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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.
EIU Presidential Search Advances; Names of Finalists Released
 Three individuals have been invited to participate in on-site visits as Eastern moves forward in its search for the institution's next president.
The presidential search advisory committee has invited William L. Perry, Blair M. Lord and Sue Kiefer Hammersmith to participate in on-site interviews the week of March 18.
Following each of the on-site sessions, staff, faculty and students, as well as members of the community, will have the opportunity to offer feedback. This information will be considered by the committee as it prepares its final recommendation to the Board of Trustees.
Robert Webb, the committee chair, expects the final decision will be made in late March/early April.
Resumes and interview schedules can be found on Eastern's Presidential Search Web site.
Gift from Alumni Honors President Hencken
When President Hencken announced his intention to retire, Tim Burke '71, '72 and wife Vickie Burke '72, '75 suddenly had the answer to a question that had been puzzling them for years. While the couple had regularly contributed to their alma mater's annual fund, they were also interested in making a more lasting gift. As the news filtered out that Hencken would retire after more than 40 years of service, the Burkes made the decision donate $100,000 as seed money to establish the Louis V. Hencken Housing Service Scholarship and to serve as the co-chairs of the effort to endow the scholarship.
The overall goal of the fundraising effort is to generate a total endowment capable of producing 20 $2,500 scholarships annually for students who remain in university housing.
For additional information on the scholarship, please click here. To make a gift, click here, or contact the Office of Development at 217-581-3313 or 1-866-581-3313.
Alumni Association Board of Directors Positions Available
Applications are being accepted for vacancies on the EIU Alumni Association Board of Directors through April 6.
Quarterly meetings are held on Eastern’s campus with the exception of the July meeting which is held in Chicago.
Board members are elected to three year terms with the opportunity to serve up to three terms.
For more information, visit the Association’s website.
Bid on Unique Items in the Athletic Departments Online Auction
The Panthers Intercollegiate Athletics Department is hosting its annual Panther Club Spring Fling Online and Live Auction. The online auction runs until April 14 at noon (CST), with the live event set for Saturday, April 28, in the Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union. This year, a majority of the auction items will close online and will not carry over to the live event. Items include EIU sports memorabilia, unique travel experiences and more. Item donations are still being accepted.
For more information, visit the auction homepage.
State Farm Donates $45,000 to EIU School of Business
State Farm Insurance Co. has donated $45,000 to bolster the new management information systems major in the School of Business. The gift will provide $25,000 for computer equipment in Lumpkin Hall, and $20,000 for enhancement of student recruitment efforts for the management information systems major, which will begin in Fall 2007.
The major will replace the current computer information systems major with a new curriculum also made possible in large part by the gift.
State Farm currently employs more than 500 EIU alumni in positions ranging from agent to vice president. Another 24 graduates have retired from the company.
Click here for the full story.
Doudna Fine Arts Center to be a Quiet Space
Nearly three-quarters of the way finished, the Doudna Fine Arts Center is beginning to take the shape. The building, which will house art, theater and music, is coming along as scheduled. One of the most interesting concepts of the Antoine Predock design is the state-of-the-art "room within a room" construction.
For acoustical reasons, an additional set of walls will be added to the rehearsal hall and most of the classrooms and offices to keep unwanted sound out. Another sound-proofing feature is large duct work that uses low-velocity air to keep rooms quiet.
Perhaps the most gripping concepts of the building will be the continuing themes of glass and copper used throughout the structure and the view-through concourses. Outside and in, the buildings copper accents and glass create a modern design.
An outdoor sculpture yard, aircraft cables and projected images on the glass walls in the building will complete its modern feel.
Click here for the full story.
Alumni Invited to Study Abroad in Ecuador with EIU Students
Eastern alumni are invited to join teachers, students and others in the study of the geography, culture and history of Ecuador from July 24 to August 12.
Participants will meet local residents and explore equatorial ecological zones in the Andes Mountains, valleys, Amazon rainforest, coastal beaches and Galapagos Islands.
Registration includes roundtrip airfare, Galapagos Islands cruise, land transportation, lodging and most meals. The deadline for registration is April 9.
Additional information can be found here.
Alumni Invited to the Alumni Associations Upcoming Tour to Northern Italy
Buon Giorno! Join your fellow alumni and friends on October 2-10 and explore the beauty of Northern Italy during the Alumni Associations Italys Magnificent Lake District group excursion.
During this 9-day journey you will explore picturesque islands, stroll through gorgeous gardens and villas, visit sumptuous palaces and historic cathedrals and embrace splendid art and architecture.
This expedition is an unforgettable treat so make your plans to join your fellow alumni by making your reservation today!
For additional information regarding this exciting trip please visit the Alumni travel page.
EIU Students Commit to Service, Raising Walls During Spring Break
From March 11-17, 15 Eastern students will join more than 12,500 fellow spring breakers from across the country to participate in Habitat for Humanitys Collegiate Challenge. The Collegiate Challenge Program, offered through Alternative Spring Break, gives college-age students the opportunity to use their vacation to serve a community by volunteering to build affordable homes for families in need.
Throughout its 18-year history, more than 139,000 students nationwide have traveled to build Habitat houses through the program. Many of the participating Eastern students are active members of the local Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter.
Click here for the full story.
Goo Goo Dolls, Augustana Draw Lantz Arena Crowd
More than 3,000 EIU students and community members came out to see the Goo Goo Dolls and opening act Augustana perform in Lantz Arena on March 4.
The Goo Goo Dolls, famous for hits including "Slide," "Name" and "Here is Gone," have been around for about 20 years. Their current album, "Let Love In," is the latest in a series of hit records.
Throughout the entire concert, students danced, sang and held digital cameras and camera phones high above their heads to capture the performance.
The Goo Goo Dolls hold company with Lonestar, Jeff Foxworthy, Chicago and O.A.R., among many other entertainers, that have come to Eastern. On-campus concerts are sponsored and produced by the student programming organization University Board.
Click here for the full story.
Alumni Volunteer Opportunity!
The alumni services and undergraduate admissions
offices are currently looking for alumni volunteers to help to
recruit the best and brightest students to EIU! We’re looking
for enthusiastic, articulate alumni to help assistant Eastern admissions
counselors represent EIU at college fairs throughout Chicago and
various suburbs. You may choose from among several locations near
your home or work and volunteer at times that best fit your own
schedule. Please see below for a schedule of upcoming college fairs
in your area.
April
April 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Glenbrook High Schools, Allstate Plaza,
Northbrook
April 18, 7 - 9 pm at Niles West High School, Skokie
April 19, 7 - 9 pm at St. Charles East High School, Fox Valley
If
you’d like to sign up as a volunteer for one (or more!)
of the college fairs above, please call Chelsea Frederick ’06,
assistant director of Alumni Services, at 217-581-7030, or e-mail
alumeiu@eiu.edu.
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.
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