Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois, in the East Central portion of the state. The University is easily accessible from two major interstates, I-57 and I-70. EIU is also located only a short drive from three major metropolitan areas - Chicago (3 hours), Indianapolis (2 hours) and St. Louis (2 hours).
The University has an enrollment of 12,349 students who come from around the state of Illinois, around
the United States and across the globe. EIU offers 46 undergraduate majors along with master's and specialist's degrees. Eastern Illinois was again rated in the 'top tier' of Midwest public universities by U.S. News & World Report.
Panther intercollegiate athletics have been around almost as long as the University has been in existence. While it may not have been a priority when the campus admitted its first student body in the fall of 1899, football quickly became one of the first extra curricular activities on campus. Three weeks into that opening semester the athletic association was formed, and 45 days after the first doors opened EIU played its initial intercollegiate game.
Since those early days, EIU athletics has expanded to now include 21 intercollegiate sports playing as the NCAA Division I level (FCS for football). EIU is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference for 17 sports with men's soccer playing as an associate member of the Missouri Valley Conference, men's and women's swimming competing as associated members of The Summit League (formerly Mid-Continent Conference) and women's rugby playing as an NCAA Division I independent.
EIU Quick Facts:
Year Founded: 1895
Enrollment: 12,349
Nickname: Panthers
School Colors: Blue & Gray
Location: Charleston, Illinois (21,000)
Affiliation: NCAA Division I
President: Dr. William Perry
Athletic Director: Barbara Burke
Senior Woman Administrator: Mary Wallace
Faculty Athletic Representative: Dr. Gail Richard
Board of Trustees:
Roger Kratochvil - Chair
Dr. Robert Webb
Leo Welch
Bill O'Rourke
Julie Nimmons
Don Yost
Eric Wilber - Student Representative
Link to More Eastern Illinois Information