Shout Outs

Thank you, Austin, for your assistance with the new computers for our department! Our Director and Graduate Assistants are very thankful for computers that actually work well!

Thank you Jen for always being helpful and having a smile!!!

Thank you Kelly for always going above and beyond for our students.

Paula, thank you for always having a positive attitude and going the extra mile for our students!!!

Thank you for all your hard work. You are an asset to the EIU campus!!!

I want to express my sincere appreciation to Greg Cooper for his invaluable contributions to the Bow Tie 101: The History of a Distinguished Accessory workshop. Greg played a crucial role in introducing the exciting Year of the Bowtie project, and his speaking abilities and skill in engaging the audience were truly fantastic.

Greg’s introduction to the Year of the Bowtie not only complemented the workshop beautifully but also provided participants with an actionable way to get involved in setting a new world record. His ability to connect with the audience and inspire them to participate in this ambitious project was impressive and greatly appreciated.

In addition to his role as a speaker, Greg also served as the event's photographer, capturing moments that will undoubtedly help to encourage others to join in the Year of the Bowtie. His efforts will be instrumental in building enthusiasm and community engagement around this unique project.

Thank you, Greg, for your dedication and for helping to make the Bow Tie 101 workshop a memorable and impactful event. Your contributions have set the stage for an exciting year ahead!

I want to extend my deepest appreciation to Dr. Michael Gillespie for the fantastic job he did leading the Bow Tie 101: The History of a Distinguished Accessory workshop for the Academy of Lifelong Learning. Dr. Gillespie's enthusiasm for the history and cultural significance of the bow tie was both engaging and inspiring. His wonderful talents as an instructor truly shone through, making the content captivating and enriching for everyone involved.

Dr. Gillespie’s contagious excitement brought a unique energy to the session, and his ability to share his knowledge with such passion made the experience all the more memorable. I was particularly impressed by his patience as he guided the participants through the art of tying a bow tie, and his genuine excitement as we succeeded made the workshop both enjoyable and rewarding.

I’m also incredibly excited about the upcoming Year of the Bowtie project, especially with Dr. Gillespie helping to spearhead it. The plan to tie a giant bowtie around the Old Main building to set a new world record is an ambitious and thrilling endeavor, and I’m confident it will be a great success with his leadership.

Thank you, Dr. Gillespie, for your dedication and for making the Bow Tie 101 workshop such a remarkable and inspiring experience!

Shout out to Jeff Browning and the grounds crew. Campus looks SO BEAUTIFUL! We appreciate your work. Also to Eric Wahls, interim dir.

We see how hard you all are working. Thank you so much.

Thank you for always helping me out with transcripts. I really appreciate all that you do!

Thank you for your work on the water system in Old Main, and an extra thanks for you and Kenny fixing my retro sink!

Thanks to Alisa for all she has done to assist with the start of the semester. We appreciate the extra effort.

Robert and Phil helped us to implement single sign on for our web apps. The solution you came up with is great. Thank you!

Robert and Phil helped us to implement single sign on for our web apps. The solution you came up with is great. Thank you!

I want to give a shout-out to Jay for helping me with the First Day of Classes Photo event! He's such a great photographer and even worked to make sure we had a backup camera! Plus, he got them all uploaded within hours after the event! Keep up the great work!

Denise is the real engine behind all the efforts that the Office of Admissions takes on. Every single student who is admitted to EIU is reviewed by Denise. Nothing and no one ever can pull a fast one, as her attention to detail is something that the entire office and university should strive to have. Someone who looks out for the success of all students, prospective or current, at EIU, Denise is a role model that every young professional would be lucky to have. 

Shanae works behind the scenes every single day, getting more done in one day that most of us in the Office of Admissions get done in a week. A constant reminder that those who work hard and be kind will have great things happen to them, Shanae is always ready to lend a hand and put in the extra effort no matter the day. While not the loudest, she brings an infectious joy to the office when together. 

Gail keeps every single member of the admissions counseling staff in line throughout the entire school year. From being the person to field the learnmore page to always having the skinny on every college fair in the Midwest, she keeps her goldfish in the office wrangled and on a tight schedule. You'll never find someone else who embraces the work hard play hard mentality more and Gail will keep the entire staff planned and prepped up and down the entire state. 

Kyle is the glue that holds the entire Office of Admissions together. Being our front line for visitors and staff alike, she greets everyone with a smile and a wit that is contagious. She always remembers that the purpose of our office is to serve our students, both prospective and current students. From keeping an impeccable budget to keeping all our visitors here on time, Kyle is a tremendous asset to the office and university. 

Rita has served EIU with such pride and dedication that few others can boast to ever have. Someone who will never be caught in anything but blue, she is a wealth of knowledge that spans across administrations and departments. Someone who never forgets that the purpose of working in higher education is to serve the students she comes across, Rita is an invaluable asset to the staff at EIU. 

If you look up "grind" in the dictionary, you'll find Ryan Howard pictured. The most tenured member of the admissions counselor team, Ryan is always there to offer his sage Senior Counselor advice but still always the first one to make the entire office laugh. Someone who keeps his purpose to serve his students at heart, Ryan's work ethic is bar to none. With changes in his role and office as a whole, he has embraced the challenge and will undoubtedly overcome any obstacle that will come his way. No matter how long the race that the admissions cycle s, Ryan will finish with a grin on his face and words of encouragement to all around him. 

Adam has taken like a duck to water in the admissions office. Just finishing his first year in his role, his dedication to his students and territory is something to behold and taken as an example for not only the Office of Admissions but the university as a whole. Striving for constant improvement, he is never complacent for the sake of his students, not himself. His strong will and even stronger voice will provide the needed guidance for countless students and families across his second year in his role! 

Will is the definition of what it means to be a panther. Through and through, he bleeds blue and has a passion for this school that few others do. The constant optimist and advocate for his students, he brings an energy and passion to serve his students and alma mater that is truly uncommon. No matter the distance, he will be the first one to volunteer for extra travel or to cover a shift. From Charleston to St. Louis, to the far reaches of Alaska, there is no student too far for Will. With one year under his belt, he will undoubtedly soar to even greater heights. 

Bri is a constant reminder that kindness can always be the answer. She goes above and beyond for each and every one of her students and taken on her role as a Transfer Counselor with a vigor rarely seen. Throughout a changing office, she has remained a constant and brings a smile to the face of every staff, student, and family who walks through the halls of Old Main. A friend to all she comes across, but most importantly to everyone in the Office of Admissions, I can't wait to see what next year will have in store for her! 

I would like to give a shout out to Chad Elliott. Chad really believes in providing the best technology experience possible for students. He does everything he can to help when I have a lab issue. He is especially helpful in providing ideas and solutions that best serve the students. Thanks Chad.

I'd like to give a shout out to Josh Koontz. He is incredibly helpful in sorting out hardware issues on lab computers. Just this morning I had a computer that died and Josh was able to provide me with a workaround so that the student learning experience would be unimpeded. He shares his wealth of knowledge freely and is an incredibly kind person. Thanks Josh. You help make the student experience great.

I'd like to give a shout out to Josh Ernst. He is incredibly helpful in sorting out software issues on lab computers so students can have the best learning experience possible. Josh is also incredibly kind and understanding of issues that faculty have. He really does his best to improve things here at EIU. Thanks Josh.

Chadd is always a delight to work with! He responds quickly and always finds a way to make things work. Thank you Chadd!

Thank you for all your help and support here at the Doudna. You always are willing to go above and beyond and we are very lucky to have you here with us at EIU!

Thank you for providing some equipment to help another department respond to an emergency. This was extra dedication.

Nick has been my hero with my admin support out of the office! Thank you for your prompt action on the long list of requests that have come your way in last few days. You made my life easier.