EIU Media Relations

EIU Continues Local Admissions Strategies

As a continued part of local admissions efforts, Eastern Illinois University welcomes area senior high school students to a free Panther football tailgate and game this month.

The #FuturePanther tailgate event is for prospective local students to experience EIU’s student life with a cookout, a free Panther T-shirt, a tour of campus and free admission to the home-opener football game against EIU’s state rival Illinois State University. The tailgate and game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19.

Admissions Counselor Brittany Trimble said the third annual #FuturePanther tailgate offers prospective students a sneak peek into student life.

“A tailgate event showcases our student and community pride,” Trimble said. “It gives students an opportunity to see EIU’s vibrant student life.”

Prospective students will also get to meet and connect with other students from local schools, she said.

Trimble, the admissions counselor who works directly with local schools, said all area junior and senior students from Coles, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, Clark, Shelby, Cumberland, Effingham and Clay counties are invited.

The tailgate is only part of the continued efforts and strategies to reach out to local high school students. Every fall and spring, admissions counselors will visit every local school to speak with students and provide information about EIU. In each session, Trimble said she stresses EIU’s affordability, quality academics and location.

“The beauty of being only 15, 30 or 45 minutes from campus is that local students have a choice to live at home or experience the rich university culture behind the gates of Old Main,” she said. “The choice is up to the student.”

Check-in for the #FuturePanther tailgate is from 4:15-4:45 p.m. at Lantz Arena with the football game starting at 7 p.m.

Each student receives a free ticket and a ticket for a guest. Additional guests will receive a ticket at a discounted rate of $18.

The first home football game is the Mid-America Classic, which will be televised in prime time on WCIA CBS affiliate in Champaign, WMBD CBS affiliate in Peoria and WTWO NBC affiliate in Terre Haute. 

To register, contact Trimble directly at bmtrimble2@eiu.edu. For more information about applying to EIU, go here. To schedule a tour of campus, contact EIU’s Admission Office at (877) 581-2348 or admissions@eiu.edu. 

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