Commencement could not be made possible without the dedication of volunteers, as they play an essential role in creating a smooth and memorable experience for our graduates and their families! If you are interested in volunteering for this special day for our graduates, please fill out this form. Any assistance is greatly appreciated! 

Saturday, May 9 - Groniger Arena

• 10 a.m. – Undergraduate Degrees in the College of Education and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• 1 p.m. – All Graduate Degrees
• 4 p.m. - Undergraduate Degrees in the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology, College of Health and Human Services, and Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Please contact Megan Morecraft at mamorecraft@eiu.edu with any questions. 

Thank you for your consideration! 

Planning to participate in the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies? Please complete this form. This will help EIU prepare for seating arrangements and allow for reserved parking. 

Saturday, May 9 - Groniger Arena

Join us for an unforgettable evening in Groniger Arena of entertainment, dining, and philanthropy at the 2026 EIU Rhythm & Blues Spring Fling, a premier Panther Club event benefiting Eastern Illinois University student-athletes. This high-energy celebration brings together alumni, donors, community leaders, and Panther fans for a night that makes a meaningful impact for our student-athletes and department as a whole. The evening will include dinner, music, entertainment and a silent and live auction.  

Purchase tickets online or call/email Amber May at (217) 581-6425 or ammay@eiu.edu.  

Visit the website below for more information, to review the schedule, and to register! 

More Information Here!

An in-person MHFA course will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 26 in the Arcola/Tuscola Room in the MLK Jr. Union. 

Those interested in registering should complete the registration/interest MACHFORM found at https://www.eiu.edu/mentalhealth/mentalhealthfirstaid.php  Individuals registered by March 19.

Any staff and faculty member who provides academic, professional, and/or personal support to students or advises a student recognized organization is highly encouraged to complete this training. 

Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance-use issues. Participants will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn to for help. Topics covered in this course include depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, on-campus resources, and intervention strategies.  This training is not intended to help one become a counselor, but to help provide early intervention and encourage those in need to seek appropriate assistance and help. 

More information about the program, other available dates, and sign-up machform may be found at: https://www.eiu.edu/mentalhealth/mentalhealthfirstaid.php

Funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education

Join the HERC for the return of our popular Self-Care corner series! Join our Mental Health GA for check ins on how to help improve your mental health and take care of yourself during stressful times. We will be located in the Taylor Hall Breezeway from 11 a.m. to noon March 6!

Booth Library at Eastern Illinois University invites students to submit their work for the 17th Annual Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Works. This program celebrates outstanding student scholarship and creativity that makes meaningful use of Booth Library’s resources, services, spaces, or expertise.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all Eastern Illinois University students (undergraduate and graduate) who are or were enrolled during the current academic year. Submissions must represent original work completed within the past 12 months. Individual and group projects are welcome. Only one submission per person is allowed. For group projects, please clearly describe each participant’s role and contribution.

Scope of Submissions

Student research and creative works may take many forms, including but not limited to:

• Written research papers
• Artistic works or exhibits
• Musical compositions or performances
• Videos, podcasts, documentaries, or oral histories
• Data analysis or visualizations
• Performances or other creative projects

Written submissions are limited to 25 pages. Students may submit portions of a thesis, provided a summary or outline of the remaining work is included. All submissions should be presented in a way that can be understood by an interdisciplinary review panel.

Use of Booth Library Resources

A central component of this award is demonstrating how Booth Library contributed to your project’s success. Each submission must include a detailed explanation of how you used library materials, spaces, technologies, services, or staff support during your research or creative process.

Citations and Academic Integrity

All submissions that rely on the work of others must include a complete list of references following a standard citation style. Use of AI tools is permitted but must be fully disclosed and described. Plagiarism or other breaches of academic integrity will result in disqualification.

Awards

Prizes will be awarded in separate undergraduate and graduate categories:

• Graduate Students
  • First Place: $500
  • Second Place: $400
  • Third Place: $300
• Undergraduate Students
  • First Place: $300
  • Second Place: $200
  • Third Place: $100

Award recipients will also receive certificates of recognition. Winning entries will be honored during National Library Week 2026 (April 19–25), and a digital copy of each winning work will be added to EIU’s institutional repository, The Keep.

The 2025–2026 student awards are funded by gifts from the friends of Carl Lorber, Jr., Professor Emeritus, former longtime head of Reference Services at Booth Library, and through the philanthropic support of the Coles County Zythological Society.

Important Dates

• Submission Deadline: March 6, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. CST
• Notification of Winners: By April 1, 2026
• Awards Celebration: National Library Week, April 19–25, 2026

Incomplete submissions will not receive full consideration.

For questions or more information, contact:

• Brian W. Keith
  Dean of Booth Library
  (217) 581-6061
  bwkeith@eiu.edu

Join us for a special edition of rubber lovers titled "Rainbow Rubber Lovers!" This interactive presentation educates students on condom use and other healthy sexual behaviors, with special focus for those who identify as LGBTQ+. Those who attend become rubber lovers and can obtain a free sex packet! Join us on March 5 from 6 to 7 p.m. McKinney Hall!

This interactive presentation educates students on condom use and other healthy sexual behaviors. Those who attend become rubber lovers and can obtain a free sex packet! Join us on March 5 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the MLK Jr Student Union's Charleston/Mattoon Room!

Join us for a fun and interactive presentation about sexuality and consent. This is not your high school health class! Students can expect to have an actual conversation about sex: honestly, openly, and authentically. We will be at Stevenson Hall on March 4 from 5 to 6 p.m.!

Sign up here!

In honor of National Nutrition Month, discover how to build a balanced mini charcuterie board. This class focuses on smart snacking—perfect for quick bites or entertaining. Additional note: Cheeses and meats will be used but can be left out per the preferences of each person.

Date:          March 4, 2026
Time:          5 p.m.
Location     Klehm Hall 2309   

Sign up form: https://www.eiu.edu/herc/machform/view.php?id=117524 

Join our HERC staff for an upcoming double tabling feature! From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 4 as we talk consent, boundaries, and responsible condom usage. This is all in lead up to our Sex is Like Pizza and Rubber Lovers presentations! We'll be in the MLK Jr Student Union!

Eastern Illinois University Career Services collaborates with the University of Illinois each year to host an Educator's Job Fair.  This year's event will be held on March 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Illini Union on the University of Illinois Campus.  This event is open to all students.

The Career Services office on campus will be closed on March 4 to allow the staff to co-host the Educator's Job Fair in Urbana.  The office will reopen on March 5 at 8 a.m.

The Art of Belonging is a one-hour workshop that brings people together with “connecting through colors” activities. Program participants have a chance to explore and grow their creative intelligence as they discover how color can express and reflect moods and emotions.

Location: MLK Jr Student Union -- Effingham Room (3rd Floor)
Date & Time: March 3 @ 4:30 p.m.

Come table with us to learn about our next Healthy Cooking event titled, Lucky Little Bites! In honor of National Nutrition Month, discover how to build a balanced mini charcuterie board. This class focuses on smart snacking—perfect for quick bites or entertaining. We'll be in the Taylor Hall Breezeway from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 3.

TEMPORARY LOT CLOSING - Due to the Special Olympics Illinois hosting the EIU Glow Polar Plunge on March 1, the Stadium Lots will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 28 and will remain closed throughout the event, which will end on Sunday night. Please plan to park in an alternative lot valid for your permit. Any vehicles that remain in the lot will be cited and relocated at the owner’s expense. Special Olympics planners and UPD appreciates everyone's support and understanding during this temporary inconvenience. Thank you!

Facilities Planning & Management (FPM), Health & Safety, and Risk Management remind all faculty, staff, and students to please refrain from providing and using space heaters on campus in order to remain in compliance with Chapter 5 of our campus Safety Manual, which states the following:

• The management of heat generating sources is the responsibility of the department heads and/or Chairperson. Heat generating sources, which include flames, candles, halogen lamps, torch lamps, space heaters, and any other heat sources, are prohibited in Campus Facilities and Residence Halls. If any heat generating source mentioned above appears to have been used, (e.g. a candle with burnt wick), the heat source must be removed from the building.

In addition to nonconformance with the campus Safety Manual, the use of personal space heaters has recently resulted in several electrical issues and complications with building temperature controls.

If your area is unusually cold, please report this to FPM Work Control through our site at eiu.edu/fpm/workcontrol.  All efforts will be made to correct the issue expeditiously or provide temporary heat.

If you require an accommodation for warmer space temperatures than what is normally provided, please submit for accommodations as follows:

• Students: EIU Office of Accessibility and Accommodations:
  eiu.edu/accommodations
• Employees: EIU Human Resources:
  eiu.edu/humanres/forms/ada_procedures.pdf

If unauthorized space heaters are found in use, you will be asked to remove them.  If nobody is around to ask, the heater will be unplugged and placed on the desk.  Repeat offenses will be subject to discipline in accordance with Internal Governing Policies: eiu.edu/environ/manual/Safety%20Manual%20Chapter%205.pdf 

Be Well Illinois would like to invite you to join us for: “Make Your Way To 5K Challenge.”
The challenge takes place March 2 through March 29, 2026, to celebrate good health through healthy activities!

Create your Wellable account* here, and follow the steps below.
*You must create an account before logging into the app. 

Eastern Illinois University recognizes that midterms can bring heightened stress and anxiety for many students. To help support their emotional well-being, Eastern provides Togetherall, a safe, supportive community available 24/7.

Togetherall is a free, anonymous, peer-to-peer online community where our students can connect with others who are going through similar feelings. It's a safe space to express how they are feeling without fear of judgment, and it's available 24/7 for all students. So whether its midterm stressors, roommate conflict, family issues, relationship struggles, financial hardships, health situations, students can find support and guidance from other students throughout the US and other countries. 

Togetherall is a place for emotional support, not for political debates or divisive rhetoric. No matter what they are facing, their mental and emotional well-being matter, and our students should know they don't have to go through it alone. 

More information regarding how a student may join Togetherall can be found at EIU's  Togetherall Peer Support Platform webpage. 

• Must be graduating in the Spring, Summer, or Fall 2026.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

• Students may apply by submitting the online application form.
• Anyone within the EIU community (faculty, staff, alumni, parents, etc.) may nominate a student by submitting the online nomination form.

Try out our new Booth Library website and leave a review! Contribute to making Booth Library easier to use for students, staff, community members, and faculty!  

Visit: eiu.edu/booth-test