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Eastern Illinois University has just launched their long-awaited “EI&U Expect Greatness” Capital Campaign, which embodies the academic vitality, vision, and culture that the University has so richly cultivated over the years. Those of us closely associated with the University, the Foundation or the Alumni Association, already know about Eastern’s ability to help its students “defy expectations.”

It is a privilege to be associated with an institution whose purpose is toeducate and develop the intelligence, character and integrity of our future leaders. The EIU experience is interconnected through a network of faculty and staff dedicated to their success. We have come to know of the superior achievements of our alumni who have achieved greatness in their careers and of our award-winning faculty who advise, mentor, and support our students. But another critical human connection comes from our donors who have the vision, compassion, and generosity to ensure that a stranger receives the gift of an education, that critical resources are available for research and programs, or that academic facilities are adequately equipped to support the learning experience.

Your dedication to Eastern Illinois University may be because you, too, realized your dreams and goals while attending Eastern. EI&U is more than a campaign slogan; we all have EI&U stories to tell. My wife of 36 years Mary (Hartke) and I met and fell in love on campus as undergrads in the early 1970’s. My EIU education helped prepare me for a successful investment career. Today, as EIU Foundation President, I have a great sense of pride that I am following in the footsteps of Errett Warner who in the 1930’s was my father’s High School Principal and basketball coach in my tiny hometown of Allendale. Errett was Foundation President in the 1970's and Errett and Mazie Warner Scholarships are available at Eastern today. What is your EI&U story?

We all recognize that in addition to the freezes and cutbacks in operational expenses, the Illinois budget crisis will continue to hinder the University’s growth for many years to come. However, in this time of economic uncertainty, I’m encouraged by the gifts we continue to receive. More than ever, we need to reach out to others who also had their dreams fulfilled because of Eastern and who now may have the capacity to give back to the University. As we enter the critical phase of this campaign, we continue to rely on your financial support and your ability to reach out to others. Through your efforts, we will continue the Eastern legacy of excellence, which has been so important to generations of its students.
The campaign compels us to join, to imagine, to challenge, to reach, to enrich, to serve, to build, to count and to expect greatness. We can think of no better way to thank you for your generosity to Eastern than to meet your highest expectations for accountability, investment and administration of those funds you have entrusted to us. That is our pledge. On behalf of the Foundation Board of Directors, thank you for your dedication and commitment to Eastern Illinois University. With your continued support, we will Achieve Greatness.

Don Gher, President
Eastern Illinois University Foundation