CHARLESTON, IL (12/11/2025) Eastern Illinois University hosted a community Holiday Party Wednesday evening December 10, where everyone was welcome to visit and to get a picture with “Santa Billy” while enjoying refreshments, holiday music and trees decorated by local students from Ashmore, Carl Sandburg, Jefferson, Lake Crest and Mark Twain Elementary Schools.
The event, held in the Cougill Foyer of EIU’s historic Old Main castle, also provided an opportunity for local children to find decorative ornaments they created in their schools on an assortment of holiday trees currently on display in the castle. Families who were unable to make it to the Wednesday evening celebration will have an opportunity to collect their children’s ornaments at any time during Old Main’s regular business hours, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays when classes are in session, and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays when classes are not in session.
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EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.
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