You'll soon see EIU's logo on the move in 11 different states, all thanks to the retail chain Rural King. The university and Rural King are teaming up to help recruit potential students. Eastern's assistant Vice President for advancement Steve Rich says the partnership is unique and he thinks the trucks could help put the brakes on Eastern's decreasing enrollment. Rich said,"It's a traveling billboard! So that's kind of the idea instead of it being a stationary and in one location. There is four of these and one of those Rural King has told us would stay in Illinois at all times. Especially with our outreach now we are attracting students from other states through offering in-state tuition and our online courses, so we will be expanding our market is an important part of this as well." Eastern Illinois University and Rural King are coming together to catch eyes of potential students by a traveling billboard. Rich says four trucks that belong to the Rural King Retail chain will haul trailers bearing Eastern's logo and messages such as "Our Alumni Go Places." Rich said, "They're a fantastic company. Their footprint. Their stores match our recruiting area and them being just across Coles County and they've been great partners of Eastern for decades and it just seemed like a natural. We thought it was a natural fit." The EIU Alumni Association generated funds for one of the vinyls around the semi-truck and the EIU Foundation did the other three. Rich says the Alumni Association is trying to help recruit students the university as well. Rich said, "The alumni association is always looking for opportunities to support Eastern and the last couple of years we had an emphasis on trying to support the admissions efforts of recruiting efforts and this just seemed like a natural fit for some of the financial resources we could provide." And Rich says all of Eastern's campus is coming together to help get potential students to Charleston. Rich said, "That's something I think is really important and something that I guess I've seen more and more of and it seems like it's better every day is everyone on campus works together and I don't think it matters what area someone's in faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community. Everyone's really come together to support Eastern to everyone chipping in to try and help recruiting efforts." Rich said the alumni association is also helping recruit students by donating EIU flags and t-shirts to high schools around Illinois.
Older Articles Newer Articles