EIU Media Relations

New EIU Lighting System Adds Color to the Charleston Community

Eastern Illinois University plans to make the trip down Lincoln Avenue a little more colorful for travelers.

A newly installed lighting system will allow the institution to celebrate university and community events, as well as commemorate events such as World Autism Awareness Day, by displaying appropriate colored lighting on the front of Old Main (the “Castle”).

The system will have its official debut on Monday (Dec. 3) evening, with the building being lit up in blue – one of Eastern’s official colors.

“One of the goals emerging from last year’s strategic planning process was to pay more attention to the streetscape along Lincoln Avenue,” said William Weber, vice president for business affairs.  “The new lighting on Old Main will provide the community with a visual reminder of some of the many worthwhile events occurring at EIU and in Charleston.”

The new programmable lighting system was installed in response to Eastern’s efforts, in working with the city of Charleston, to create a “collaborative landscape/streetscape plan” from the Neal Welcome Center, located at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Douglas Street, eastward to 18^th Street (Route 130).

In addition to helping provide a welcoming corridor along Lincoln Avenue, the new lighting is expected to strengthen the connection between campus and the community, and showcase the building’s outstanding architectural features.