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Tasha Thursby, a graduate student, looks through Eastern t-shirts in the bookstore of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Sunday.

I am EIU

By: Deirdre Sheahan/ Staff Reporter

Posted: 8/29/05

The Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Bookstore does not have a problem selling gear to Eastern students, administrators, alumni and visitors.

The bookstore sells all kinds of apparel supporting Eastern's image.

Judi Konrad, the bookstore's assistant manager, said there are several Eastern logos on the clothing items they sell in the bookstore.

"We sell the institutional one, that's more formal; the panther, that's the newest logo; and the strutting panther is retired," Konrad said.

Konrad said the most popular type of clothing depends on the season.

"I noticed that some people go with traditional colors (blue and white), and some go into the less traditional color and wear bright pink, yellow and other summer colors," Konrad said.

Piali Moitra, a student who has worked in the Bookstore for more than a year, thinks that 90 percent of students wear some sort of Eastern logo.

"I feel that the Eastern students wear the EIU logo in a matter of pride to their school," Moitra said.

It is not always about the gear, logos and types of clothing items; sometimes it's about the expense.

Brittany Bachmann, a freshman nursing major, has already been to the bookstore four times since she came here.

"I try not to spend money when I come in the bookstore, but I always end up buying something," Bachmann said. "I have spent about $100 so far on things at the bookstore."

Bachmann usually purchases sweat pants with Eastern's logo on them.

"I like seeing other students on campus wearing EIU clothing," Bachmann said. "It's good to see them supporting the school."

Brian Hogan, a junior physical education major, transferred this year from Marquette University and said the prices in Eastern's bookstore don't compare to the prices he is used to.

"Sweat pants and sweat shirts were so cheap at Marquette University," Hogan said. "These prices seem so high, so I am going to wait until (Family) Weekend to purchase anything."

Not only students shop at the bookstore, alumni do as well.

Kathy Hicks, a 1980 graduate who lives in Texas, shops at the Eastern bookstore for herself and her children when she is in town.

"My son has one of my shirts from 20 years ago that says EIU on it from when I went here, and he loves it," Hicks said. "He thinks it is the coolest thing ever."

Hicks said the prices in the bookstore are reasonable, and they are what everyone would expect.

"When I was a student, I could only afford one item for each semester," Hicks said.

She said almost everyone wore Eastern clothing when she attended.