MilliConnect

MilliConnect

A Guide to All Things Millikin

From the English Capstone Class of 2024-2025

TABLE OF

CON ENTS History What’s With All the Bricks?

Who Roams the Halls?

The Life of James Millikin Small School ≠ Boring Did You Know...Millikin Edition

4 6 9 11 13

Future Preparedness Pay Your Bills: Campus Employment Services Pre-Professional Guide

25 27

Millikin Off-Campus Local Treasures Taste the Town Where to Shop in Decatur Groceries on a Budget

39 42 45 47

Introduction Creators Letter from the Editors

2 3

All About Campus Campus Offices Campus Housing Meet the Registered Student Organizations

15 20 21

Personal Well-Being Your Mind Matters The Road to Academic Success Easy Eats Making the Most of Millikin

29 31 34 37

About the Creators

Tabitha Barowsky

Cristina Borunda-Gomez

Eden Niebrugge

I’m a music and English studies major with a minor in Writing and a jazz certificate. After graduation, I hope to stay in colleges for a little bit working in Campus Life offices with students, specifically Greek Life and New Student Programs. Beyond that, I want to find my way back to music, playing in local groups, and english, working in book publishing.

I’m an English writing major with a concentration in journalism. I chose my major because I love writing, and the skills it requires are helpful for law school, which I hope to go into once I graduate. Although I was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, I’ve also lived in Texas for around 5 years give or take. I play tennis on Millikin’s tennis team and write for The Decaturian in my spare time I have two cats whose names are Luna and Sol, which mean “Moon” and “Sun.”

I’m a professional writing major with a minor in publishing & editing.

Despite my interest in many different written genres, books have always been part of my life and will remain in my future. I chose Millikin to publish a poetry book about teenage anger, which is now my honors capstone. After graduating, I plan to pursue a career in book publishing in the hope of highlighting underrepresented stories and authors.

Rochelle Pense

Destiny Schlesinger

Olivia Swords

I’m a creative writing major with a minor in publishing and editing.

I’ve always loved reading and writing. When I came to Millikin I was an exploratory major until my advisor saw how happy I was in English and told me it was the right path. I’m always on campus, as I work two jobs and am involved in various things. When I’m not on campus, I’m typically hanging out with my cat Peanut Butter (he’s orange).

I’m a professional writing major with a minor in business administration at Millikin University. I have written for BURST magazine. I eventually changed my major to Professional Writing from Secondary English Education and I hope to pursue a career in human resources or grant writing. With my career, I hope to go into the corporate world and lend a helping hand. When I am not at Millikin, I love to relax and play with my golden retriever, Duke.

I’m a triple-major in English, history, and philosophy with hopes of attending law school in the future. I chose my majors because each program requires significant reading, writing, and critical thinking, all of which are important skills for a career in law. In addition to my on-campus extracurricular involvement, I enjoy participating in community theatre, crafting, and playing with my two dogs, Dolly and Reba.

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Letter from the Editors Dear readers, MilliConnect serves as a guide for you, with the larger purpose of providing an accurate and accessible representation of Millikin through the eyes of the 2024 English capstone class.

MilliConnect articles are from many different perspectives and identities to provide the connected experience of being a Millikin student. Each story was reviewed several times by different editors to ensure they are applicable to the many students who come and go from this campus. If you’re curious enough, visit the page on the left and make note of the bylines in each article to learn about how an editor’s perspective played a role in this publication. We have all given our expertise, experiences, and consideration to this guide.

For those of you who have been on campus already, we hope you discover new places to visit, clubs to join, meals to make, or ways to save on groceries. There is plenty in here for you as well, as we can all learn from each other.

While we hope to inform you about the Millikin experience, we also realize the surrounding community is often overshadowed, which is why there are plenty of tips on Decatur. We hope that by using the advice and knowledge in this guide, your college experience is enhanced.

Take it easy, Eden Niebrugge

Olivia Swords

Cristina Borunda Gomez

Tabitha Barowsky

Rochelle Pense

Destiny Schlesinger

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By Rochelle Pense While Millikin is not as big as other schools, knowing what buildings contain what and some of the history behind it can be useful. However, trying to find all the information can be difficult at times. A lot of students can forget that not everyone knows what a building holds or what an acronym stands for. This is that information broken down.

Built in 1902, Shilling Hall was originally three separate buildings. However, it wasn’t called Shilling until renovations in 1988. According to millikin.edu,”It was renamed in the honor of Charles Franklin Shilling, the mayor at the time of Millikin’s founding…” In the original three buildings, the right building was domestic science, the center building was liberal arts, and the left building was science and engineering.

Since Shilling was the first building on campus to be built with bricks, it set a standard for any future buildings. Today, many departments such as English, Education, Mathematics, and many more as well as some of the more important offices like the President’s office, Provost, IT, and several other major offices can be found here

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Built in 1911, Perkinson Music Center, or PMC, was first named Millikin University Conservatory of Music. Home to the School of Music, it has many features such as practice rooms and Kaeuper Hall, a 167-seat auditorium where many events are hosted.

Due to the popularity of the music program, the building was renovated in 2000. When walking in PMC today, you can still see part of an exterior wall inside. Kaeuper Hall is named after Herman Kaeuper, who was the first director of the School of Music. Additionally, when renovations began, Pat Perkinson donated $8 million to the project and, thus, the school was renamed after him.

Another one of Millikin’s early buildings is Gorin Hall.

Today, offices like Admission, Marketing, and the Registrar’s Office call it home. Originally, it was used as the library from 1931 to 1978 before being replaced by the Staley Library.

It’s named after Orville B. Gorin, who was a friend of the university and a member of the Board of Managers.

Built in 1955, ADM-Scovill Hall is home to the Tabor School of Business, which is why Scovill is often referred to as Tabor.

Additionally, it’s home to many

MBA classes and the Center for Entrepreneurship. It’s named after Guy and Rose Scovill, who helped fund the construction of the building, but they also donated money to several other causes in the community, which is why when you go off campus, there are many things with Scovill in the name. ADM comes from Archer Daniels Midland who contributed to funding the renovations in 2005. The Tabor School of Business is the only school within the campus to be named after someone. While many of the buildings are named after alumni and donors, Tabor got its name from Purvis F. Tabor, who served as a board of trustee member and whose wife was a Millikin alum.

Opened in 2002, the LeightyTabor Science Center is home to many programs such as chemistry, biology, physics, and nursing. Also named after Purvis F. Tabor, the other part of its name comes from Dr. John A. Leighty. Dr. Leighty graduated from Millikin in 1931 and was one of the creators of penicillin.

He donated around $7 million to the building while Roberta Tabor, Purvis’s wife, donated $6 million as well.

One of the most used buildings on campus is the

University Commons, also known as the UC. After receiving millions of dollars in donations, Millikin broke ground in November 2015.

While the UC was a new building, it was merged with the Staley Library, which was built in 1977 and was previously housed in Gorin Hall. Even though the UC now holds the Staley Library, it also holds important offices such as the Center for International Education (CIE), Campus Life, The Student Success Center (SSC), and the WJMU radio station.

Construction on the Center for Theatre and Dance began in 2019, and in 2020, the new CTD building opened. As Millikin’s newest building, it offers a plethora of features such as several studios for acting and dance. It was built on the site of the Richards Treat University Center, which used to be what the UC is today. Mainly students of the School of Theatre and Dance (SOTAD) use the building; however, it’s open to everyone.

While those are some of the main buildings today, there are a lot of buildings that are no longer standing. Millikin has seen much change in its many years of operations and will continue to see many more.

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Who Roams the Halls?

By Rochelle Pense

Many people dismiss the idea of ghosts and places being haunted. Not Millikin. While some may claim the campus isn’t haunted, countless students and professors alike have had ghostly encounters.

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One of the most interactive ghosts is that of Rail Girl. Despite what the name implies, she doesn’t get her name from the rail tracks nearby, but rather from the railing in the upper levels of the Albert Taylor Theatre.

There are some superstitions in the theatre that you have to give her candy before a show, otherwise something bad will happen during the show. Many people have claimed to see her, describing her as a young girl in an old-fashioned dress. While she’s known for being in Albert Taylor, she’s also known to roam Shilling.

Professor Gail Fyke used to have an office in Shilling and had many ghostly encounters.

During her first year of teaching, the office got flooded, and maintenance blamed it on someone leaving a window open. However, no one can remember leaving any windows open.

Other times, Fyke would come into the office and find books rearranged or completely strewn about the room. While both occurrences are spooky, neither compares to the craziest thing Fyke witnessed. After returning from a long break, Fyke walked into the office to find that all the mouldings from the furniture were now on the floor. While that’s weird in and of itself, what made it

downright creepy was the fact that the moulding was piled into the center of the room like a campfire. “I stood there and thought, ‘What the hell.’” she recalled. Fyke invited other professors over, but no one could come up with a concrete answer as to what happened. Soon after, Fyke put out some candy and the activity calmed down.

This led to the conclusion that it was Rail Girl causing all the disturbances.

While Rail Girl is certainly one of the most famous ghosts on campus, another popular one would be that of the ghost in Aston Hall.

While currently used as a photography space, Aston was first called the Women’s Hall.

Opened in the fall of 1907, Aston was the residence of many women who attended the university. However, its haunted reputation comes from Bernice Richardson. While Rail Girl is a fun story about a little girl, that of Bernice is not. Supposedly, in 1927, Bernice drank carbolic acid after she was unable to rush for a sorority due to poor grades.

However, other reports suggest that Aston is haunted because a student fell down some stairs. Regardless of what happened in Aston, many people have reported it to be haunted, specifically the third floor. From disappearing apparitions to moving belongings around, the ghost of Aston is sure to give you a fright.

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Another reportedly haunted dorm building is Aston’s friend Blackburn Hall. The two buildings are connected via Walker Hall, which is currently not in use. People in Blackburn have claimed to see Bonnie Blackburn, who was a professor here until 1956. She’s often seen in mirrors looking depressed, but she disappears before students can get a better look. I wonder if she looks so sad because she was unable to help Bernice when she was a student, as Bonnie was a professor during Bernice’s time here. Or maybe the ghosts like to travel back and forth between Aston and Blackburn.

The most haunted building on campus is no longer available for visitors. The Old Gym was one of the second oldest buildings on campus next to Shilling and the Conservatory of Music (now PMC), which were built in 1902 and 1911, respectively. While not everyone attended class in the Conservatory, many people visited the Old Gym.

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The Old Gym hosted some of the first Illinois High School Athletic Association Basketball tournaments. Many games were won and lost in the gym, and maybe ghosts were reliving their best athletic days. There were reports of hearing phantom noises from people running, to cheers, and even scoreboard noises. As someone who visited the Old Gym before it was torn down, I can say it was truly a sight to be seen. You could feel the history radiating off the walls, and maybe some ghostly vibes too.

Now, whether or not you believe in ghosts is entirely up to you. Professor Fyke stated, ”I think it’s something that you have to be open to.” I choose to believe because I like the stories and the history that come from these tales. Others choose to believe for frights or because they’re looking for answers. However, the question that remains is: Do you believe?

The Life of James Millikin

By Rochelle Pense We all know what 1901 signifies at Millikin. The year Millikin University was founded, which is not the same year Millikin opened. Just three months before the school opened, on June 4, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt gave the dedicatory address for the school.

The doors to Millikin University then opened on Sept. 15, 1903. So, what about the man who created the university? Why did he do it?

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While James Millikin’s exact date of birth is unknown, historians put it as Aug. 2, 1827. He was born in Ten Mile, Pennsylvania, to Able and Nancy Millikin. His mother is of Dutch origin and his grandfather came from Ireland to the States. His grandfather is said to have been a ScottishIrish Presbyterian, which would make Millikin’s affiliation with the Presbyterian Church understandable.

Not much is known about his childhood other than the fact he grew up on a farm. In 1846, he enrolled at Washington College in Washington, Pennsylvania, which is where his dream of opening a college began. From 1849 to 1856 he would travel between Pennsylvania and Illinois, often stopping in states like Indiana to move livestock.

Sometime in 1856, he permanently settled in Decatur.

On Jan. 1, 1857, James Millikin married Anna Bernice Aston.

The two met earlier in life as Anna was the daughter of Reverend Samuel Aston, who was the pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Mount Zion.

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However, Samuel Aston was also the pastor of the church in Ten Mile where James Millikin first met Anna when she and her sister were attending the Washington Female Seminary. Millikin’s first dorm built in 1907 was named after Samuel Aston. Well before that, however, in 1876, the site that would later be known as the James Millikin Homestead was built. This is where James and Anna Millikin would reside.

In 1860, James Millikin started reducing his involvement in livestock in favor of real estate and banking. Then in 1897, he renamed his bank from J. Millikin & Co. to the Millikin National Bank of Decatur. He remained in the banking business until his death in 1909. His wife followed four years later in 1913. Both James and Anna Millikin loved Decatur dearly to the point they left a lot to the city when they passed. When Anna died, she left her home to the Decatur Art Institute.

When founding the university, James Millikin wanted “a university that would embrace the ‘practical’ side of learning along with the ‘literary and classical,’” according to the Millikin website.

While James Millikin was the founder of the university, it was Albert Reynolds Taylor who really impacted the university in the beginning years. He was hired as the president in 1901, and he also served as the dean, registrar, and business manager and taught philosophy, pedagogy, and education. His contributions to the university led the auditorium in Shilling Hall to be named after him.

James Millikin had a dream of a great institution for higher education, and thanks to the support of his friends and family, as well as many great individuals who had yet to come, he made the university what it is today.

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SMALL SCHOOL

BORING People often complain that there’s “nothing to do” around campus, but the reality is that Millikin is pretty good about hosting events, and the many clubs on campus always provide something to do.

The best advice I can give you to make the most of your time in college, especially on a small campus, is to get involved. Attend campus events and take advantage of the opportunities you get to meet people.

Some of the events that Millikin hosts even offer free food! You’re paying enough for tuition, so may as well get out and get your money’s worth. In the spirit of helping you get your money’s worth, I have compiled a list of some of the most notable yearly campus events you might want to look out for.

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August National College Colors Day

September

Hispanic Heritage Month Dress to Impress Vocal Festival Macon County College & Career Fair (DISC) Chalk the Walk

October

Homecoming and Family Weekend Career and Internship Fair La Fiesta by LASO Boo at MU Halloween Percussion Concert

February Valentine’s Gala Career and Internship Fair

March

Poster Sale in the UC

April

Student Leadership Awards Percussion Concert Annual Honors Convocation Day of Scholarship Founder’s Day Celebration

November Global Opportunities Fair Global Opportunities Study Abroad Fair

December Holidays from Around the World Pancake Breakfast Cookie Party Vespers

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Additionally, there are almost always sports events you can attend as a Millikin student. Go out and support the Big Blue!

For exact dates for these and other events, check out the regularly updated Campus Life Calendar on Millikin’s website. Also remember to check your Millikin email regularly, as Campus Life sends a weekly email of the Campus Happenings.

Going to a smaller school doesn’t have to be boring. It’s actually great if you know how to make the most of it!

Did You Know...

by Olivia Swords

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While you may have heard about notable alumni such as Jodi Benson and Sierra Boggess, both famed for their portrayal of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” Millikin boasts an array of remarkably successful alums from a variety of disciplines.

For example, have you heard of Jeffrey Sterling? He served as a CIA employee and was the whistleblower of Operation Merlin, a covert operation involving the Clinton Administration and Iran. Additionally, Douglas Oberhelman (namesake of the Oberhelman Center for Leadership), former CEO of Caterpillar Inc., began his professional journey at Millikin, paving the way for his journey from a finance major at Tabor to an agricultural bigwig. Lastly, Marcia Morey, a 1977 Millikin graduate, has worn many hats throughout her life. A fierce competitor at the 1976 summer Olympics in breaststroke,she went on to Shilling Hall, the central point on Millikin’s serve as a Chief District Judge in North Carolina, and campus, received its name from Charles F. then a member of the North Carolina House of Shilling, who was Decatur’s mayor in 1901, when Representatives.

Millikin’s founding began. Leighty-Tabor was

Millikin’s Perkinson School of Music served as an early pioneer in undergraduate studies, offering one of the first degree programs in commercial music. It is no surprise, given Millikin’s emphasis on both music and business.

Today, commercial music students at Millikin have access to Millitrax Recording Studio, where the student-run recording studio has served as the home for many students hoping to pursue a career in the music industry.

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named after John and Ula Leighty and Purvis and Roberta Tabor. The Leightys were graduates of Millikin’s science program, whereas Purvis Tabor studied business, hence the business school’s name. The home of Tabor School of Business, ADM-Scovill Hall, was named to reflect two major components of Decatur: Archer Daniels Midland and the Scovill family.

Did you know Millikin is host to the Millikin Community Arts Academy (MCAA)? This newly established program provides accessible classes and lessons in state-of-the-art Millikin facilities for local area youth interested in fine arts. Current offerings include a jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, beginner guitar, beginner piano, and more.

Many classes, including those mentioned, are available to artists of various ages and abilities, including adult beginners.

Campus Offices

By Tabitha Barowsky

At Millikin, there are a variety of offices on campus to help students during their time in college. Each office is in charge of their own unique area in relation to coming to Millikin, attending the university, and graduating.

Alumni and Development

1305 W Main St. | 217-424-6383 | alumdev@millikin.edu The Office of Alumni and Development looks to showcase Millikin University to not only alumni, but also to parents and friends, to increase understanding of and engagement with Millikin University through financial support. There are currently over 36,000 living alumni, with over 400 added to that number each year, all with the opportunity to attend the over 150 alumni events each year.

Events sponsored by the alumni office include Homecoming, Family Weekend, Alumni Awards, Athletic Hall of Fame, and the True Blue Challenge. Homecoming weekend often includes a variety of open houses, meet and greets, ceremonies and even a fireworks show. The True Blue Challenge is an opportunity for people to celebrate the Big Blue community through monetary donations.

Many of these donations will fund scholarships for current students.

There are a variety of ways for alumni to stay connected with Millikin University. The Alumni Association consists of all degree recipients and former students who received at least 12 credit hours at Millikin University. The Alumni Association Board oversees the connection of alumni and the University. The board members support that connection by volunteering at events, such as Homecoming. The strategic plan of the board is to strengthen its identity and to increase personal engagement and participation. There is also the Black Alumni of Millikin organization that aims to create a network and support system for current Black students. Certain departments also have alumni groups, such as the Big Blue Club for athletics and the Patrons Society for the School of Theater and Dance.

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Campus Life

University Commons 354 | 217-424-6335 | campuslife@millikin.edu The Office of Campus Life serves as a homebase for all students at Millikin University. It offers many opportunities for students to get involved on campus, as well as providing any necessary tools to become a democratic citizen on a global scale. Campus Life strives to give students the ability to develop a life of meaning and value through leadership development.

Millikin students can take on a variety of leadership roles. Campus Life oversees paraprofessional and mentor roles. An example of paraprofessional roles are Student Experience Ambassadors and Wellness Peer Advocates. Student Experience Ambassadors, or SEAs, are upper class students who return two weeks early to school to participate in a week of training and then New Student Welcome Week. During training, SEAs will learn how to lead a group of new students through New Student Welcome Week, offer Student Success topic presentations, facilitate conversations, and have an in-depth understanding of what Millikin has to offer students. They will then sit in on their group’s First-Year Seminar for the remainder of the fall semester. Wellness Peer Advocates, or WPAs, are upper class students training in wellness and self-care who work to promote a healthy environment for both of those on campus. After a week of training, WPAs host a weekly wellness activity and provide coaching in a one-on-one environment. An example of mentor roles are Long-Vanderburg (LV) Scholar Mentors and EDGE Mentors. LV Scholar Mentors are junior and senior LV Scholars who provide academic support for other LV Scholars, especially the firstyear students living in the LV Living-Learning Community. You can read more about EDGE Mentors in the Student Success Center section on page 19.

Center for International Education University Commons 122 | 217-424-3758 | cie@millikin.edu

The Center for International Education (CIE) is a point of contact for both international students and students who wish to study abroad. For international students, the CIE serves as a home base on campus for students from almost 30 different countries. Once students get to campus, the CIE will help them get adjusted to Millikin. For domestic students, the CIE houses Millikin’s study abroad program. There are two types of exchange programs offered at Millikin: semester-long and short-term. Their office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm.

Semester-long programs are open to students who are at least 18 years of age, of junior standing, have a 3.0 GPA or higher and are otherwise in good standing with the school. Millikin has developed partnerships with some universities around the globe that will offer tuition-free or discounted programs. Deadlines for semester-long programs are the thirtieth of the second full month of the previous semester. Many students, particularly from the School of Theatre and Dance, will choose to spend the fall of their junior year in London, as it doesn’t disrupt their sequence of program requirements.

Short-term programs are open to students who are at least 18 years of age and in good standing with the school with approval from the faculty leading the course. Applications for shortterm travel are due the day after advising day in each semester.

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Information Technology

Shilling Hall 106 | 217-362-6488 | infotech@millikin.edu

Information Technology (IT) is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. IT is able to provide technological assistance for students and staff and has media equipment that can be checked out for classroom work or student organization events. Planned outages will occur between 2 am and 7 am on Thursday mornings when upgrades and other necessary maintenance is needed. Media Services can be contacted at (217) 424-6238 or media@millikin.edu.

IT is also responsible for student IDs. All students are required to have an ID. If a student needs a new one due to regular use, it will be replaced at no extra charge. Lost or stolen IDs should be reported to Public Safety right away for deactivation. Replacement IDs ($12) will be charged to the student’s account.

Mail Center and Print Shop

Mail Center Shilling Hall 104A Print Shop Shilling Hall 106 | (217) 424-6325 | duplicating@millikin.edu The mail center can be used by any student living on campus. Each student living in a dorm is assigned a post office box in the mailroom for letters, but any student can ship packages there.

Students are automatically notified through email when a package arrives. To pick up a package, students must bring their IDs. Main room and package pickup hours are Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Mailboxes are also open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 4:30 pm. The print shop offers a variety of print services for students and staff. The print shop can print in full color and black and white, with multiple sizes and paper colors available, and can bind, laminate and cut and fold. To print posters, Millikin works with Decatur Blue Print. They will print and deliver to the campus mail room jobs submitted by midnight Monday through Friday by 10:00 am the next business day. Any fees will be charged to the appropriate account.

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Marketing and Media Relations Gorin Hall | 217-420-6674 | kroney@millikin.edu

The Marketing and Media Relations (MMR) department is the primary source for Millikin-related news. They often collaborate with the Millikin community to reach audiences such as prospective students, alumni, donors and members of the surrounding community. MMR utilizes different platforms, like the Millikin website, to advertise the Millikin brand and general highlights and events that Millikin has to offer.

The MMR oversees Millikin’s Big Blue Influencers. These are dedicated students of all years and majors that want to represent Millikin to a variety of audiences. Big Blue Influencers have the opportunity to be a part of everything from photo shoots to doing Instagram takeovers. Students are able to apply on the Marketing and Media Relations website under the Big Blue Influencers tab.

Public Safety

Walker Hall | 217-464-8888 | publicsafety@millikin.edu

Public Safety is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The office consists of police officers, security officers and dispatchers. Officers are responsible for a variety of functions on campus, such as foot and motorized patrols, crisis response and life safety checks, and parking enforcement. Dispatchers monitor campus alarm systems, local and national weather and crisis information, and the access control system. Public Safety can also be contacted at 8888 on a campus phone.

Parking passes are handled and distributed by Public Safety. Depending on the type of student you are, there are different types and costs of parking passes. Students are able to register for a parking pass online through MyMillikin. Public Safety is also able to provide battery jumpstarts to campus members and visitors who are parked in University lots. For those without cars or the inability to drive, Public Safety offers safe rides or safe walks around campus and affiliate properties.

Registrar’s Office

Gorin Hall 16 | 217-424-6217 | registrar@millikin.edu

The Registrar’s Office provides aid in helping people complete their education at Millikin. They work with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community. Here, you can request your transcripts and find advising resources.

The Registrar’s Office also oversees academic advising. Students are assigned a faculty advisor for assistance on their plan of study and continued advice throughout their time at Millikin. Advisors can be found on the Student Profile within MU Online or by visiting your college’s dean. The Course Catalog and Millikin Bulletin can be found online on the registrar’s website.

The Registrar’s Office is also in charge of commencement. As students are preparing for graduation, they are able to apply through the Student tab on MUOnline. Other resources that can be found on the Registrar’s website include Millikin’s academic policies, transcript requests, transfer and test credit information and various other academic and registration forms.

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Who’s Your Dean

College of Arts & Sciences/Exploratory SH209 Nancy Curtin 217-424-6264 ncurtin@millikin.edu

College of Fine Arts

SH212 Cameron Jackson 217-424-3595 ccjackson@millikin.edu

College of Professional Studies SH206 Andrew Smith 217-424-6366 andsmith@millikin.edu

Tabor School of Business SCO105 RJ Podeschi 217-420-6760 rpodeschi@millikin.edu

Student Success Center

University Commons 312 | 217-362-6424 | studentsuccesscenter@millikin.edu

Millikin University offers a variety of academic support opportunities. The Student Success Center (SSC) is able to provide students academic, career, and personal support, ensuring a successful college experience and post-graduation preparedness for all students.

The Student Success Center oversees academic accommodations. Students seeking accommodation should reach out to the Student Success Center with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) documentation, if applicable. Students with accommodations are still required to meet their program’s technical standards and abide by all conduct and attendance policies. Course substitutions are a possibility, but this must be approved by both a student’s dean and academic advisor. Millikin, however, does not have the ability to provide assessment services. More directions on how to obtain and the accommodations provided can be found on the Student Success Center website.

The EDGE Program is an opportunity for first-year students to get adjusted to the academic demands of college. Students selected will participate in an intensive course prior to the start of their New Student Welcome Week orientation. This course consists of instructors introducing the realities of the college classroom to new students and reinforcing skills such as critical thinking, time management, and class participation. Each class is assisted by an EDGE Mentor, an upper class student who will guide them towards academic success for the remainder of their first year.

The Student Success Center continues to check up on EDGE students throughout the school year as well, hosting events such as study tables for students to check in and reconnect.

Two other things overseen by the Student Success Center are peer tutoring and supplemental instruction. Peer tutoring is available free for students by appointment. Tutors coordinate with related faculty to offer students a chance to do things such as review concepts and develop helpful study and test preparation strategies. However, these students do not sit in on any of the classes, they are simply an outside resource. Supplemental instructors (SIs) are students who have not only taken the class before, but will often sit in on the class again and offer regular review sessions. Both are helpful for college academic success.

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By Cristina Borunda Gomez

Campus Housing

The Woods

Living in The Woods means you finally have your The Dorms own kitchen and space, although you still have to First of all, you will start your Freshman year living deal with roommates. Most of The Woods in the dorms. I cannot stress enough the apartments have four singles rooms but a few importance of filling out the roommate forms. Do only have two singles. If you’re unsure of how not be afraid to come across as being too picky long you plan to be in The Woods, consider when you fill out the questionnaire. Chances are signing a single semester lease rather than a fullyour roommate will probably not meet all of the year lease, because if you change your mind you criteria so it’s better to have a shoot-for-the-stars will be forced to find a subletter or pay the full kind of mentality here. Although I was very lucky rent. with roommates, I know some people who were not, and honestly, switching rooms/roommates The Woods Tips mid-semester is a hassle, so it’s better just to try Fill out the roommate questionnaires so to get it right from the beginning. you have the best chance of getting paired Figure out what you want early on. Are you with people you can comfortably get along okay with communal bathrooms? Do you want a and live with. coed dorm? These are very important questions that you need to figure out as soon as possible to Be realistic about how much time you’ll have to ensure you have the best shot at getting the dorm cook during the semester; should you keep a you want. I lived in Dolson my freshman year and meal plan or would it be easier for you to cook? really liked it (it’s also the newest dorm building so that was a plus), but I know some people who Make sure whoever’s name is on the electric and were in Blackburn and made many friends due to water bill is responsible—if your payments are the communal style. late, there will be a fee to pay.

First Year Options .

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Dolson Hall: Houses 200 students; coed; has single, double, and quad rooms; ADA accessible; study room.

Blackburn Hall: Houses 99 students; community bathrooms; double-occupancy rooms; and single-gender floors.

Weck Hall: Houses 52 students; suite-style bathrooms shared by groups of four.

New Hall 4: Houses 52 students, suitestyle bathrooms shared by groups of four.

Consider setting ground rules with your roommates from the beginning, even if you’re living with friends. You don’t know people as well as you think until you live with them.

Living Off-Campus

There are unfortunately a multitude of hoops Millikin makes you go through if you want to live off-campus prior to your senior year. Despite this, it’s still an option worth exploring before you sign your Woods lease. Depending on your scholarships, you might be able to find cheaper housing outside of the Woods, but there are a lot of forms to fill out, so be aware of this and give yourself time to explore this option.

Meet the Registered Student Organizations!

Here we offer a rundown of (some) of the registered student organizations on campus. They are separated into what kind of groups they are. Not finding one that interests you? Fill out this form to start one!

By Tabitha Barowsky

Academic

History and Political Science Club Advisor: Laura Dean The History and Political Science Club sponsors many of the history and poli-sci events on campus, as well as hosting monthly movie nights. They also have accountability workshops to help members prepare for finals. History and political science majors and minors get automatically added, but those interested can also reach out to the board or advisor.

Tabor Business Club (TBC) Advisor: Michael Osei The Tabor Business Club aims to aid students in networking opportunities, professional development, resume building, and helping the overall community. Per their constitution, all Tabor School of Business students are members. There are no requirements for other Millikin students; they simply have to ask to be added to the mailing list for events and meetings.

Student Honors Advisory Council (SHAC) Advisor: Michael Hartsock The Student Honors Advisory Council is in charge of the entire Honors Program student body. They often deal with the budget, philanthropy, programming, public relations, and more. Applications take place at the end of the calendar year. An easy way to get involved is to join a committee in the fall semester and assist the current board members.

Cultural/International

Advisor: Eun-Joo Lee Asian Student Association (ASA) The Asian Student Association is a cultural group on campus focused on celebrating Asian culture, food, and holidays. They have semesterly events such as a Champaign trip, where students visit various Asian Markets and have lunch together, as well as a Boba Sale in the UC. ASA also aims to have two movie nights every semester, which take place in the Woods theatre. To join, go to their member meetings.

There are no set times or dates, but they make flyers to advertise whenever they have one.

Dance

Burlesque Underground (BU) Advisor: Angie Miller Burlesque Underground is a dance group on campus that strives to create a consent-based environment that challenges dancers with various styles of movement to increase personal confidence through body awareness, body positivity, and sex positivity. They put on a themed Burlesque show every semester. BU hosts auditions at the top of each semester. They participate in the SOTAD Student Org Audition Day, where you can audition for multiple SOTAD student organizations in one day.

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Gregory (Greg) Advisor: Elizabeth Creighton Gregory is an all-level inclusive tap dance group that puts on a performance every semester! They've had dancers who have been tapping since they were 3, as well as dancers who've never tapped a day in their lives. The goal of Greg is to help members grow in their tap dancing abilities, as well as gain an appreciation for the art form. They hold auditions on the second weekend of every semester. Auditionees learn a brief combo and warmup.

Physical Graffiti (PG) Advisor: Beth Creighton Physical Graffiti, or PG, is a hip-hop-inspired dance group that is for anybody and every body. PG aims to celebrate the roots of hip-hop dance and how it has laid the foundation for what we do now. Together, they are working towards creating an environment where all dancers are welcome no matter gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or socio-economic status. PG holds auditions every semester. Audition information will be on their Instagram @physicalgraffitimu.

Fine Arts/Performance

Big Blue Productions (BBP) Advisor: Brian Justison Big Blue Productions works with other organizations to meet live sound and lighting needs for their events by providing equipment and sound engineers to run the setups. To get more information, contact the exec team at bigblueproductions@millikin.edu.

Dissonance A Capella Advisor: Ben Hawkinson Dissonance is a student-run a cappella ensemble, performing primarily pop arrangements. They perform around campus at various events, within the local community, and occasionally in national competitions.

Auditions take place at the beginning of each fall semester. Check out their Instagram for dates @dissonancemu.

Lyrical Ammunition Advisor: Nicole Deliberis Lyrical Ammunition is the poetry and spoken word club on Millikin’s campus. They write poetry in their meetings and perform at community events. Reach out via Instagram or email, or stay tuned to their social media accounts to know when general member sign-ups and performer auditions take place.

Millikin Music Business Club (MMBC) Advisor: Brian Justison Millikin Music Business Club cultivates relationships across campus from a music business perspective while ... simultaneously providing opportunities and resources to people who are interested in delving into the music industry. They host live shows, open discussions about the music industry, guest speakers, and eventually want to facilitate panels and workshops and interview artists. MMBC also plans to strengthen the music industry presence on campus by collaborating with fellow organizations. Anyone from any major is welcome to join MMBC to make the music industry more accessible to everyone on campus.

Their meetings take place right after the Music Industry Seminar class.

Greek Life Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated (APA or The Alphas) Advisor: Serron Pettis Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated is an organization that prides itself on scholarship, service, leadership, and brotherhood. Since its founding in 1906, they have paved the way for many other organizations of the same caliber to become pillars in the community. The brotherhood aspect of their fraternity is a lifetime and is like no other. They were also the first black Greek organization to be chartered on Millikin's campus. You must attend informational meetings, meet their requirements, pass the interview, and complete the candidate process.

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Delta Sigma Theta (DST or The Deltas) Advisor: Tykyna Cole Delta Sigma Theta is an organization of college educated women, committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service, with a primary focus on the black community. After a formal rush, an application and interview process will be available. Those interested must have at least a 2.75 GPA, 24 community service hours, and three letters of recommendation.

Panhellenic Council (PHC) The Panhellenic Council is the governing body that oversees the three Panhellenic sororities on campus.

They host recruitment, new member pinnings, and a variety of social events throughout the school year.

Applications for PHC open in October every year and are open to any initiated member of Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, and Pi Beta Phi. Officers must be in good standing with their chapter, the university, and hold a 2.5 GPA.

Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Advisor: Reiss Naylor Tau Kappa Epsilon is a Greek organization that promotes both social and philanthropic events. They raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, volunteer throughout the community, and promote the betterment of those in their organization. Male and non-binary identifying people can go through their fall or spring recruitment.

Media

BURST Magazine Advisor: Julie Bates BURST Magazine is an entirely student-ran publication, where the editor-in-chief and assistant editor manage student-writers, editors, and designers. Each issue focuses on some aspect of social justice and is published annually each spring. Come to the brainstorming meeting in the fall, email Dr. Bates, or look for flyers around campus in the first two weeks of classes and email the editor-in-chief.

Collage Publications Advisor: Julie Bates Collage is a literary journal for writing and visual arts. Although run by students at Millikin University, everyone is invited to submit work. Collage holds an open call for work to be submitted each semester.

To be involved in the publication side of it, the Art of Publishing class allows for students to get credit for their work.

The Decaturian (The Dec) Advisor: Scott Lambert The Decaturian is Millikin's student-run newspaper since 1903. Their goal is to ensure that every student has an opportunity to have their voice heard. The Dec publishes news stories, cartoons, features, columns, and much more. Reach out to the editor to attend the meetings in the Writing Center.

WJMU, or WJMU 89.5 The Quad Advisor: Sam Meister WJMU is Millikin University's college radio station! It is a student run station that curates music, news, promotions, and radio shows for the Decatur community. Email Sam Meister (smeister@millikin.edu) to express interest and enroll in Audio Communication Lab (MM 381)! Experience with radio or enrollment in a broadcasting related class is preferred, but not required.

Religious

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (InterVersity) Advisor: George Bennett Millikin InterVarsity is a diverse community sent to every corner of campus with real hope in Jesus.

InterVarsity hosts weekly/biweekly large groups for a chance to worship together as a community, hear messages from speakers and leaders, and hold discussions on the messages. They also hold weekly small group bible studies, which include the Black Campus Ministry (BCM), and frequently partner with the other campus ministries such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Newman Catholic, and Delight.

Anyone on campus can come to the large or small groups at any time. There is also a form on their Instagram for contact info so that a leader can reach out.

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Service

Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Advisor: Paris Barnes Alpha Phi Omega (APO) is a co-ed service fraternity on campus. They strive to promote leadership, foster fellowship, and provide service to the campus and community. Anyone can join at the beginning of the semester through rush week; however, if you are unable to attend any of the events, reach out and let them know you’re interested in joining.

MU Red Cross Club Advisor: Jamie Nickel The MU Red Cross Club is beneficial for any individual needing community service hours, pursuing a career in the healthcare field, and anyone who wants to make a change. Some of their activities include, hosting blood drives and taking a free Red Cross Certification Class (First Aid, CPR, AED). Active members receive a Red Cross Club Pin. Graduating seniors will get a Red Cross cord and eligibility for national scholarships. Contact the exec board or advisor.

Special Interest

Spectrum Advisor: Denise Love Spectrum is an inclusive LGBTQ+ group on campus that is open to any and everyone. To join, show up to meetings, which are determined by a poll every semester.

University Center Board (UCB) Advisor: Athena Pajer The University Center Board is an event planning and promotion organization. UCB promotes alternative and diverse social programs as well as co-curricular activities for the student body of Millikin University.

Open for anyone to join, they have open weekly meetings and host an Informational meeting at the beginning of each semester.

Other Groups African Student Organization · Alliance for Active Music Making · Alpha Chi Omega · Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. · Alpha Lambda Delta · Alpha Tau Delta Nursing Fraternity · Alpha Tau Omega · American Choral Directors Association · Animal Rights Club · Athletic Training Club · Big Blue Backpacks · Big Blue Billiards · Big Blue Buddies · Big Bluke · Black Student Union · Brothers Moving Forward · Clarinet Association · Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization · Delta Delta Delta · Delta Mu Delta · Delta Sigma Phi · Environmental Affairs Council · Fellowship of Christian Athletes · Flute Society · Four Square · French Club · Guitar Club · ILMEA · Interfraternal Council · International Student Organization Jazz Education Network · Latin American Student Organization · Math Club · Math Club Improv Millikin Blue Bots · Millikin Oboe Bassoon Society · Millikin University Concert Committee · Millinettes · Multicultural Voices of Praise · National Student Nurses Organization · Newman Catholic Community · Opera Per Tutti · Percussive Arts Society · Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia · Piano Club · Pi Beta Phi · Pi Mu Epsilon · Polyphonix · Sapphires Dance Team · SAXO · Shoes to Fill · Sigma Alpha Epsilon · Sigma Alpha Iota · Sister Circle · Social Action Club · Spanish Club · Un Bit Butter · USITT · Women in Business

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Pay Your Bills: Campus Employment Services

By Eden Niebrugge

Compared to state schools, Millikin is unique in the services offered for employment opportunities during and after college. Unless you want to usher performances at Kirkland Fine Arts Center (KFAC), the opportunities for employment on campus can be difficult to find. Handshake is the app that the university suggests, but not

all positions are offered there or they’re not updated. Oftentimes, students must be recommended by their department’s assistant if a job opens up. This can leave students who have work-study funds and need internships up in the air for a semester or two.

For students looking for campus jobs, work-study is helpful to those who show

financial need after scholarships and loans. It’s important to note that the student must complete FAFSA to get a Student Aid Index, or SAI, to be eligible for work-study. These funds are determined by the financial aid office and the student. Millikin Financial Aid Counselor Eric Brewer provides an example of a student who would receive work-study funds on the new FAFSA: “If the cost of attendance for the year is $26,000, the student has an SAI of $6,000, and they are receiving $15,000 in tuition restricted grants and scholarships, then their financial need for the year is $5,000. The financial need that the student has after accounting for their scholarships, grants, loans, and SAI is the amount they are eligible for in work-study funds for the year.”

Work-study funds can act as a loan, where the student works hourly on campus to pay off their tuition. Otherwise, a student can opt out of this and receive their pay directly into their bank account. The MilliConnect 25

International students must go through the Center for International Education (CIE) if they want to work on campus with an F-1 visa. The CIE takes students through the process of getting a social security number, which is required to work any on-campus jobs. Additionally, they help students comply with visa regulations. As an international student, your work regulations are strict, and one small mistake could jeopardize your visa status. The CIE also helps students apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), giving them temporary work authorization during or after degree completion.

university only pays some of the student’s wages while the government pays the rest, making a work-study student more marketable to receive campus jobs than a student without it. To raise or lower funds, a student can contact the Financial Aid Office via email, studentfinancialservices@ millikin.edu, or visit Shilling 118.

As a work-study student myself, I was unemployed until my second semester at Millikin despite feeling as though my work-study status should make me a priority for campus employment. However, according to Financial Aid Counselor Eric Brewer, “Students eligible for workstudy funds are not guaranteed a job on campus… but you do not need to be work-study eligible to get a student job here on our campus.”

The job I eventually received was because another student was studying abroad and a

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professor recommended me to cover for them, which turned into me working there until graduation. However, my campus job as a Writing Center tutor doesn’t specifically look for work-study students.

Instead, the role is based on experience and skill set, so any student of any major could work there with a recommendation.

Internships perform the same way at Millikin. A student must have good relationships with their professors or advisor, who often provide the internships themselves. While we have other services for career readiness, no office at Millikin will set you up with an internship in your field.

The small class sizes often make those close relationships with professors easy to maintain, and students simply need to have the initiative to ask.

To prepare students for success, Millikin’s Student Success Center (SSC) on the third floor of the University

International

Commons (UC) “supports every aspect of a student’s academic life,” according to Student Success Coach Tate Heinle. They focus on providing resources for students outside of the classroom, such as “peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, or academic skillbuilding workshops.” In terms of career readiness, the SSC hosts the Career and Internship Fair, Dress to Impress, and resume workshops. These events prepare students for success after college.

Despite Millikin not offering direct services to find internships, they don’t completely dismiss the necessity of the job market, offering career readiness services. Oncampus jobs can be difficult for work-study students, making connections with professors necessary to receive recommendations. Advice from a fellow student: always reach out and know your worth.

Tate Heinle describes the Student Success Center as “the home of EDGE and exploratory students,” who they advise throughout their college experience. If a student requires American Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, the center also works to provide a testing center and ADA letters to students’ professors.

Pre-Professional Guide

By Olivia Swords

Looking to further your education after undergrad? Luckily, Millikin has excellent advisors and preparatory materials to prepare you for graduate school applications and exams! The most common pre-professional tracks offered are the pre-health and pre-law options. This miniguide discusses each option.

Pre-Law Millikin’s pre-law track is designed to be very flexible and fit into a multitude of majors, which is especially beneficial if you are still deciding what path to pursue and would like to dip your toes into legal studies before committing to three years of law school. In preparation for law school or graduate studies of any kind, however, it’s hugely beneficial to take courses that will hone your reading and writing abilities.

Perhaps the best component of the pre-law program is one of its required courses, Appellate Legal Reasoning. Taught by Dr. Robert Money, this class enables you to truly delve into case law analysis, legal writing, and effective argumentation.

Throughout the course, you will work with a partner to analyze two complex interrelated legal issues within the context or a

number of existing precedents that contribute to both sides of the issue. Through your analysis of these cases, you will each develop two legal arguments: one for each side of your given issue.

As a result, you can truly learn the issue inside-and-out in preparation for the Model Illinois Government Moot Court competition, where you and your partner will face off against other universities from across the state in an intensive three-day competition and submit a completed legal brief.

While this course is the prelaw preparation most directly related to law school experiences, focusing on your GPA and LSAT score are two of the most crucial metrics used in law school admissions. Money provides excellent guidance and assistance on LSAT preparation and has a multitude of resources available to help you reach your

desired score, including practice tests and prep books. In addition to this preparation, it’s highly recommended to take courses that will require you to gain extensive practice with reading, writing, and critical thinking.

These components will not only serve you well throughout your law school admissions process, but also in your professional career beyond.

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Pre-Health The pre-health track at Millikin is a bit more structured than the pre-law program, largely due to the different requirements of medical schools as opposed to law schools. Firstly, most if not all medical schools require very specific courses of study for undergraduate education, typically including biology, chemistry, or a related discipline. Unlike law school, where you can apply and receive admission from any undergraduate major, medical schools require not only specific majors, but also specific courses.

The pre-health program also contains an array of particular tracks designed to fit with each student’s postgraduate plans, including pre-medicine, preanesthesiologist assistant, prechiropractic, pre-dentistry, preoccupational therapy, preoptometry, pre-pharmacy, pre-

physical therapy, pre-physician assistant, and pre-veterinary medicine. While each of these programs follow a generally similar structure of coursework, pre-professional advisor Dr. JuYeon Lee offers tailored guidance and plans for each student’s goals.

Lee takes a very active approach in ensuring each student understands not only which courses are required for postgraduate admissions, but also the steps and timeline necessary to stay on-track for exam preparation. Exams such as the MCAT (for pre-medical students) and the OCAT (for preoptometry students) have some degree of overlap, but Lee’s individualized one-on-one meetings and plans ensure each student has the resources they need to be successful.

For more information on Millikin’s pre-professional programs, as well as eightsemester plans for each area of study, visit: millikin.edu/area-ofstudy/pre-law OR millikin.edu/college-artssciences/pre-professionalprogram

Ultimately, both the pre-law and pre-professional programs provide invaluable resources and guidance if you find yourself interested in either option. While you can opt-in to either program during your collegiate career, assessing your personal goals for postgraduate study earlier rather than later affords you plenty of time to hone your abilities, craft your applications, and prepare for a desired test score.

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Your Mind Matters

By Destiny Schlesinger

As students, we can sometimes put our mental health on the back burner when life feels like it's piling up. Whether it's trying to balance family, friends, school, personal health, a job, or so many other things, we forget to take care of ourselves in the aftermath.

Millikin offers mental health services through the Student Mental and Behavioral Health (SMBH) office. The current director, Christopher Morrell, offers different solutions to help take care of yourself. The office is located in the campus counseling center, the same building as the health clinic, and across from the Decatur Indoor Sports Center (DISC).

For freshmen, coming to school for the first time is a major life change that can require extra guidance. They are on their own and have decisions to start making. For SMBH, Morrell said, “We want to help normalize these experiences and remind students to give themselves some grace.” This is part of the human experience.

If you wouldn’t have come to college, you may have moved out at some point and would have been on your own then too.

Morrell wants to help students navigate through these life changes and focus on their support systems. Miss someone in your life? Call them.

Confused and do not know what your next steps are in life?

There are many amazing people in the offices at Millikin to help with that. (See Campus Offices beginning on page 15 for more information.)

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“Healing takes time and asking for help is a courageous step.” -Hargitay In high school, I barely had to study. I picked up material quickly and did the homework assigned even quicker, but college is a whole new ball game. I don’t mean to scare you, but to let you know that the material and the coursework for every class you take may overwhelm you at times. Don’t panic! I had to learn how I was actually able to learn best instead of everything coming easily. Knowing how I learn is a strength I acquired by going to the Student Success Center on campus.

Millikin is also not a university with large class sizes, so students can create good relationships with professors.

“These relationships can not only assist with present day academics but may lead to future positive networking opportunities as well,” said Morrell. The future networking is not something I had thought about until around my junior year at Millikin, but the relationships I was able to develop in my freshman and sophomore year still serve me well today.

These relationships continue developing as your time here at Millikin goes on. Professors, like us, are humans and can understand that the transition from high school to college may be difficult. Knowing how many assignments you have due on what days and feeling like you are behind can cause an unimaginable headache, but there are ways to manage stress in a healthy manner. Morrell suggested students “make sure to use self-care habits consistently so that we build our resilience factors up to help navigate ups and downs.”

Connecting with other students is a big part in helping to manage stress levels.

Remember that there are others going through what you are going through! Getting together to make a study group, going out for a bite to eat, or walking around a park are great ways to connect with others and remind you that there is a whole world out there for you to explore.

Taking a step away from stressors for a while can be more beneficial than forcing yourself to get something done.

Finally, make yourself and your mental health a priority.

Check in with yourself mentally and physically. Morrell said, “Taking a step back and seeing what is filling you up or depleting you can be a great first step to a higher quality of life. Making sure to have a self-care routine and working or building (or actively utilizing) a healthy support system can also be greatly beneficial.” Life can be draining and feel dark at times, but it is important to make sure you know that there is a brighter side. We sometimes may fall into autopilot when everything just becomes too much, so putting yourself first is a priority that we forget in all of the craziness. Morrell put it best when he said, “Taking care of yourself means living life instead of reacting to it.”

To make an appointment at SMBH, you can go to your MyMillikin page, search the word “counseling,” and book through their page. You can also call the office at 217-424-6360. Their services are free and they offer welcoming people to help you take care of yourself!

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 for free help or advice.

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THE ROAD TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS Effective Techniques for Classroom Excellence

By Destiny Schlesinger

H

igh school didn’t fully prepare me for the intensity of college. Not only is there more material to learn in a shorter amount of time and more course work done outside of class than in class, but also classes.

So, how do you succeed in the classroom?

It depends on how you learn best. In high school, one of my English teachers had us take an online quiz on how we learned best (you can try one out here: www.learningstylequiz.com).

It showed me I learn best when I write down information as I am learning it.

An English education professor here at Millikin, Dr. Kaitlin Glause explained that it is also important to “think about what the end goal is.” She encourages students to ask how instructors assess work, whether it be essays, exams, presentations, or projects. She stated, “Once you know how an instructor plans on documenting and assessing your learning, you can decide what kinds of note taking and reading strategies will best help you.” I’ve mapped out the four main styles of learning and some tricks to help you retain knowledge in the classroom.

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Read and Write As previously mentioned, this is how I learn best. Typically, as professors work through their slides, I have the slides also pulled up on my laptop. I write down any information that will be beneficial to studying the content later.

Glause mentioned that students can, “Ask for what you need!” She said, “Some instructors talk very quickly or have slides with lots of information on them. You can politely request them to repeat something, leave a slide up for a moment longer, or you can ask a clarifying question.”

I use a pen to write down initial information, bullet points for all primary information, and indented bullet points for secondary information related to the initial bullet point as if the indented ones are under an umbrella. I also highlight information that my professors think are important to remember. My classmates sometimes use iPads or touchscreen laptops with electronic pens for this method.

Auditory

Auditory learners like to learn by listening.

Typically, you would have an easier time understanding spoken instructions than written ones and you store information by how it sounds. A few things to help auditory learners is to sit where you can easily hear, study the material out loud, and make flashcards with information to quiz yourself. Glause also recommended, “You can set up a study group with other students in the course to discuss materials and content, ask questions, and prepare for class.”

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Some professors may give out typed study guides for exams, but by making flashcards out of the study guide, you can quiz yourself in the learning style that works best for you. I would also recommend looking up free voice recording apps to help record lectures. This varies by device, but the voice recorder app from Google Play works great! It is worth noting that you should discuss with your professor if you have their permission to record their lectures first. After getting their permission, you will be able to go back and listen to lectures before a quiz or exam.

Visual As a visual learner, you would learn best by reading or seeing pictures, videos, or lectures.

Visual learners are able to picture the general words on a slideshow or in their notes by closing their eyes to remember what they learned. If you are a visual learner who likes to take notes, I would recommend graphs, charts, or anything that involves drawing a picture to help you understand the content.

Another good way for visual learners to keep notes is to write down key words or instructions. Glause stated, “Take notes that make sense to you! There are lots of different strategies, but you have to pick a system that works for you.” You may not have to write down slides of information, but keeping key words as notes still helps when trying to visualize the content.

Kinesthetic/ Tactile (K/T) If you are a K/T learner, you like to be moving while learning. You are more of a “hands-on” learner who prefers building, drawing, touching, or moving to help you learn better.

K/T learners also may not like to sit still to study. Two options to help retain information are to either voice record the lesson or record yourself in a way that you best understand the content. After you have recorded lessons, take out your most comfortable pair of headphones and walk through campus with the lesson playing.

Another way to help K/T learners is to type information. You will be keeping your hands busy while learning and you are able to take notes. While taking notes, chew on a piece of gum. Amy Kraft, a reporter for Scientific American, researched the correlation between chewing gum and attentiveness to discover that chewing gum increases the flow of oxygen to regions of the brain responsible for attention.

Overall, there are many ways for all different types of learners to study and be successful in the classroom. If you cannot seem to find a method that works for you, your professor will also have office hours for any burning questions. You can also contact the Student Success Center to learn more about tutoring opportunities.

If you are in need of extra help, you can always visit the Writing Center, Math Center, and reach out to set up an appointment for language tutoring, all located in Shiling Hall.

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As you transition from the dorms into The Woods, you might also be transitioning from a meal plan to no meal plan, meaning you’re getting ready to start cooking. You’ve probably bought a bunch of pans and kitchenware as you prepare to face off your new Woods kitchen. I don’t know about you, but when I first moved in, I thought I was about to turn into Gordon Ramsey and make some gourmet meals, I thought, “Finally, no more shitty caf food!” As you can probably guess, I was pretty humbled once classes and practices picked up. It’s hard to keep a balanced diet in college since you’re always running around from one class or activity to another. If you just moved into an apartment and have quit your meal plan, you might end up overwhelmed, eating ramen for more than a couple of days.

You’ll learn soon enough that the best way to avoid this is by having a rotation of at least three or four easy meals you can make whenever you don’t have a lot of time or meals that don’t take a lot of meal prepping and that you can put together on the go. For this purpose, I’ve compiled a list of some of my go-to easy meals that help me get through my week in between a hectic class schedule and tennis practices. I also asked every one of our editors for their own easy go-to meals so you can get more variety in case you’re not necessarily a huge fan of my meal options (which would just be bad taste on your part if you ask me). Here they are.

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Spaghetti & Meatballs Now hear me out, I know it may sound like a lot of work, but I promise it’s really not. The secret?

Buy frozen meatballs. I try to always keep frozen meatballs in my freezer and pasta sauce on hand so whenever I don’t feel like doing a lot of cooking a lot I can just make my spaghetti, heat up the meatballs, then throw them together with some pasta sauce.

I usually start by boiling my water (don’t forget to add salt!) and heating up the meatballs in another pan with either olive oil or pasta sauce, depending on what the packaging says. (You can heat most of them up in a microwave if you don’t feel like using another pan.) Once my water boils, I’ll throw in my pasta till it cooks while the meatballs defrost. Whenever my pasta is done, I strain it and then toss it back in the pot on low heat with whatever jar of pasta sauce I have. I like to use a tomato basil sauce from ALDI and throw a couple of handfuls of spinach in there so I’m at least getting some veggies in, then I just throw the meatballs in there with some seasoning and Parmesan cheese (or whatever cheese is in the fridge) and call it a day. I like making this for dinner once I’m done with my day because it doesn’t take too long and I can always throw in some other veggies, mushrooms, onions, or whatever is available depending on how much time I have to cook.

I always have leftovers that I usually reheat for lunch or dinner the next day which saves me some time in between classes. Also, I recommend buying frozen Texas Toast that you can throw in the oven while you make your pasta for a more filling meal. Plus who doesn’t love bread with their pasta?

Avocado, Tuna, and Rice Bowl

This one is really easy. Now, I know not everybody likes tuna, but if you’re okay with it, this meal could save you so much time. I usually meal prep rice during the weekend so I’ll have some during the week, but if you don’t like making rice, you can just buy the microwavable cups at pretty much any grocery store. I just drain a can of tuna, heat up my rice, cut some avocado up, and throw them all together in a bowl then top it off with some sriracha sauce.

Lunch Wrap

The name pretty much says it all, but you can never go wrong with a wrap, especially if you’re in a time crunch. Make sure your tortilla is medium to large size so you can fit whatever you want. This one was recommended by Rochelle, one of the other writers. She recommends using the Tyson oven-roasted turkey meat, although you can also use pre-cooked chicken instead. She adds cheese and lettuce to her wraps but, as always, you can customize to your liking!

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Ramen

Listen, I know I said you don’t wanna end up eating ramen five days a week. However, if you are going to, you might as well make it healthy-ish. I like to add vegetables and an egg or chicken to my ramen to make it a more balanced meal. If you’re like me and naively buy vegetables at the grocery store and then have no time to cook them until they’re going bad in the fridge and you have to throw them out, just buy frozen veggies. It’s way easier.

If you want to add chicken, you can make it in the same pot before you put your noodles and water in, and then add your veggies. Take the chicken out of the pot so you don’t overcook, then add ramen and water or chicken broth. While the ramen cooks you can pull apart or cut your chicken so you can throw it back in whenever the ramen is done.

If you’re opting for an egg in your ramen, just add the ramen and veggies to a pot of boiling water and let cook for two minutes then add flavor packet and other seasonings of your choice.

Remove the pot from heat and slowly add the egg in, cover the egg with noodles for a minute to poach, and once it is cooked to your preference, you are done.

Oven Roasted Chicken and Veggies

This sounds like a lot of work, but trust me it’s not that bad. Cut two chicken breasts into small bite-sized pieces. Chop whatever veggies you like—try peppers, broccoli, onion, carrots. Then throw them all in a pan and season with olive oil, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bake them together for 15 minutes (or until chicken is done and veggies look crispy) at 500 °F and you’re done. You can eat this with rice or whatever other sides you have, or just by itself.

Hopefully, these recipes are helpful as you move out of the dorms and can make your own meals. If you’re unsure how much time you’ll have throughout the semester you can also opt for a different meal plan. Millikin allows students to pick from 75, 120, and 175 block meal plans, or the all-access one. If you opt for one of the block meal plans, you can cook whenever you have time but always have a reliable meal option for those days when you don’t have time for anything else.

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Making the Most of Millikin

By Tabitha Barowsky

On average, students will spend eight semesters at Millikin University. During that time, they will enroll in a variety of classes, join a few different clubs, and maybe even go to a frat party or two. Each day you spend in college, you are one day closer to leaving. As time is fleeting, it is important to stay involved and make the most of your college career. Of the roughly two million minutes you spend in college, maybe three of them will be spent reading this article. Here’s to hoping it is three well spent.

It is very easy to sit in your room and do nothing all day. It is harder to go out and do things. The first six weeks of school are the most important, especially for first-year students living on campus, to not get too comfortable in their dorm rooms. This period will set the pace for the rest of the school year. During this time, there are new friends to meet, clubs to join, and concerts down by the lake to enjoy. It is very easy to sit around, stay in your pajamas, and do nothing all day.

Instead, you should step out of your comfort zone and experience what is around you.

At Millikin, students have an entire world in front of them. Many of the events on campus are free for students, which is not common at universities across the country. All our sporting events, theater performances, and music performances are completely free for students, minus a small handful. Performancecentered student organizations will often host shows throughout the semester—some are ticketed and some are not. It is important to immerse yourself in the community of this campus, as not only are you here for a short time but the people performing are as well.

Students also gain access to the Decatur Indoor Sports Center (DISC), which includes a fully stocked weight and fitness room, track, basketball courts, and rock-climbing wall. The DISC also offers fitness classes that students can take part in.

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And, as much fun as it is to get involved, it is also important to not get lost in your studies. Students gain access to experiences for free that will not last them into their adulthood. Especially for students with the School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance, you are able to take instrument, voice, and dance lessons and classes. There are also art classes, such as ceramics, and many random life skill classes, like accounting, available for non-majors. This can also be a

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good way to pick up a minor or certificate, or even a second major! Likely, never again in your life will you get to take semester or even year-long lessons and classes like you can while you’re in college.

From the time you step onto campus, your main goal is to graduate, but that doesn’t mean skipping out on everything else offered at Millikin. Yes, graduate with your degree, but graduate with the full experience of Millikin University as well.

Local Treasures

Exploring Decatur’s Hidden Gems

By Destiny Schlesinger

Sometimes students need to take a break from the environment that they see day in and day out. Whether it is finding a nice location to study or looking for spots to get active, there are many places to explore in Decatur.

Dog Park

Bowling Mini Golf

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Devon Amphitheater

Located at: 2686 E. Cantrell St., Decatur, IL

The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater is along the shore of Lake Decatur. While the majority of the shows happen during the summer, they typically operate May through September. They offer a wide variety of entertainment from comedians to bands, single artists, and even movie nights.

Some previous acts include the Eli Young Band, Craig Morgan, and Sean Kingston.

While moving onto Millikin’s campus, look up what events are happening for the last month of shows. Ticket prices ($10–$45) vary for different sections of the Devon, including general admission lawn and terrace (bring a chair or blanket to sit on!), reserved seating, the pit, or any VIP spaces. They have concessions and, sometimes, food trucks set up right outside. Going to see a show at the Devon is a fun time for anyone of any age and does not break the bank!

Avon Theater

Located at: 426 N. Water St., Decatur, IL

The Avon Theater is located in downtown Decatur on North Water Street. It opened in 1916 as a theater set up to only show moving pictures, not live events. Tickets for shows before 6 p.m. are $6.50 for all ages and after 6 p.m. is $8 for all adults. The Avon offers showings of all kinds. Family friendly, horror, thriller, historical, the list could go on.

An interesting fact about the Avon Theater is that there are claims it might be haunted!

There are many sightings of shadowy figures, stories of footsteps in the main hall, laughter being heard in the auditorium after it emptied for the night, and much more. While this theater can be full of weekend fun for those looking to get off campus, be on the lookout for the ghosts wanting to get some screen time from the other side!

To get updates on what is being shown, go to their Facebook (The Avon Theater), call 217-422-815 for dates and times.

Scovill Zoo

Located at: 71 S. Country Club Road, Decatur, IL

Another activity all ages can enjoy is Scovill Zoo, where you can see alligators, zebras, flamingos, and much more! Scovill Zoo is directly across the lake from Nelson Park. In addition to seeing beautiful animals, you can visit the education center, an oriental garden, and a picnic area. The zoo’s hours change with the season and from the beginning of August to mid-October weekday hours are 9:30 am–4 pm and weekends are 9:30 am–5 pm. Admission into the zoo is $9.75 for adults. (There is also free admission on Thursdays until a few days before their fall season ends!)

Head out to the zoo to learn more about the amazing animals there!

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Nelson Park

Located at: 2475 E. Pavilion Drive, Decatur, IL

Looking to get out and enjoy nature? Look no further than Nelson Park. On the edge of Lake Decatur, this park has bike and walking trails for its occupants to get out and smell the roses.

There is a disc golf course, horseshoe pits, and a community garden to bring friends and family alike outside to enjoy the city of Decatur.

Are you thinking about getting a furry friend to hang out with while on campus? Nelson Park also has a dog park and open spaces where dogs and people alike are able to interact.

Having lived in and around Decatur for the majority of my life, I only recently learned of the dog park and took my dog, Duke, to enjoy the last bit of summer weather. Nelson Park has a variety of activities to indulge in and it would be a beautiful place to clear the mind or to study in a different environment.

Outlook Adventure Park

Duke at the dog park!

Located at: 2501 E. Nelson Park Road, Decatur, IL

Overlook Adventure Park is located next to Nelson Park. This adventure park includes three different mini golf courses and a ropes course. Their hours change with the season, so check out their website before you go! Admission for mini golf is $9.25 and varies for the ropes course based on the amount of time you want to swing in the sky.

The adventure park has music throughout all courses and a small concession. A personal highlight of a trip to the adventure park is Del Carmen’s Pizza that is located right next door. Some hot pretzel bites and a fresh pizza bowl after a battle on the greens always hits the spot. For more information, see their Facebook page Outlook Adventure Park.

Spare Time Lanes

Located at: 2870 N. Jasper St., Decatur, IL

Spare Time Lanes is a bowling and arcade facility located on North Jasper Street. Not only does Spare Time offer regular bowling throughout the week and weekends, but they also offer Moonlight Bowling. Moonlight occurs on most Saturday nights. Bowling begins at 9 pm and, if you prepay to moonlight bowl, you get three games and shoe rental for $18! For bowling throughout the week before 4 pm it is $32.50 per hour for one lane. After 4 pm and the weekends, it is $42.50 per hour for one lane. Shoe rental is $4. They also have a snack bar when the hunger sets in that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Head over to Spare Times Lanes’ website for more information: sparetimelanes.net.

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By Eden Niebrugge

Decatur has plenty of local restaurants, quick bites, and coffee shops, but students might have trouble finding these gems without the help of a quick guide. Written by a townie who strives to share local food with every Millikin student, this guide suggests the best of the best for students looking to step away from chain restaurants and the campus cafeteria.

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Downtown Delights Decatur has plenty of local restaurants, quick bites, and coffee shops, but students might have trouble finding these gems without the help of a quick guide. Written by a townie who strives to share local food with every Millikin student, this guide suggests the best of the best for students looking to step away from chain restaurants and the campus cafeteria.

Coney McKane’s American Eatery

104 E. Prairie Ave. (1 mile) $$

Coney’s is a classic diner that offers eat-in or to-go salads, burgers, sandwiches, and made-fromscratch soups and desserts in their five-page menu.

Taproot

170 N. Merchant St. (1 mile) $$$

Sitting above a downtown store, this classy, laidback restaurant and bar serves American surf and turf entrees, salads, and soups for dinner only.

The Gin Mill

101 N. Main St. (1 mile) $$

An upscale restaurant and bar for when parents are paying, with lunch and dinner menus that can range from a simple soup and sandwich to steak and seafood entrees.

Crazy for Caffeine These local, off-campus coffee shops offer drive-thrus and seasonal menus that deliver when students need a sweet treat to get them through the day. Despite being further from campus, their flavors and options are worth the drive, even if you’re still in pajamas.

The River Coffee Company

101 N. Main St. (1 mile) $$

This roastery is the perfect atmosphere to finish projects and essays while sipping on specialty coffee and tea.

Coffee Connection

2505 N. Main St. (3 miles) $$

Their two-sided drive-thru and outdoor seating isn’t the only unique part of Coffee Connection; they serve a variety of pastries alongside their well-known espresso, tea, and CC energy drinks.

121 Coffee Run

1661 S. Taylorville Road (1 mile) $

Famous for their monthly menus of cold brew, espresso-based drinks, and lotus energy, 121 Coffee Run caters to schools and hospitals while also maintaining their multiple locations around the greater Decatur area. $ = Less than $15 per person for a meal or a coffee costing $5-6 $$ = Sit-down restaurant bill of $15-$25 per person or a treat more than $6 $$$ = More for when the parents are paying or you’re celebrating

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Close to Campus While these stores aren’t nearly as close as downtown, they’re the next stop for quick bites near campus. Some are hidden gems that don’t even have websites or social media. If you’re looking for comfort food to eat at home, these are local to-go favorites!

La Perlita

495 N. 22nd St. (3 miles) & 1105 W. Wood St. $

Located in University Dogs and 3 miles away in their own restaurant, La Perlita’s Mexican food is a staple for students due to their catering services for clubs and consistently tasty tacos.

Krekel’s West

1425 N. Oakland Ave. (1 mile) $

Best known for their greasy burgers and lemon ice cream, Krekel’s has several locations around Decatur, Mt. Zion, and Forsyth that offer a quick bite better than mainstream fast food.

Tandoori Express

1361 IL-48 S. (1 mile) $$

Professors and students rave about Tandoori Express, the closest Indian restaurant to campus.

Located in a hidden shopping center, it offers perfectly seasoned food and to-go orders.

Burrito Truck

1550 E. Pershing Road (3 miles) $

As the name suggests, Burrito Truck works from a food truck to deliver arm-length burritos, mouthwatering steak fries, tortas, quesadillas, and tacos for under $10.

Bonus!

These places don’t exactly fit into the other categories as one is far from campus and the other isn’t a restaurant, but they’re still staples of the town in their own ways.

Cocoday

1345 Hickory Point Mall, Forsyth (6 miles) $$

Serving frozen yogurt, Korean food and snacks, and more than 20 flavors of bubble tea, Cocoday offers a variety of sweet treats alongside the only Korean food in Decatur. Shop in the mall while sipping on some bubble tea!

Del’s Popcorn Shop

142 N. Merchant St. (1 mile) $$

Find the perfect treat in this quaint shop in downtown Decatur that serves popcorn, chocolates, and gummies. Decatur residents rave over their seasonal caramel apples and old-timey candies.

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Where to Shop in Decatur

By Olivia Swords

NEVER FORGOTTEN THYMES ANTIQUES

Never Forgotten Thymes is packed with antiques and unique vintage finds, ranging from home decor to collectible and historical items. If you’re looking for fun hidden treasures, this is the place for you! Located on Cerro Gordo Street downtown, it’s only a stone’s throw from campus and features some of the most unique finds available in our area.

New to You Thrift Store

New to You is a woman-owned, high-end thrift shop located on East Pershing. New to You has racks and shelves full of brands such as Lululemon, Patagonia, North Face, Adidas, and more. This shop also makes it easy to open your own consignment account if you’re interested in earning some cash in exchange for your clothes.

THE PERFECT PAIR

While The Perfect Pair is located a bit further out from campus in Warrensburg, it is absolutely worth the drive! This unique shop features a mishmash of independent vendors, handmade items, thrift and overstock clothes, and retail items. It has a large back room with rows of vintage furniture, curated vinyl records, and fun artwork, all priced very reasonably.

THE BRASS HORN & BRASS HORN TOO

The Brass Horn and Brass Horn Too are situated next to each other, with the former largely geared toward professional menswear and the latter oriented towards women and children. My favorite time of year to shop here is during the holiday season because the Christmas decor is very festive, and they always have fun and unique high quality ornaments and gifts.

DALI BLISS

Dali Bliss is a cute boutique shop that offers not only a curated array of trendy and well-made clothes and jewelry, but it also boasts a fullservice hair salon. Dali Bliss recently moved to West Main Street in downtown, so it is an incredibly convenient drive from campus if you’re in the market for some fun new finds.

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THE PARTY SHOP

The Party Shop is a locally owned shop perfect for when you’re planning a party or are simply looking for fun items to spice up an event. They have the absolute best selection in the area of balloons of all shapes and sizes, and they do a great job making beautiful party arrangements.

THE ART FARM

Located adjacent to Central Park downtown, this woman-owned specialty art shop is a consortium of skilled artists from the Central Illinois community with merchandise ranging from artsy stickers and jewelry to elaborate paintings. You don’t need to wait for the annual Art in the Park event to shop from the area’s most talented artists when the Art Farm is open year-round!

SVENDSEN FLORISTS

A favorite local spot since 1946, Svendsen Florists offers beautiful varieties of an array of flowers and puts together well-curated arrangements for any occasion. A vase of flowers can truly make a world of difference in brightening up your living space, so stop by Svendsen and pick out a pre-made bouquet or customize something new.

FLORA GEMS

Flora Gems is a locally owned and operated business dating back to 1856. It’s a great option if you’re in the market for fine jewelry. Fun fact: the current storefront located on the corner of West Main and Water Street downtown was the original location in 1865 and has never changed!

PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS

Located north of campus in Forsyth, Play It Again Sports is a one-stop-shop for any sporting needs you may have, with merchandise including soccer cleats, dance and theatre shoes, and fishing gear.

If you’re looking to part with any sporting equipment, they are also open for consignment.

SWEET TREATS! THE RIVER COFFEE COMPANy Located on West Main, this coffee shop is the perfect stop after shopping downtown.

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J’S ROLLED ICE CREAM AND DRINKS This is a great stop near the mall if you are looking for a treat to sweeten your shopping trip!

ROCKWELL COFFEE COMPANY You can usually find this mobile coffee truck on Eldorado and Van Dyke near campus.

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By Eden Niebrugge

After settling in for the first, second, or even fourth year at Millikin, it’s easy to forget one of the most important parts of moving in: groceries. Knowing where to shop and how to get deals is essential to keeping food costs low, and there’s a

clear hierarchy of the cheapest to most expensive grocery stores in Decatur.

Starting with Aldi (510 E. Pershing Road), which is 2.8 miles from campus, the store provides inexpensive, but limited, options. On the other

hand, Walmart (4224 N. Prospect Drive) has the most grocery options with somewhat pricier brands at a lower quality.

Walmart is also the furthest from campus, nearly five miles away.

Meanwhile, the closest grocery store to campus is Kroger

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(255 First Drive W.) only 1.7 miles away. While their stores are slightly larger than Aldi, they offer the most specialty products, such as allergyfriendly foods and more expensive brands. However, Kroger has a free rewards program, which lets you add coupons to your account and scan items in-store to receive special deals. Then, all you have to do is type in your phone number at checkout. Each time you check out with rewards, you get points for cheaper gas at Kroger gas stations.

If you need to shop at several stores in one trip, a compact shopping district exists 6 miles from campus with an Aldi, Walmart, and Kroger on the corner of E. US-36 (also known as Route 36) and S. Mount Zion Road (or 121). You can also check online for prices before going to Walmart and Kroger,

What is SNAP?

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but Aldi unfortunately doesn’t offer that benefit.

Lastly, Target (355 W. Mound Road) is roughly 4 miles from campus and the most expensive.

Most Targets sell produce, but not in Decatur. Instead, the overpriced grocery and snack section is approximately 10 aisles. At Target, a P.F. Chang’s frozen meal is $7.69 while $6.97 at Walmart.

In other words, cheap food can still be difficult to come across despite shopping at the right stores. So, what do you buy? An important thing to look out for are products that are the

store’s brand, which are typically cheaper than any other brand and are exactly the same as name brand products. Below are brands to look out for: Walmart → Great Value Target → Favorite Day Aldi → Simply Nature Kroger → Simple Truth In college, budgeting is necessary but often a last thought. Not every store is accessible due to prices, distance, or certain products, but we have to find a balance if we want to stay fueled for class.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can provide college students with a monthly allowance for groceries if they are enrolled at least half-time, don’t have a meal plan, and meet one of the other 11 requirements. As of 2021, one of those requirements was holding a work-study job. To apply for SNAP benefits in Illinois, visit abe.illinois.gov to set up an application and wait for your interview!

ENGLISH WRITING AT MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY The English writing major at Millikin University offers students an array of courses in creative writing, professional writing, or journalism.

Majoring in English writing will ensure a solid foundation in literature, rhetoric and composition, and writing theory. The class sizes are small, ensuring mentoring experiences with professors who are active in their writing communities.

There are also opportunities to get involved in Millikin’s student-run publications: BURST Magazine, The Decaturian, and Collage literary magazine. These student-run organizations offer a wide variety of positions to choose from: editor, writer, designer, marketing and so much more.

We hope these writings find you well and help you to navigate your years through Millikin University!

–English Capstone Class 2024-2025

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