Who are Eureka College Alumni?
Eureka College Alumni are an elite group whose lineage includes abolitionists, suffragists, educators, clergy, creatives, social science and business leaders, doctors, scientists and public servants: all men and women of character. Good mothers, Good fathers, Good citizens that cover the globe. Although small in number with only 7600 living members, the Eureka College footprint is large and has reached all the way to the highest elected office, as experienced by our own Ronald W, Reagan, class of 1932 and 40th President of the United States of America,
Where are Eureka College Alumni?
Eureka Alumni can be found in all 50 states and throughout the world.
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A Note From Your Alumni Director.....
March 31, 2020
Here we are...starting week 3 of Operation "Stay at Home."
My first inkling that the Coronavirus was actually going to touch my life was a few weeks ago when I started receiving some email communication from alumni who have been diligently planning the 50th reunion of the class of 1970. The discussion and planning for this began 18 months ago and these classmates, who have celebrated every decade since graduation were the first to make the wise decision to "Postpone." At the time, I thought it was a cautious move but I fully supported it considering the age of this group, distance many would travel and the cost incurred should the planning proceed.
Everything became very real on March 15 when I received word from my sales rep that Major League Baseball had canceled Spring Training the day before our gatherings were to take place. (I had flown to Arizona the day before with colleagues to host 30+ alumni for a two-game weekend of sunshine and baseball in the Arizona desert.) After the announcement, I frankly couldn't get home fast enough. The next week, POSTPONED or CANCELLED became the order of the day for everyone.
Now a few weeks later I am working from home (along with everyone else who isn't serving in an essential role area of healthcare, public services, etc...) adjusting to a new normal while dealing with the underlying stress of the unknown. Social media has been so good at capturing what so many of us are experiencing. I cannot resist posting a few of my favorites below.
   As I close this month's "Note from Home," I want you to know that the Alumni/Development Office is here for you. We truly care about you, our alumni and friends and are looking for ways to connect with you during this time. Our events may look different for a while and although our interactions with you may not be in-person, we remain committed to keeping you all engaged as we all get through this challenging time. I am also so thankful for our alumni and friends who are on the front line helping to care for the sick and keep the healthy safe. We are all in this together and we need each other.
I would be remiss if I didn't share with you that the news of our fellow Illinois institution and SLIAC conference member, MacMurray College hit me like a "ton of bricks." I cannot imagine how their alumni are feeling as the news that their alma mater is closing soaks in. As President Wright recently shared with the campus community, "While Eureka College shares a lot in common with MacMurray College, we continue to be financially stable and in a position to explore growth opportunities that will lead us into a bright and prosperous future." Still, it reminds me to NEVER take for granted our beloved Eureka College. It will always need our financial support to ensure it endures for the next generation. It is our duty to keep it thriving for decades to come.
As alumni, let us never forget how Eureka College has blessed us in so many ways. And those blessings are being passed on to the next generation. What a privilege to be a part of such a great legacy.
Yours 'Neath the Elms,
Shellie Schwanke '87
Director of Alumni Relations and the Ronald W. Reagan Society
Special Assistant to the President
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Eureka Adjusts to the Coronavirus Pandemic with Caution and Planning
 Online Learning Continues for the Remainder of the Spring Semester
In order to maintain a safe campus environment as we respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Eureka College classes will continue being offered online or through alternative delivery methods for the remainder of the semester. Also, students will remain off campus for the rest of the semester, as well. We believe that these decisions are in the best interest of the health, safety and well-being of the entire campus community and the general public, overall.
Commencement Moved to Opening Week of the 2020/21 Academic Year
With graduation season just around the corner, many members of the campus community have asked how the pandemic is going to affect Eureka College's commencement. We are pleased to inform you that our storied tradition of honoring our graduates 'Neath the Elms has not been canceled for the class of 2020; however, senior activities, including senior dinner and commencement, will be postponed until Friday, August 14 & Saturday, August 15.
Alumni Weekend Events Rescheduled for Homecoming 2020
The Alumni Office is regrouping and working to move some key Alumni Weekend events to the Homecoming schedule. We will keep you posted as plans firm up for such events as the Alumni Award Recognition ceremony, Golden E 50th Reunion Ceremony and BAA Meet and Greet are solidified. In the meantime, be sure to have October 23 and 24, 2020 marked on your calendar. It will be a Homecoming you won't want to miss!
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A Philanthropic Opportunity for our Caterpillar Alumni Employees and Retirees
 The Caterpillar Foundation has made the announcement that they will provide a 2:1 match for employee and retiree gifts made March 16 through May 1, 2020. The gift minimum to qualify is $20 and each participant has an overall cap of $25,000 which is exempt from the standard $2,000 annual cap.
The Caterpillar Foundation will match up to $1 million total for gifts made during this time frame. Once $1 million in match requests has been submitted, the 2:1 match will close and revert back to the standard 1:1 match with $2,000 annual cap per participant.
We understand especially at this time, there are many worthy causes to support. However, we ask that you remember Eureka College, where personal success began for so many.
The generosity of Caterpillar Foundation has made a difference at Eureka College. We are exceedingly appreciative of this support. Their generosity at this particular time will make a difference. Please give to Eureka College so your gift will be matched.
Request a Matching Gift Form HERE
Make a Donation HERE
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 Cancelled: Springfield Area Alumni Gathering
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Dr. Logsdon's "Stories Beneath the Elms" Continue...
Dr. Loren Logsdon, Professor Emeritus of English, AKA Gort Rumson, Maroon and Gold's roving reporter, has captured the spirit of Eureka College history in a special project he fondly calls the "Studs Terkel Project." If you have a story that speaks to the "Spirit of Eureka," contact Dr. Logsdon at fldhand@mtco.com
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 UPDATE: Alumni Directory Project is Going StrongYou can also check our FAQ's HERE Thank you to all our alumni who are responding and are invested in this project. We have received a lot of responses from you in the form of directory purchases, additional donations, as well as calls to our office with feedback on the process used for creating and selling a directory.
Please remember that when you call in to update your information, your call will be answered by a call center on our behalf. The Alumni/Development office is working with PCI, a company that specializes in these projects for many academic alumni associations. This is the first step in verifying and updating what information we have in the database. Should you choose to participate you agree that your information can appear in the directory. If you choose NOT to respond or participate, your information will NOT appear in the directory. We announced this initiative in the last few issues of the Maroon and Gold E-newsletter, but we know it can be very easily overlooked in the flood of emails that alumni receive every day.
To date, your responses have secured the following number of updated verified data for our office:
Why is this important? We are proud of our alumni! Staying connected and up to date is what the Alumni Office strives for! Thank you for making sure this happens by participating in this project. Questions? Check out our FAQ's at https://www.eureka.edu/alumni/welcome.
Or, contact the Alumni Office at 877-892-7823 or email at alumni@eureka.edu. We always enjoy hearing from you!
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Join us for an all-campus virtual EC Gathering with guest host Jason LeVasseur!
 Eureka College is staying connected with our students during this time of "shelter in place" for Illinois residents. If you want something to do, join the Lunch & Learn Series on Thursdays. Join students, faculty and staff as we all learn together to maneveur through this unprecedented time.
Thursday, April 23, 12:20 - 1pm Inspiration for finding hope and possibilities through adversity! Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/299022333 Meeting ID: 299 022 333 Hosted by Eureka College Office of Student Life
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Making a Difference: Alumni Trustee Pat and Laury Patwardhan
 "Being a Eureka graduate, I always wanted to pay it forward for the opportunities Eureka College offered me. Getting a scholarship to come to Eureka College from India was a dream come true. Everything I have achieved in my life started at Eureka College. My wife Laury and I learned to support my college by offering them scholarships to incoming students hoping they will open their lives to reaching their dreams and goals. We wanted to express our gratitude for people who shaped our lives. I wanted to dedicate the first scholarship to my American parents; Frank Leon and Elois Meshberger who made it possible for me to come and stay with them and become a member of their family. Their son Lynn met me in India as a member of the first American Field Service exchange student group. The second scholarship is being dedicated to my wife Laury's mother; Caryl Taylor who was an innovative teacher before her time and a Trustee for 12 years for the Village of Bartlett, Illinois. We strongly believe that a liberal arts education can provide better career opportunities, a stepping stone to become a lifelong learner, and a better quality of life.
I am honored to be a trustee on the Board of Eureka College and besides attending meetings and providing ideas, I touch our students and help them by 1:1 coaching sessions and encourage them to Dream Big to achieve their goals. My wife Laury was recently announced an Honorary Alumni of Eureka College and dedicates herself by offering creative ideas to students and staff and spreading positivity to all she meets. If you can dream it, you can achieve it." Pat Patwardhan '75
If you have a story you would like to be considered for publication, please submit the story (written by YOU) along with an accompanying electronic photo to alumni@eureka.edu. Due to our small staff we will only consider publishing completed stories submitted by our campus community. We reserve the right to edit and publish at our discretion.
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 The Department of Alumni Relations and
The Ronald W. Reagan Society of Eureka College present
Contact Shellie Schwanke, Director of Alumni Relations and the Ronald W. Reagan Society for more details at schwanke@eureka.edu.
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Get the Eureka College Connect App
Experience Eureka! The Eureka College app is designed for students, alumni and friends of Eureka College to stay engaged with the campus community! Keep up to date on the latest campus news, or find an alumni event to attend near you. You can subscribe to the alumni calendar, academic calendar and student engagement calendars, use Geo Awareness to "check-in" at locations upon arrival and utilize push notifications for campus- and community-wide communications. Go to the App store and download Eureka College Connect today!
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Welcome
Maroon & Gold
2020 Awards and Retirees
2020 Alumni Award Recipients
Alumni Award of Merit
Don Pioletti ‘70
Outstanding Achievement Award
Debra Davis Moody ‘75
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Reggie Sey ‘13
Alumni Board President’s Award for Service
Mike Girton and Jody Slingsby
Honorary Alumni
Richard Renner and Laury Patwardhan
2020 Faculty and Staff Retirees
Eldrick Smith
Professor/Coach Karen Sweitzer
Professor Kathy Whitson
Upcoming Events
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Click here to view the Alumni Calendar
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Eureka College is proceeding with extreme caution and taking action to protect the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and campus community. All on- and off-campus activities and events, including athletics, are suspended through April 13.
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POSTPONED - Alumni Weekend April 17-18, 2020
Big Things are being planned for Alumni Weekend this Spring! Here is a sampling of a few events you won't want to miss! Look for a complete schedule in next Month's Maroon and Gold!
April 17: Career Launch Networking Reception
April 17: Eureka College DAY OF GIVING
April 18: Run with Reagan, Class of 1970 50 year Golden E Reception, Black Alumni Association Spring Meet and Greet, Wisdom to Live By Luncheon, Memorial Service, Campus Tour, Alumni Awards Celebration Reception
April 19: Delta Delta Pi 110 Anniversary Celebration
April 19: Phi Omega Sorority Celebration
SAVE THE DATE
The 2020 Eureka College Golf Outing is officially set for Friday, June 26! Please save the date and join us as we return to WeaverRidge Golf Club in Peoria for our annual summer event for the third consecutive year.
More details, including a registration link and information regarding sponsorships, will be available soon. We look forward to seeing you this summer and we always appreciate your generosity in supporting the Red Devils.
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The Department of Alumni Relations and The Ronald W. Reagan Society of Eureka College presents Magnificent Cities of Central & Eastern Europe March 14-27, 2021 14 Days 18 Meals $4399 Air Inclusive A blend of world history and fairy-tale charm comes to life in the culturally rich cities of Central & Eastern Europe. Enjoy 2-night stays, guided tours and local restaurants in Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, and Warsaw. Make the most of your adventure with a perfect balance of included sightseeing excursions and leisure time. Choose your tour in Berlin - a traditional city tour or a Cold War focused tour featuring "Check Point Charlie." Walk across the spectacular Charles Bridge in Prague and dine at a traditional restaurant that features a folklore show and dance lesson. View the lavish Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. Discover the picturesque Hungarian countryside. Embark on a poignant journey through history at Auschwitz and conclude in Warsaw, a city with history both joyous and tragic. Explore some of Europe's most magnificent and legendary cities. Contact Shellie Schwanke, Director of Alumni Relations and the Ronald W. Reagan Society for more details at schwanke@eureka.edu.
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Homecoming
Homecoming Weekend 2020 is October 23-24
MORE TO COME!
2019 Commencement
In May 2019, more than 100 students earned their degrees and joined the ranks of nearly 8,500 EC alumni as part of the 158th Commencement.
