University Newsletter
EIU Children's Literature Symposium presentation: Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Ph.D. February 25
Join us Wednesday, February 25 in Booth Library's West Reading Room for a visit with EIU alumna Dr. Jan Spivey Gilchrist (’73), whose presentation focuses on and is titled “Making Books for ALL Children: A Celebration of My Life's Work.” The presentation will detail her personal insight into the world of children’s literature as an illustrator of more than 100 and author of 5 children’s books, and whose contributions have also included a host of academic and textbook illustrations. Dr. Gilchrist holds a B.S. degree in Art Education from EIU; an M.A. in Painting from the University of Northern Iowa; an M.F.A. from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a Ph.D. in English from Madison University. Beyond being an award-winning author and illustrator, Gilchrist is a 1992 EIU Distinguished Alumna Award recipient and former member of the EIU Board of Trustees (2013-2019). Dr. Gilchrist is a featured guest for EIU's 2026 Children's Literature Symposium, and this event will also be the first featured presentation for Booth Library's Spring, 2026 Authors@EIU Series.
The event is free and open to the public, and will open with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by Dr. Gilchrist's presentation, and a question/answer period to follow. Parking is free after 5 p.m. in any campus lot.
*The Black Student Union RSO is
co-hosting a documentary screening of
Colors of Love: The Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Story, on Monday, February 23 at
5 p.m. in the Library’s
Center for Student Innovation.
The documentary illustrates Gilchrist's
triumph from the dark shadows of
the civil rights era to ascend as a
heralded children's book
illustrator and author.
