EIU Media Relations

Fall 2004 Commencement Ceremonies to Take Place Saturday at EIU

Nearly 950 students are expected to graduate from Eastern Illinois University this fall, and more than half that number - about 550 - will participate in formal commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 18.

Those planning to participate in ceremonies also include some of the nearly 500 students who officially graduated at the end of the summer term in August.

Ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Guest tickets are required for admission to the ceremonies.

Graduates from the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences and the College of Arts and Humanities will march in the morning ceremony, while graduates from the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Sciences and the School of Continuing Education (Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree) will march in the afternoon.

Jean Wolski and Nancy Marlow, Eastern's faculty laureates for 2003 and 2004, respectfully, will co-present the "Charge to the Class" during both ceremonies.

Also addressing graduates will be Student Body President Christopher Getty of Lyons and Faculty Senate Chairperson David Carpenter.

Representing Eastern's Board of Trustees will be Julie Nimmons of Litchfield at 10 a.m., and Leo Welch of O'Fallon at 2 p.m.

Traditionally, a commencement marshal leads the commencement procession while carrying the university mace, a symbol of honor accorded a faculty member. The commencement marshal for the 10 a.m. ceremony will be Peter D. Hesterman, professor of music, who will represent the Graduate School. Kirk has been a member of Eastern's faculty since 1978.

Representing the School of Continuing Education at 2 p.m. will be Robert P. Bates, professor of health studies. He has been a member of Eastern's faculty since 1988.

An EIU tradition also allows faculty members the honor of carrying the college banner for his/her college during the procession. Honorees are chosen by their respective colleges.

This year's faculty marshals for the morning ceremony are Alphonso Joyner, associate professor in the School of Business, representing the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences; William Minnis, assistant professor in the School of Business, representing the Graduate School for the LCBAS; John Kilgore, professor of English, representing the College of Arts and Humanities; and Nora Pat Small, associate professor of history, representing the Graduate School for the CAH.

This year's faculty marshals for the afternoon ceremony are Linda Reven, professor of early childhood, elementary and middle level education, representing the College of Education and Professional Studies; French Fraker, professor of counseling and student development, representing the Graduate School for the CEPS; Linda Ghent, assistant professor of economics, representing the College of Sciences; Ryan Hendrickson, associate professor of political science, representing the Graduate School for the COS; and Beverly Findley, professor of educational administration, representing the School of Continuing Education.