EIU Media Relations

EIU Fall Commencement Ceremonies Set for Saturday, Dec. 18

Nearly 600 summer and fall graduates plan to participate in Eastern Illinois University's Fall 2010 commencement ceremonies, scheduled to take place Saturday, Dec. 18, in Lantz Arena.

Ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Guest tickets are required for admission.

Graduating seniors from the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences and the College of Arts and Humanities will march in the morning ceremony, while students 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. Graduate students will march with their respective colleges.

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

Jim Evans, an acknowledged industry leader in management and global hospitality and a 2002 recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the EIU Alumni Association, will present the "Charge to the Class" during both ceremonies.

Also addressing graduates will be Faculty Senate Chairperson John Henry Pommier and Student Body President Michelle Murphy.

Representing Eastern's Board of Trustees will be Aaron T. Wiessing of Sigel at 10 a.m. and Leo Welch of O'Fallon at 1 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 Scott Meiners who, as an associate professor of biological sciences, will represent the Graduate School. Representing the School of Continuing Education at 1 p.m. will be Godson Obia, professor of geology/geography and associate dean of Eastern's College of Sciences.

An EIU tradition also allows faculty members the honor of carrying the college banner for his/her college during the procession.

This year's faculty marshals for the morning ceremony are Rendong Bai, associate professor, School of Technology, representing the Graduate School and the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences; Bill Wootton, professor, School of Business, representing the LCBAS; William Hubschmitt, professor, art, representing the Graduate School and the College of Arts and Humanities; and Roger B. Beck, professor, history, representing the CAH.

This year's faculty marshals for the afternoon ceremony are Frank Mullins, associate professor, special education, representing the Graduate School and the College of Education and Professional Studies; Kathleen Phillips, professor, health studies, representing the CEPS; Andrew Mertz, associate professor, mathematics and computer science, representing the Graduate School and the College of Sciences; Joan Henn, professor, mathematics and computer science, representing the COS; and Jeanne Snyder, associate dean, LCBAS, representing the School of Continuing Education.

Olivia Buttram, a psychology major from Charleston, will serve as Honors College banner marshal during both ceremonies.