EIU Media Relations

EIU commencement ceremonies set for Saturday, May 7

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University will be buzzing with excitement Saturday as family and friends of new Panther alumni pack Lantz Arena to celebrate the academic achievements of EIU’s most recent graduating class.

Commencement ceremonies for the university’s various colleges will take place at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 7 in Lantz Arena, on Eastern Illinois University’s campus, 600 Lincoln Avenue in Charleston.  Students from the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology will march in the morning ceremony, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the 1 p.m. ceremony, and College of Health and Human Services and the College of Education at the 4 p.m. ceremony. Students from the Graduate School will walk with their respective colleges during each ceremony.

EIU President Dr. David M. Glassman will preside over the day’s ceremonies. Each ceremony will feature a special guest speaker who will present the official Charge to the Class.

Graduates participating in the morning and afternoon ceremonies will hear from Carl Mito, former EIU board member and retired managing director of investments at Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. in Chicago. Mito has volunteered in a variety of capacities at EIU, including as a member of both the School of Business Advisory Board and the EIU Foundation. A three-term member of the School of Business Advisory Board, he was an early supporter of the Securities Analysis Center and later hosted events in his Chicago office to connect business graduates with the university and promote the center’s benefits to students. He and his late wife established the Carl and Marion Mito Excellence in Finance Endowment Fund in 2003 to benefit the School of Business on an ongoing basis as part of his philanthropic commitment, which includes more than $530,000 in gifts to support the university’s students. Mito was a key member of the External Steering Committee, which provided guidance as the university significantly exceeded the goal of its 2012 Capital Campaign. Having joined Delta Chi fraternity as an undergraduate, he has maintained his connection with that group after his 1972 graduation and assisted with the planning of their 2006 alumni reunion on campus. In addition to his continuing support of the institution, he also sat on the board of directors for the Cancer Wellness Center and served on the executive committee, co-chaired the fundraising committee and led Team Marion for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Walk.

Afternoon graduates will hear from Katie Anselment. Anselment participated extensively in EIU Student Government as an undergraduate until earning her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration in 2002. Upon graduation she went to work for the Illinois House of Representatives through the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program. While in Springfield she was introduced to a fellow former EIU Student Body President - who is now her husband and with whom she has four daughters. After five years on legislative staff, Katie went on to work as a corporate contract lobbyist until she was hired by EIU in 2012 as the university’s government relations director.

Commencement marshals lead the procession while carrying the university mace. This spring’s commencement marshals include: 10 a.m.: Dr. Mark Bayer, associate professor in the School of Business; 1 p.m.: Dr. Danelle Larson, professor of Music; and 4 p.m.: Drs. Cindy Rich Kathleen O’Rourke, assistant professor of Teaching, Learning and Foundations and professor of Aging Studies, respectively.

Faculty marshals for the day include:10 a.m.: Dr. Nichole Hugo, associate professor, Hospitality and Tourism (graduate) and Dr. Rigoberto Chinchilla, professor, Technology (undergraduate); 1 p.m.: Dr. David Viertel, associate professor, Geography (graduate) and Dr. Brian Mann, assistant professor, History (undergraduate); and 4 p.m.:  Dr. Heidi Larson, professor, Counseling and Higher Education (graduate), Dr. Jennifer Buchter, assistant professor, Special Education (undergraduate) and Dr. Krystal Lynch, assistant professor, Dietetics and Nutrition (graduate) and Dr. Stacey Ruholl, professor, Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation (undergraduate).

Student commencement speakers for the day will include Marie Koch (10 a.m.), Jerimiah Boyd-Johnson (1 p.m.), and MaryAnn Catt and Esperanza Murillo (4 p.m.).

During the afternoon ceremony, special recognition also will be given to Dr. Grant Sterling (Philosophy) and Dr. Jeff Stowell (Psychology) as Distinguished Faculty Award recipients for their service to EIU. EIU’s Distinguished Faculty Award is presented annually by the Faculty Senate to a full-time faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, professional research/creative activity and service.

The Eastern Illinois University Police Department will be helping to coordinate traffic outside Lantz Arena throughout the day. Eastern Illinois University officials encourage community residents to be aware of the increased traffic around the university, and to consider alternate routes when possible.

For more information about EIU, or to learn more about its various programs and services, visit the EIU website at www.eiu.edu, or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.