Throughout Eastern’s 128 years, the university has seen 13 presidents. Eastern was established in 1895, but the first president was elected in 1989. However, that president never began his term in 1899, so Eastern’s first active president was its second. President Samuel M. Inglis (1898) Samuel Inglis was appointed to be president of Eastern Illinois.
Former Eastern President Louis V. Hencken has requested his name be withdrawn from the list of names being considered by the Naming Committee as potential name replacements for Douglas Hall. Hencken said he was honored to be considered but felt that another person on the list would be a better choice for Douglas Hall to.