EIU Media Relations

EIU Fall Commencement Ceremonies Set for Saturday, Dec. 15

Nearly 670 summer and fall graduates will participate in Eastern Illinois University's formal commencement ceremonies, scheduled to take place Saturday, Dec. 15, in Lantz Arena.

Ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Guest tickets are required for admission.

Graduates from the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences and the College of Arts and Humanities will march in the morning ceremony, while graduates from the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Sciences and the School of Continuing Education (Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree) will march in the afternoon.

President William L. Perry will preside over the ceremonies. Music will be provided by the EIU Wind Symphony.

Charles I. Delman, who has been named the 2007 recipient of the Luis Clay Mendez Distinguished Service Award, will be publicly recognized for his exemplary record of service to Eastern. In addition to his work as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Delman is widely known for his leadership in the EIU Chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois, which bargains collectively for Eastern's faculty and academic support professionals.

Joe Fatheree, the 2006-2007 Illinois Teacher of the Year, will present the "Charge to the Class" during both ceremonies. In addition, Bob Glover, vice president for Cardinal Health, will speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony. Both Fatheree and Glover are EIU graduates (1989 and 1982, respectively). Fatheree was named the 2007 recipient of Eastern's Alumni Association's Distinguished Educator Award, while Glover received a 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his outstanding career and service.

Also addressing graduates will be Faculty Senate Chairwoman Lynne Curry and Student Body President Cole Rogers, a social science major from Montgomery .

Representing Eastern's Board of Trustees will be Don Yost of Charleston at 10 a.m., and Robert Webb of Mattoon at 2 p.m.

Traditionally, a commencement marshal leads the commencement procession while carrying the university mace, a symbol of honor accorded a faculty member. The commencement marshal for the 10 a.m. ceremony will be Bailey Young, history professor, who will represent the Graduate School. Representing the School of Continuing Education at 2 p.m. will be Cheryl Noll, professor and associate chair of the School of Business.

An EIU tradition also allows faculty members the honor of carrying the college banner for their colleges during the procession. Honorees are chosen by their respective colleges.

This year's faculty marshals for the morning ceremony are Karen Nantz, professor in the School of Business, representing the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences; Lisa Taylor, assistant professor in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, representing the Graduate School for the LCBAS; Anne Zahlan, professor of English, representing the College of Arts and Humanities; and Chris Kahler, associate professor of art, representing the Graduate School for the CAH.

This year's faculty marshals for the afternoon ceremony are Barbara Powell, professor of counseling and student development, representing the College of Education and Professional Studies; Christy Hooser, professor of special education, representing the Graduate School for the CEPS; Ann Fritz, associate professor of biological sciences, representing the College of Sciences; Barbara Lawrence, professor of chemistry, representing the Graduate School for the COS; and Peter Ping Liu, professor for the School of Technology, representing the School of Continuing Education.