2023.02.08

Jay Gatrell named president

Eastern announces current provost and vice president of academic affairs to be Eastern’s 13th president

EIU celebrates 13th president announcement

By Madelyn Kidd Editor-in-Chief | @Madelyn__K

Jay Gatrell, the current provost and vice president of academic affairs, was announced on Friday to be the 13th president following University President David Glassman’s retirement on June 30.

Gatrell said he is “really optimistic and excited” to begin his term as Eastern’s president on July 1.

With an attendance at the Official Announcement and Celebration of EIU’s 13th President with a large turnout, hundreds were standing along the sides of the University Ballroom.

“I’m honored, and I’m excited,” Gatrell said. “I think it’s nice to see all the people here in the room; the enthusiasm. I think there’s a lot of positive energy.”

Current University President David Glassman said Gatrell was the perfect candidate for president.

“It’s a historical event,” Glassman said. “I am so pleased that Jay Gatrell is going to be our next president. I worked with Jay, I brought him to Eastern, and I think he’s the perfect candidate to move us to the next level. So I am just thrilled with the choice of the Board of Trustees.”

Anne Flaherty, the vice president of student affairs, said she feels positive about Eastern’s future with Gatrell as president.

“I have had the opportunity to work for Dr. Jay Gatrell, president elect, since I came as VP of student affairs,” Flaherty said. “He’s been a colleague of mine on the president’s council; a very good colleague, someone I trust. I feel very positive about our future. I know he loves EIU and has a vision for the future.”

Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois, EIU-UPI, were at the presidential announcement.

EIU-UPI is the union representing Eastern faculty which are tenured or tenure-track, referred to as Unit A, and annually contracted faculty and academic support professionals, referred to as Unit B.

Jennifer Stringfellow, the president of EIU-UPI and special education associate professor, said she is hesitant but hopeful about what the change in leadership may do for the ongoing 11-month long contract negotiations.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Stringfellow said. “And as the union president, I have worked with him. I have always found him friendly and willing to listen, so I don’t know. I’m hopeful, I’m a little skeptical because I don’t want this to be a continuation of the previous presidency. I think we need some new thinking. I think if we are going to solve these contracts we need some new thinking. And I want perhaps a stronger voice to the board. So the board of trustees also understands that we cannot continue with what we got.”

Lucy Ade, the student body president and member of the Presidential Search Committee, said she is pleased with the work the committee did.

“I think the search committee did its job in finding a new president for the university,” Ade said. “We brought four great candidates to campus. We had a very great pool of over 70 people that we initially looked at, went down to 14 for interviewing. We got four, we got them to campus. And I hopefully believe the Board put into as much input that they got from the EIU community into the search. We had four candidates that had all different versions of what EIU

would look like, and I believe the Board made the best decision for EIU as possible.”

Some Eastern students are looking forward to the future of EIU.

Francis Morales, a senior music major, said they are looking forward to Gatrell’s plans.

“I think it’s great,” Morales said. “I really like his ideas for the future, and I’m really looking forward to the future of EIU.”

Other students have anonymously expressed concerns about Gatrell being the next president.

A criminology student said Eastern spent a lot of money for a nationwide search for a new president just to choose someone already in the community.

““I do not agree with the new president elected. Eastern needs change,” they said. “Change is not found within. We need someone from the outside to bring new ideas and new structure to the university. Someone who better represents the student community and makes an effort to connect with its students. Thousands of dollars were spent on the presidential search, and now a couple thousand more will be

spent to find a new provost. Money that could have been better spent on the campus and to provide better resources for the students.”

Another student is remaining neutral to see what Gatrell does as president before deciding how they feel about the Trustees’ choice for president.

““I feel neutral right now,” a junior elementary education major said. “I hope he holds up Eastern’s diversity and inclusion policies and makes an effort to reinforce those in the campus community.”

A junior English major said that by picking Gatrell, it became a popularity contest.

“I feel as though this was a true popularity contest,” they said. “Jay Gatrell has been with the EIU community for years and seeing the way that he was favored and supported by most of the EIU community already told me what I needed to know. I would have referred to have a fresh face join the EIU community and bring some new ideas and suggestions to the university.”

Eastern has been working on searching for a new president for a year and a half

since Glassman announced his plan to retire at the 2021 State of the University Address on Oct. 6, 2021.

Gatrell obtained his doctorate of philosophy in geography from West Virginia University in 1999.

He previously served as the vice provost at Bellarmine University. Gatrell also spent over 13 years at Indiana State University in multiple positions including graduate dean and associate dean.

Gatrell plans to shift the academic programs at Eastern to be more student focused, including the launch of accelerated graduate programs.

Gatrell is a first-generation student and initiated Eastern’s Student Success Taskforce during his first year at Eastern, which resulted in the creation of the Academic Success Center.

Gatrell also plans Eastern to become a more affordable program. He has worked on fundraising at Eastern, Indiana State University and Bellarmine University.

Madelyn Kidd can be reached at 581-2812 or at DENeic@gmail.com.

PHOTO BY ASHANTI THOMAS | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

University President Glassman and Jay Gatrell talk to each other at the Official Announcement and Celebration of Eastern’s 13th president on Feb. 3 in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Eastern community reacts:

“Wrong decision”

- Eastern staff member

“I feel neutral right now. I hope he holds up Eastern’s diversity and inclusion policies and makes an effort to reinforce those in the campus community.”

- Junior education major

“[I] wish it was someone different. [I’m] worried no real changes will occur”

- Eastern coach

“I think it’s great. I really like his ideas for the future, and I’m really looking forward to the future of EIU.”

- Francis Morales, senior music major

“This has to be the absolute worst decision that the [Board of Trustees] has made. He was the weakest candidate out of all four. He doesn’t truly understand on how a university functions. Further, there is the prospect that the faculty will be going on strike this spring. How will you be able to reconcile this?

…Personally the BOT doesn’t listen to anyone and they only care about themselves. I hope [Governor JB Pritzker] finds new trustees that understands what EIU truly means to the students, faculty, alumni, and the Charleston community. I wish I can have a magic wand and change this decision but unfortunately we are stuck with this grim reality. They should have chosen an outside candidate that will bring new innovative ideas. Hiring someone internally will not always get the job done. Let’s hope the campus doesn’t fall in a disarray and have state funding slashed due to this incompetent administration and BOT.

If anyone from the BOT decides to read this post, you should all be ashamed of yourselves and should all resign effective immediately. If the faculty go on strike, I will be sitting aside on the sidelines because everyone knows what truly went on.”

- Eastern Alum

“I have had the opportunity to work for Dr. Jay Gatrell, president elect, since I came as VP of student affairs. He’s been a colleague of mine on the president’s council; a very good colleague, someone I trust. I feel very positive about our future. I know he loves EIU and has a vision for the future.”

- Anne Flaherty, VP of student affairs

“I feel as though this was a true popularity contest. Jay Gatrell has been with the EIU community for years and seeing the way that he was favored and supported by most of the EIU community already told me what I needed to know. I would have referred to have a fresh face join the EIU community and bring some new ideas and suggestions to the university.”

- Junior English major

“We’re very excited to see Jay Gatrell lead us. He knows the community; he’s done some great things throughout his career. So we’re hopeful for the direction of the future of EIU.”

- Jennifer Buchter, special education assistant professor

“I do not agree with the new president elected. Eastern needs change. Change is not found within. We need someone from the outside to bring new ideas and new structure to the university. Someone who better represents the student community and makes an effort to connect with its students. Thousands of dollars were spent on the presidential search, and now a couple thousand more will be spent to find a new provost. Money that could have been better spent on the campus and to provide better resources for the students.”

- Criminology major

“I’m excited to move forward with someone who is knowledgeable about our institution. I’m really looking forward to negotiating a fair contract for faculty, so that we can have raises that keep up with the cost of living at bare minimum.”

- Cori More, special education assistant professor

“It feels like Eastern really didn’t try to venture out and instead we kept someone who knows EIU, which can be a bad and good thing. EIU seems to be on a decline and we keep using our internal resources. We don’t really venture out and hire people of different backgrounds and instead sit complacent in what is familiar. It would have been nice to see EIU be progressive in their decision for the new President. Hiring someone who knows EIU is good for Eastern and for good familiarity and good for traditions and things we like that makes EIU, EIU. But I would of liked to see someone throw in wrench in that and it could make Eastern a lot better because of that.”

- Junior education major

Look through Eastern’s presidents of the past, future

By Madelyn Kidd, Editor-in-Chief

Samuel M. Inglis 1898

Livingston C. Lord 1899-1933

Livingston Lord was president of Eastern Illinois State Normal School for 34 years and is the longest serving president. Eastern was renamed Eastern Illinois State Teachers College during his term in 1921. Lord died as president in 1933.

Robert G. Buzzard 1933-1956

Robert G. Buzzard was president of Eastern Illinois State Teachers College for 23 years. Eastern was renamed during his term to Eastern Illinois State College in 1947. Buzzard died in 1979. Buzzard Hall was named after the third president of Eastern.

Quincy V. Doudna 1956-1971

Quincy V. Doudna was president of Eastern Illinois State College for 15 years. Eastern was renamed to Eastern Illinois University during his term in 1957. Doudna’s term saw over 30 new buildings developed on campus. Student population boomed from around 2,000 his first year to 8,000 his last. Doudna died in 1987. The Doudna Fine Arts Center was named after Doudna.

Jay Gatrell 2023-?

Jay Gatrell is Eastern’s current provost and vice president of academic affairs since 2017. Gatrell will begin his term as Eastern’s 13th president on July 1. Gatrell is a first generation college student.

Gilbert C. Fite 1971-1976

Gilbert C. Fite was president of Eastern for five years. A significant administrative change was made in his term changing the academic system from a quarter system to a semester system. Fite died in 2010.

Daniel E. Marvin 1977-1983

Daniel E. Marvin was president of Eastern for six years. Marvin set the record for being the youngest president entering his term at 39. Marvin helped reconstruct general education requirements and established an honors program and senior seminar courses. Marvin died in 2008.

Stanley G. Rives 1983-1992

Stanley G. Rives was president for nine years. Rives wanted to have one of the best liberal arts undergraduate institutions, which led to a new general education program. Rives died in 2019.

David L. Jorns 1992-1999 Carol

David L. Jorns was president of Eastern for seven years. Jorns’ strategic plans included reorganizing Eastern from six colleges to four. Jorns led the university through a change of leadership from the Board of Governors to Eastern’s own Board of Trustees.

Louis V. Hencken was president for six years after working at Eastern for 40 years. His term oversaw several stage capital development projects. In Hencken’s final year, enrollment jumped to the highest it has ever been at 12,349 students.

William L. Perry was president for eight years. Throughout his term, Eastern established the Renewable Energy Center, one of the largest university biomass installations nationally. The Center for Clean Energy Research and Education was established at the same time.

David M. Glassman has been president for the last eight years. Glassman had to lead Eastern through the state budget impasse almost immediately after assuming office. After the budget impasse, Glassman then led the campus community through the COVID-19 global pandemic. Glassman’s last day as president will be June 30.

Samuel Inglis was appointed to be president of Eastern Illinois State Normal School in 1898. Inglis died before he could assume office in 1899.

Carol Surles made history by being the first African American president and first female president at Eastern. Surles’ tenure was cut short due to health concerns.

PHOTO BY ASHANTI THOMAS | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Timeline of Eastern’s 15-month long presidential search for 13th president

University President David Glassman announced his plan to retire on June 30, 2023 at the State of the University Address on Oct. 6, 2021.

The Board chose the firm Greenwood/Asher & Associates during the retreat on June 29.

Eastern owes the search firm at minimum $110K.

Eastern also paid for additional expenses by the firm on behalf of the university which included travel, background checks, private investigators, etc.

Eastern also is set to pay for the firm’s additional expenses not to exceed $10,000 without approval from Eastern.

Eastern is also paid the client expenses, which were additional expenses not included in the $110K payment plan.

The Presidential Search Committee met for the first time on Sept. 8. The chair of the committee, Joyce Madigan, and representatives of Greenwood/Asher & Associates described the process and commitment of confidentiality to the committee.

The Board of Trustees approves a purchase ranging from $105K to $125K to pay a firm for the executive search for president candidates on June 25 during the annual Board Retreat.

The Presidential Search Committee met for the second time on Nov. 10.

Initially Greenwood/Asher & Associates presented 50 presidential candidates, which the search committee narrowed down to 16.

David Brennen, a Frost, Brown & Todd professor of law at the Rosenberg College of Law, visited campus for his public interview sessions with faculty, staff, students and the local community on Jan. 12.

The final four presidential candidates were announced as Jay Gatrell, David Brennen, Diana Rogers-Adkinson and Michael “Mike” Godard on Jan. 6.

The Presidential Search Committee met for the last time on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10.

The Presidential Search Committee virtually interviewed the 16 of 50 picked candidates during the two-day period. The committee chose four of the 16 interviewees to visit campus for on-campus interviews.

Meet the search committee: Who are they, what they do

By Ellen Dooley Opinions Editor @DEN_news

In the “announcement and formation” phase of the presidential search, a Presidential Search Committee was formed.

This committee is comprised of multiple areas of Eastern. There are Board of Trustees members, deans and department chairs, student government leaders and different administrative personal from an array of housing to athletics.

The purpose of the presidential search is to oversee the turning over of power. The committee was also key in giving us the four finalists in the search. Through this group of people, the voices of Eastern were represented to give the fairest and most accurate view of campus.

Like stated, the committee consisted of people from around Eastern. Below are listed in groupings of their positional and administration on campus.

There were four trustees on the committee including the Chair of Board Trustees and a Student Trustee. Joyce Madigan is the Chair of the search committee and chair of Board of Trustees. Barb Baurer and Chris Hicks are both trustees with Hicks as vice chair. The Student Trustee on the board is Student Government Executive Vice President Conner Mellott. There were multiple faculty, professors and a dean on the committee. The dean on the committee was Dean Laretta Henderson of the College of Education. Chris Kahler, chair of the art department was present on the committee list and Carol Collins, an assistant professor in the department of educational leadership, was also a part of the committee.

Representation of student voices was done by two prominent figures on campus. One, mentioned before, was Mellott. The second was Student Body President

Lucy Ade. There was representation of both the Staff Senate and Faculty Senate. Tony Craven, brickmason and chair of Staff Senate was included. Todd Bruns, a professor of library services and chair of Faculty Senate, and Jeff Stowell, a professor of psychology and vice-chair of Faculty Senate were present. Nichole Mulvey, an associate of communication disorders and sciences, graduate coordinator, and recorder of Faculty Senate, was the other piece of the Faculty Senate representation.

The committee was also comprised of directors from around campus. Lakshmikara “Raju” Padmaraju, the interim director budget planning and institutional research, was one. Housing was presented by Jody Stone, the senior associate director of housing & Dining. Lastly, Tonya Sawyer, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, was another director on the committee.

The last part of the committee is comprised of people who may not be as familiar to students in the classroom. The last section of members are made up of community, alumni, and legal people.

Included in this group is Jill Nilsen of the EIU Foundation, Margaret Messer of the EIU Annuitant Association, Mary Anne Hanner of the Alumni Association, General Counsel (ex officio) Laura McLaughlin, and finally Mayor of Charleston, IL Brandon Combs.

All of these people listed have had an influence on the choice of finalists which may become our next president. There are three agendas and one minutes page on Eastern’s Presidential Search Committee website. This can be found under the committee notices, minutes and agenda.

Ellen Dooley can be reached at emdooley@eiu.edu or 581-2812.

Michael “Mike” Godard, the provost at the Southeast Missouri State University, visited campus for his public interview sessions with faculty, staff, students and the local community on Jan. 23.

The Board of Trustees hold a special virtual meeting on Jan. 28 for a private executive session to discuss employment matters.

Jay Gatrell, Eastern’s current provost and vice president of academic affairs, visited campus for his public interview sessions with faculty, staff, students and the local community on Jan. 10.

Diana Rogers-Adkinson, the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Bloomsburg University, visited campus for her public interview sessions with faculty, staff, students and the local community on Jan. 17.

The Board of Trustees hold a second special virtual meeting on Jan. 30 for a private executive session to discuss employment matters.

The Board of Trustees hold a third special virtual meeting on Feb. 3 for a private executive session and then to approve the next president’s contract for $320K annual salary with a $32,289 annual house allowance.

The 13th Eastern University President Jay Gatrell was announced at the Official

University President Jay Gatrell begins his term on July 1.

Jay Gatrell, from provost to president

By Ashanti Thomas Assistant Photo Editor | @ashantilaraee

Jay Gatrell, Eastern’s current provost and vice president of academic af

fairs, was announced as the 13th president of Eastern on Feb.

Gatrell was one of four final presidential candidates who visited

within the first four weeks of the spring semester.

The audience applauds when Jay Gatrell is announced at the next president of Eastern Illinois University on Feb. 3.

Jay Gatrell, after being announced the 13th president of Eastern Illinois University, gets interviewed by WEIU in the University Ballroom of Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Friday afternoon on Feb. 3

University President Glassman and Jay Gatrell pose for a picture together after the 13th president announcement Friday afternoon on Feb. 3

The audience applauds when Jay Gatrell is announced as the next president of Eastern Illinois University on Feb. 3

Jeanie Ludlow, professor of English, and member of University Professionals of Illinois, shakes Jay Gatrell’s hand and congratulates him on being the next president of Eastern Illinois University Friday afternoon on Feb. 3.

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3.

Eastern

EDITORIAL

Gatrell for president: Pros and cons

With the announcement of Eastern’s 13th university president, Jay Gatrell, we at The News have had our own interactions and experiences with Gatrell.

These interactions have given us our own thoughts on the type of person Gatrell is and what kind of president he will be.

It is clear from the beginning that Gatrell not only cares, but knows who the faculty, staff and students.

In several experiences by the staff, we at The News have witnessed how involved Gatrell is with our community.

It is with that knowledge we hope he has compassion and understanding for various situations.

Editor-in-Chief Madelyn Kidd has had several interactions with Gatrell and witnessed him converse with faculty and students alike.

“One thing I believe has surprise most of us in the newsroom is Gatrell’s ability to greet us by name in our first interaction, or he immediately recognizes our names from our work at The News,” Kidd said. “In my first interaction with Gatrell, he did not recognize me but the second I introduced myself he knew my name and my news stories I have recently written.”

Kidd has not only experienced this herself, but has witnessed others’ interactions as well.

“Gatrell remembers you,” Kidd said. “Despite having an on-campus population of a couple thousand, if you are actively involved with campus events or organizations- he knows you.”

News Editor Cam’ron Hardy said he hasn’t spent much time outside this semester interacting with Gatrell but has gained a liking for him.

Hardy covered his student interview for his presidency and after talking with him, grew to understand his passion for Eastern. He realized Gatrell has a genuine urge to better the Eastern community.

“When he was chosen to be president, I came late due to being in class, but eventually, I came,” Hardy said. “When he saw me, he knew me by my name surprisingly. After I told him why I was late, he said I did the right thing by going to class. That’s nothing too interesting to say, but it was nice that he had my best interest.”

The two then proceeded with an interview for a story. Hardy said seeing the level of dedication is relieving.

“We have not had that long of an interaction, but I’m glad that Eastern has chosen someone that clearly cares about its students,” Hardy said.

Opinion Editor Ellen Dooley has interacted with Gatrell several times. Outside of The News, Dooley is involved in both Eastern’s Residence Hall Association and the Panther Marching Band and has seen the new president involved in many organizations on campus.

During Neighborhood Week last semester, Gatrell “guest starred” in a scavenger hunt event where participants had to look for him. Gatrell also played with her and the marching band a few times.

Dooley said she really connected with him on a personal level because of his involvement with students.

Editorial Board

“I am hoping President-Elect Gatrell keeps interacting with students in a similar way,” Dooley said. “This shows Gatrell is not afraid to literally stand side by side with students and get to know them on a personal level.”

Photo Editor Rob Le Cates has only interacted with Gatrell a handful of times, but, Le Cates said, Gatrell has been super easy to talk to.

Earlier last month, when Charleston had the snowstorm and classes were not canceled, Le Cates emailed Gatrell asking why classes hadn’t been canceled and what goes into the decision-making process. Two hours later, he had detailed responses to all of his questions.

“Not every administrator responds to my emails as fast as he has. Sometimes, I don’t even get response,” Le Cates said. “But to have someone who isn’t involved in the journalism department and obviously cares about student media as much as I do – it definitely makes me feel seen.”

Dooley said she hopes that Gatrell will focus on Eastern’s staff and faculty, especially those on the University Professionals of Illinois union.

“EIU-UPI has had a long battle with their contracting,” Dooley said. “Although the president doesn’t directly make the contract, I would like to see more influence and urgency to ensure our professors and staff are well-treated and are actually working under a contract.”

From what she’s noticed, UPI representatives just want a livable wage. Dooley hopes Gatrell sees livable wages as a basic human need and gives it the attention it deserves.

Le Cates, meanwhile, hopes Gatrell will develop strategies to promote events where students can start to engage more with the on-campus community.

“While you can’t force students to go out to events or socialize, you can definitely give them the option to,” Le Cates said. “Currently, the marketing for events is pretty good, I hope this level of advertisement stays the same or even increases with Gatrell’s supervision.”

Kidd hopes that with the feedback of concerns the campus has now about his presidency, he will take those concerns into consideration when he begins his term.

“I know from several people there is a concern that since Gatrell has already been at Eastern since 2017, that no changes will be made when we when Glassman retires,” Kidd said. “I think Gatrell will still make changes from the way Glassman did things and for his plans for Eastern’s future. I hope that through conversations he has with faculty, staff and students, along with issues we give a voice to at The News, that Gatrell will listen and respond accordingly.”

Kidd said that while it is important to voice concerns, it is also important to wait and see what Gatrell will do.

“While everyone is valid in there concerns, I’m waiting to see what Gatrell does when he

starts in July to decide what kind of president he will be,” Kidd said. “I think there will at least be some changes, but giving Gatrell a chance is our only option now. With his high level of community involvement and how much he cares, I’m inclined to believe he will be a caring president- even if he can’t please everybody.”

We at The News appreciate Gatrell’s willingness to allow us access for our jobs to further our academic and professional lives. We hope this connection will continue into his presidency, which officially begins in July.

The one reoccurring concern we have heard from Eastern community members, is the fear of Gatrell not making any changes to how Eastern is run now because he already works here.

However, The News is hopeful Gatrell will be willing to make the changes needed to keep Eastern going.

Madelyn Kidd Ellen Dooley

Kate Stevens

Cam’ron Hardy Autumn Schulz

Rob Le Cates

Jay Gatrell hugs people waiting in a line to congratulate him on being Eastern Illinois University’s 13th president on Feb. 3.

PHOTOS BY ASHANTI THOMAS | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

At the official announcement of Eastern Illinois University’s 13th president, Jay Gatrell hugs his former secretary from when he began as provost in 2017 on Feb. 3.

Michael says athletics is excited to work with Gatrell

By Luke Taylor Sports Reporter | @DEN_Sports

After what will be eight years of cooperation with university president David Glassman, athletic director Tom Michael is preparing to work with a new president.

On Saturday, Eastern’s Board of Trustees announced that current provost Jay Gatrell will become the university’s next commander in chief.

Michael says he can’t be sure how the new presidency will affect the athletics department’s budget until he and Gatrell have a chance to talk. Still, he’s optimistic about the years to come.

“[Gatrell] has expressed his full support of the balance student-athletes manage with their respective sports and the commitment they make in the classroom,” Michael said. “I think he will be great for the entire campus as he will be able to ‘hit the ground running’ when he fully assumes the role of president.”

The majority of Michael’s career at Eastern has been under Glassman’s leadership; Michael became the athletic director in 2014 and Glassman became president the following year. William Perry was the previous president.

Michael says he sees Gatrell’s familiarity with the athletics department and university as a whole as a good sign that he will understand students’ needs.

“My hope would be to work collaboratively with him on ways that we can help

put EIU in a better place,” Michael said. “Whether that is helping find ways to recruit and retain students or any other way, when the institution overall is thriving, we all have a better opportunity to be successful.”

While he doesn’t have any specific issues

he plans to bring to the table with Gatrell, Michael says he believes they can work together to improve the university.

“How do we take advantage of the areas that make EIU special and successful, to fully utilize them to enhance other areas that need to be addressed,” Michael said. “Dr. Gatrell’s perspective will be thoughtful and his leadership will be important as the institution takes the next steps over the next few years.”

Luke Taylor can be reached at 5812812 or lrtaylor@eiu.edu.

EIU men’s basketball falls short to lose 6th consecutive game

By Zaria Flippin Men’s Basketball Reporter | @DEN_Sports

Eastern’s men’s basketball team fell short in a nail-biter to the Tennessee State Tigers 65-61 in Lantz Arena on Saturday evening.

Junior guard Caleb Donaldson led the Panthers with 17 points and five assists and freshman guard Cameron Haffner scored 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Tigers went on an 11-3 run for the first five minutes in the first half. For the next four minutes, the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to tie the game 11-11, including a layup by freshman forward Sincere Malone after retaining a rebound from a missed jumper by junior center Nick Ellington.

48 seconds later, Donaldson made a fast break jumper in the paint, which got the crowd cheering on the Panthers. The game was in a six-point margin for the remaining first half.

With six and a half minutes left in the first half, the Panthers had a 7-0 run up until the three-and-a-half-minute mark. With the Tigers and Panthers tied with 23 points, sophomore guard Dan Luers stole a pass for a fast break which ended in Ellington getting fouled by Tigers’ junior forward David Acosta. Ellington made both free throws to give the Panthers a two-point lead.

Tigers’ sophomore guard Justin Williams hit a three-pointer and sophomore guard Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. made a jumper in the paint to put the Tigers up 28-25 after the first half.

The second half was when the Panthers gained momentum. The Panthers lead as much as nine points in the second half. In the final four minutes, head coach

BY HAN BYER | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

before attempting to shoot the ball.

Marty Simmons felt that the team fell short. “We just didn’t finish it off in the last four minutes.” In the last four minutes, missed jumpers, dunks, and three-pointers caught up to the Panthers.

The Tigers tied the game to 57 points with two and a half minutes left on the game clock. Tigers’ graduate forward Zool Kueth made a layup in the paint to give the Tigers a two-point lead with 47.8 seconds left on the clock. In the final 14 seconds, Luers made a jumper in the paint which got the EIU crowd excited. After Donaldson fouled Fitzgerald Jr., Fitzgerald Jr. missed both free throw attempts, but a foul by Ellington

sent Fitzgerald Jr. back to the free throw line to redeem himself as he made both free throws.

With 10 seconds left on the game clock, Donaldson made a crucial fast-break jumper, but after Malone fouled Clay, the game was over when Clay made both free throws.

One aspect that Haffner thought the team improved on was how the team competed.

“We have two of our best players out with Yaak and Kinyon being out. To see how we competed for a lot of the second half, but just lost at the end, but I thought we grew a lot.”

Donaldson also expressed how graduate guard Yaakema Rose Jr. and junior guard Kinyon Hodges help the team in crucial games like tonight’s loss.

“Once we get Yaak and Kinyon back, it’ll be a lot tougher for other teams to guard us.”

The Panthers are 7-18 overall after the loss to the Tigers. The next game for the Panthers will be against the University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks on Thursday, Feb. 9. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. at Lantz Arena.

Zaria Flippin can be reached at 5812812 or zhflippin@eiu.edu.

Eastern guard, Cameron Haffner (3), dribbles towards the basket, avoiding Tennessee State guard, Jr. Clay (4),

FILE PHOTO | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

From left, Chris Wilkerson, Eastern Illinois University’s 26 Head Football Coach, receives a jersey from EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael for becoming the football team’s new head coach at Wilkerson’s press conference.

Eastern forward, Taris Thornton (25), holds

EIU women’s basketball has best start in OVC in EIU history

By Cam’ron Hardy Women’s Basketball Reporter

After the women’s basketball team won against Tennessee State University in a 75-58 victory, it broke the EIU record for the longest win streak in the Ohio Valley Conference at 12 consecutive wins.

The last time Eastern had a record this long was during their 2009-2010 season. Head coach Matt Bollant was seen cheering and huddling with students in the crowd after the game.

The team also celebrated its annual CARE game to support and spread awareness for breast cancer.

With this, Eastern’s players wore grey and pink jerseys. Faculty waited at the entrance and gave students papers to write in the name of a loved one that passed away to hold up at the beginning of the game.

The Panthers started the game strong with their ball movement, allowing them to finish the first quarter with a 21-14 lead.

Bollant said he thought the team’s motion was the helping factor with moving the ball so well.

Both teams had a low scoring second quarter with the Tigers only scoring 11 and the Panthers scoring 14. The Panthers’ ball movement continued, allowing them to have 10 assists over the Tigers’ 2 assists.

Starting the third quarter, the Tigers did a full court press, but it could not stop the Panthers.

The Panthers’ biggest lead throughout the game was 21, which was met during the third quarter. Miah Monahan, a guard for Eastern, stole the ball from Tennessee and hit Macy McGlone for a nice layup with a sneaky assist.

The Panthers ended the third quarter

leading 60-41.

The Tigers continued their full court press which allowed them to go on a 11-1 run, narrowing the lead down to 10 points, but Eastern continued their ball movement and was able to score.

Bollant said the team might have panicked a little when they noticed the run.

“As a head coach, probably the hardest thing you deal with is [having] a lead and then you start to lose it,” Bollant said.

He also said that he didn’t want the team to lose their sense of urgency just because they had a lead, which he said might have happened during the other teams’ run, but overall, they knew how to

respond.

McGlone was the leading scorer for the game, ending the game with 22 points and 6 rebounds.

Bollant said he thought the girls played well and “fresh.”

“I thought we executed the game plan really well and just played smart,” Bollant said. “…As a team, we just had good poise today, and we didn’t get hurried [or] rushed even with their pressure.”

The Panthers now have a 19-3 overall record.

“I just feel like its so special,” Monahan said. “Just from last year to this year, [and to] see the difference. All the work we put

in from pre-season and to see it pay off right now, I just feel like its really special.”

“It feels pretty good, “McGlone said. “It’s my first year here and to come in and all of a sudden we’re [tying] for reference, she said that we tied where I put brackets but no one was sure if we broke or tied the record, not even the coach. But after we talked and saw that we only tied, I just assumed these records, it’s pretty awesome.”

The women’s basketball team will face the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in Lantz Arena on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at 581-2812 or cahardy@eiu.edu.

PHOTOS BY HAN BYER

Eastern guard, Miah Monahan (3), gets ready to pass the ball inbounds to a teammate, after the ball went out of bounds from a Tennessee State player.

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BOT approves $352K for new president

By Madelyn Kidd Editor-in-Chief | @Madelyn__K

The Board of Trustees approved Eastern’s new president’s three-year personnel contract for an annual salary of $320K and annual house allowance for $32,289 on Friday morning in a special meeting.

The Board did not give details on a specific person for whose personnel contract this is, besides the contract being for the next president at the time of the meeting.

The 13th president was officially announced as Jay Gatrell, Eastern’s current provost and vice president of academic affairs, Friday afternoon in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union at 3 p.m.

The event was open to the public.

Current University President David Glassman received $325,412 as his annual salary in 2021 with an additional compensation of $32,289.

In total, Glassman made $357,701 in 2021.

Gatrell will make $352,289 in his first year as president, only $5,412 less than Glassman in 2021.

The Board gained a new trustee Julie Everett of Effingham, Ill. who was introduced at her first Board meeting Friday.

Everett, who grew up in Vandalia, Ill., has lived in Central Illinois for her entire life except when she went to college.

Everett received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Illinois State University in 2004.

She received her masters at Eastern in business administration and applied management in 2010.

Everett has worked in personal finance for the past 16 years.

She is currently a senior financial planner at the Financial Finesse since August 2020.

Everett worked at Smith Moore in Effingham as a financial advisor from May

2015 to August 2020.

She worked at Midland States Bank from July 2005 until May 2015.

She started as a banking center manager then as a financial advisor. Everett is a member on the Board of Directors for Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation since June 2019. Everett was a board member of the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry from June 2019 to June 2021. Everett currently volunteers with CASA of Effingham County as an advocate since April 2014 and a mentor in the CEO of Effingham County since September 2015. Everett previously volunteered as a coach for the Girls on the Run East Central Illinois from September 2013 to November 2016.

Everett said she was “honored and excited” to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Madelyn Kidd can be reached at 5812812 or at DENeic@gmail.com.

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FRONT PAGE COVER BY MADELYN KIDD AND ASHANTI THOMAS

ASHANTI THOMAS | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

President Glassman and Jay Gatrell talk to each other at the Official Announcement and Celebration of Eastern Illinois University’s 13th president on Feb. 3.