Many newspapers and magazines create lists of highly anticipated movies, books, albums or a variety of other items, but here at The Verge, we wanted to highlight 10 events to look forward to this spring. Here are some of the events that are tentatively scheduled for the semester to watch out for. (These are in no particular order)

1. Jeannie Ludlow – Undue Burdens and Personal Responsibility: Literary Pregnancy and Abortion in the Post-Choice Decade in the United States

Dr. Ludlow, an associate professor of English, will present about her research interests in representations of abortion and reproduction in contemporary literature and writing, abortion discourse, and activist pedagogy. Ludlow will present on January 21 at 5:00 p.m. in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Lecture Hall.

2. Celebration: A Festival of the Arts

Sometimes students overlook this event, but this is something you don’t want to miss. Celebration features a lineup of artists from Illinois and all across the nation and theatre performances put on by the Eastern Theatre Department. The variety of artisans and food vendors will also draw you with all the wonderful sights, sounds and smells.

3. Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day

While EIU did not start the popular college event, we sure do participate in the festivities like it was our own. Students chug green beer like it is going out of style at the local bars in their t-shirts that were designed months in advance all in the name of partying. But unlike the University of Illinois, EIU doesn’t have to worry about missing class to party because we celebrate on a Saturday.

4. Spring Concert

Some students are less than thrilled with the musical selection for spring concerts, but no matter whom the performer is, we should attend anyway. No matter what genre it happens to, it is a concert for the students. Music is music. Get your friends together, learn the lyrics to a few songs, buy the tickets and go to the concert to sing at the top of your lungs. Make your own fun.

5. Greek Week

Even though it specifically says greek in the title, that doesn’t mean non-greeks can’t attend events. If you have never seen a big men tug at the campus pond, you are missing out. It might be rainy and cold with puddles of mud everywhere, but pull on your rain boots and grab a poncho. Greek Week battles can be talked about for years to come.

Cayla Maurer can be reached at 581-2812 or ccmaurer@eiu.edu.