Pinderski Named EIU Journalism’s Alumnus of the Year
Oct-18-2017
Paul Pinderski, an attorney in the Chicago area, has been named Alumnus of the Year by the Eastern Illinois University Journalism Department. He will be honored at an on-campus luncheon Friday, October 20 ahead of EIU’s Homecoming Weekend.
To be eligible for EIU Journalism’s Alumnus of the Year Award, a recipient must be a graduate of EIU’s journalism program with significant college media experience, have attained a positive reputation as a professional, and have supported EIU’s Journalism Department after graduation.
The department’s Outreach and Service Committee, which selects the Alumnus of the Year recipient, agreed Pinderski, a 1980 graduate, has been an exemplary alumnus.
“For many years Paul has given back to the department by sharing his talents as an editorial cartoonist with college journalism students through the Illinois College Press Association and in various teaching sessions on our campus,” said Lola Burnham, committee chair. Pinderski also has always been a generous financial donor to EIU’s Department of Journalism, and a longtime supporter of alumni events in Charleston and Chicago.
Pinderski began as a reporter, city editor, editorial page editor and editorial cartoonist for The Daily Eastern News from 1976 to 1980. He also worked at then WELH radio during his time on campus, before that station was replaced by WEIU in 1985. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University, Pinderski earned a law degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1983. He then joined Pinderski & Pinderski, a family law firm in Palatine. Throughout his law career, Pinderski has continued to draw and self-publish cartoons and political illustrations on various web sites. He also is a member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
“At this point in our history, when journalism is under fire from so many places, our alumni have been able to explain and defend journalism as well as the role the department plays in educating the next generation of journalists,” said Sally Renaud, department chair of journalism at EIU. “Paul has been a vocal supporter of the program both behind the scenes and in public.”
