Welcome to Eureka College Admissions

I’m so excited to be in my twentieth year of service to Eureka College! My experience at Eureka College began as I chose to attend in the fall of 1983 when I enrolled as a freshman. After four of the best years of my life I found myself in cap and gown in May 1987 graduating with a bachelor degree in Economics and Business with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Psychology. As good fortune would have it I was hired in June and began working as a Eureka College admissions counselor on August 1, 1987. I wasn’t sure about many things at the time, but one thing I was sure of - I was very proud to be representing my alma mater.

Eureka College has been a big part of my life for nearly twenty five years and I hope it will be for many more years. There are numerous wonderful aspects about this learning community that I feel are unique to this place, the Ronald Reagan Leadership Program, the Durward Sandifer Mentorship Program to mention a couple, but the most remarkable aspect is us, the people who choose to be here. Eureka College is a place where administration, faculty, staff, and most importantly, students all blend together to make up the EC Family! Each and everyone one of us cares for the other and for the common good of the College.

I invite you to visit this special place to see if it’s the right choice for you. I hope you find what so many have already found, a place to call your college home, and a place where you are one of our Family!

Kurt Krile
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid

Eureka Admissions Team

Michael Merriman - Transfer Counselor

Originally a New England native I came out to Illinois to attend Eureka College in the early 1990's. I attended Eureka College for four years and was involved in many campus organizations. After graduating with a major in Business Administration I started employment with Eureka College. My first position was as Area Coordinator of Student Development. After a stint in Student Development I switched to Admissions and became a Admissions Counselor. Throughout my many year in the Admissions Office I have had varied position working with each segment of our student population. Currently I am the Associate Dean of Admissions working specifically with Transfer Students. Outside of Eureka College I am currently on the board for Private Illinois Colleges and Universities. PICU helps educate students at two year institutions in Illinois about what a great investment a private college can offer a transfer student.

"Transfer student's have provided our campus with great diversity. They have proven to be a great student population for Eureka College. The best way to find out more about why transfer students enjoy attending Eureka College is to visit with a professor which I would be glad to assist in arranging."

- Michael Merriman

Jen Ostlund

I am originally from the greater Peoria area and have lived in the area my entire life. I attended Eureka as a student and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Theatre Arts and Drama.

While I was a student, I was active in many different campus activities. With encouragement from faculty and friends, I was able to live in France for a short time doing missions work. My favorite thing about Eureka College is the family atmosphere. I came from a big high school and was really impressed with the small feeling, with out it being smothering. It is something that you have to experience for yourself to completely understand.

I really hope that you are as excited about Eureka College as I am. I really want to encourage you to visit our beautiful campus and get to know some faculty, staff, and students on campus. We have both Open Houses and Individual Visits. You can also contact me with any questions that you might have. You can reach me through e-mail or through AIM, my screen name is jenostlund. I hope to hear from you and get to know more about you and what you are looking for in a college!

- Jen Ostlund

Larry Spialek

Prior to coming to EC I worked as a high school guidance counselor for several years. In addition, I’m a dad who sent three kids off to college. So from both a professional and a personal perspective I understand the excitement and the challenges that go along with choosing a college. It’s exciting and challenging to plan your future and to finally choose the college you think best meets your needs and goals. I want to help you meet that challenge.

The best way to find the college that is a good fit for you is to visit the colleges in which you are interested. I invite you to visit Eureka College either at an Open House or an individual visit. When you visit we can arrange for you to tour campus, sit in on a class or meet with a professor in your field of interest, meet with me in the Admissions Office, and if you’re interested in athletics or other extracurricular activities, possibly meet with a coach or advisor.

If you’re looking for a small college where you’ll get personal attention, a family-like environment, and lots of opportunities for involvement, EC may be the place for you. I look forward to hearing from you.

- Larry Spialek

Matt Vander Vennet

I am originally from Peoria, Illinois and a graduate of Peoria Notre Dame High School. I am an Eagle Scout and an avid guitar player/musician. I graduated from Eureka College in 2008 with a degree in Chemistry. I was very involved on campus and received such honors as Junior of the Year 2006-2007 and Man of the Year 2007-2008. After my graduation, I searched for a job and a place to live. I couldn’t bear to leave Eureka - so much so - that I had to have a job here. In July, I began my work in Admissions. It is very rewarding for me to give back to my alma mater by bringing great students to such a great place.

I have some fond memories of campus that are still very fresh. My time in my fraternity was very formative as well as being the president of the Salve Regina Newman Center on campus for 3 years. Now I have the joy of being advisor to that group. Each and every thing that happened on campus helped shape me to be the person I am today. I encourage you to experience EC and to do the same. Whether you visit during an Open House or schedule a personal visit or even just visit the website, find out what Eureka means to you. I know I did.

- Matt Vander Vennet


Kurt Krile Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid

Get to know

Ec Dean of Admissions

Through the years, I have recruited all over the state of Illinois, several other states, and have made two recruiting trips to Tokyo. I have enjoyed working in the Admission Office no matter what my responsibilities and assignments have been. Currently, I serve the College as the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid for the second time in my career. I served in this capacity from May 1997 to September 2000. After three years of being in the office, I found that I truly missed the day to day recruitment of students and the relationships I had with students, parents and high school guidance counselors. In the fall of 2006 I was asked to serve the Admissions Office as an in house manager of the staff and of recruitment operations. I gladly accepted my new responsibilities and in July 2007, once again, I assumed the role of Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. The major difference for me this time is the fact that I have been blessed with two children who keep me very busy making me grateful to travel less and be home more.