Local businesses, civic groups and residents are invited to help us Paint the Town Blue! This annual tradition is held throughout Charleston in support of EIU Homecoming and is sponsored in conjunction with the City of Charleston's Tourism Department. Let’s showcase our Panther Pride by decorating our windows, marquees, storefronts and front yards. 

Details coming soon!

Help us address food insecurity and hunger among EIU students by alleviating barriers to consistent, adequate, and healthful food. Let’s show our generosity throughout homecoming and beyond by supporting the EIU Campus Food Pantry. Donate perishable and non-perishable food, volunteer your time, or provide a monetary donation. Everything helps! Drop your goods off at the Campus Food Pantry located at 1347 McAfee Gymnasium or the Student Activities Center (SAC) at 3065 MLK Jr. Union.

• Make your monetary donation at go.eiu.edu/Give2FoodPantry
• Sign up to volunteer at go.eiu.edu/Volunteer2FoodPantry

 

Current Wish List: Canned Corn, Peanut Butter, Spaghetti O’s, Chicken Noodle Soup and Apple Juice

8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Daily, EIU Campus

EIU’s on-campus mobile trivia game is back! Get a free lift from the Panther Patrol while you answer EIU trivia questions for a chance to take home a great prize. Keep an eye out for our golf carts throughout the week and be prepared to put your EIU knowledge to the test!

Library Quad (Rain Location - Main Concourse, Doudna Fine Arts Center)

Let’s kick off EIU Homecoming with a celebration on the Library Quad! EIU students, faculty, staff and alumni are all invited to join the festivities – featuring free food, prizes, giveaways, inflatables and yard games (i.e., Football Toss, Ax Throw, Joust, Bags and more). We can’t wait to see you there!

Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. University Union

Witness the crowning of royalty as we introduce our new King and Queen, Prince and Princess, Faculty/Staff Lord and Lady, and Lil’ Prince and Princess as they begin their weeklong reign over this year’s homecoming celebration.

2022 Homecoming Royalty Application/Nomination Forms Available Soon!

• King & Queen Candidate Application
• Prince & Princess Candidate Application
• Faculty Lord & Lady Nomination Form
• Little Prince and Princess Candidate Application

Grand Ballrom, MLK Jr. University Union

It’s fun for the whole family! We’re breaking out the jumbo yard games and the ever-popular BINGO!

Doudna Fine Arts Center, Main Concourse

Let’s get together over some tasty barbecue to celebrate homecoming and show our appreciation for the hard work and accomplishments of our fellow faculty and staff. Lunchtime festivities include a complimentary meal with your campus colleagues, prizes and giveaways.

Bring in a canned good to donate to the EIU Campus Food Pantry and get an extra ticket for the Blue-B-Que prize giveaways.

 

EIU Bowling Lanes, MLK Jr. University Union

The fun begins when the light comes down! This popular campus event features 12 lanes of glow-in-the-dark-bowling, mock-tails, popcorn and pizza, free shoe rental, discounted games and homecoming prizes and giveaways.

University Ballroom, MLK Jr. University Union

More details to come!

EIU Bowling Lanes, MLK Jr. University Union

When it’s good, it’s good. This event is in such high demand that we had to schedule it twice! If you couldn’t get in the first time, come on out and enjoy 12 lanes of glow-in-the-dark-bowling, mock-tails, popcorn and pizza, free shoe rental, discounted games and homecoming prizes and giveaways.

Registration available soon!

Join us in commemorating the Class of 1972 and the 50th Anniversary of your graduation from EIU. 

• 4 p.m.: Campus Tour
  Enjoy a riding tour around campus and experience firsthand all the exciting changes that have been taking place over the last 50 years.  
• 5 p.m.: Social Hour, MLK Jr. University Union, University Ballroom
  Enjoy this time to catch up with old classmates
• 5 p.m.: Livingston C. Lord Society Pinning Ceremony, MLK Jr. University Union, University Ballroom
  The Livingston C Lord Society was established to honor members of the 50th years class who return to campus for their 50th class reunion.  In recognition of this honor, members of the class of 1967 will be individually called forward to receive their Lord Society pins.  
• 6 p.m.: Livingston C. Lord Society Dinner: MLK Jr. University Union University Ballroom

Library Quad (Rain Location: McAfee Gym South)

It’s time to put the pep back in pep rally! Get ready for a party full of contests, giveaways and prizes, including a special grand prize giveaway! With performances by the Panther Marching Band, EIU Dancers, Pink Panthers, and the EIU Cheer Team, plus a special appearance by the EIU Homecoming Royalty Court, it’s sure to be a night to remember!

More information coming soon!

Dirty's Parking Lot

Start your day at this all-you-can-eat sunrise breakfast for the EIU and Charleston communities. Sponsored by the Charleston Rotary Club, proceeds benefit local charities.

Adults - $6
Children (11 & under) - $3

 

Take to the streets for this annual tradition. Sign up and join us for a fun 1.5-mile run/walk from Old Main to up-and-around the square and back! Prizes and awards will be given to the top place-finishers in Walk, Run and Wheelchair categories.

• 2.5K Registration Form coming soon
• Race day check-in will be from 8-8:45am in front of Old Main
• Pre-register on or before Oct. 12 for $10; and after Oct. 12 for $15
• Race t-shirts ordered before Oct. 1 are $10 each. Extra shirts may be available on race day but are not guaranteed.

The 2.5K (1.5-mile) race begins at 9 a.m. at the corner of Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue. Participants will make their way north on Seventh Street, race around the square (Monroe Avenue), and then return to Lincoln Avenue by heading south on Sixth Street to the finish line at First Financial Bank, across the street from Old Main.

2022 Parade Forms Available Soon

• 2022 Parade Entry Application
• 2022 Parade Acknowledgement of Risk/Liability
• 2022 Parade Code of Conduct
• 2022 Parade Route

The EIU Homecoming Parade is an annual tradition that consists of around 100 campus/community parade entries. Highlights include Parade Grand Marshall, decorated cars, bands, banners and floats.

The EIU Homecoming Grand Marshall is a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the EIU mission, vision and community.

The 2021 EIU Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall recipient was EIU Alumni John D. Schmitt, EIU Class of 1976 and 1978. John is currently a retired EIU Director of Development, where he was responsible for reaching out to EIU alumni for major gifts and planned gifts to benefit EIU.

Registration available soon!

• 8:30 a.m.: Alumni Association Breakfast, Blair Hall Lawn
  Join us before the parade for a hot breakfast in the Alumni Association tent.  Meet the Alumni Association Board members and the alumni being honored as our award recipients.
• 9 a.m.: Homecoming Parade
• 11 a.m.: Alumni Tailgate at Tent City, Behind O'Brien Stadium
  Enjoy Billy Backyard tailgating and stop by the Alumni Association tent prior to the kick-off!
• 2 p.m.: Homecoming Football Game, O'Brien Field
• 6 p.m.: Alumni Awards Dinner, MLK Jr. University Union. Grand Ballroom
  Join us as the Alumni Association honors our Alumni during the 2022 Alumni Awards Dinner

O'Brien Stadium Parking Lot

Food, family, and friends are what make this celebration the place to be on game day! Tent City is an absolute must for all alumni, faculty, and staff. All EIU colleges, the Alumni Association, and other departments and organizations will set up temporary residency providing free food, fun, and a chance to meet up with friends and colleagues – past and present.

O'Brien Stadium

Tickets available in August!

Our annual Homecoming game pits the Panthers and against the Lions of Lindenwood in Ohio Valley Conference action.

Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, Grand Ballroom

The Eastern Illinois University Alumni Association would like you to join us as we honor the 2022 class of alumni award recipients for their outstanding achievements. Awards to be bestowed include Outstanding Young Alumna/us, Distinguished Alumna/us, Distinguished Educator, and the Louis V. Hencken Alumni Service Award.

• Social Hour, 6 p.m.
• Dinner and Presentation, 7 p.m.
• Ticketing information coming soon

Nominations Sought For 2022 Alumni Awards

Nominations are currently being accepted for this year’s awards. The nomination form and information on each category are available at go.eiu.edu/AlumniAwards.

Nomination forms and any required supplementary materials are due by June 13, 2022.