Supporters of Nontraditional Students Honored at EIU
Nov-15-2006
A longtime faculty member, a helpful office staff and the university president were all honored by the Eastern Illinois University School of Continuing Education earlier this month.
The awards were given during the Open House and Awards for Excellent Service to Nontraditional Students, held during National Nontraditional-Student Week, Nov. 6-10.
Awards were based on votes placed by nontraditional students.
Susan Woods received the faculty award for providing outstanding service to nontraditional students; the student accounts office staff received the department award for providing outstanding service to nontraditional students; and President Lou Hencken received a plaque honoring him for his unfailing support of continuing education.
Woods, who has been a member of the EIU health studies department faculty since 1976, plans to retire after this academic year.
“I am so honored,” Woods said when accepting her award. “I can’t think of a nicer way to end my career.”
“It is such a pleasure to work with the School of Continuing Education and the nontraditional students. As you, the faculty, know, they are often the best students you have in class.”
Linda Coffey, speaking on behalf of the student accounts staff, said the award affirmed her office’s efforts.
“We feel like if the students chose us, we must be really doing the job well,” Coffey said.
Hencken echoed her sentiments.
“When you receive an award that’s been given by the students, it’s even more meaningful,” Hencken said.
EIU accommodates nontraditional students with a wide variety of options for taking classes, including evening classes, off-campus locations and online courses.
Students in the program have a wide variety of goals, with some aiming to complete undergraduate or graduate degrees, and others pursuing certificate programs or noncredit courses.
The School of Continuing Education also offers camps and conferences for specific disciplines.
For more information the EIU School of Continuing Education, see its Web site at http://www.eiu.edu/adulted.
