Message from VPUA
Greetings Friends, Alumni, and Donors,
“Loyal and True.” I often close my professional email messages with this phrase that I have borrowed from the EIU Fight Song. The first line in the lyrics of the fight song declares that “We are loyal EIU, we’re loyal and true.” If you’ve ever been within 20 feet of me when the Panther Marching band plays the fight song, you’d definitely hear that line loud and clear!
I can’t think of a better phrase than “Loyal and True” to describe the wonderful individuals and organizations who have contributed to the success of this great University over the past year.
This annual report from the EIU Foundation highlights some of the wonderful philanthropy and generosity of EIU’s alumni, donors, and friends during the 2019-2020 fiscal year. It has been a very special year. Despite the challenges that a global pandemic sent our way in the Spring and Summer, I am happy to share that this has been one of the best years in the University’s history for gifts. I attribute that success to the hard work of the University Advancement team (past and present), the visionary generosity of our donors, and the University’s fantastic trajectory of growth and momentum.
As I stated to everyone who would listen when I “re-joined” the EIU family a little more than a year ago: it’s a great time to be at EIU! Enrollment continues to grow. The academic profile of the freshmen class continues to climb. For three consecutive years the size and the academic profile of the entering freshmen class has risen. Membership in our Alumni Association is growing. Institutional momentum attracts investment. Success breeds success.
I cannot fully express the gratitude we feel to each of you who are investing in EIU and its students. I am humbled by your generosity and I hope to share my sincere thanks with you in person at a time in the future when the conditions of our world permit. Until that time, I remain…
Loyal & True,
Ken Wetstein
Vice President for University Advancement and
Executive Officer of the EIU Foundation
