The Gail & Richard Lumpkin School of Nursing at EIU

08/22/2026

🐾 Welcome to EIU, Class of 2030! 🎉

A special welcome to our future nursing students! 🩺📚 We can’t wait to see you grow, learn, and make a difference. Welcome to the Panther family! 💙

07/20/2026

We're growing! 📣

We're still looking to add another member to our team and are searching for the right fit. If you or someone you know is interested, check out the job posting below and apply!

Please feel free to share.

05/13/2026

We are proud to celebrate the first group of nursing school graduates who were awarded the SBL Scholarship! 🎉

We are incredibly grateful for this outstanding partnership and the investment SBL has made in the future of healthcare in our region. The SBL Scholarship is truly life-changing for local students, serving as a last-dollar scholarship that covers any remaining tuition, fees, and room and board after all other scholarships and financial aid have been applied. For students, this essentially provides four years of fully covered college expenses.

Additionally, we are excited to welcome 7 new SBL Scholars to campus this fall!

Cheyenne Mitchell - Mattoon High School (not pictured)
Lois Baker - Charleston High School
Emma Newlin - Effingham High School
Lily Stortzum - Teutopolis High School
Madison Lofland - Vandalia High School
Shayla Perez - Vandalia High School (not pictured)
Karly Deckard - Newton High School

We cannot wait to see the impact these students will make both at EIU and in the nursing profession.

Thank you again to SBL for your continued support of our students and the future of nursing! 💙🩺

05/10/2026

As we celebrate our graduating nursing students and all they’ve accomplished, we also want to recognize our incredible faculty and staff. Their dedication and commitment help shape the future of nursing each and every day.

We also want to extend a special thank you to our Interim Chair of Nursing, Dr. Julie Dietz. Dr. Dietz has been an amazing addition to our team, and her leadership, compassion, and service to EIU have made a lasting impact on our program and community. She will be missed dearly.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Dietz for her service to EIU and wishing her all the best in her well-deserved retirement. 💙🎓👏

05/10/2026

🎓 Class of 2026 Pinning Ceremony

Join us as we celebrate the 2026 EIU Nursing Pinning Ceremony!

04/28/2026

We’re excited to share a recent TV news feature highlighting our simulation program in action! 🎥

These hands-on learning experiences are transforming the way our students prepare for real-world challenges—building confidence, critical thinking, and practical skills every step of the way.

A huge thank you to the Lumpkin Foundation, Eastern Illinois University, and our dedicated faculty for making these opportunities possible. Your support and commitment continue to make a lasting impact.

An impressive milestone—and we’re just getting started!

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — EIU nursing students put their talents to the test on Monday in a real-life setting. Professors said this simulation room and equipment cost more than $100,000 dolla…

04/23/2026

We’re proud to share this spotlight on one of our outstanding nursing students being recognized for their dedication and excellence. Congrats Faith! 👏

Moments like these reflect the passion and commitment our outstanding students bring to the future of healthcare. 💙

Congratulations to Faith Zirkelbach, Emergency Department Technician. Faith is the 4th Quarter Bravo! President’s Award Recipient.

Faith is an excellent tech in the Emergency Department. She consistently shows up to work with a smile on her face and a willingness to help everyone around her. One day this winter, there was a multi-car accident on the interstate and terrible road conditions that led all traumas to the ED. One patient was injured and required transportation to a trauma facility. Faith held the patient's hand, talked her through each step and spoke calming words to her- despite the patient being sedated.

This patient was not from the area, so when her family was called, they had no idea how to proceed or where to go. When they arrived at the ED, Faith comforted the family, reassured them and truly went the extra mile. The family had possession of the patient's dogs and were concerned about where they would take them. Faith called multiple hotels in the surrounding area and found a pet-friendly hotel. She used her personal debit card to book the hotel, never once thinking about being reimbursed. The family never had to consider their next steps other than grieving or supporting each other, because Faith took care of every step before it came.

Faith's care that day and EVERY day truly exemplifies the values that Sarah Bush Lincoln strives to promote. On a chaotic, December day, Faith quietly supported a family through one of the hardest days of their lives. She never hesitated to be a kind, reassuring presence and never asked for recognition or praise.

Faith is pictured with Jordan Edwards, Director, Emergency Services and Colleen Swick, VP, Patient Care Continuum.

04/22/2026

The junior class presented their research proposals at Student Research Day! Great work!

04/17/2026

Our nursing students attended the 2026 Higher Education Advocacy Day in Springfield!

Proud to see our future nurses engaging in policy conversations and advocacy. 📣🩺