EIU receives $25,000 grant from Earthrise Energy’s RISE Grant Program
Aug-20-2025
Pictured L-R: Christian Labeck, Earthrise Energy Development Analyst, Dr. Austin Cheney, Dean of Lumpkin College, and Gary Hatten, Earthrise Energy Representative.
(Charleston, IL) — The Earthrise Energy RISE Grant Program has awarded Eastern Illinois University’s Lumpkin College of Business and Technology a $25,000 scholarship grant to provide scholarships to students interested in pursuing academic and career goals that will strengthen the local community and the regional workforce.
Earthrise Energy’s RISE Grant Program invests in and partners with local non-profit organizations serving the communities where those companies are. Designed to have a long-lasting impact, the program supports initiatives that improve the lives of local residents, with a focus on teaching, entrepreneurship, and advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, all key priorities for Lumpkin College and in alignment with EIU’s broader mission.
“We greatly appreciate this gift from Earthrise Energy,” said Dr. Austin Cheney, Professor and Dean of Lumpkin College. “With the new student scholarship grant, we can provide financial assistance to students in need of additional support to begin their educational journey in Lumpkin College here at EIU.”
Earthrise Energy is an independent power producer working to decarbonize the electric grid as it accelerates the country’s clean energy transition.
EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.
