HR0289 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0289 LRB095 11814 GRL 34834 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Louis Hencken, President of Eastern Illinois University, on his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Louis Hencken began his career in student affairs at EIU as a graduate assistant and advanced through the housing ranks as a counselor and both assistant and associate director prior to being selected as Director of Housing in 1975; he continued as Director until 1989, when he was named Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at EIU; his duties expanded once more in 1992, when he was named Vice President of Student Affairs at EIU; and

WHEREAS, In 1996-97 he served as interim Director of Athletics when the EIU Panthers were the Ohio Valley Conference All-Sports Champion; he also served as an NCAA football official and was assigned to five NCAA playoff games, including the 1989 NCAA Division III National Championship game; and

WHEREAS, On August 1, 2001, Louis Hencken was named President of Eastern Illinois University, where he has worked tirelessly to enhance Eastern Illinois University's reputation and quality; and

WHEREAS, Louis Hencken has been a strong advocate for EIU with the State government leadership, improved the University's image within Illinois, aggressively increased private giving, promoted improvements in academic support services, and enhanced the quality of student life; he has also been involved in University community work with affirmative action, undergraduate education, minority student recruitment and administrative appointments; and

WHEREAS, Louis Hencken has been an active member of his community, having served as a director and chair of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Board of Directors and a director of Credit Union 1; he has also served on Coles Together, Coles Connected, and the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Louis Hencken on his retirement and wish him continued good success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Louis Hencken.