April 2011

Alumni spotlight: Tom Kelly ex '67

Tom Kelly ex '67 will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June, and for good reason – the long list of pop hits he co-wrote includes Madonna's "Like A Virgin," Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" and "I Drove All Night," Whitney Houston's "So Emotional," The Bangles' "Eternal Flame" and "In Your Room," Heart's "Alone," the Divinyls' "I Touch Myself," and the Pretenders' "I’ll Stand by You."

He also played in Dan Fogelberg's backup band, became a prominent session singer in Los Angeles, and accompanied Toto on their 1979 World Tour as a backing vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Read more about Kelly and his amazing career here.

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More alumni news ...

• Chicago Tribune features frequent letter-writer Brzeski
• Wine-tasting to pay homage to EIU-inspired 'Three Daves'
• Pro golfer Riordan featured in Daytona Beach newspaper
• Lair trades JG/T-C managing editor duties for retirement
• Paulsons return to gymnastics academy they founded in '70s
• Brother of Notre Dame's 'Rudy' talks about Hall of Fame wrestling career

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Chicago baseball outings

Tickets for our annual Chicago baseball outings are now on sale to all alumni. Enjoy an exciting evening of baseball while supporting EIU Alumni Association Scholarships – $5 from each ticket will go toward Legacy Scholarships. Tickets must be purchased by May 6.

• May 11: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Chicago
• June 9: White Sox vs. Oakland A's, Chicago

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Alumni award nominations

Do you know an EIU graduate doing extraordinary things? Nominate him or her for the 2011 Alumni Association Awards, which are presented in the categories of Distinguished Alumna/us, Distinguished Educator, Alumni Service and Outstanding Young Alumna/us.

Nominations are due June 17. Please visit the Alumni Association awards website for details.

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Cheer Team Reunion

If you're a former member of the EIU Cheer Team, mark your calendar for Homecoming 2011 (Oct. 22-23), when we'll host an on-campus reunion in your honor.

Details will be mailed out this summer. To make sure you're on the mailing list, please e-mail alumeiu@eiu.edu with your name, graduation year and current address.

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News briefs

• On April 26, EIU baseball will take on Mizzou at T.R. Hughes Ballpark (home of the River City Rascals). Tickets must be purchased by April 15. Order yours today!
• Pitch in for EIU's ninth annual Panther Service Day on April 16, during which students and alumni will work on various community service projects to improve Coles County. To register, visit the Panther Service Day homepage.
• If you’re planning to run in the Illinois Marathon, be sure to stop by our booth. The EIU Alumni Association will be handing out energy bars and water before the race to the first 300 alumni.
• Housing staff alumni, don’t forget to register for the June Housing Reunion. Registration forms are due May 13.
• The seventh annual Chicago-EIU Golf Classic, hosted by Panther Athletics, will be played in Naperville on May 19.
• Check out our newest link, Songs of EIU. Enjoy listening to the Panther Marching Band playing traditional favorites, including the EIU Fight Song and "I’m So Glad."

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