January 2011

Alumni spotlight: John Craft ’69, ’74

EIU's first Olympian, triple jumper John Craft ’69, ’74, will soon have an Eastern Illinois jersey retired in his honor.

As an EIU athlete, Craft won three national championships and was EIU's first All-American. He still holds the school record for the outdoor triple jump at 53’9". He went on to rank among the world's best athletes, winning championships and setting national records. He represented the United States in the 1972 Munich Olympics, where he placed fifth. He later served as EIU's women's track and field coach until 2002.

In addition to a Jan. 22 jersey retirement ceremony, Craft will be honored at a dinner on Jan. 21 and a brunch on Jan. 23. For details, click here.

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More alumni news …

• For retiring judge, ‘the little things’ stand out
• Harry Frost celebrates 50 years at Cargill
• IBCA Hall of Famer Nohren described as gentleman, class act
• Photographer selects 50 shots representing 50 years
• Humenik named president, publisher of Arizona Daily Star
• Adams County sheriff new chairman of state board
• Chicago Bears chaplain McElroy: Faith first, football second

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EIU featured in several new 'Heartland Highways' episodes

The upcoming season of WEIU's "Heartland Highways" TV series will include several EIU-related episodes, with stories on the observatory, the Secret Garden, the university's history in the normal school system, the Tarble Arts Center, and alumni Dick Levi and Dave Cunningham.

Hosts Lori Casey '06 and Kate Pleasant '06 will also introduce the show from several locations on EIU’s campus.

"Heartland Highways" airs on WEIU-TV; four other PBS stations in Illinois and Indiana; and the national RFD-TV network. Click here for episode descriptions and air times.

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News briefs from the EIU Alumni Association

• The Legacy Scholarship is awarded each fall to an EIU freshman who is the child and/or grandchild of an EIU graduate. The application deadline is Feb. 4, 2011. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit our Scholarships Page.
• Do you love EIU? We're looking for alumni volunteers to help to recruit the brightest students to EIU by working with our admissions counselors to represent Eastern at upcoming college fairs. Please visit the Alumni Volunteer page for details, including locations, dates and times.
• We’re hitting the road! Join President William Perry, Vice President for University Advancement Robert Martin, and various other EIU administrators at our annual Arizona Alumni Reception (Feb. 19) and Florida Alumni Reception (March 13).

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'Magnificent Mile' winners announced

Last month, the Alumni Association held a "Magnificent Mile" contest in which its members were asked to submit three lines explaining why they joined the EIUAA. Two winning entries were randomly drawn, with each receiving a three-night stay in a Chicago hotel.

Congratulations to our two winners, Tracy Schorle '98 and Kurt Rossberger '76! Thank you for your continuing support of the EIU Alumni Association. Here's what they had to say about why they joined EIUAA:

“I joined as a lifetime member immediately following graduation – I literally spent my first paycheck giving back to a school that prepared me for life. I joined because it was the right thing to do, to continue my connection with a school that still means so very much.” — Tracy Schorle

“It helps me stay in touch with EIU. The sponsored activities help me to reconnect with lost classmates. I am proud to say, I’m an EIU alumni.” — Kurt Rossberger

Throughout the year, members of the EIU Alumni Association qualify to receive exclusive discounts, promotional offers and sweepstakes opportunities as a special “thank you” for their support. Not yet a member of the EIU Alumni Association? Join today!

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