Less than a year ago, all but a few of the students enrolled in the historical administration program had ever been on Eastern’s campus.

Today, they are the leading force behind finding the forgotten stories and memories of the university and putting them on display for the community to see.

The students’ culminating exhibit, “Building Memories: Creating a Campus Community,” will be on display and open to the public at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Booth Library where the students will be on hand to present their research and field questions from guests.

Becky Leedy, a graduate student, said the exhibit stands out from past history projects at Eastern by drawing material from former students and staff who have chosen to share their own experiences at Eastern.

“We’re taking a look at how aspects of Eastern’s history have been remembered,” Leedy said. “Then we’re looking at it through building names or monuments on campus.”

Among the pieces of forgotten history on display are the story of a baby raised by the family and consumer sciences department, Napoleon the Campus Dog and a short-lived group known as the Mustache Club.

Aurora Erickson, a graduate student, said the Mustache Club was one of her favorite parts.

“We found a picture of it in the 1904 yearbook,” Erickson said. “We’re thinking about reviving it.”

Samantha Sauer, a graduate student, said using familiar locations and landmarks on campus as a frame of reference for the exhibit can get students interested in a topic that otherwise may seem uninteresting.

“People pass these buildings each day without thinking of the people behind them,” Sauer said. “Some people might find history boring; this makes it more personable.”

Alan Hanson, a graduate student, said the exhibit seeks to take a comprehensive view of the university’s history, even the generally forgotten parts, in order to understand how Eastern became the college it is today.

“A lot of what we look at focuses from the university’s founding to its present,” Hanson said. “A lot of the stories are interwoven that tell EIU’s story.”

Erickson said since beginning the exhibit research and design last August, the historical administration students have become protective of their project as well as eager to share their findings with the general public.

“We want people to be able to see the connections to Eastern’s past and see themselves in the exhibit,” Erickson said. “We compare it to the process of becoming new parents.”

Sauer affirmed Erickson’s sentiments.

“These exhibits are our children,” Sauer said.

Andrew Crivilare can be reached at 581-2812 or ajcrivilare@eiu.edu.