News

A professor becomes an author

A professor becomes an author

Amy McEuen, professor of biology, UIS, visits the WTAX Morning Newswatch, July 28, 2026 Photo: Saga Communications/Dave Dahl WTAX


Springfield, IL. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A professor of biology at the University of Illinois Springfield College of Health, Science and Technology, has published a book. Dr. Amy McEuen, author of “How to Think Like an Ecologist: A Non-Scientist’s Guide to Saving Our Planet” was on the WTAX Morning Newswatch to discuss her book.

I’ve been teaching out at UIS for more than 20 years, and I just, I love being in the classroom. 
I love interacting with students. And I started to think about, when I retire, how am I going to teach outside of the classroom? So, really, to some extent, that’s what my book is. 
It’s an attempt to get the topics that I teach and I’m really passionate about out into a broader audience.”

Being an author takes dedication and time. How long did this take her?

It’s been in my head for a while. It was so nice that the university gave me a sabbatical leave, so I had last spring semester, a semester away from teaching at the university and service, and I could just focus on writing. So that’s what I did. 
I had only a couple of chapters done before I took that sabbatical. So, most of it really got written over that academic term.”

 

Recent Headlines

9 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Ariana Grande on decision to withdraw from the public eye: ‘Not a reactive or impulsive thing’

Ariana Grande chose to "clear the air about a few things" during her concert Monday night, following the news that she will be taking a break from being in the public eye after the conclusion of her "Eternal Sunshine" tour.

16 hours ago in Entertainment

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos lead $200M project to save 100 of globe’s most threatened species

Foundations funded and co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have launched an initiative committing $200 million to revive 100 of Earth's most threatened species, including endangered lemurs, salamanders, pangolins, pigs and echidnas.

2 days ago in Entertainment

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ nets second best North American opening ever with $355 million

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" made box office history in its first weekend in theaters. The Sony-released superhero movie became the second-biggest North American opening ever with an astonishing $355 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. It was just a few million shy of "Avengers: Endgame," which debuted to $357 million in 2019.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical and will take a break from the public eye

Ariana Grande has pulled out of an upcoming stage musical in London, producers said, and plans to withdraw from the public eye for a break from the intense scrutiny she faces.