NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office Edition: July 24, 2009

Philanthropy Office Hours Romo to return to EIU for Homecoming/Hall of Fame Monday—Thursday Why cram Hall of Fame day and Homecoming into the same Oct. 17 7:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m. Eastern football game? Because that’s when Tony Romo can Friday come, that’s why. End of discussion. 7:30a.m.—noon The assumption was that family or friends would have to represent Contact Information Romo when he was to be inducted into the EIU Hall of Fame that had Jacqueline S. Joines, CFRE been scheduled for Nov. 14 because EIU’s most famous athletics alum Director of Philanthropy would be busy that weekend as the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. The Lumpkin College of fact that the Cowboys have a bye week when Eastern is to play host to Business Tennessee Tech for Homecoming changed all that. Instead of playing & Applied Sciences golf with Tiger Woods as Romo did last week, Romo has agreed to 600 Lincoln Avenue return to EIU’s campus and be part of the Hall of Fame induction Charleston, Illinois 61920 ceremonies now switched to Oct. 17.

Email: [email protected] Phone: 217.581.7969 “We got very lucky,” John Smith, EIU’s associate athletic director, said. “I approached him about it as soon as the schedule came out. In fact (Athletic Director) Barbara Burke pointed out that the Cowboys were open and asked if we could get him to come. It really didn’t take too long for him to decide.” Old Main National Historic Site An itinerary is still in the makings with hopes to give some the chance to see Romo, who quarterbacked EIU teams to three straight playoff berths when being named Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2000, 01 and 02 and then was named the NCAA Division I-AA Walter Payton Award winner as a senior.

Of course, the Cowboys could alter the plans for Romo and Eastern. “A lot of that will be predicated around what their practice schedule is,” Smith said. “Hopefully, they will be undefeated and everyone will be excited.” For now, all is good with plans for the two-time Pro Bowler to be in Charleston.

“We are very excited to announce that Tony Romo has accepted our invitation to attend this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies,” Burke said. “I would like to thank EIU Vice President Dr. Jill Nilsen and alumni director Steve Rich for working with the athletic department on changing the date for the Hall of Fame induction. I would also like to thank Associate Athletic Director John Smith for his part in helping to secure Tony’s commitment to attend the event. We look forward to inducting a great class this year into our Hall of Fame and look forward to an exciting day of football at O’Brien Field.”

Make Great Things Additional inductees this year are former standout Henry Domercant, standout and current EIU assistant coach Sean Lyons, former NAIA wrestling champion Don Neece and Happen! longtime friend of athletics Ed Corley. The five are to be honored at the Hall of Fame luncheon Make a Gift Online! on the Oct. 17 morning before the football game following the Homecoming parade. Ticket

Make a gift to your favorite information for the Hall of Fame Luncheon is to be released at a later date. area at EIU online. Story by Brian Nielsen, JG-TC. Log on to https:// www.give2eiu.eiu.edu/ index.html. It’s convenient, secure, and confidential.

NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office

President to honor SUNY Plattsburgh prof A SUNY Plattsburgh professor is the recipient of a prestigious teaching award from President Barack Obama. Obama awarded Nancy Elwess the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. Elwess will be honored at a White House reception this fall. She is one of a handful of college faculty from across the country to receive this award. Connect with the Alumni Association online The award is designed to recognize the role that mentoring plays in the Now you can find us on Nancy Elwess, center, works with academic and personal development of students studying science or engineering and who belong to minorities that are underrepresented in Facebook and LinkedIn — two SUNY Plattsburgh students. (Photo those fields. "By offering their time, encouragement and expertise to of the most popular social by Rose McNulty) networking sites among EIU these students, mentors help ensure that the next generation of scientists graduates. Join today to and engineers will better reflect the diversity of the ," the White House said in a prepared instantly begin to receive statement. updates on the university and "During her time at SUNY Plattsburgh, Elwess has developed a reputation for her advanced work with invitations to alumni events, undergraduate students as she helps them conduct DNA research," said SUNY Plattsburgh President John reconnect with lost classmates, Ettling. "Nearly 100 of her students have given presentations at national and international conferences, and network professionally and many have brought home top honors. Scientists and faculty from other institutions are amazed at the much more. high-level, quality work these undergraduates are doing." LinkedIn: A social networking platform dedicated to helping Before coming to SUNY Plattsburgh, Elwess served as a senior research fellow in the Department of working professionals expand Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Prior to that, she was a junior their online business networks. high science teacher in Lansing, Ill. She has been the recipient of many awards including the 2008-2009 Facebook: A fun social utility Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award by the Society for College Science Teachers, the with an emphasis on your National Association of Biology Teachers' National College Research/Teaching Award, a State University personal life. of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and alumni achievement awards from both Also, you can keep up with Purdue and the University of Vermont. She was also named to Who's Who Among American Teachers and tidbits of EIU news via Twitter, Educators in 2007. where members post updates containing no more than 140 Elwess also serves as a consultant to the National Science Foundation on Minority Post Doctoral Grants to characters. Follow us and keep the Biological Sciences, is a member of the board of directors of alumni associations at the Mayo Clinic and up with campus happenings. Eastern Illinois University, and is once again training for the Ironman in Lake Placid. She has a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Vermont; a master's in molecular biology from Purdue University and a master's in science education from Governors State University, as well as bachelor's from Eastern Illinois University.

"I don't want to deny any student an opportunity, and I try my hardest to find funding for them to have an opportunity, whether it's for travel or for a meaningful research project - one that clearly has never been done before," Elwess said. In offering this award, President Obama stressed the importance of their work. "There is no higher calling than furthering the educational advancement of our nation's young people and encouraging and inspiring our next generation of leaders," Obama said. "These awards represent a heartfelt salute of appreciation to a remarkable group of individuals who have devoted their lives and careers to helping others and in doing so have helped us all." "Our faculty are here because they love to teach, and Dr. Elwess is certainly one of my best," said Dr. Kathy Lavoie, the college's dean of arts and sciences, who nominated Elwess for the award. "She is creative and energetic, and has really launched many of our graduates into careers as teachers, physicians, and researchers. She models enthusiasm and an active style of teaching that we want to see our students use, whether they are formal classroom teachers or informal teachers of their own children. Science is fun, and that is sometimes lost in all the jargon and details unless you have an exceptional teacher like Nancy Elwess." For the full story go here.

NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office

MAP grant may be cut Many college students across the state may be forced to find other sources of aid to help pay for their tuition if the state legislature cuts the budget for the Monetary Assistance Program awards. On an average year, the MAP Grant allocates about $400 million dollars in aid to students across the state who are enrolled in college courses. The grant is given on a need-only basis to students who are taking three to fifteen credit hours, said Jennifer Stout, clerk secretary for the financial aid office. "Last year, I believe we had approximately 4,000 students who received MAP Grant money," Stout said. "We probably are to expect that same number next year, although they have put the grant up in suspense earlier than the years past, so there may not have been as many students apply for this money." The state legislature may have the fate of a few of the 4,000 Eastern students in their hands. Budget cuts may affect the grant, with the new budget up for discussion. "I know a lot of students rely on the MAP Grant for their funding for their schooling, but there are a lot of other sources of aid out there that they can apply for," Stout said. "We are hoping this possible cut won't affect their decision to apply or go to school, but it could affect some students from attending college." NEW - Check The cut looking to be made with the MAP Grant would be approximately half of what was given this past year. Governor Pat Quinn vetoed the "50 Percent" Budget on July 1 and both chambers out our video returned Monday to work on the "Tough Choices" Budget proposed by Quinn. With the "50 clips Percent" budget, in District 110 of the Illinois State House of Representatives, which includes Charleston and the surrounding area, there are 1,340 students who received the MAP Grant who call the district home. This resulted in about $3.7 million awarded to the ones who applied and the average applicant receiving $2,515. With this possible cut in the MAP Grant, $1.2 million will be Business Students awarded to the district with each student receiving $943. This may or may not change with the work ahead for both chambers in Springfield, but the decrease in this specific grant is still on the Receive Awards here table, with $250 million still on the chopping block for grants. Despite this possible decrease in the grant, many students who rely on the grant are not aware of Executive in this cut at all. Out of 25 students on campus this summer, 20 of them receive financial aid, including the MAP Grant, but not one of them is aware of how much money they receive or even Residence here the possibility of the cut is on the table. None of them were able to comment. Story by Ayleigh Zyskowski (Note — if you are interested making a gift to an existing scholarship OR would like information on creat- ing an endowed scholarship, please contact Jacqueline Joines, CFRE, at [email protected] or by calling 217-581-7969. You can make a difference in the life of a student with your support!)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Academic Adviser -- BA in General Studies Degree Program, School of Continuing Education

BUSINESS/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE -- PAYROLL EIU is seeking a highly organized professional to supervise an office responsible for the payroll of more than 4,500 staff and student employees. Required qualifications for this position include a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management or a field related to the position, and two years of professional level accounting, managerial and/or business experience (one year of which was at an administrative level). The competitive candidate should be someone who promotes a team environment, can effectively schedule and distribute workload, can lead and motivate and who supports a “customer first” setting. To apply, send letter of application, transcript and resume by July 31, 2009, to the Human Resources -- Employment office or by e -mail to [email protected]. Eligible candidates will be required to complete a formal application and take a civil service examination.

NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office ITS to reorganize positions Dr. William Weber's goal is to make sure Eastern is a comprehensive university, especially with integrating technological advances. Weber, who became the new vice president for business af- fairs on July 1, has spent his first week speaking with Information Technology Services (ITS), President Perry and individuals conducting an analysis of ITS to make it the most up-to-date it can be. ITS will be restructured to make way for new technologies and the skills needed to use them. "Information technology is rapidly changing," said Weber. "(We are) taking a complete look at the organizational structure of ITS."

The plan was in the research and analysis phase before Weber came to Eastern, and he is now in charge of approving the recommendations of Mihir "Chat" Chatterji, the assistant vice president of ITS, and Paul McCann, the treasurer and director of business services, who are conducting the analysis. Once Weber approves the plan, he will present it to President Perry for the final ap- proval. Weber met with the ITS staff on Monday to explain the plan. He said the summarization took approximately 10 minutes, after which he took questions for another 30 minutes.

Weber said that the restructuring would trim positions that are no longer needed, like mainframe support, and create new positions in developing areas, such as web development. Those who are in eliminated positions will be able to apply for newly created ones, and will be trained to use the new technologies. "Anyone in an eliminated position is welcome to compete for any new posi- tions created," said Weber. Weber also said that civil service rules allow "bumping," or allowing people with seniority to move to a position they have previously served in. Those who qualify could possibly obtain a position outside of ITS.

Currently, there is not a specific target number of how many positions will be eliminated or how Enews Sources the budget will affect these eliminations or the creation of new jobs. Weber said that the current state of the Illinois budget would impact what plan goes forward, but that it is not a variable in the The Enews is a publica- current analysis. tion of the Lumpkin College of Business & "President Perry has ambitious goals for the university, to be the best at integrating personal and academic activity of students," said Weber. "The university can't be excellent without excellent Applied Sciences support services." Philanthropy Office. Much of the text is The analysis should be complete by the end of this month, and Weber said that he hopes to have a obtained from the plan to announce in early August. Weber said it would take a few months for the plan to be im- plemented. University Newsletter, Media Relations, and The reorganization will affect all areas of campus, especially the Center for Academic Technol- the Alumni Newsletter. ogy Support (CATS) and Booth Library, who both work closely with ITS. "The CATS staff works closely with the ITS staff on many technology-related projects that relate to campus-wide applica- Other sources for tions-eg., WebCT, Elluminate, wireless network, etc.," said Dr. Michael Hoadley, the assistant campus news include vice president for academic affairs for technology. Panther Athletics, The CATS provide service to the campus in support of academic technology in classrooms, computer Daily Eastern News, labs and other activities. and the Charleston Times-Courier. "Reorganizations like this are never easy," said Weber. "But are an essential part of the goals President Perry established for us."

Story by Sarah Jean Bresnahan

NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office DOUDNA FINE ARTS

August 16 through May 2010: EIU campus, 7th Street, Summer Residency Program Sculpture Exhibition. This two-year outdoor sculpture competitive residency/exhibition for regional graduate/ post-graduate students features works by Matt Searle, Cary Netherton, Luke Greco, and Luke Achterberg.

Youth and School Arts Programs - the Doudna Fine Arts Center and the departments of Art, Music, and Theatre Arts offer a variety of programs for area youth and area schools. For more information please contact the Doudna Fine Arts Center at 217-581-8500 or [email protected].

EVENTS CALENDAR

JULY

Please support our 29 Panthers on the Road, Charleston’s Bar & Grill, New Lenox, IL Alumni Authors and Friends! AUGUST 14 Panther Golf Outing: The Athletic Director’s Cup; Mattoon, IL *21st Century Wealth by 15 Oakland A’s vs. , Oakland, CA Jeffrey G. Scott ‘68 20 Annual move in day BBQ. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet your fellow alumni and *Wellness: Piece by for your student to meet other new and returning legacy students! Admission is free for Piece by alumni, legacy students, family and guests. Lunch courtesy of the EIU Alumni Associa- Pat Sullivan ‘75 tion, Alumni Services Office, Brainard House, 1548 4th Street, Charleston, IL. Please *Country Music for RSVP by Tuesday, August 18 by calling 1-800-ALUM-EIU or e-mail [email protected] Laughin’, Lovin’ & Livin’ It Up SEPTEMBER *More Country Music for Continuing Education Alumni Picnic; Champaign, IL Laughin’, Lovin’ & Livin’ OCTOBER It Up 2-4 Family Weekend 2009 *Momma Used to Say 16-18 Homecoming; Panther Marching Band and Pink Panthers Reunion *Management Up, 19 IPA Conference reception, Peoria, IL Down, & Inside Out 30 Black Student Reunion reception, Chicago, IL By Gene Newport ‘ 57 *Boomtown, USA by Go to http://www.eiu.edu/~alumni/events.html for details on all of the events. Jack Schultz, Former President — EIU Foundation ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT - Ongoing Exhibits

♦ Through Aug. 2, 2008-2009 Cultivating Creativity: Consolidated Communications Chil- dren's Art Exhibit. (Contact the Tarble Arts Center for the complete tour itinerary.) Go to http://www.eiu.edu/~tarble/exhibitions.php for details on the above exhibitions. Pemberton Hall ♦ Through Aug. 20 “Looking at Lincoln” Exhibition. Tarble Arts Center. National Historic Site

BOOTH LIBRARY EXHIBITS

Burl Ives Centennial: 1909-2009 A student at Eastern in the 1920s, Burl Ives went on to become a celebrated singer, an award-winning film actor, a TV personality, a voice in children's films and an author. In honor of his long and distinguished career, Booth Library is hosting an exhibit this summer of images and artifacts pertaining to Burl Ives' life and career. The exhibit is on display in the North Lobby and the Marvin Foyer through August 2009.

An American in Genoa Student/photographer Lizzy Morse took exquisite photographs on her travels to the vibrant city of Genoa, Italy, with "Italy: The Good Life," an EIU summer faculty-led study abroad program that is hosted by the philosophy department. Her pictures are currently on display in the Marvin Foyer of Booth Library in an exhibit titled "An American in Genoa." These striking photos celebrate EIU's connection to the lovely European city of Genoa, Italy.

NeWS A publication of the Lumpkin College of Business & Applied Sciences Philanthropy Office WEIU-TV Garden Walk: 3pm, Sunday, Aug. 9

Larry Shobe, Eastern Illinois University grounds gardener, welcomes everyone to WEIU’s first garden walk at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. We will gather outside the offices of WEIU in the Buzzard Hall Atrium. (Parking will be available just off Ninth Street between Arthur and Cleveland Avenue in Charleston.) The tour will include many of the beds in the upper campus behind Old Main.

The grounds on the campus of Eastern Illinois University are beautifully landscaped and are enjoyed by students, faculty, staff and visitors. Gardening at Eastern has been a tradition since the campus was started in 1895. Shobe will share some history of the campus gardens, as well as his 2009 DATES TO own green thumb tips. Lori Casey and Kate Pleasant of "Heartland Highways" will also be touring the gardens. Casey has a fond appreciation of gardens and has started her own collection of plants REMEMBER with Shobe's help at her home in Mattoon.

After the walk, cookies and lemonade will be served in the Buzzard Hall Atrium. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 on the day of the event. Tickets are available at the WEIU Office, 1521 Buzzard FAMILY WEEKEND Hall, or contact Jana Johnson, membership manager, at 217-581-5956. OCTOBER 2-4

HOMECOMING OCTOBER 16-18 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

EIU PROFESSORS TEACH AT HARLAXTON COLLEGE, ENGLAND

Les Hyder, Chris Hanlon and Francine McGregor have been selected to teach at Harlaxton College as guest professors in Spring 2011. Ruth Hoberman was selected for Spring 2010. 2010 DATES TO Dagni Bredesen and Newton Key recently returned from teaching in Spring 2009. REMEMBER Other EIU faculty who have served as guest professors include: Richard Sylvia and Randall Beebe. The Eastern Illinois University/Harlaxton College partnership began in Spring 2007. More information about this partnership can be found here. Guest professors are selected one-and-a-half to two years in advance of the term. It is expected that guest professors will help FAMILY WEEKEND recruit EIU students for the Harlaxton Study Abroad Program before they leave and after they OCTOBER 1-3 return. Harlaxton is able to accommodate couples and some families with children.

School of Technology professors Sam Guccione and Tom McDonald presented a workshop on HOMECOMING Discrete Event Simulation (DES) at the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Na- OCTOBER 22-24 tional Conference in Austin, Texas, on June 14, 2009. The workshop was sponsored by the Indus- trial Engineering Division of ASEE.

Marko Grünhagen, associate professor of marketing, was invited to teach this summer a module in the "Master of Franchising and Networks" degree program at the Université de Rennes 1 in Brittany, France. The program is the only of its kind in France. A class picture can be found here.

Facilities Planning and Management would like to wish Allan Rathe, recycling coordinator, a happy retirement. He retired June 30 following many years of service to the EIU community. Ryan Siegel, campus energy and sustainability coordinator, will be serving in Rathe's place until a new recycling coordinator is hired.

NeWS

SPORTS NEWS

O'Brien Stadium to receive new scoreboard O'Brien Field will have a new look for the Panther's season opener Sept. 3 against Illinois State. A new scoreboard, video board, and audio sound system will be installed at the stadium in time for the 2009 football season, the athletic department has announced. The installation is scheduled to take place in the next few weeks, with the new scoreboard expected to be functional for the Panther's home opener.

The new scoreboard will measure 45-feet wide by 28-feet tall, and will be installed by the Daktronics company of South Dakota. The company has installed video scoreboards at many major college stadiums, including Texas Christian's Amon G. Carter Stadium, Iowa State's Jack Trice Stadium, and Brigham Young's LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The new video board will be used for Eastern football games and men's and women's track meets, as well as the IHSA state track meets. The Eastern track and field teams currently have a video display board installed at Lantz Indoor Field house, where they host home indoor meets. Having a video board at O'Brien Stadium will allow for immediate results to be posted for spectators during meets.

New assistant coach hosts All Skills Volleyball Camp After being hired in May, new volleyball assistant coach Kate Price is hosting the All Skills Volleyball Camp on campus this week. The camp is geared toward girls in grades five through twelve, but also welcomes recent high school graduates and entire teams.

Price was hired by incoming head coach Alan Segal, and given the opportunity to conduct the summer camp. As a player, Price was a member of the 2007 NCAA Champion Penn State team.

The camp runs Monday through Thursday, and is staffed by current Panther volleyball players. The campers are divided into groups by age and skill level, and develop skills in various areas of the game, including passing, setting, hitting, defense, serving, and blocking. In addition to drills, the participants also compete in organized games each day of the camp.

EIU Earns Two OVC Academic Awards 19 student-athletes win OVC Medal of Honor Brainard House BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Two Eastern Illinois Home of the EIU athletic teams were awarded Team Academic Alumni Association Achievement Awards as the Ohio Valley Conference released the 2008-09 winners of the Conference Institutional Achievement Awards, OVC Medal of Honor recipients and Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

The Panthers women’s basketball team and women’s track team were each awarded the OVC Team Academic Achievement Award for their respective sports. The award is handed out based on highest percentage of team members who earned a 3.0 or higher GPA for the academic year. Women’s basketball had 11 of 14 players earn a 3.0 or higher for 78 percent of the team while women’s track had 53 percent earn a 3.0 or higher.

For the full story go here.

NeWS SPORTS NEWS

Baseball: Eastern ballplayers continue to see success With the summer league season in full swing, members of the Eastern baseball team are proving just how good the Panthers were by putting up big numbers with their minor league and collegiate league teams.

Three former Panthers, pitcher Tyler Kehrer, infielder Jordan Kreke, and outfielder Brett Nommensen, began their professional careers in the minors a few weeks ago after being selected by major league teams in the MLB first-year player draft.

Kehrer is a starting pitcher with the Orem Owls (L.A. Angels of Anaheim affiliate) of the Pioneer Join the EIU League. After suffering the first loss of his professional career on June 29, Kehrer bounced back Alumni Association with an impressive outing in his July 4th start at Idaho Falls. In three and 1/3 innings of work, he Are you a graduate of gave up only one run while striking out eight of the 15 batters he faced. Idaho Falls went on to Eastern Illinois Univer- win the game 8-5 after an eighth inning rally, giving Kehrer a no-decision. In his first three starts, sity? See what Alumni Kehrer is 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA. Over 10 2/3 innings, he has struck out 17 and issued only one walk. Services can do for you when you join the Alumni Kreke has hit safely in nine of his last ten games and raised his batting average to .351 while Association. playing for the Danville Braves (Atlanta braves affiliate). He went 3-for-4 with two runs on It’s just $30 for an annual Sunday against the Pulaski Blue Jays, and finished the weekend 5-for-10 at the plate. Kreke, who membership and $45 for was a shortstop with the Panthers, has started 12 games at third base for the Braves, who are 7-6 an annual family mem- and in second place in the Appalachian League East. He is batting .311 with 14 hits, six runs and bership! two RBIs. Benefits range from newsletters to ticket infor- Nommensen has raised his batting average to .265 after going 6-for-14 in his last four games with mation for EIU events and the Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay Rays affiliate). So far this season, Nommensen has hit one double, one home run, drawn three walks and stolen three bases. travel discounts. The Alumni Association also In collegiate summer league play, pitcher Josh Mueller picked up his first win with the Wareham recognizes the profes- Gateman. He struck out eight of the 20 batters he faced, and gave up only one earned run over five sional and volunteer ac- innings. Over 11 innings this summer, Mueller has recorded 14 strikeouts and given up only two complishments of EIU earned runs.

Richie Derbak currently leads the with a .062 ERA and .150 batting average against. He is 4-0 this summer with the , giving up only two earned runs over 29 innings pitched. Derbak is also batting .256 with five extra-base hits and 10 RBIs. Against Springfield on Sunday, Derbak picked up the win after striking out nine and going seven and 2/3 innings without allowing a run.

Story by Jeff Jurinek. Brainard House

Home of the EIU Alumni Association EIU Announces New Football FCS Series Eastern Illinois athletics has announced that it has signed contracts to play a home-and-home se- ries with two different Football Championship Subdivision opponents for the 2010 through 2012 football seasons. The Panthers will face Central Arkansas and Southern Illinois as part of the new series which were added when Indiana State decided not continue their long standing rivalry with EIU following the 2009 season. See here for the full story.

New EIU Goalkeeper Playing Well for PDL Team New Eastern Illinois men’s soccer goalkeeper Sean Molony has been serving as the starter for his Des Moines Menance Premier Development League (PDL) team and has helped lead the squad into first place in the Heartland Division. Molony joined the Panthers in January as a semester transfer from Fort Lewis College in Colorado. He started each of EIU’s spring contests. This fall, he will team with freshman Shailer Thomas to comprise the program’s new-look goalkeeper corps. See here for the full story.

NeWS SPORTS NEWS

Football: Future Panther brings home gold Eastern football recruit Erik Lora, a standout wide receiver from Miami, will arrive on campus this summer with a gold medal from the International Federation of Junior World Championships. Lora, along with 45 other college-bound players from across the nation, was invited to compete for Team USA in the inaugural junior world championships, a tournament featuring teams from eight nations made up of players aged 19 and younger.

Team USA won the tournament by defeating top-seeded Canada 41-3 in the gold medal game Sunday before a crowd of 15,475 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Lora caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Petty, a Baylor recruit, with 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter, to extend Team USA's lead to 31-3. He finished the day with four catches for 53 yards. He also returned six punts for 63 yards, including a 17-yard return.

After the conclusion of the gold medal game, the IFAF released its list of All-Tournament players. Lora was named to the All-Tournament defensive second team as a punt returner. Over the course of the tournament, Lora returned a total of 11 punts for 145 yards, an average of 13.2 yards per return.

In their second round game on July 1, Team USA earned a 55-0 victory over Mexico. Although Lora finished the game without a catch, he proved to be a spark on special teams. He returned five punts for 82 yards, including a 37-yard return midway through the second quarter.

Lora finished the tournament with a total of six catches for 75 yards, and one touchdown.

All games of the tournament were held at Fawcett Field at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Teams from eight nations spanning four continents competed in the event, which was the first-ever international tournament for high-school aged players.

Canada, who offensively was the only team in the tournament to get the ball in the red zone against Team USA, was awarded the silver medal. Japan won the bronze with a 42-27 victory over Mexico .

Lora is scheduled to make his debut with the Panthers this fall. The 5-foot-10, 166-pound receiver was recruited out of Columbus High School in Miami, where he helped his team to a 10-1 record last season. During his senior year, he made 29 catches for 649 yards and seven touchdowns. He ranked second in Dade County in receiving yards, and was a first-team All-Dade County selec- tion. Lora also served as a punt returner, gaining 160 yards off 11 returns in 2008.

Story by Jeff Jurinek Brainard House Home of the EIU Alumni to Play at Northwestern in 2011 Make it six trips to Big Ten Country in six straight seasons as Eastern Illinois announced that it will play at Northwestern University in 2011 giving the Panthers a game against a fifth opponent from the one of the nation's best football conferences. Go here for the full story.

Panthers on the Road in Effingham Eastern Illinois University’s Department of Athletics and Alumni Association are excited to an- nounce that “Panthers on the Road” will visit Effingham Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Rose- bud Theatre. Go here for the full story.

NeWS SPORTS NEWS

Baseball: Derbak named All-Star MVP Eastern pitcher Richie Derbak was named MVP of the inaugural Prospect League All-Star game on July 15 after coming off the bench in the bottom of the eighth to deliver a two-run single that put the West Division All-Stars ahead.

Before a crowd of 3,106 at Lanphier Park in Springfield, Derbak came into the game with his West All-Stars trailing 4-3. His base hit scored Josh Parr and Dave Reynolds, both with the , and put the West Division up 5-4. The West All-Stars went on the win the game 7-4.

Derbak, who was representing the Quincy Gems, was selected to the All-Star game as a pitcher. This summer, he has gone 4-0 with a save. McAfee Gym West All-Star manager Chris Martin, who played for the Panthers from 1998-2001 and also National Historic Site manages the Quincy Gems, chose not to utilize Derbak on the mound because Derbak threw too many pitches in a regular season game on July 13. However, Martin told Derbak he would get him in the game; with the West-All Stars down one with two men on in the eighth, Derbak got his chance and delivered.

The game was extended to 10 innings so that more players could get on the field. Derbak picked up his third RBI of the night in the bottom of the tenth, scoring Parr on a sacrifice fly.

With the Gems this season, Derbak leads the Prospect League with 54 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched. Over his 10 outings this summer, he has given up only four earned runs and ranks second in the league with a 0.88 ERA, while also limiting opponents to a .166 batting average against him.

Story by Jeff Jurinek

2009 Football Media Guide Now Online The 2009 Eastern Illinois football media guide is now available online for viewing. The Panthers will open the season at home on Sept. 3 against in-state rival Illinois State in the Prairie State Rivalry Game. Season tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-2106.

VIEW 2009 EIU FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS **Bold denotes a home game

Sport Date Opponent Location Time Nothing at this time

RECENT RESULTS & RECORDS Nothing at this time