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. 

The Spirit Cup Competition is for all currently active registered student organizations, Greek-lettered organizations and Residence Halls and is designed to promote EIU spirit and pride in friendly competition during EIU Homecoming Week 2022. The Spirit Cup Competition will consist of points, prize money and a traveling trophy, to be awarded to participants that have accumulated the most points throughout EIU Homecoming Week.  Spirit Points will be awarded based on the Spirit Cup Points/Awards System: Attendance, Participation and Placement. The Overall Winners of the Spirit Cup Competition will be announced during half-time of the EIU Homecoming FB Game on Saturday, October 15.

Homecoming Spirit Cup Points & Awards System:

All RSOs, Greek Organizations, Residence Halls, EIU Departments, EIU Colleges and EIU Faculty/Staff are eligible to compete within the respective Divisions throughout EIU Homecoming Week. There will be three Overall Divisional Winners. The name(s) of the Divisional  Spirit Cup Winner(s) will be engraved on a Traveling Spirit Cup. Spirit Points/Prizes/Awards are awarded based on the Spirit Cup Point System below.

Dates & Deadlines:

1. Friday, Sept. 23: Overall application due
2. Monday, Oct. 10:  Spirit Cup Judging - Real Panthers Decorate Blue and Spirit Banners
3. Saturday, Oct. 15:  Spirit Cup Judging - Parade

Rules & Regulations:

The following rules regulations apply to all Spirit Cup competition divisions as follows:

1. There are three primary categories of competition: meetings, events/activities, and spirit contests.
2. Purchasing of Spirit Banners can be pre-ordered at the request of RSOs, Greek Organizations, Residence Halls, EIU Departments, EIU Colleges and EIU Faculty/Staff by the EIU Homecoming Steering Committee.
3. Spirit Banners will be a standard white queen-sized sheet measuring 90” x 102”.
4. All entries must be school-spirited and should be thematic in nature: RSOs, Greek Organizations, Residence Halls, EIU Departments, EIU Colleges, EIU, Panther Mascot,  Theme (“Bring The Beat Back: EIU Homecoming 2022”) and the participants’ - names/letters/symbols.
5. All Spirit Banners/office decorations sub-slogans/themes/artwork MUST be in good taste. NO offensive references or depictions in design to race, drugs, alcohol, sex, etc.  Failure to do so can result in disqualification from the competition and/or loss of points.
6.  Spirit Banners must be turned in to the designated hanging area by 12 pm, Monday, October 10, 2022, to be judged for the Spirit Cup competition. Failure to do so may result in point(s) deduction in total points and scoring.
7. Judging will be based on creativity, originality, theme, spirit and overall appeal.
8. Points to be awarded: participation, attendance, placement and bonus points.

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 Nomination Royalty Application/Nomination Forms

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

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.

Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. University Union

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

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.

The EIU Class of 1972 is invited to a reunion weekend to commemorate its golden anniversary. Register at eiu.edu/alumni/event_register.php?event=203

• 4 p.m.: Campus Tour (Leaves from MLK Jr. University Union)
  Take a riding tour around campus and see firsthand all of the exciting changes that have taken place over the last 50 years.  
• 4:30 p.m.: Social Reception, MLK Jr. University Union, University Ballroom
  Enjoy this time to catch up with old classmates. Host bar (beer and wine) available.
• 5 p.m.: Livingston C. Lord and Heritage Society Pinning Ceremony, MLK Jr. University Union, University Ballroom
  The Livingston C. Lord Society honors members of the 50-year class who return to campus for their 50th class reunion. The Heritage Society honors individuals who’ve made a commitment to support the University through planned gifts. In recognition of these honors, recipients will be individually called forward to receive their society pins. . A class photo will be taken to mark this celebratory occasion. A complimentary photo will be mailed to your home, courtesy of EIU Alumni Services.
• 5:30 p.m.: Reunion Dinner, MLK Jr. University Union, University Ballroom
  Tickets are $10 per person.
• 6 p.m.: Tribute Donor Recognition, MLK Jr. University Union University Ballroom
  

  Please join the Office of University Advancement to honor the benefactors who inspire greatness at EIU. A social hour will begin at 6pm and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. The EIU Foundation will be presenting the Philanthropist of the Year award.  

       

Office of Admissions
1230 Old Main

Reminisce about your college days with a tour of campus to see what has changed and what has stayed the same since you became an alum. After your tour, pick up your Legacy Gift Bag from the Admissions Office.

O'Brien Stadium Parking Lot

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
• Race Route
• Race day check-in will be from 8-8:45 a.m. 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

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

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.

The EIU Class of 1972 is invited to a reunion weekend to commemorate its golden anniversary. Register at eiu.edu/alumni/event_register.php?event=203

• 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
  Social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $45.

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 at go.eiu.edu/gameticket

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.
• Register at go.eiu.edu/50reunion, tickets are $45