The Board of Trustees will vote at its meeting Friday to re-name an Eastern building after a faculty member who died over the summer.

The board will decide if the building on 975 Edgar Dr., which currently houses the Textbook Rental Service, will be named after Louis M. Grado.

Grado, who died in July 16, 2010, served Eastern for 35 years in elementary education.

The naming committee voted unanimously to name the building, and Bob Martin, the vice president for university advancement, said Eastern would like to honor his legacy.

“He’s left a legacy of service to the university,” Martin said.

President Bill Perry said he does not expect there to be any controversy over naming the building after Grado.

“I’ve spoken with members of the board and they also think that Grado’s career is one worthy of note,” Perry said.

Grado left a legacy of service and dedication to Eastern and its community, a legacy that inspired the proposal, Martin said.

“We felt a building deserved to be in his name after 35 years of dedicated service to Eastern,” he said.

Perry initiated the idea to name the building for Grado.

“Since the building is funded by student fees, that’s how it was built, and it will always serve students in one way or another, I thought it would be a great tribute,” Perry said.

The naming committee proposal being submitted to the board said this vote would symbolize, for all future generations of Eastern’s students and faculty, the spirit of excellence and service in education that Grado embraced and embodied.

The board will meet at 1 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Mel Boydston can be reached at 581-7942 or mmboydston@eiu.edu.