2023 EIU Homecoming Booklet

HOMECOMING SCHEDULE

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2

Homecoming Kickoff: Bingo and Bagels With Billy, Library Quad, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Homecoming Coronation, Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3

Hoco On The Go (Pop-Up Tent), Doudna Fine Arts Center (Northwest Entrance), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Family Fun Night, University Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union, 5 - 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4

Faculty/Staff Blue-B-Que, Main Concourse, Doudna Fine Arts Center, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Cosmic Bowling Mixer, EIU Bowling Lanes, MLK Jr. Union, 7 - 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5

Hoco On The Go (Pop-Up Tent), Coleman Hall (Northeast Entrance), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Casino Royale, Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union, 7 - 9 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6

50th Alumni Reunion (Class of 1973), University Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Block Party, O’Brien Stadium Parking Lot, 7 - 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

Rotary Pancake Breakfast, Dirty’s Parking Lot, 6:30 - 10 a.m.

2.5K Fun Run/Walk, Starts in front of Old Main, 9 a.m.

Homecoming Parade, 7th and Division Streets, 9:30 a.m.

Homecoming Football Tailgate/Tent City, Behind O’Brien Stadium, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Homecoming Game: EIU Vs. UT-Martin, O’Brien Stadium, 2 p.m.

EIU Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner, Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union, 6 p.m.

ALL WEEK & PRE-WEEK EVENTS

All listed events run Oct. 2 - 7 unless otherwise noted. More details available at eiu.edu/homecoming.

+ TikTok Challenge (Sept. 22, Sept. 29, Oct. 6)

+ Billy in the Schools (Sept. 25 - 29)

+ Online Homecoming Royalty Election (Sept. 27 - 29)

+ Real Panthers Decorate Blue

+ Campus Food Pantry Drive

+ Paint the Campus/Town Blue!

EIU PRESIDENT GATRELL’S WELCOME MESSAGE

Welcome to EIU’s Homecoming 2023 week!

HOCO23 is an exciting time to connect and reconnect with friends, mentors, and the entire Eastern Illinois University community! Whether it’s watching the parade, commemorating the class of 1973 at our 50th Class Reunion, cheering on your football team, or celebrating the accomplishments of our distinguished alumni award recipients – EIU’s campus will be a hub of fun-filled activities for the entire community and our campus & EIU pride will be on full display.

We’re glad you’re here, and welcome home!

Go Panthers!

2023 EIU HOMECOMING PARADE GRAND MARSHALLS

TIM AND RITA MCCOLLUM ‘73

The EIU Homecoming Grand Marshall is a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the EIU mission, vision and community. The 2023 EIU Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall recipients are EIU alumni Tim and Rita McCollum, EIU class of 1973. Tim McCollum is a retired teacher from Charleston Middle School during which time he received the Presidential Award for Science Teaching for Illinois and was a finalist for the NEA National Teacher of the Year Award. Currently Tim is the student teaching coordinator for the EIU College of Education and past president of the EIU Alumni Association Board of Directors and the EIU University Foundation Board of Directors. Rita McCollum was a school psychologist for the Charleston schools. Previously, Rita has served as a member of the EIU College of Sciences Advisory Board.

KING CANDIDATES

LIAM UNDERWOOD (NOT PICTURED)

PRINCE CANDIDATES

WADE JACKSON BLACK STUDENT UNION

SHELDON TURNER

ALPHA PHI ALPHA

CARLOS RODRIGUEZ (NOT PICTURED)

QUEEN CANDIDATES

PRINCESS CANDIDATES

EELLA GILBERT

ALPHA GAMMA DELTA

LILLY HANI

ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA

PAIGE DAY

ALPHA SIGMA TAU

CHARLEY

SARAHI SANCHEZ LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION

ROCHELLE CARTER LAWSON

BROOKE GABEHART DELTA

LORD & LADY FACULTY/STAFF

MELISSA GORDON

BUSINESS/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE

CO-LIL’ PRINCESS

GABRIELLE MITCHELL CO-LIL’ PRINCESS

CO-LIL’ PRINCESS

LETTER FROM THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT

Panthers,

Welcome to Homecoming 2023! I am so excited to see everyone at all the wonderful events planned for this year! Homecoming is an opportunity to showcase Panther pride, embrace our unity, and most importantly, have a blast! Let’s paint the town blue and make unforgettable memories!

CHARLESTON MAYOR’S LETTER

Friends, Parents, & Alums:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to my hometown, Charleston-home of Eastern Illinois University. We hope you enjoy the many Homecoming festivities available to you this weekend.

Since 1895, EIU has been a part of Charleston, which makes our City a unique blend of rural and cultural activities, sporting events, beautiful and historic architecture and great people. Many of Charleston’s inhabitants came here as students, faculty, or related family and have ended up spending a lifetime here.

Having a university with an enrollment totaling nearly one-third of the City’s population provides an air of youthfulness that extends throughout our community. Additionally, the employees and staff of EIU play a significant role in our local economy.

If you are here to visit a student, we hope you will find the experience warm, inviting, and full of memories. In addition, those of you returning as Alums, re-living those golden college days gone by, already know that once you become a part of Charleston, Charleston becomes a part of your life forever.

We are proud of our community. Thanks for being here and we hope you have a safe and enjoyable visit. Be sure to return soon.

Sincerely,

HOMECOMING COORDINATOR’S WELCOME MESSAGE

Welcome students, faculty, staff, and alums to Eastern Illinois University Homecoming Week 2023!

On behalf of the EIU community, we are excited to present “Panthers Royale: Homecoming 2023,” scheduled for October 2 - 7. As always, this year’s Homecoming celebration will showcase our school pride through competitions, giveaways, and campus traditions.

This week, we’ll welcome our alums back to campus to relive past memories, express our appreciation to faculty and staff for all they do, and offer our current students a wonderful week of events!

We’re continuing many of the traditions you’ve come to expect while adding a few newer items to the schedule. The week will start with the Homecoming Kickoff and the crowning of EIU royalty. Family Fun Night, Cosmic Bowling, Faculty and Staff Blue-B-Que, and the 50th Class Reunion, along with our newer items, Hoco on the Go (Pop-Up Tents) and our second annual Block Party, will round out the weekday festivities. Saturday starts strong with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast and the 2.5K Fun Run, leading us into the parade, tailgate/football game, and the Distinguished Alums Dinner.

I want to thank the Charleston community for your endless support. We thank you for helping us “Paint the Town Blue” and showing your pride for EIU!

Lastly, I want to give a huge shout-out to the 2023 Homecoming Steering Committee. Without you, this week would not be possible. You have been a pleasure to work with. I appreciate all your hard work and dedication to making EIU Homecoming 2023 possible. Happy Homecoming!!!

Once a Panther – Always a Panther!

Sincerely,

EIU HOMECOMING

STEERING COMMITTEE

LETTER FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

It is with great pleasure and pride that I welcome current students, alumni, friends of Eastern Illinois University, and our Eastern colleagues to Homecoming 2023!

This year we celebrate with the theme “Panthers Royale.” While we all know how lucky we are to be a part of the Panther community, do not roll the dice and miss the events planned. Wear your Homecoming t-shirt to the Friday night Block Party Pep Rally, join us on the parade route, share lunch in Tent City, root the Panthers on to victory at athletic events, sing the fight song and alma mater with the Panther Marching Band, and cheer with the EIU Cheer Team and Pink Panthers!

Welcome home! Go Panthers!

GOOD LUCK EIU FOOTBALL PANTHERS!

LETTER FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

Dear Fellow EIU Alumni,

On behalf of the EIU Alumni Association, it is my pleasure to welcome you back to campus! Homecoming is a time to return to EIU and remember the wonderful experiences you have had here throughout the years. Not only is it about the friendships you developed while you were a student, but it is also about remembering the caring and influential faculty and staff members, revisiting your favorite campus places, and reminiscing and sharing your love of EIU with our current students.

The students and staff have been working very hard to provide us with a memorable weekend, and we appreciate all they have done. Saturday morning’s parade will feature bands, candy-throwing students, and the 2023 Alumni Award recipients. After the parade, we extend an invitation to visit the Alumni Tent City tailgate area for a complimentary lunch and to visit with longtime friends and former professors before the 2 p.m. football game against the UT-Martin Skyhawks. This Homecoming, the EIU Alumni Association is also excited to honor a special 50th reunion group – the class of 1973 for their Golden Anniversary of their graduation.

While you’re here, I also encourage you to tour the campus to bring back your fondest memories. Depending on when you last visited, you may see some pleasant surprises that have been added to campus over the past few years.

Once again, thank you so much for joining us this weekend! Best of wishes for an enjoyable Homecoming Weekend and have a safe journey home.

Go Panthers!

ANDRE ALLEN ’12 ’14 OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS

Allen is the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer within Peoria County government, responsible for furthering the objectives of diversity, equity and inclusion within the government and community. He also has served on the Peoria City Council since April 2021. His priorities are neighborhoods/infrastructure initiatives, business development, public safety and quality of life. Allen is involved with numerous civic engagement and volunteer opportunities, including the Police and Community Relations Advisory Committee, Peoria Public Schools Foundation, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, Peoria Promise Foundation and is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Andre is a Class of 2022 Community Leadership School graduate sponsored by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. He was selected out of more than 150 nominations as one of Greater Peoria’s top leaders. He received his Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and Master of Science in sports administration from EIU. He is a current doctoral candidate at Illinois State University, pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration. He is married to his college sweetheart Jaleesha Allen, and they have two daughters, Barbie Marie and Dream, and one son, Dreyton.

CORI COPELAND ’77 DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR

Copeland is recently retired after teaching music for 35 years in the Wabash Community Unit School District in Mt. Carmel, both inside and outside the classroom. Since retirement, Copeland represents Neora International, a skincare and wellness company. She also is active in the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield, Illinois where she plays the organ and sings in the choir. Cori has been married to her husband, Mike, for 42 years and they have two children. Reece and his wife

Christina have given her two grandchildren; Myra and Jack. Heath is in heaven after a battle with cancer (1985-2010).

LOUIS V. HENCKEN ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

JUNE GIFFIN ’48

Giffin’s passion for EIU goes well beyond her time as a student-athlete and her 20 years working at the university as an academic department office manager and staff member in the department of grants and research. She has made a lifetime commitment to serving EIU and its students through generous financial contributions and volunteer work. She and her late husband, Jim, endowed three scholarships: the Elsie & Erson Griffin Scholarship, the Jim and June Giffin Scholarship and the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences Dean’s Award. She has volunteered her time with EIU’s Peace Meal Senior Nutrition Program, the Tarble Arts Center, Doudna Fine Arts Center, EIU Annuitants Association and the EIU Foundation at the Neal Welcome Center. Behind the scenes, the Giffins would regularly open their home for receptions and also welcomed visiting parents for parent’s weekend. June also was an active volunteer in the community through the Girl Scouts, Wesley United Methodist Church and was an election judge for many years.

KIMBERLY CHEATLE ’92 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA

Cheatle is the 27th Director of the U.S. Secret Service, sworn into office on Sept. 17, 2022. She is responsible for successfully executing the agency’s integrated mission of protection and investigations by leading a diverse workforce composed of more than 7,800 special agents, officers and other personnel. Prior to her appointment, Cheatle served as senior director in global security at PepsiCo, where she was responsible for directing and implementing security protocols for the company’s facilities in North America. Before joining PepsiCo, she was with the Secret Service for 27 years, serving most recently as assistant director of the Office of Protective Operations, where she managed a $133.5M budget and collaborated with 10 operational divisions. Other roles included special agent in charge of the Atlanta Field Office, special agent in charge of the James J. Rowley Training Center and special agent in charge of the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

DR. BRANDON COMBS ’03

Combs is a successful business owner, public servant and supporter of EIU. As the mayor of Charleston since 2015, he has been committed to serving all residents while supporting EIU’s mission of providing a topnotch educational experience for all students. Before becoming mayor, he served on the city council for two years and also was president of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce board. Combs also operates Combs Chiropractic and Park Hills Spa in Charleston with his wife, Ashley. He has received numerous awards for his work and has been a guest speaker at numerous chiropractic conferences. Combs serves on various boards, including Coles County Together; Coles County Council on Aging; the Illinois Municipal League; and the Charleston High School Booster Club. Combs has been an instructor at EIU since 2018, teaching anatomy and physiology classes, and he recently served on the presidential search committee. He graduated from EIU with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in biology. He received a second bachelor’s in human biology at Logan University and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan College of Chiropractic. When not treating patients, governing or teaching, he and his family operate a farm and show their animals across the state.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

HOWARD KAMERER ’91 ’92

During the past 25 years, Kamerer has started, grown and developed a variety of companies in various markets, generating the same results: consistent exponential growth. His approach relies on the development of corporate value propositions and company goals. He is currently the president and chief executive officer for WOW Logistics, a company based in Neenah, Wis., that specializes in supply chain consulting, real estate development and operations. In 2015, he founded WOW – WE CARE CHARITY, Inc. to serve communities in which WOW Logistics does business. Kamerer also previously served as president and CEO or Startec Global Communications; president and COO of Allied Telesyn (Allied Telesis); and founder, president and CEO of Redeye Network Group. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s in speech communication from EIU. Kamerer calls the Black Hills of South Dakota home with his wife Laura and enjoys motorcycles and off-roading.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

DR. CHARLES MARIS ’71

Dr. Maris is retired after many years in the medical field and serving his country in the US Army Reserve. He most recently was chief of surgery and medical director of surgical services at Carle in Urbana, where he retired in 2014. He started at Carle in 1996 after years of working at Sarah Bush Lincoln, where he rose to the ranks of chief of surgery. He retired as a Colonel from the US Army Reserve in 2011 after 34 years of combined reserve and active-duty service. His most memorable assignments include mobilization to the Persian Gulf in 1990-91 as Assistant Chief of Surgery. Chuck has served his local community as a school board member and Charleston Advisory Board Member for the First Mid Bank and Trust Company. He is a long-standing volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America and also currently serves as an EIU Foundation board member. While an EIU undergraduate, Chuck was a founding member of the EIU Eta Mu Chapter of Sigma Chi. Dr. Maris and his wife, Karen, recently endowed a scholarship for students enrolled in the new EIU electrical engineering program.

STEPHANIE MORITZ ’95 ’02 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA

Moritz is chief customer innovation officer for the American Dental Association and is responsible for leading the direct-to-dentist customer group portfolio; customer innovation; integrated marketing and communications; digital and mobile experience; creative services; and public affairs. She has worked with other iconic brands and businesses in her more than 25 years of experience, including Disney, Jim Beam Brands, Hershey and ConAgra Foods. She also is a founding member of Chief Chicago, and a recognized keynote speaker across the country. Moritz was recognized as Design and Innovation Culture Transformation Winner; PRNews Top Women in Healthcare; and PRNews Top Women in PR. Moritz earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in speech communication from EIU. During her time on campus, she was active in the Delta Zeta Sorority, Panhellenic Council and was president of the Graduate Student Advisory Council. Moritz is married to her husband, Matt, a 1995 EIU graduate. Together they have two amazing neurodivergent teens and Moritz is an advocate for autism and neurodivergent individuals.

TOM RODGERS ’75 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

Rodgers had a long and successful career in the aerospace and defense industry. He became vice president of human resources at Thiokol Corporation as well as vice president of human resources at Alliant Tech Systems. During his career Rodgers was successful in developing and implementing innovative HR strategies including talent management, leadership development, employee communications, benefits management and labor relations. He also has attended the Center for Creative Leadership Program, served on the board of directors for United Way in Utah and was a volunteer for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. While at EIU, he was a residence hall assistant, volunteer for the Coles County Drug and Suicide Call Center and in 1974 was inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary. Currently living in Arizona, he continues to be an active supporter of EIU while participating in alumni events.

Stewart’s career in finance spans over 30 years, having invested millions and managed billions of public and private dollars. An expert in state and local government, he served under two governors, including fellow alumnus Jim Edgar; two mayors; and an Illinois senate president. Stewart was the first African American treasurer of Maywood, Ill.; first African American director of appropriations for a former state senate president; and first African American CFO of the Illinois Department of Transportation. In 2008 Byran was appointed Treasurer of the Finance Executive International (FEI) Chicago Chapter, the preeminent association for financial executives. Stewart has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Alumni Man of the Year and the Association of Government AccountantsChicago Chapter Year of Service Award. Currently, Stewart is semi-retired as CEO of Stewart Group, which advises companies, governments, nonprofits, conglomerates and investors on fiscal matters.

Quality Screen Printing, Embroidery, and Advertising Specialties

• 1 to 12 Color Screen Printing

• T-Shirts, Polos, Sweatshirts, Jackets

• Totes, Pens, Mugs, Huggies

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• Web Stores

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•1-2-3-4 Color Offset Printing

SPECIAL THANKS!

DOUDNA FINE ARTS CENTER EXPERIENCE DOUDNA

Abilene Featuring Chloë Agnew

Saturday, October 14

Children of Eden

November 2 - 12

Messiah

Friday, December 3

Kashmir: Led Zeppelin Tribute Show

Friday, January 19

Fred Hersch: 64th Annual Jazz Festival

Friday, February 2

EIU Dancers Spring Concert

Saturday, February 10

Chicago Dance Tap: Unleash The Beats

Saturday, February 17

Marielle Kraft

Saturday, March 2

Dead Man’s Cell Phone

March 7 - 10

WindSync

Thursday, March 28

Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Saturday, April 6, 2024

John and Jen

April 11 - 14

EIU President – Dr. Jay Gatrell, Ph.D.

Provost/VPAA – Ryan C. Hendrickson, Ph.D.

VPSA – Dr. Anne Flaherty, Ph.D.

VPEM – Josh Norman, Ph. D.

2023 EIU HOMECOMING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CeCi Brinker

Kristal Munoz

Amanda Harvey

Koty Gough

Amber May

Matthew Boyer

Chad Franks

Marisol Gamboa

Lori Henderson

Crystal Brown

Michael Lusk

James Baird

ON BEHALF OF THE EIU STUDENT BODY

DJ Fox

Bonita Flynn

Karen Beason

Colleen Peterlich

Chris Cougill

Bob Martin

WELCOME BACK GREEK ALUMNI!

GREEK COUNCILS

ALPHA GAMMA DELTA

ALPHA PHI

ALPHA PHI ALPHA

ALPHA PSI LAMBDA

ALPHA SIGMA ALPHA

ALPHA SIGMA TAU

DELTA CHI

DELTA DELTA DELTA

DELTA SIGMA THETA

DELTA TAU DELTA

DELTA ZETA

KAPPA DELTA

LAMBDA CHI ALPHA

OMEGA PSI PHI

PI KAPPA ALPHA

PHI BETA SIGMA

PHI KAPPA THETA

SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON

SIGMA CHI

SIGMA KAPPA

SIGMA GAMMA RHO

SIGMA NU

SIGMA PI

SIGMA PHI EPSILON

SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA

ZETA PHI BETA

INTRODUCING OUR 2023 EIU HOMECOMING ROYALTY

King – Nick Trimble

Queen – Hannah Lawrence

Prince – Sheldon Turner

Princess – Rochelle Carter

Faculty Lord – Dr. Nicholas Robinson

Faculty Lady – Melissa Gordon

Co-Lil’ Princess – Gabrielle Mitchell

Co-Lil’ Princess – Clara Turner