July 2010

New Textbook Rental Web page for Continuing Education Students

Textbook Rental Service has developed a web page for students who take continuing education classes. Check it out for answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding textbooks.

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New E-Billing

Beginning in Summer 2010, student bills will be sent electronically through the students' EIU email account. Student bills will no longer be mailed through the postal service.

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Visit from Higher Learning Commission

On April 23-24, Dr. Delbert Rinquist from the Higher Learning Commission visited three EIU off-campus program sites to complete a Multi-Site Visit Report.

The three off-campus sites that Dr. Rinquist visited were Danville Area Community College, Parkland College and Triton College. The purpose of the visit was to examine student services, academic services, facilities and marketing and recruiting information for EIU students who take classes at off-campus locations.  The results received from the visit were positive and indicated that EIU provides high quality services for all off-campus students and programs that are offered.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this visit a success!

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Higher Learning Commission - Approval of 3 EIU Online Degree Programs

Recently, the Higher Learning Commission approved three current EIU degree completion programs to be offered completely online.

Those degree programs are the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BGS) degree, the Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Development (previously Career and Organizational Studies) and the RN to BS in Nursing. For more information about online learning, visit the EIU Online page.

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University Center of Lake County

Recently, Pamela Collins and Dr. Kaye Woodward from the School of Continuing Education were invited to present information on the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake, IL.

The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree will be offered at the University Center of Lake County beginning in spring 2011.

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Adult Student Recognition Ceremony

The School of Continuing Education held the 23rd Annual Adult Student Recognition Ceremony & Alpha Sigma Lambda Induction Ceremony on Sunday, April 25, 2010.

Those students receiving scholarships were: Jacquilyn Collins, Angela Campbell, Tami Smith, Eain Dial, Antoinette Whitaker, Colleen Jamison, Dillon Mathews, Jennifer Wright, and Beth McGruder.

Other awards presented were:

• Philanthropist of the Year - Mrs. Marla Pringle
• Dean’s Award for Service - Patricia Hufmeyer, Pamela Ortega and the College of Education and Professional Studies
• Roger Whitlow Award - Dr. Alan Baharlou
• Paul Overton Award - Dr. James Painter
• OAPD Award - Dr. Joy Russell
• Academy of Lifetime Learning Award - Dr. Martha Brown.

Over 60 students were inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda, the adult student honorary society. 

Photos: Top - 2010 Alpha Sigma Lambda inductees; Bottom - BGS Student Colleen Jamison receives scholarship from Dr. William Hine, Dean, School of Continuing Education and Kim Redfern, Academic Advisor, Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree Program.

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BGS Graduation Luncheon & Ceremony

May 8, a beautiful and sunny Saturday commencement day at Eastern Illinois University, was truly a day of celebration. Once again the School of Continuing Education and the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Degree Program hosted a Graduation Celebration party honoring the BGS students who had completed their baccalaureate degrees. More than 50 family and friends joined the graduates in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union to share in this special day.

While the guests were enjoying a light luncheon, Dr. Kaye Woodward, Director of the BGS Program, began the program by first introducing Dr. Will Hine, Dean of the School of Continuing Education, who welcomed the guests and talked briefly about the importance of adult learners to Eastern Illinois University. After introducing the BGS Program staff, Audrey Bachelder, Kim Redfern, Kamilah Woods, and Lydia Fritts to the group, Dr. Woodward then turned to the graduates and explained that she was going to pass the microphone around to each table and that this would be the time for each graduate to tell their family how important it was to have them share in this special day and to tell a bit of their story. Family members were encouraged to take the opportunity to tell their graduate what it meant to them to be a part of this momentous occasion.

As can be imagined, the stories told and the sentiments expressed brought both laughter and tears as the microphone passed from one hand to another.

Raphael Canas, a graduate who was there with his wife, children and some friends, gave a warm and heartfelt testimony. “I have to thank the General Studies program staff. They were instrumental in pushing me to finish. It has been a long time coming and I appreciate their patience with me.”

Arte Berns, who has been accepted into law school at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, thanked his father and his wife for standing by him and being so supportive while he worked to complete his degree.

Sandra Henderson, accompanied by her husband John, daughter Charlie, parents and other relatives, talked about what it meant to have her dream of completing a degree finally come true and how thankful she was to have her family with her on graduation day. Sandra surprised her family by announcing that she was graduating with University Honors.

As the graduates donned their EIU blue commencement gowns, and placed their mortarboard hats on their heads, more than one person had to wipe a tear of great pride from their eye.

Photo: BGS graduates prepare for commencement

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Pat Hufmeyer retires from School of Continuing Education

Pat Hufmeyer retired from the School of Continuing Education on May 28 after 24 years of service.

Pat worked at the EIU Center at Parkland College in Champaign where she coordinated the offerings of EIU bachelor’s degree programs and master’s degree programs. She also worked with Danville Area Community College, Richland Community College, Vermillion County Regional Office of Education and Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education facilitating, recruiting and working as a liaison for EIU.

Congratulations on your retirement Pat!

Photo: Dean William Hine, Pat Hufmeyer, Pamela Collins and Provost Blair Lord congratulating Pat Hufmeyer for receiving the Dean’s Award for Service

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New Staff Members join the School of Continuing Education

Kamilah Woods

Kamilah (Kam) Woods joined the School of Continuing Education staff in January 2010. Kam is an Academic Advisor and will work with Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BGS) students to provide guidance in course selection and career goals. Welcome, Kam!

Cheryl Clapp

Cheryl Clapp joined the School of Continuing Education staff on April 1, 2010. Cheryl will be providing student technology support for students. She has worked at EIU for 11 years. Welcome Cheryl!

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We want to hear from you!

We are always interested in knowing how our students are progressing. If you have program ideas, issues or any other feedback, let us know.

We would also like to hear from you regarding your professional activities and any other news you would like to share. To give us an update, send an email to bcraig@eiu.edu.

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