Field Narrowed to 16 for EIU’s President Position

The field of presidential candidates has been narrowed down from 58 to 16 as the search for the next president of EIU continues. Robert Webb, the Presidential Search Advisory Committee chairman, said the committee has begun conducting reference checks on each of the 16 remaining candidates.

During their Feb. 15 meeting, committee members are to discuss those findings and reduce the field to five to eight candidates who will be invited to confidential preliminary interviews. After those interviews are complete, finalists will be invited to campus for extensive interviews with the EIU community.

For up-to-date information on the presidential search, please visit the presidential search page.

Former EIU Student Body President Joins Development Staff

A former student body president has returned to her alma mater to work in the Development Office. As a development director, Alison Mormino ’02, will be meeting and visiting face-to-face with alumni and friends of the university to share philanthropic opportunities available at EIU; attending events to further charitable efforts; and building lasting relationships with alumni, friends and community leaders.

Mormino graduated from EIU with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She returns to campus after working for three years as an in-district legislative aide for the Illinois House Democrats under Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan. There, she worked with state representatives Brandon Phelps and Bob Flider, who are both EIU graduates as well. Mormino is also a former member of the EIU Alumni Association board of directors.

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Alumni Return to EIU as Employees

Like Mormino, some alumni shed the title of EIU student and later assume the title of EIU employee. Although they stay for a variety of reasons, many alumni can agree it’s their love for EIU that draws them to stay or return to campus as working professionals.

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WEIU's 'Heartland Highways' Begins Fifth Season

WEIU-TV's "Heartland Highways" began its fifth season earlier this month, a journey that led its crew over 4,800 miles in three states to film 38 stories for 13 episodes. The show, which focuses on rural lifestyles and unique stories in the “heartland” of the nation, includes several unique stories from across Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. All episodes are written, produced, hosted and edited by Lori Casey, productions manager for WEIU-TV, and her co-worker, Rachel Wikoff. Casey said many of their ideas come from people in the respective communities, as well as all over the United States, although the production crew tries to stay within a 200-mile radius of Charleston.

"Heartland Highways" will air 13 episodes from February to May and will then begin an encore season immediately following. For more information or for show times, log on to www.weiu.net.

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EIU Documentary Details Past Harsh Winters on the Illinois Prairie

Now that winter is making its presence known across the region, it’s a great time to look back at how our ancestors braved such harsh conditions on the prairie without modern conveniences. "An Illinois Winter: A Documentary Film,” created by Eastern Illinois University students, details the historic “Winter of the Deep Snow” that impacted the state in 1830-31.

Filmed in part at the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site near Lerna, the half-hour documentary shows conditions Illinois settlers faced in those very different times, told through weather records and through the words of people who experienced them. The documentary is part of the EIU WeatherCenter’s ongoing effort to educate the public about Illinois weather – past, current and future – and has already been viewed across the nation and overseas.

The full-length documentary may be viewed online anytime at: www.eiu.edu/~weather/AIW.

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EIU Students Share Experiences from Semester in Cape Town

Half a world away, EIU students were able to expand their education in the fall semester of 2006 in Cape Town, South Africa, thanks to a new international education program in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Nine students from Eastern participated in the program, allowing them to complete EIU coursework and internships in the beautiful and diverse city of Cape Town. However, their coursework did not just involve classroom lectures. The students were able to participate in field trips; overnight stays in a local family’s home; adventure treks; internships; and a host of other volunteer activities, like working with children in primary schools, volunteering at a Salvation Army shelter for abused children and working with children that have HIV/AIDS.

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Athletic Department’s Online Auction Begins March 1

The athletic department will host its annual Panther Club Spring Fling online and live auction beginning March 1.

The online auction will run through Saturday, April 14, and the live event will take place on campus on Saturday, April 28. More than 300 people typically attend the event to take part and support Panther athletics. Auction items include vacation getaways, priceless sports memorabilia and other items guaranteed to interest Panther fans of all ages. The athletic department is still accepting items to be included in the auction if you would be interested in donating an item.

For more information, visit the athletic department Web site.

Entries Being Accepted for 'Great Beginnings' Window Project

The wall of windows located on the bridge walkway in the MLK Jr. Union will become a "Great Beginning" for Eastern's new president as one of the first projects he/she will dedicate. President Hencken announced plans for the window replacement to include quotations and great first lines of literature works to be etched into the glass. The completed “Great Beginnings” window restoration project will symbolize the university experience in the lives of students.

Members of the Great Beginnings Window Project Committee are currently accepting submissions from the EIU community, including alumni, of great first lines – from books, plays, speeches, music lyrics or scores, movies, scientific or mathematical treatises, or any other documents. Please send quotations, including citation information, by March 15, to Ann Brownson at aebrownson@eiu.edu.

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Despite Large Number of Fall Graduates, EIU Enrollment Remains High

Despite having the largest number of fall graduates in its history, EIU’s spring enrollment numbers still remain at an all-time high. A total of 11,336 students are currently enrolled in on- and off-campus classes, making Spring 2007 the second-largest spring enrollment period in the university's history. Enrollment figures hit a record-breaking 11,414 one year ago – a difference of 78 students. Eastern’s graduation rate is also at an all-time high, currently standing at 61 percent, 5 percent higher than the national average.

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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.

March
March 20, 6 - 8 pm at College of Lake County, Grayslake
March 21, 6 - 7:30 pm at St. Ignatius High School, Chicago
March 22, 6 - 8 pm at DePaul University, Chicago

April
April 9, 7 - 9 pm at Barrington High School, Barrington
April 10, 6 - 8:30 pm at Harper College, Palatine
April 11, 7 - 9 pm at Lyons High School, LaGrange
April 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Glenbrook High Schools, Allstate Plaza, Northbrook
April 17, 7 - 9 pm at Hinsdale High School, Hinsdale
April 18, 7 - 9 pm at Niles West High School, Skokie
April 19, 7 - 9 pm at St. Charles East High School, Fox Valley, from 7-9pm

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.

Listen to WEIU via the web at weiuhitmix.net