海角大神

If you are a faculty or staff member who is a parent or guardian of a student who will be participating in the commencement ceremony and you would like to present their diploma to them on stage at the Spring 2026 ceremony, please fill out this form. If you have questions, please reach out to Megan Morecraft at mamorecraft@eiu.edu. 

Commencement could not be made possible without the dedication of volunteers, as they play an essential role in creating a smooth and memorable experience for our graduates and their families! If you are interested in volunteering for this special day for our graduates, please fill out this form. Any assistance is greatly appreciated! 

Saturday, May 9 - Groniger Arena

• 10 a.m. – Undergraduate Degrees in the College of Education and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• 1 p.m. – All Graduate Degrees
• 4 p.m. - Undergraduate Degrees in the Lumpkin College of Business and Technology, College of Health and Human Services, and Interdisciplinary Studies. 

Please contact Megan Morecraft at mamorecraft@eiu.edu with any questions. 

Thank you for your consideration! 

Planning to participate in the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies? Please complete this form. This will help EIU prepare for seating arrangements and allow for reserved parking. 

Saturday, May 9 - Groniger Arena

Panthers in the Effingham area, we’re bringing Eastern to you! Join us for EIU Night Out in Effingham at the Gabby Goat, located at 303 E. Fayette Avenue, for a fulfilling evening of connection, conversation, and Panther pride. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30; advanced registration is required.

Enjoy great food, refreshing drinks, and plenty of time to network with fellow EIU alumni and friends. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with classmates, expand your professional circle, or simply enjoy an evening out with fellow Panthers in the area, this event is the perfect opportunity to strengthen your ties and find new Panther pals.

We hope you’ll join us for an energizing evening of alumni camaraderie in Effingham!

海角大神 is committed to providing accessible experiences for all guests. If you require accommodations to fully participate in this event, please contact University Advancement at alumeiu@eiu.edu.

Booth Library is accepting submissions for an Anime-Style Character Contest to find the face of 2026 EIU Comic fest. The Library is looking for an anime-style character in three related poses to license as its official 2026 Comic Fest mascot. The 2026 EIU Comic Fest Contest is officially OPEN, and the winner will take home a $300 prize!

Contest information:

• Submissions must come from current EIU students.
• The student artist must create an anime-style character in three related poses:
  • Directional Gesturing
  • Speaking
  • A third pose of the artist's choice
• Characters must be original artwork. No copyrighted images will be accepted. Final production submissions must be original artwork, not AI-generated.
• At least one pose should translate well for printing in single-color on EIU Comic Fest 2026 t-shirts.
• Entries are due Wednesday, April 29.

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• Remember to submit your character in all three poses. The winning design will be the official face of the 2026 EIU Comic Fest!
• The winning submission will be licensed to Booth Library for usage related to 2026 EIU Comic Fest in perpetuity; however, the copyright for the character will remain with the submitting artist.

For more information about EIU Comic Fest, visit or email comicfest@eiu.edu.

On Thursday, April 23, come enjoy a night of games, snacks, and prizes courtesy of the Society for Collegiate Journalists, made up of members of the Daily Eastern News, WEIU TV, and HitMix 88.9. This free event will start at 6:30 p.m. and is open to students of all majors. Feel free to join alone or bring along your friends! Events include board games and big-screen Mario Kart. Meet outside the Buzzard Hall auditorium, then head to the game of your choice!

Join us at Step Up for Panthers: Giving Day 2026 on the Library Quad from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy food from local favorites Pauly's BBQ, La Luna, and Magoody's Mobile Coffee, plus lawn games, and a chance to win an exclusive EIU t-shirt. Jump in the "thank you video booth" to be featured in a message to alumni who've supported EIU. And be sure to sign a postcard for the donors who make it all possible by funding scholarships, emergency resources, wellness programs, student organizations, and more. EIU Giving Day events on the quad are open to all students, staff, and alumni and are sponsored by EIU Student Government and University Advancement.

The History Department invites students, staff, and the public to its 17th Annual Riccio Lecture, where Dr. Brooke Depenbusch, University of Illinois at Springfield, will discuss "The Long War on Welfare: Poverty, Politics, and Power in Depression-Era America." The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday April 22 in Lumpkin Auditorium with a reception to follow.

This presentation by the HERC will discuss how alcohol and cannabis affects the body. Join us on Wednesday, April 22 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the MLK Jr Union's Charleston/Mattoon room (3rd floor).

TEMPORARY STREET CLOSING - EIU's Spring Festival 2026, the event will be April 23, 24, and 25. Hayes Street (aka Doudna Circle) and the North Buzzard Parking Lot will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, and will remain closed throughout the festival weekend. Hayes Street and the North Buzzard Lot will be available Sunday, April 25, beginning at midnight. Any vehicles remaining in the closed lot will be cited and relocated at the owner’s expense. Festival planners and UPD appreciate everyone's support and understanding during this temporary inconvenience.  Thank you.

News from WEIU

WEIU is excited to announce that the Illinois News Broadcasters Association has announced the winners of this year’s SINBAs, honoring the best in student journalism. At the Best of Broadcast Awards in Champaign, WEIU-TV Newswatch took home multiple awards for excellence. From standout reporting to top-tier production, the team continues to raise the bar.  Hit-Mix 88.9 WEIU took home an award as well.

News Watch won first place for Outstanding Television Newscast. Olivia Bennett, Junior Broadcast Journalism major from Charleston, won first place for Outstanding Television News Reporting. Matt Williamson, Senior TV and Video Production major from LeRoy, won second place for Outstanding Television News Reporting. Bennett also won first place for Outstanding Television Sports Reporting and first place for Outstanding Television News Photography. Williamson also won second place for Outstanding Television News Photography.

A member of the INBA board announced it was the first time in INBA history that the same person had won all three individual awards for television news.

Andrew Spaid, Senior TV and Video Production major from Lake in the Hills, won second place for Outstanding Radio News Reporting. Spaid also was awarded the INBA Don Brown Scholarship. Bennett was awarded the Fred “Fritz” Sorenson Scholarship.

Pictured (L-R: Olivia Bennett, Matt Williamson, Andrew Spaid)

IGP #162.2 - Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) and Other Recording Devices was established with approval by the President.

Also, the following internal governing policies were recently updated with approval by the President:

• IGP #12 - Employment and Recruitment Procedures for Administrative Positions
• IGP #14 - Employment and Recruitment Procedures for Faculty and Academic Support Professional Positions, Continuing and Temporary
• IGP #163 - University Personal Property Control

Please take time to review the new and updated policies.

The Civil Service Council serves as the voice for all civil service non-negotiated employees at 海角大神. Now is your chance to get involved and represent your colleagues!

We are seeking dedicated individuals to fill two-year terms for the following district:

• District II: Vice President of Business Affairs area

Term Duration: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028

Eligibility: You must meet the following criteria to run:

1. Be a permanent non-negotiated employee
2. Hold a continuous non-union position
3. Be a non-academic employee
4. Not hold an off-campus contract appointment

Key Dates

• Nominations Deadline: May 1, 2026
• Election Date: May 14, 2026
• Notification of Results: May 15, 2026 or shortly thereafter

How to Apply: If you’re ready to represent and advocate for your peers, submit your nomination form by May 1, 2026.

Use your EIU network ID to access the form.

More information about the Civil Service Council can be found on our website: /council/.

Jazz Ensemble
$10 General Admission | $5 EIU Students
The Theatre
Tuesday, April 21st at 7:30 p.m.

Join EIU's Jazz Ensemble as Dr. Sam Fagaly directs his final concert before retiring in August. The performance will feature EIU Alumnus Brian Shaw on trumpet and Paul Johnston on piano. They will perform a variety of music including modern jazz pieces as well as selections made famous by the great swing era bands led by Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, and Artie Shaw.

Concert Band and Eastern Symphonic Band
$15 General | $5 EIU Students
The Dvorak Concert Hall
Thursday, April 23rd at 7:30 p.m.

Join the Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Charleston Brass Ensemble for an enjoyable evening of instrumental music.

Wind Symphony and Monticello High School
$15 General | $5 EIU Students
The Dvorak Concert Hall
Friday, April 24th at 7:30 p.m.

Symphonic Song & Dance
$15 General | $5 EIU Students
The Dvorak Concert Hall
Saturday, April 25th at 7:30 p.m.

Join the Eastern Symphonic Orchestra for their final performance of the year, featuring the 海角大神 Chorus. Under the orchestral direction of Prof. David Commanday and the choral direction of Dr. Howard Eckdahl, this concert of great music for Dance and Song presents works from the opera and ballet worlds. Brilliant and impressionistic works by French composers Claude Debussy, Jules Massenet, and Georges Bizet, as well as a gorgeous Psalm setting for chorus and orchestra by the Estonian mystic, Arvo Pärt, it will be an evening of color and inspiration!

Join Doudna, EIU, and Charleston's local community in enjoying an art fair, live performances, amazing food, and more! Attendees can find a full schedule for the festival at eiu.edu/festival. The festival will take place during the following times:

• Thursday, April 23, noon to 7 p.m.
• Friday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be concerts each night of the festival in the Dvorak Concert Hall @ 7:30 p.m., after Spring Fest closes: (Get Tickets)

• EIU Concert Band & Eastern Symphonic Band | Thursday, April 23
• EIU Wind Symphony & Monticello High School Band | Friday, April 24
• Eastern Symphonic Orchestra | Saturday, April 25

Next year's (2026-27) season will be announced at the beginning of the festival, so attendees should be sure to pick up the new calendar to see everything EIU has to offer. Hear about all the premier events, music concerts, theatre performances, and festivals at Doudna next year!

Art Vendors

There will be 22 art vendors booths (both indoor and outdoor) spanning between Doudna and Buzzard. There will be vendors selling:

• Jewelry
• Clothing
• Ceramics
• Plants
• Sculptures
• Paintings
• Soaps
• Metal works
• Much much more!

Food Vendors

Be sure to come hungry; you won't stay hungry. This year's Spring Fest will feature:

• SweetTeaz
• IceIceShavings
• Grandma T's Soft Pretzels
• House of Brisket
• Sweet Island
• Mini Donuts
• CZ's FGT
• LJ's Famous Diner

With so many options, you can't try all of them in one day...all the more reason to come multiple days!

Live Music

Doudna will have a stage near the circle drive for live music performances from the following groups:

• Thursday, April 23
  
  • Reverend Robert at 3 p.m.
  • EIU Jazz Lab Band at 4 p.m.
  • EIU Singer Songwriter Showcase at 5 p.m.
  • Halos at 6 p.m.
• Friday, April 24
  
  • The EIU Percussion Ensemble at 1 p.m.
  • Motherlode at 2 p.m.
  • EIU Jazz Combos at 4 p.m.
  • Insomniac's Dream at 5 p.m.
  • EIU's Blue Fusion at 6 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25
  
  • Mitch Faulkner Trio at 11 a.m.
  • The EIU Dancers at 1 p.m.
  • Heather Latta at 2 p.m.
  • Chuck Vegas at 4 p.m.
  • The Insomniacs: Aux Port at 5 p.m.

Kids Day

Kids Day will be Saturday, April 25, from noon to 4 p.m. Activities consist of:

• EIU Dancers will perform and teach a dance to kids of all ages at 1 p.m.
• Free glitter tattoos and face painting
• Art & science projects
  
  • The portable EIU Portable Observatory will be in the Black Box all weekend with presentations every hour!
• The Scovill Mobile Zoo
• Arts and Science Activities for kids!
• And more!

After all the kids' activities are finished, attendees can stick around to listen to some live music, enjoy good food, and peruse the art vendor booths.

CarX is offering special discounts for EIU Employees and Annuitants. 

• 10% off all tires
• 10% all parts & service
• 5% off sale items

Must show your Panther Card to save. CarX is located at 515 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL. (Across from Old Main). Please call (217) 345-3331 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.  

To find other great benefits for EIU Employees and Annuitants visit /humanres/benefits/employeediscounts.php. Questions? Reach out at (217) 581-5825.

Sick Leave Bank enrollment is opening soon! 

• Enrollment window: May 1 through May 29
• How to enroll: Log into your PAWS account, click the Employee tab, then click Employee Sick Bank.
• Questions: Contact the Benefits Office at benefits@eiu.edu or 217-581-5825.

The Political Science Department would like to congratulate Jeff Ashley, Political Science Professor, on his 25 years of service and retirement.  Jeff has served on University Personnel Committee, Faculty Senate, Faculty Fellows, and assorted college and departmental commitees.  Enjoy your retirement Jeff!

• Olivia Bennett of Charleston is a junior at 海角大神 majoring in broadcast journalism. She has worked as a Gray Television fellow for WOIO-TV in Cleveland; a producer, anchor and investigative reporter for TruBlu Crime Streaming; and managing editor, anchor and reporter for WEIU-TV News Watch. With this year’s award, Benett is now a three-time INBA scholarship winner. She will be taking home INBA Fred “Fritz” Sorenson Scholarship. Sorenson was a longtime reporter and anchor for WKRS radio in Waukegan and WCIA-TV in Champaign.
• Andrew Spaid of Lake in the Hills will graduate this spring from 海角大神 with a degree in TV and video production. He has worked as a sports and news anchor, producer and sports director for WEIU-TV and was an on-air DJ for Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU. He also is a host and producer of the Anytime Sports Podcast, worked on the live sports production crew for ESPN+ and was a freelance camera operator for WQAD-TV. Andrew is the winner of the INBA Don Brown Scholarship. Don Brown is the namesake for the INBA’s first-ever scholarship, given in 1963. He worked for radio stations in Iowa and taught at the Universities of Iowa, Illinois, and Arizona State and was instrumental in forming the INBA in 1955.

• Devin Brooks, reporter/anchor, WQAD-TV, Quad Cities, a multi-time INBA scholarship winner himself and INBA board member.
• Jenna Dooley, news director, WNIJ in DeKalb, and INBA past president
• Rachel Lippmann, justice reporter, St. Louis Public Radio, and INBA past president
• Emily Manley, former Missouri capitol bureau reporter for Nexstar and former INBA vice president

A friendly reminder to emplyees to submit their monthly leave reports before noon on the 10th of each month or at the time designated by your department approver. In addition, all approvers must have all time/leave approved prior to noon on the 10th of each month as well. To fill out a leave report, please log-in to PAWS from this link: .
 
Log-in using your EIU provided user name and password.

1. Click on the EMPLOYEE tab
2. Select PAWS9 EMPLOYEE DASHBOARD
3. Select ENTER LEAVE REPORT (blue box, right side of screen)
4. Select the correct reporting period
5. Select ADD EARN CODE and enter hours

For additional information concerning Positive Time Reporting/Leave Reporting, please click on the following link to the FAQs:
and log in using your EIU provided user name and password.

Student Insurance is available for the Summer 2026 term. The coverage effective dates are 5/11/2026-8/16/2026. The cost for the coverage is $95.40.

Students who are insured in Spring 2026 who desire Summer coverage and will not be enrolled in the Summer Term, may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2026 Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/11/26.

Students who enroll for five or more hours for the Summer Term may obtain coverage by submitting the Summer 2026  Enrollment Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab prior to 5/27/26. Coverage is effective upon receipt of the enrollment form.

Student Insurance provides the student worldwide protection 24 hours a day.  The Plan has a $100 deductible per diagnosis and pays up to 70% of eligible expenses for physician and hospital expenses, lab and x-ray, surgery, ambulance transport, physical therapy, maternity expenses, mental health and substance abuse issues. The Student Insurance Plan also reduces copays for prescription medications at the Health Services on campus. 

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving students a choice in their care and provides coverage for treatment the student receives while they are at home, at school, and wherever they may travel. 

Student Insurance is an economical way to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses when family health plans do not cover 100% of medical costs because of deductibles, co-payment amounts, limitations on specific benefits, and out-of-network penalties.  The Student Insurance Plan complements the family health plan.  Most students find it beneficial to carry both, particularly if the family plan has a deductible and/or coinsurance.

You can find more information about the Plan at  or by contacting our office at (217) 581-5290. There are two short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

Student Insurance provides the student worldwide protection, 24 hours a day. The Plan has a $100 deductible per diagnosis and pays up to 70% of eligible expenses for physician and hospital expenses, lab and x-ray, surgery, ambulance transport, physical therapy, maternity expenses, mental health and substance abuse issues. The Student Insurance plan also covers prescriptions at the Health and Counseling Services center on campus.

Unlike an HMO or PPO, the Plan does not have a network, giving students a choice in their care and provides coverage for treatment the student receives while they are at home, at school, and wherever they may travel. When you have other insurance, the Plan coordinates with the primary carrier. Student Insurance is an economical way to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses when family health plans do not cover 100% of medical costs because of deductibles, co-payment amounts, limitations on specific benefits, and out-of-network penalties. The Student Insurance Plan complements the family health plan. Most students find it beneficial to carry both, particularly if the family plan has a deductible and/or coinsurance.

You can find more information about the Plan at or by contacting our office at (217) 581-5290. There are two short videos on the website that do a nice job of explaining all about the Plan.

The Summer 2026 Student Insurance fee will be automatically assessed to students enrolled in an on-campus program taking nine or more hours; graduate assistants under contract to the University; and international students enrolled in an on-campus program taking three or more hours. 

Students wishing to waive the Student Insurance Plan must complete the Waiver Form available in their PAWS account, under the MyHealth tab. Student-athletes and members of the Cheer Team are not allowed to waive the Student Insurance. The deadline to waive coverage for the Summer 2026 semester is May 27, 2026. 

Did you know as an EIU employee, you have access to thousands of discount through Working Advantage? Visit the EIU Benefits site for details, and check out the for more information as well. 

海角大神 is making important investments to improve our campus.

To help keep the campus community informed, we’ve launched a . Visit the site for the latest information on active projects, timelines, impacts to campus access, and more: .

Beginning March 16, 2026, parking lots between the Student Services Building, the Old Steam Plant, and south of Blair Hall will be closed as part of a comprehensive upgrade to EIU's campus infrastructure. NOTE: ADA parking spaces immediately south of Blair Hall will remain open, and an ADA鈥慶ompliant ramp will be installed to accommodate east–west pedestrian traffic at the northwest corner of the Student Services Building.

Please review a map of the parking lot availability HERE, noting the additional details below.*

Per IGP#19, campus-wide summer office hours will be in effect from Monday, May 11, 2026, through Friday August 14, 2026. When summer office hours are in effect, all offices must be open Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. All administrative offices (and others where possible) will remain open during the lunch hour, Monday through Thursday.

Each office is to change voice mail, signs, and other public communication to reflect its summer hours. Regular business hours will resume on Monday August 17, 2026. Please contact the Human Resources office with any questions.

Holiday Weeks

• Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026
  • Employees will record Holiday 7.5 hours and then work 30 hours between Tuesday – Friday. If you still want to leave at noon on Friday May 29, 2026, you may use accrued leave time off or work the additional 3.5 hours between Tuesday and Thursday (this would not be overtime, it would be considered flex time).
• Juneteenth/National Freedom Day
  • The week of June 15, 2026, employees will work (4) 7.5 hour days Monday – Thursday and record Holiday 7.5 hours for Friday June 19, 2026.
• Independence Day
  • The week of June 29, 2026, employees will work (4) 7.5 hour days Monday – Thursday and record Holiday 7.5 hours for Friday July 3, 2026.