL 

Virtual Zoom Webinar: Free 

Life and Times of A.E. Staley

Tuesday, May 21

Doors Open 11am | Lunch 11:30am | Program 12-1pm CT

In the late 1800’s, Augustus Eugene “A.E” Staley grew up barefoot on a North Carolina farm, decided he liked selling more than farming, and built an empire worth over a billion dollars today. The A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company grew to become the largest processor of soybeans in the world, and Staley’s passion for sports led him to become the original owner of the football team that became the Chicago Bears, and to ownership of a semi-pro baseball team featuring George Halas and Joe McGinnity. Staley’s influence on Decatur and Macon County is felt today in many infrastructure and philanthropic endeavors. 

Award-winning writer and film producer Julie Staley, president of the Staley Museum, will discuss the life and times of A.E. Staley, his influence on life on the prairie, incorporating what she has learned from both traditional research and personal stories handed down from generation to generation.   

Previous Lunch and Learn content is archived on MediaSpace.

If you have any questions, please contact UIS Advancement at advancement@uis.edu or 217-206-6058.