As dates for this year's Homecoming events become available, they'll be listed here.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Eastern Illinois University is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.