EIU fall commencement ceremonies set for Saturday, December 20
Dec-18-2025Livestream of both ceremonies will be available for family members, friends unable to attend in person
(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University will host its fall 2025 commencement celebration in two separate ceremonies Saturday, December 20 in Groniger Arena at the Charles P. Lantz Complex on EIU's Charleston, Illinois campus.
Fall 2025 commencement ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. for undergraduate and graduate degree earners from the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and at 1 p.m. for undergraduate and graduate degree earners from the Lumpkin College of Business & Technology and the College of Health & Human Services. Approximately 780 students are eligible to graduate in EIU's fall 2025 semester ceremonies.
EIU President Jay Gatrell will preside, with music provided by the EIU Wind Symphony at both ceremonies. The commencement speaker for the morning ceremony will be Dr. Mary Anne Hanner, a two-time EIU graduate ('72, '74) who retired as Dean of EIU's College of Sciences in 2011. The afternoon ceremony's remarks will be delivered by Joe Gardella ('89), CEO of Sweetener Supply Company, founder of Spyglass Properties, LLC., and a longtime EIU supporter and donor. Full biographies of the speakers are available at eiu.edu/commence/speakers.
For those unable to attend but who wish to watch the ceremonies, live streaming services will be available at eiu.edu/commence/online.php. For more information about EIU commencement, visit eiu.edu/commence.
EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU's other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU's public information office at 217-581-7400.
