Eureka College

Infobox_University
name = Eureka College
motto = The moment of discovery
established = 1855
type = Private College
president = J. David Arnold
students = 680
city = Eureka, Illinois
country = USA
campus = 112 acre, rural
colors = Maroon and Gold
mascot = Red Devils
affiliations = Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
website = [http://www.eureka.edu www.eureka.edu]

Eureka College is a liberal arts college in Eureka, Illinois related by covenant to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and founded in 1855. It has a strong focus on history, political science, and the fine and performing arts. Enrollment is about 680 students.

The college was founded by a group of abolitionists who had left Kentucky because of their opposition to slavery. When the school opened its doors it became the first school in Illinois (and only the third in the United States) to educate women on an equal basis with men.

Athletics, though having struggled for some years, are beginning to pick up speed again. There are teams for men's and women's soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming, golf and track, as well as football, volleyball, baseball and softball. Starting in fall 2006, teams will compete in the NCAA's Division III as part of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Eureka College was a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1910-1942.

There is a very active Greek life on campus, as well, with three social fraternities, all national, and three social sororities, one national and two local. There are also professional and honorary fraternities for Music, Drama, English, Science, and Social Sciences. Over half of Eureka's students belong to a Greek organization.

The school's main library, Melick Library, was named in honor of Wesley M. Melick and Clinton F. Melick. The building was dedicated on September 28, 1967 by California Governor and Eureka College alumnus Ronald Reagan.

The school's most famous alumnus is President Ronald Reagan, who graduated in 1932.

Notable Locations on Campus

* The Eureka College campus is 112 acres.
* Burrus Dickinson Hall, Administration building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
* The Chapel, where Ronald Reagan gave his first public speech and is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
* The Ronald W. Reagan Museum, a collection of objects and memorabilia largely donated by the President himself from Reagan's time as a student, actor, athlete, Governor and President.
* The Melick Library, where President Reagan gave a speech for its commemorative opening.

Greek Life

Fraternities

* Delta Sigma Phi, Zeta Upsilon Chapter
* Tau Kappa Epsilon, Iota Chapter
* Lambda Chi Alpha, Theta-Chi Chapter

ororities

* Phi Omega, Alpha Chapter - Local Sorority
* Delta Delta Pi, Alpha Chapter - Local Sorority
* Delta Zeta, Pi Chapter

External links

* [http://www.eureka.edu/ Eureka College]
* [http://www.eureka.edu/athletic/ Eureka College Athletics]
* [http://www.illinoismentor.org/campustour/undergraduate/131/Eureka_College/Eureka_College5.html/ Illinois Mentor: Eureka]
* [http://www.eureka.edu/lifelonglearn/orglead/orglead.htm Organizational Leadership at Eureka College]
* [http://www.eureka.edu/about/map.asp Campus map]

Further reading

*Adams, Harold. "History of Eureka College, 1855-1982". Eureka, IL: Board of Trustees of Eureka College, 1982.
*Dickinson, Elmira J., ed. "A History of Eureka College, with Biographical Sketches and Reminiscences"., St. Louis: Christian Publishing Company, 1894.
* [http://ww1.eureka.edu/emp/jrodrig/otdieh/index.htm On This Day in Eureka History]
* [http://ww1.eureka.edu/emp/jrodrig/march2007/march%202007.htm MODELS - "Matrons of Distinction": Eureka Leadership Series]
* [http://ww1.eureka.edu/emp/jrodrig/VIBES/index.htm VIBES - "Variations in Black" Eureka's Stories]