EIU Media Relations

EIU Fall Commencement Ceremonies Set For Dec. 17

Dec-12-2005

More than 1,400 summer and fall graduates are eligible to participate in Eastern Illinois University 's formal commencement ceremonies, scheduled to take place Saturday, Dec. 17, in Lantz Arena.

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

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 (Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree) will march in the afternoon.

State Rep. Chapin Rose will present the "Charge to the Class" during both ceremonies. Rose, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives since 2003, represents Illinois ' 110 th District, which includes Eastern Illinois University . He previously served in several capacities in the Champaign County state's attorney's office, including senior assistant state's attorney.

Also addressing graduates will be Student Body President Ryan Berger, a political science major from Grayslake, and Faculty Senate Chairperson Assege Haile Mariam.

Representing Eastern's Board of Trustees will be Robert D. Webb of Mattoon at 10 a.m. , and Don Yost of Charleston 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 Anne R. Zahlan, professor of English, who will represent the Graduate School . Zahlan has been a member of Eastern's faculty since 1984.

Representing the School of Continuing Education at 2 p.m. will be Richard L. Roberts, professor of counseling and student development. He has been a member of Eastern's faculty since 1998.

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

This year's faculty marshals for the morning ceremony are Karla Kennedy-Hagan, assistant professor in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, representing the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences; Kathleen O'Rourke, associate professor in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences, representing the Graduate School for the LCBAS; Peter Hesterman, professor of music, representing the College of Arts and Humanities; and Peter Loewen, associate professor of music, representing the Graduate School for the CAH.

This year's faculty marshals for the afternoon ceremony are Lynda Kayser, professor of counseling and student development, representing the College of Education and Professional Studies; Jake Emmett, professor of physical education, representing the Graduate School for the CEPS; Hugh E. Brazil, associate professor of political science, representing the College of Sciences; Brenda Wilson, associate professor of communication disorders and sciences, representing the Graduate School for the COS; and Michelle L. Meadows, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences, representing the School of Continuing Education.