EIU Media Relations

Santana Named Alumnus of the Year by EIU Journalism Department

Marco Santana, technology/startup reporter at the Des Moines Register, has been named Alumnus of the Year by the Eastern Illinois University Journalism Department.

Santana, a 2008 graduate, is being awarded for his many contributions to the department.

“Marco has been a very loyal alum since he graduated from our program,” said John Ryan, chair of the Journalism Department’s Outreach & Service Committee, which voted to honor Santana.  “He has volunteered numerous times to assist the department in various activities, including speaking annually at the department’s summer workshop, talking to classes, and speaking at college and high school press events the department sponsors.”

To be eligible for the award, a recipient must be a graduate of the journalism program with significant college media experience, have attained a positive reputation as a journalist and continued to support the Journalism Department after graduation.

Santana, a past editor of The Daily Eastern News, has worked at the Des Moines Register for the past three years. He will soon join the Orlando Sentinel as a technology reporter.

Before joining the Register, Santana covered suburban schools and local government for the Daily Herald at Arlington Heights. He also covered education for the Galesburg Register-Mail.

Santana will be given the award at a luncheon Friday, Oct. 24, before faculty, students and guests at the MLK Jr. Union.

Past winners of the Alumnus of the Year Award include:  2001, Jim Hanks; 2001, Jim Roberts; 2002, Carl Green; 2002, Chris Soprych; 2003, Patrick Coburn; 2004, Mike Cowling; 2004, Lori Miller; 2005, Lisa Green; 2006, Jeff Britt; 2007, Ted Gregory; 2008, Richard Fox; 2010, Amy Carr-Burke; 2010, Jean Wright Medina; 2011, Dann Gire; and 2013, Nora Maberry Daniels.