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As we near the end of the academic year, April is the month during which EIU takes extra time to celebrate the achievements of our students, staff and faculty ... Read More

I am proud to see EIU undergraduates will make 34 presentations at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) this April ... Read More

I was pleased that EIU received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Education last week, recognizing our programs and services for student veterans. Read More

I joined a nearly full house Dec. 2 at our Doudna Fine Arts Center for the annual Holiday Concert in Dvorak Hall. The crowd of people from throughout the university and community enjoyed a vibrant array of instrumental and vocal performances ... Read More

On Wednesday, Oct. 17, EIU celebrated the creative work, publications and grants of its faculty. At the reception and display of works in the University Ballroom, I was struck by the breadth and depth of our scholarship and how it makes our teaching dynamic for our students. Read More

Yesterday, I walked the neighborhood next to campus with students, staff, and city government officials to reach out to our community residents and off-campus students with friendly greetings, conversation, and information. We do this every year ... Read More

We are off to a great start to the new academic year with our students, faculty and staff helping new students move into their campus residences, leading small group discussions of this year's Eastern Reads book selection ... Read More

A couple days ago, I visited the Charleston waste water facility to witness the collaboration taking place between the city and EIU's students and faculty on a research project involving algae and their ability to purify effluent. It turns out ... Read More

The other day, I visited with -- and thanked -- Dan Pilson of Pilson Auto Center, who donated a truck for our use in biodiesel testing. This fuel, made from waste cooking oil and other sources, is a research interest of our faculty and staff... Read More

After commencement, we get a chance to catch our breath and reflect on how our students excel in many ways at the national level. A recent example is this team of EIU health studies majors: Emily Schumacher, Caitlin Clancy, and Ericka Duncan. The trio took first place in the American Association for Health Education's ... Read More

Service is one of the most important ways we can connect with our communities. On Saturday, April 21, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Panther Service Day with more than 600 students getting involved in community service projects both locally and in other communities ... Read More

On Friday, April 6, I'll be at the Metropolitan Opera in New York to enjoy a performance from EIU alumnus Matthew Polenzani, who assumes the role of Alfredo in La Traviata. Matthew's international success is a great source of pride for EIU, but I believe it is also emblematic of the value of and Eastern education and our goal of enabling students to discover passions and succeed professionally ... Read More

On Feb. 13, we honored members of our faculty and staff who have completed five, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service with a lunch and presentation of certificates for all. Read More

This week, as part of our commitment to affordable access to higher education, I and several EIU colleagues traveled to Richland Community College in Decatur to formally sign articulation agreements that provide road maps to students who start at Richland and then complete their bachelor's degree at EIU ... Read More

This past Saturday was a day of great joy and celebration for the EIU community as we held our annual fall commencement ceremony. As the graduates crossed the stage, the look in their eyes and spring in their step showed resolve and optimism in facing the future. As I congratulated each graduate and they voiced their thanks, I thought of how our newest alumni will make the most of their educations in changing society for the better ... Read More

One of EIU's faculty members, David Raybin of our Department of English, has been recognized as Illinois Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This is a significant recognition for Professor Raybin -- not only for his research and teaching, but also his impact on our students. At Eastern, our values of excellence, personal relationships, service, and opportunity all come together ... Read More

On my most recent "Escape from Old Main" in the Carman Hall lounge, I met quite a few students. Among them was Nick Fulco, who is hall president. I learned from Nick that Carman Hall held a haunted house event called "Terror on the Eighth Floor". That event raised almost $600 for charity and almost 250 canned food items for their food drive. I am really proud of EIU's students: They look for opportunities to serve the community. Carman Hall's efforts are representative of Eastern's spirit of service among our students. Read More

The weather for Homecoming weekend was perfect! Alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members all came together to enjoy that weather and celebrate this "family reunion" for EIU. This celebration of the personal relationships our alumni have maintained for so many years makes Homecoming one of the most ... Read More

Last Wednesday, I had lunch with several of our graduate students who received the president's and provost's assistantships this year. They are involved in and excited about their research with Eastern faculty members. Read More

This fall, I would like to "escape" from Old Main and turn the whole campus into my office. In order to do so, however, I'll need the help of Eastern Illinois University's students. Read More

I recently joined WEIU-TV's crew to shoot video for an episode of EIU Conversation focused on our Renewable Energy Center and how it is making EIU even more green. Jack Neal, WEIU's general manager, visited with me about the research, education and public service the REC supports. Read More

A little over a week ago, EIU was privileged to hear a speech from Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaid'ie, the Iraqi ambassador to the United States. Dvorak Concert Hall was filled with students, faculty, staff and community members who not only enjoyed the speech, but participated in a lengthy Q&A session. Read More

Last Saturday, over 700 EIU students volunteered for the Special Olympics Family Festival in nearby Mattoon. I was proud to be present and see our students serving as buddies for the Special Olympians on a day of fun activities for them. Read More

Our students involved with National Pan Hellenic Council, Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity supported EIU's Sunday evening 9/11 memorial service with organizational help and attendance at the event. Their participation was very much appreciated. Attendance by local fire department ... Read More

Last weekend, I received an email from a community member expressing appreciation for our university's service to Habitat for Humanity. Student-athletes from our intercollegiate swimming, cross country, and basketball programs were all involved. Volunteerism and community service -- a great way for EIU to be a part of the wider community! Read More

Last weekend, I enjoyed lunch with some students and an EIU grad who had provided an excellent short-term internship last summer. Our alumni connect with current students and support them in many ways: They arrange for internship opportunities, volunteer their time to our career center ... Read More

At EIU, you have the opportunity to interact with students and faculty from all over the world. One way we create such opportunities is by developing partnerships with universities in other countries. On Aug. 25, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chairman Luo Aiping of Hankou University of China. Essentially, this document is meant to create student and faculty exchanges, increase study abroad opportunities ... Read More

Lunch . . . what a great way to meet people! With Move-In Day yesterday and the welcome lunches today, I've met students from all over the place; from Chicago to Metropolis, from St. Louis to Marshall, and from South Korea, Belgium and India. Our mix of students from communities of all sizes in Illinois, other states, and other countries makes for a diverse campus and enriching experiences -- not only for our students, but also for our faculty, staff and community. Read More

Move-in day! It's always one of the best days of the year. Faculty, staff and students help all the new students and families: unloading cars, carrying belongings up to the rooms, taking people around campus in golf carts. It's all part of our commitment to service and personal relationships -- embracing the newest members of the EIU family -- and I'm proud to be in there helping, meeting new students, and just being a part of it. Read More

At Eastern Illinois University, we take pride in our ability to provide our students a top-notch education at an affordable price. A significant factor in that affordability is our Textbook Rental Service. Compared to the expense of buying the same books, our rental program saves the average student $800-$1000 every year. That kind of annual savings over a college career undoubtedly makes EIU a viable choice for students who otherwise may not have been able to attend. Read More

My Eastern Ways blog is one way I will informally notify you of the ways EIU values and supports excellence, personal relationships, service, and opportunity. Within this blog, you'll hear about examples of EIU students, faculty and staff getting involved in academic programs, student life, and community engagement. I hope the things you read here will motivate you to learn more about EIU, where we expect greatness of ourselves in our mission to provide a second-to-none higher education. Read More