The UIS 2025 ‘Best of” Contest has officially ended, and the winners are in! The final round of winners are listed below!
Round 4 winners include:
Best Meal at the Student Union: Panini!
This will come as no surprise to anyone who has passed by World Flavors when paninis are on the menu. The line is sometimes so long it nearly stretches out of the cafeteria! Second and third place were taken by classic options from the grill: chicken tenders and a chicken sandwich.
Best Place to Get a Taco: El Dorado!
Located just a few minutes away, Taqueria El Dorado is the closet option for off-campus tacos and has been voted the best! The Taco Joint came in second place, and Blue Margaritas Mexican Bar & Grill came in third.
Best Place to Get Pizza: Antionio’s!
The local Springfield franchise Antonio’s Pizza won first place. Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market placed second and Bernie and Betty’s Pizza placed third.
Best Place to Take a Date: Mariah’s Steakhouse!
Mariah’s Steakhouse & Pasta was voted the number one best place to take a date by the UIS campus community. Second place goes to Café Moxo, and third to Roots Latin Grill.
Best Place to Get a Smoothie: Smoothie King!
In first place, Smoothie King was crowned best place to get a smoothie in Springfield. Shake This, Eat That placed second and Meii Tea placed third.
Best Place to Get Ice Cream: Cold Stone Creamery!
Cold Stone takes first place as best ice cream. Scoop Du Jour won second place and Oh-Icee placed third.
Best UIS Instructor: Lynn Fisher!
Dr. Fisher is a professor in the Sociology/Anthropology department and currently serves as the department chairperson. Second place went to Elise LoBue, an instructor in the Capital Honors Program. Devin Hunter, a History professor and chairperson of the History department, placed third.
Of her victory, Fisher said, “I feel honored.”
“For any teacher, it is a great feeling to know that students get something out of my classes and remember them with appreciation.” Fisher continued.
Fisher stressed that what she values most about her job is the opportunity to teach others. She also connected her enthusiasm at winning in this category with her work in Anthropology, “I’m an anthropologist, which means I am always interested in hearing what others think, exploring diversity of thought and experiences, and challenging assumptions, including my own.”
“I also think now is a good time to celebrate higher education and teaching.” Fisher spoke on the need to recognize the efforts of both students and teachers this current social climate. “Right now, I think the work students and instructors do in classrooms, questioning, sharing and discussing ideas, is more important than ever.”
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 UIS Best of Contest!
