University Newsletter
Lunch with the First: Sponsor a Student, Share a Meal, Make a Connection (Friday, November 6)
Celebrate EIU's First-Generation Students!
Join TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) and the Student Success Center as we celebrate our first-generation college students during Lunch with the First on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at South Quad Dining Center. We invite the entire EIU community to be part of this celebration in two meaningful ways:
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Sponsor a First-Generation Student Just $10! For just $10, you can sponsor lunch for a first-generation student and help make this celebration possible. Your generosity will go even further! The Gillespie Family has generously offered to match sponsorship contributions up to $200, doubling the impact of your support. To sponsor a student, or as many as you would like, go to: https://www.eiu.edu/giving.php by Wednesday November 4th. Select, Other gifts > Special instructions> Enter: Student Success Gift Account: First-Gen Luncheon.
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Pull Up a Chair and Join Us! Your presence matters, too! We encourage members of the campus community to join our first-generation students for lunch, conversation, and connection. No presentations, no script, no forced activity. Just an opportunity to share a meal, exchange experiences, celebrate our students' accomplishments, and remind them that they are part of a community invested in their success.
Dining options for campus community members:
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Meal Swipe: Use your Panther Card if you have a prepaid meal plan.
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Dining Dollars : $10.60: Pay using Dining Dollars on your Panther Card (this gets you a 20% discount off the regular price, it's easy to do, and can be charged to your student account. Did you know that you have one? For more information).
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Credit or Debit Card : $13.25: Purchase lunch at the regular guest rate.
Come celebrate our First-Gen Panthers. Every connection matters! Let's make them feel that they matter, because they do!
Have Questions?
Contact Catherine [ cpolydore@eiu.edu ]
