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EIU Annuitants Association


Spring 2020 Table of Contents
President's Message
Guest Speaker: Ken Wetstein
Speaker Series #1: Charles Wheeler
Speaker Series #2: Paul Switzer
Calendar
Farewells
Committee Reports
Annual Luncheon Announcement

President's Message

The Spring 2020 EIU Annuitants Association newsletter coincides with a time of anxiety and threats to our health and welfare. With concern over COVID-19 ever present in our thoughts, social interactions and day-to-day work and home lives, keeping up with the Annuitants Association may not be in the top part of our to-do list. However, what we value in public higher education as retirees and current employees is important and must be sustained and furthered.

Although optimism may seem scarce, there is reason to be confident in the present and future of Eastern Illinois University. I base this on the insights of our February 27 chapter meeting’s featured speaker: Katie Anselment, EIU’s Constituent Relations Director. With the Governor’s State of the State and Budget addresses delivered, and the General Assembly back in session, Katie walked us through the policy and political terrain of Springfield. Her overall point was that the legislature and governor are working to redress the damage inflicted on higher education during the 2015-2017 budget impasse. There’s recognition that stability in the higher education budget is essential, along with understanding of the importance of high school graduates staying in Illinois for college. Specific to EIU, Katie noted that our institution is well received at legislative committee hearings, with this helped by EIU’s promising developments in admissions and enrollment—e.g., the strong growth in first year applicants and admits. Another example of EIU on the rebound is the good news surrounding the release of state capital development funds for planning the much-needed new science building.

Of course, challenges and uncertainties remain for public higher education and Eastern. A big one noted by Katie, in her wrap-up comments, is the fate of the Fair Tax constitutional amendment question in the Fall 2020 General Election. And it goes without saying that the economic hardships and downturn associated with the pandemic will reverberate throughout Illinois’s state budget. We at the EIU Annuitants Association need to pay close attention to the state’s revenue and spending situations, and this definitely will be on our agenda when we reconvene, most likely virtually. In the meantime, stay safe everyone.

Richard Wandling
EIU Annuitants Association President, 2020

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Guest Speaker

Ken Wetstein, Vice President for Advancement

Ken Wetstein

Surveys show Eastern alumni are very satisfied and happy with their college experience but only a small percentage of them donate to the university, says Vice President for Advancement Ken Wetstein. Speaking before an Eastern Illinois University Annuitants Association chapter meeting Oct. 3, Wetstein said only 3 ½ percent of alumni currently make gifts and donations to their alma mater. He said that is down from 6 ½ percent 10 years ago. Getting the other 96.5 percent to give something is among goals the newly appointed vice president will be setting for the Eastern Illinois University Foundation.“We need to give them a reason to give and then get them to give,” he said.

Wetstein discussed his short-term goals for the next 15 months with the more than 30 EIUAA members at their quarterly meeting. Currently donors give to whatever they want, which is great, he said. However, the university does not have a central vision of what it needs.

“We have to message the institution to our donors,” he said. “We want to make a message to donors of what Eastern Illinois University needs.” To do that messaging, the university must devise a philanthropic master plan that lists the universities highest priorities, Wetstein said. He will be working with President David Glassman, the vice presidents and others to create a well-worded, concise master plan. “We have to tell donors why EIU is worthy of financial support.”

Wetstein said he believes he has the staff in place to do the job. However, he needs one person to head the very technical area of plan giving. Then the staff needs to come up with a clear and intentional message for alumni and donors and needs to perfect a consistent gratitude program with thank you letters and the like. Staff members will be assigned to work with alumni and coordinate campus and off-campus events with college, department and alumni departments.

Finally they need to keep statistics, or metrics as Wetstein calls them, to document donor retention, donor recovery, donor acquisition, alumni contacts, and giving rates, among other things. The result, he said, “We will have the big picture as a dashboard. We will have a way to show we’re paying attention to our performance and goals.” The metrics will be there to show what’s important and that they are being measured, he said. “They are not there to embarrass anyone or goad them to do better.”

Wetstein said a faculty member once told him that getting people to donate money is a difficult task because people get nothing in return. However, Wetstein likened donations to buying lemonade from a lemonade stand. He says he always stops when he sees a lemonade stand and gives the kid running it a $1 or $5 if that’s all the money he has. The reason, he says, “is the person getting the money is over the moon. The kid is having a moment of joy, but I’m far happier than the kid is. That’s philanthropy. We want the door to have that experience.”

In a question and answer session following his presentation, Wetstein said the best donations are donations that offset an expense for the university. He said the best gifts are student aid, gifts supporting existing operations and scholarships.

He said the president recently set aside 50 $1,000 scholarships to be given to freshmen who had financial holds preventing them to register for the next semester’s classes. The scholarships helped retain 45 of them as sophomores. “That’s the type of giving I’m interested in,” he said.

In the near future, the Foundation is going to have to determine how to use social media to solicit donations because the old telephone solicitation doesn’t work like it once did. Many people now have cell phones and they don’t answer calls from numbers they are not familiar with.

He also said his staff needs to do more with plan giving. He said people could give a slight percentage of their estate, say 1 percent, that won’t be felt by their heirs but give a donation that provides $100 for 20 years to an area of their choice.

Submitted by John Ryan, Past President, EIUAA

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Speaker Series

Charles Wheeler

Charles Wheeler

Charles Wheeler was the first in the new EIUAA Speaker Series. Recently retired, Wheeler came to Charleston to tell us why he thinks current retirees are pretty safe as part of the EIUAA’s new speaker series.

He is fascinating to talk with. He has so much knowledge and lived through and written about Illinois political history for the past 50 years. He came to share stories and conversation with the audience on October 16, in the Charleston-Mattoon Room.

Wheeler feels that our pensions appear to be pretty safe for now. We are still protected by a clause in the Illinois Constitution that state pensions cannot be diminished, and recently elected Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he believes the state should keep its promise to employees who deserve their pensions. However, the question remains: could the state Constitution be amended to allow pensions to be reduced to chip away at the $134 billion in unfunded liability in the state’s five pension funds? Charles Wheeler III, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Springfield, doesn’t think so. He doesn’t believe there is a serious effort to change the clause or the political will to get it done. Charlie should know. He is one of the leading authorities on Illinois government and politics. He covered the last Illinois Constitutional Convention in 1970 as a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. He then covered state government for 19 years of his 24-year tenure at the Sun-Times and retired as the dean of the statehouse press corps. For the last 26 years, he has served as the director of the Public Affairs Reporting Program at UIS, training journalists how to cover Illinois government and politics.

Paul Switzer

Paul Switzer

Professor Paul V. Switzer, who began the “Urban Butterfly Initiative” in 2018, spoke November 13 in the Charleston-Mattoon Room of the University Union. The founder and director of Charleston’s “Urban Butterfly Initiative” spoke about creating landscapes that help the environment. He was the second speaker in the Eastern Illinois University Annuitants Association’s speaker series.

Through his program and in cooperation with the city and state, Switzer has created areas at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library, Lake Charleston, Fox Ridge State Park, Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail and EIU’s Secret Garden and UBI Demonstration Site to help increase the butterfly population.

Anyone wanting information about the UBI or wanting to contact group for more info or to make a donation can reach them at ubutterflyinitiative@gmail.com. The UBI’s progress can be followed by liking its Facebook Page at https://www.Facebook.com/UrbanButterlfyInitiativeUSA/. Also check out the group’s website at www.urbanbutterflies.org.


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EIUAA Calendar

DateEventVenue
Friday, April 24, 2020, 11 a.m.Spring Luncheon and Scholarship PresentationCanceled
Thursday, May 28, 2020, 9 a.m.Board of Directors MeetingNeal Welcome Center
Thursday, July 9, 2020, 8:30 a.m.Chapter MeetingNeal Welcome Center
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, 9 a.m.Board of Directors MeetingNeal Welcome Center
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, 8:30 a.m.Chapter MeetingNeal Welcome Center
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, 9 a.m.Board of Directors MeetingNeal Welcome Center
Note: Chapter meetings at the Neal Welcome Center begin with an 8:30 a.m. social time and come to order at 9 a.m.

EIUAA Officers
Richard Wandlingrawandling@eiu.eduPresident
TBATBAPresident-Elect
John Ryanjmryan@eiu.eduPast President
Nancy Dolejndole@consolidated.netSecretary
Margaret Messermkmesser@eiu.eduTreasurer

Board Members
Wendy Long, Margaret Messer, Jeffrey Lynch, John Ryan, Nancy Dole, Richard Wandling, Ronald Wohlstein, John Flynn, Beverly Cruse, Gary Aylesworth, Lisa Dallas, Marita Metzke

Committees
CommunicationsWendy Long (Chair), Audrey Edwards, Roann Kopel, John Ryan
EventsGail Mason (Chair), Marita Metzke, Margaret Messer
LegislativeJeffrey Lynch (Chair), Terry Weidner, Jill Nielsen, Andy McNitt
MembershipJohn Ryan (Chair), John Best, Kathryn Bulver, John Flynn, Norma Taylor, Dale Wolf, Joan Zieren
ScholarshipNancy Dole (Chair), Nancy Curran, Brad Green, Margaret Messer

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Farewells

Following are brief notices only. To read a full obituary or leave condolences, visit www.jg-tc.com, www.mitchell-jerdan.com, and www.adamsfuneralchapel.com.

Dawn Paulson (ECE/MLE Professor), 64, died Oct. 5, 2019 at Univ of Chicago Med Center. She is survived by her husband (David), two sons (Doug and Dan), 5 grandchildren, sister, niece and nephew.

Marilyn Aulabaugh (Staff), 92, died October 18, 2019 at Life’s Journey Senior Living in Taylorville. She is survived by her son John, a brother, two grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Susan Elaine Tinder, (Food Service), 79, of Charleston, died October 19, 2019. She is survived by her children Mark Tinder, Susy Horn and Rebecca Burger; 8 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and two sisters.

Jeness Drummond, 57, of Charleston, died October 22, 2019. She is survived by her husband John, and sons Seth Allen and Sean; and 3 sisters

Lemuel Delmar Crabill, (Math Professor), 93, formerly of Charleston, died November 9, 2019. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and nieces and nephews.

Wanda Coffey, 91, of Ashmore, died November 11, 2019. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Linda, sons Gary (Marylee), Randy, Terry (Bev) and Tom (Paula), 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, a brother, three sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

Walter “Dan” Klingenberg, (Textbook Rental Director), 82, of Charleston, died November 17, 2019. He is survived by his children, Katherine (James) Roller, Daniel (Lana) Klingenberg, and Victoria (Patrick) Ferrario, 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and a brother.

Richard Holt, (IT), 75, of Charleston, died November 19, 2019. He is survived by his mother Mary Hold, daughters Amanda (Franklin) Smart, Rebecca Holt, and Jackie Cariaga, 4 grandchildren, 2 brothers and a sister.

Kenneth Hesler, (Dir of University Relations), 95, of Charleston, died November 24, 2019. He is survived by his wife Nancy Ann, and his daughter Denise Ann Hesler as well as many nieces and nephews.

Kenneth Hadwiger, (Professor), 83, of Charleston, died December 1, 2019. He is survived by his son Michael (Gayla), 3 grandchildren, a great-grandson, and a brother.

John “Doc” Holliday, (Driver), 67, of Charleston, died Dec. 7, 2019. He is survived by several cousins.

Wilburn Hutson, Jr., (Director Univ. Print Center), 75, of Charleston, died December 9, 2019. He is survived by his wife Anna Faye and children Hope Kuhn, Trevas (Jerilyn) Hutson, Chastity (David) Parker, and Adam (Anita) Hutson; 11 grandchildren and brother Dan.

Ellen Keiter, (Chair, Chemistry), 77, of Charleston, died December 10, 2019. She is survived by her children Eric (Christina) and Lisa Keiter; a grandson, 3 brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Jean Richardson, (Building Services), 91, of Charleston, died January 2, 2020. Survivors include her children Linda Norman, Jan Hutton, Myron Richardson, and John Clapp; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren; a brother and a sister.

Robert Wilson, (Equipment Room, Athletics), 90, of Westfield, died January 14, 2020. He is survived by his wife Joyce, and sons Gary and Larry, two grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Floyd Hoedebecke, 84, of Effingham, died February 2, 2020. He is survived by his children Kevin (Gail), Vicki (Scott) Hampton, Scott (Lisa), David (Patty), Sheryl Long, and Neil; 12 grandchildren, and 2 sisters.

Patricia Rose McAlister Bateman, (Prof Interior Design), 78, of Charleston, died February 14, 2020. She is survived by her husband David, brother and many nieces and nephews.

John Walstrom, (Professor), 82, of Charleston, died February 22, 2020. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, sons Kent (Sharla), Scott (Linda), and Brian (Sherri); 6 grandchildren, brother-in-law and several nieces and nephews.

Judith Parker, (Student Teaching), 79, of Longboat Key, FL, died March 19, 2020. She is survived by her children Kirk (Fauziah) Kumerow, Kari Parker, and Brett (Enza) Parker, and 7 grandchildren.

Genie Lenihan, (Psych Dept and Counseling Center), 82, of Charleston, died March 27, 2020. She is survived by her husband Patrick and children, Colleen (Tim) O’Meara, Michael (Kathleen), and Sheila (Jim) Feyrer, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 3 sisters, 2 brothers, and many nieces and nephews.

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Committee Reports

Legislative Committee

This edition of the Legislative Committee Report is a summary of information presented by Katie Anselment at the February 27, 2020 Chapter meeting. As Eastern Illinois University's Constituent Relations Director,, Katie Anselment monitors legislative developments in Springfield concerning higher education policy and funding. Submitted by John Ryan, Past President of EIUAA.

Higher education is a priority again in Springfield, says Katie Anselment, Eastern’s constituent relations director. Speaking at a chapter meeting of the EIU Annuitants Association on Feb. 27, Anselment said the “mood in Springfield has changed” with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s election, replacing the administration of Gov. Bruce Rauner. “We don’t feel like we have to do much explaining about the problems they’ve put us into,” she said.

If Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax is approved by voters in November, higher education would receive a 5 percent increase and the Monetary Award Program would get $5 million in funding to assist low-income students with tuition, Anselment said. Of course, should the graduated income tax plan not pass in November, higher education would just get level funding, she said.

The budget also would add $100 million to Illinois’ pension funds, she said. Pritzker believes in paying down the pension debt.

Pritzker also is proposing bailing out the College Illinois Program, which will be bankrupt by 2026, she said. Through College Illinois, many families have purchased tuition for their children, paying for tuition at today’s rates for use in the future. The program went insolvent in 2017 and needs $27-$28 million to continue.

In the recent capital improvement bill approved by the Legislature, Eastern’s new science center is the largest building project at a university in the state, Anselment said. The Capital Development Board has approved $1.5 million for the planning and designing of the building, which will be placed south of the Tarble Arts Center. All told the new science center will cost $119 million to construct and to renovate the two older science buildings to be repurposed for general classroom use, she said.

Anselment said bills currently introduced in the Legislature would:

  • expand free schooling for veterans, firefighters and police;
  • make ACT and SAT testing an optional requirement for application to a state universities;
  • waive tuition and fees for people living at a certain percentage of the poverty level;
  • provide free housing for homeless children;
  • provide free feminine hygiene products in every bathroom in K-12 schools, a move that could prove costly for local school districts.

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Scholarship Committee

Thank you to all who have contributed to the EIUAA Scholarship Fund over the years. Contributions may be designated in memory of annuitants and are always welcome. Monetary donations to our corpus have allowed us to increase our annual award to $1000, double the original award amount of $500 as described by Alan Baharlou in his article which can be found by clicking on the torch on the Scholarship section of our web site. In Alan’s words: “The Annuitants’ Scholarship that EIU Annuitants Association established in 2006 for the offspring of any EIU annuitant or employee, will light a torch that will burn for the entire lives of the recipients, generate confidence, and unleash immense amounts of energy. The bonus for those of us who help to endow and enhance this scholarship is that its positive impact remains in the memories of the recipients, for what we hope will be eternity. Our children, grandchildren, and their offspring will proudly remember that there were once visionaries and generous people who touched them in the early journey of their lives; a noble legacy.”

The deadline for applying for this year’s Annuitants Association Scholarship was March 15, 2020. The review process has begun using the available electronic evaluation but will also include a team of qualified EIU staff members who will make recommendation to the Scholarship Committee for the final selection. In the event that there are several suitable applicants, preference will be given to the recipient(s) with financial need. NOTE: Due to the ongoing Covit-19 pandemic, the Annual Spring Luncheon has been cancelled. The award will be presented to the award winner(s) at a later date.

— Nancy Dole, Scholarship Committee Chair and Margaret Messer, Committee Member


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Membership Committee

EIUAA's Greatest Asset

Our membership is our greatest asset. Increasing and sustaining membership in EIUAA/SUAA is essential to the success of our organization. Here are a few tips for sustaining our membership:

#1 - Renew your membership as soon as you receive the first renewal notice from SUAA.

#2 - If you pay annually, switch to payment through a monthly deduction of $3.67 from your SURS annuity so that you don't have to renew each year.

#3 - Thanks to all of our members who do pay dues through SURS deduction! That helps EIUAA and SUAA be more cost effective and efficient!

Thanks for maintaining your membership! EIUAA and SUAA will continue to advocate on your behalf to maintain your retirement and health care benefits.

- Membership Committee: John Ryan, John Flynn, Mary Anne Hanner, Ron Wohlstein, and Jone Zieren


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EIU Annuitants Luncheon

POSTPONED

Eastern Illinois University Annuitants:

In view of developments and risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the EIUAA Board has found it necessary to postpone two events scheduled for April 2020: (a) an April 8 Speakers Series program featuring Sarah Livesay, Executive Director of Grand Prairie Friends, to speak on the Warbler Ridge Conservation Area and (b) our association's Annual Spring Luncheon scheduled for April 24. We will revisit the scheduling of these activities when the Annuitants Board meets at the end of May.

Stay safe, and best wishes during these difficult times.

Rich Wandling
President, EIU Annuitants Association


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