Eureka College


Eureka College is a private liberal arts college in Eureka, Illinois, that is related by covenant to the Christian Church. Enrollment in 2018 was approximately 567 students.
Eureka College was the third college in the United States to admit men and women on an equal basis. It has a close connection with alumnus Ronald Reagan, who graduated in 1932 with a degree in economics. In 2010, Eureka College was designated as a national historic district by the National Park Service.

History

The college was founded in 1848 by a group of abolitionists who had left Kentucky because of their opposition to slavery and was originally named the Walnut Grove Academy. It was chartered in 1855. When the school was founded, it was the first school in Illinois to educate women on an equal basis with men.
Abingdon College merged with Eureka in 1885.

Ronald Reagan

Eureka College is the smallest college or university in American history to graduate a future U.S. President with a bachelor's degree. Among its alumni throughout history are forty-two college and university presidents, seven Governors and members of U.S. Congress, and the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, class of 1932.
Ronald Reagan is the only president born, raised and educated in the state of Illinois. Reagan's relationship with his alma mater began in 1928 when he entered as a freshman from Dixon, Illinois, at age 17. Following his graduation on June 10, 1932, with a joint major in economics and sociology, Reagan returned for visits on twelve recorded occasions. He served on the board of trustees for three terms, stayed connected to his fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon, communicated with his football coach and mentor Ralph "Mac" McKinzie, and helped support fund-raising drives including with his own financial commitments to the college. Reagan gave three commencement addresses at Eureka College in 1957, 1982 and 1992. He dedicated the Melick Library building in 1967 and the Reagan Physical Education Center in 1970. When he died in 2004, Eureka College was one of three officially designated recipients of memorial gifts by his family.
In 1982, President Reagan told a Eureka College audience, "Everything that has been good in my life began here." He made similar statement at several other public speeches.
Eureka College has created programs related to Reagan, with a goal of enhancing the educational experience for its students:
The Ronald W. Reagan Museum, located within the Donald B. Cerf Center, contains a collection of objects and memorabilia largely donated by Reagan. The items are from his times as a student, actor, athlete, Governor of California and President of the United States. Admission is free.

Campus

About 48% of the students at Eureka are women, while about 52% are men. 0.5% of the students are Native American, 0.35% are Asian, 8.5% are African-American, and 82% are white. 1.2% of the students are international, but 93.5% of the students are from the state of Illinois. The first-time, full-time bachelor's seeking student retention rate is 62% and the graduation rate cohort as percent of total entering students is 70%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1.
Eureka also offers one four-year, full-tuition scholarship to a student interested in pursuing ministry in the Christian Church. Ministry Fellows receive two on-site mentorships exploring ministry, minor in Philosophy and Religion, are expected to live on campus, maintain a 3.0 GPA, fully participate in ECMF activities, and display exceptional leadership, spiritual growth and maturity.

Athletics

Eureka College athletic teams, known as the Red Devils, participate at the NCAA Division III level. There are teams for men's and women's soccer, basketball, golf and track, as well as football, volleyball, baseball and softball. Eureka has competed as a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference since 2006. Eureka was a member of the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference until the spring of 2006. Eureka College was also a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1910 to 1942. On September 1, 2012 Eureka College quarterback Sam Durley set an NCAA record with 736 passing yards in Eureka's 62–55 victory over Knox College. That beat the old record of 731 yards set by a Menlo College quarterback in 2000.

Greek life

As of 2019, 23% of male students are in social fraternities, while 26% of female students are in social sororities. Overall 24% of the student body are involved in Greek Life.

Fraternities

Many former students at Eureka College have gone into politics and made important contributions to science.

Past