May 2009

Alumni spotlight: Doug and Viki Scherer

In his 31 years as a Decatur city bus driver, Doug Scherer '71 took only one sick day. But that was before ALS — better known as Lou Gehrig's disease — confined him to a wheelchair and required his wife, Viki (Henneberry) Scherer '76, to devote her days to caring for him.

For the Scherers' courage in dealing with the disease, the St. Louis ALS Association recently named them the family that best exemplifies the spirit of "ALS Across America." As a result, they participated in National ALS Advocacy Day activities in Washington, D.C., this week.

Photo by Stephen Haas ex '04  for the Herald & Review.

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A sampling of more alumni news ...

• Puckett receives Association of American Law Libraries' highest honor
• Catchings 'can't get enough of' playing professional basketball in Spain
• Museum curator Van Buren named 'Woman of Distinction'
• Faulkner, former Edgar staffer, takes seat on O'Fallon City Council
• Schramm, longtime Pana AD and coach, to retire (see second item)
• Jones, former Panther, directs center for people with mental, physical challenges
• Ward, 'visionary' Danville educator, to be honored for dedication

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'Panthers on the Road' tour to kick off June 4

The inaugural "Panthers on the Road" tour will begin with a Coaches Show in Springfield on June 4, with Athletics Director Barbara Burke and some EIU head coaches.

Future events are being scheduled elsewhere in Illinois and beyond, with activities including alumni socials, meet-and-greets with coaches, and pre-game functions. Check out the "Panthers on the Road" tour schedule to find an event near you.

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Hundreds participate in commencement

Many of EIU's 1,600 spring graduates participated in commencement ceremonies on May 9. Guest speakers were Marc Miller '91, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; James Johnson, retiring dean of the College of Arts and Humanities; and honorary degree recipients Morrie Reece '72 and Rudy Hlavek '64.

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News briefs from the EIU Alumni Association ...

• Join us in Belleville, Lombard or Tinley Park for an Alumni and New Student Picnic, where you can enjoy a complimentary meal while helping us welcome incoming EIU students and their families.
• Reminder: Alumni award nominations are due June 19.
• Sure, EIU license plates look great, but more importantly, they help provide scholarship funds for EIU students. You can order yours here.
• We appreciate everyone who helped make Panther Service Day a success!

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Other EIU news ...

• Reworked design of new EIU energy center revealed
• Long, McKinney named EIU Journalists of the Year
• EIU hosts annual Endowment Tea for donors, recipients
• Radavich receives EIU's 2009 Distinguished Faculty Award
• Mother, daughters graduate from EIU together
• Editorial board: Eastern athletes like Pattin blaze trails
• Thornburgh honored for role in founding journalism department
• DEN gives baseball's Schmitz Coach of the Year honors
• EIU honors 2008-2009 retirees

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