Title Page & Abstract
An Interview with Evan Neilson
Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Tumultuous 2020 Oral History project
Interview # T20-A-L-2021-013
Evan Neilson, University of Illinois student during the COVID-19 pandemic, was interviewed on the date listed below as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library’s Tumultuous 2020 Oral History project.
Interview Date & Location:
Date: Apr 26, 2021 Location: Telephonic interview
Interview Format: Digital audio
Interviewer: Philip Pogue, ALPL volunteer
Total Time: 1:27 / 1.45 hrs.
Accessioned into the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Archives on June 29, 2021.
The interview is archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
© 2021 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Abstract
Evan Neilson, Tumultuous 2020, T20-A-L-2021-013
Biographical Information/Overview of Interview: Evan Neilson was born in Hoffman Estates, Illinois in 2000, and grew up in Bartlett, Illinois, graduating from Bartlett High School in 2018. While in high school, Evan was involved in theater, band, drum major, speech, debate, and the drama board. At the time of the interview Evan attended the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), and was history major with a minor in education. While at UIUC, Evan was in the Marching Illini Band playing the sousaphone. He also is a Student Wellness Ambassador helping students with COVID safety precautions, including testing, boarding pass entry, the Safer Illinois app, vaccinations, and providing wellness information. He is also active in play productions
During this interview Evan covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon the life of University of Illinois students from March 2020 thru April 2021. He discusses the abrupt shutdown of the University in March 2020 and the hurried exit from University housing. He talks about having all of his in-person classes suddenly going to remote learning, and also discussed how the COVID restrictions impacted his involvement in plays and the marching band. He talks about the changes at the UI campus for 2020-21, which included his position as a Student Wellness Ambassador. He reviews the University’s Shield Illinois saliva testing program, the Safer Illinois Boarding pass, the role of wellness centers, and the creation of the vaccination locations. Other topic covered include the impact of stay at home orders upon the family during the summer and semester breaks, the training he received for being a Wellness Ambassador, and the possible status for the University 2021-22 school year.
Subject Headings/Key Words: COVID-19 at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign; from in-class to virtual learning; Shield Illinois saliva testing program; Safer Illinois app; UIUC vaccination program; Student Wellness Ambassador for safety awareness; impact of COVID-19 on extracurricular activities (marching band, plays, sports); impact on family life due to stay at home orders for students; Illini Marching Band
Notes to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.
COPYRIGHT
The following material can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. “Fair use” criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. These materials are not to be deposited in other repositories, nor used for resale or commercial purposes without the authorization from the Audio-Visual Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. Telephone (217) 785-7955