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Welcome to Eastern Illinois University’s electronic Alumni Newsletter. Each month, we hope to bring you a taste of what’s happening at your alma mater. Our alumni are important to us. It doesn't matter if you graduated five years ago, 25 years ago or 50 years ago ... you are still EIU. Let us know what you think about the newsletter, including the types of items you’d like to see in it. We'll do our best to accommodate you.

We Are EIU Because of Lou

Hundreds of people from throughout campus and the community attended the April 18th “Celebration of Dedication” in honor of retiring president Lou Hencken. Hencken has made a distinct mark on the University in his four decades of service. The following article celebrates his accomplishments throughout his tenure at EIU.

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To View a Related Article Please Visit: Eastern honors Hencken

Tarble Foundation Gives $2.5 Million for New Artists Series at EIU

The Tarble Foundation has given another $2.5 million to help fund programming at the new Doudna Fine Arts Center. The large gift will benefit Eastern’s New and Emerging Artists Series, which will help bring artists who challenge the boundaries and conventions of traditional art, music, theatre and creative writing. Through the years, the Tarble family has donated more than $9.4 million to benefit the arts at the university, making them the most giving family in EIU’s history.

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EIU Helping to Bring Music Program Back to Beecher City School

After 13 years without a music program, the Beecher City Junior/Senior High School will soon offer students a chance to join a choral ensemble, thanks to a unique collaboration with the University. Starting in the fall, a graduate student will lead Beecher City’s new choral program. The student will work directly under the supervision of the music department faculty and will be assisted by undergraduate music education students, who in turn will receive hands-on training in a real-world teaching environment. Organizers of the program hope to eventually expand the curriculum to also include instrumental instruction at the grade school level.

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EIU Program Receives Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Endorsement

Eastern’s Teaching with Primary Sources Program was recently informed that the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission would be endorsing their program -- the Learning with Lincoln Institute. The Institute, developed in collaboration with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is a professional advancement program series offered to Central Illinois educators in preparation for the celebration of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. Educators selected through an application process will engage in research, scholarship, curriculum design and collaboration for new ideas to engage students and increase personal knowledge of Lincoln. Learning experiences created will be collected and published for sharing with others in the field of education at the local, state and national levels.

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The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission

Students, staff send messages of support to Virginia Tech peers

The campus community united on April 24th in the Grand Ballroom to honor and remember the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy. Prior to the ceremony, students, faculty, staff and community residents were invited to stop in the ballroom throughout the day and sign banners, write letters and leave video messages showing their support for the Virginia Tech community. During the ceremony student body president Sean Anderson moderated and administrators, including president Hencken and vice president for student affairs Dan Nadler, spoke about the importance of community support and safety.

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Kids (Again) In A Candy Shop

Those tuning into the CBS Evening News on Friday May 4th may have been surprised to see a Central Illinois business featured. Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola, Ill., was selected as the lead story for the “Assignment America” segment. Owners Ann Flesor Beck ’77, ’80 and Devon Flesor Nau ’84, ’89 are the third generation of candy makers to run the shop since their grandfather first opened it in 1901. Before carrying on the family tradition, Devon taught English at EIU and Ann worked as a management consultant. The Candy Kitchen was also recently the focus of a feature story in American Profile magazine.

To read more on this story or to view the CBS news video, please visit the CBS News site.

Flesor's Candy Kitchen

It’s Never to Late to Learn

Ron Walls had a reason to celebrate during commencement when he graduated after a hiatus of 26 years. Walls started attending Eastern in 1975 however his finances and his interest in school waned after five years, so he left. Last summer after deciding to go back to school, Walls contacted the school of business and reenrolled in classes. Walls brought several family members with him to the commencement ceremony. He said it was especially important to him for his grandchild to see him graduate. “Remember it is never too late to learn, but wasting time is a crime. Stay focused and get it right the first time,” he advised.

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Alumni Insurance Program Highlight- GradMed® Short Term Medical

Changing jobs, a new career or any other major life event – there are many reasons you could be without medical coverage for a short period of time. That’s why we sponsor GradMed® Short Term Medical. It’s affordable short-term coverage that helps you fill the gap.

Both accidents and illnesses are covered by GradMed, but pre-existing conditions are excluded. Other benefits, like dependant coverage, vary by state. For complete details about GradMed or to apply for next day coverage, visit the GradMed web site. Or, call our plan administrator at 1-800-922-1245.

GradMed is not available in all states. It is unwritten and issued by Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company or Time Insurance Company.

Join the Alumni Association Today

Please consider joining the EIU Alumni Association. Your membership will allow us to continue to expand our programming and offerings to the university community.

The association has been able to steadily increase its financial support to the university over the past several years in the form of student scholarships and grants because of the support of members like you.

In addition, you don't want to miss receiving Old Main Line, the alumni magazine which is for members only. It's a great way to stay on top of what's happening on campus for only $30 annually. Join online by visiting our Web site or by calling us at 800-ALUM-EIU. We appreciate your continuing support!

Show Your Panther Pride! Order EIU Merchandise Online

Purchase your EIU merchandise online by visiting the alumni Web site and clicking on the "Merchandise" link in the left column. Listen to WEIU via the web at weiuhitmix.net