The American Red Cross Thursday presented interim President Lou Hencken with a plaque recognizing the university’s “phenomenal” contributions to the organization.

Eastern faculty, students and staff raised approximately $35,000 since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Karen Nantz, a business education professor and member of the East Central Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, and Anita Seto, executive director of the East Central Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross, presented the plaque to Hencken in a small ceremony Thursday afternoon.

“I am from Mattoon and this is the biggest contribution that I have ever seen from this area,” Seto said.

Lynette Drake, director of Health Services, also attended the presentation held in the president’s office. She said donating money wasn’t the only way the campus poured out its support during a difficult time.

“There were students who did not have money, but were willing to donate their time, ” Drake said. “We had students who were willing to work extra hours to raise more money because it made them feel like they were contributing in a small way.”

During the three days donation tables were set up, more than 100 students, faculty, and staff volunteered. Some students even stood on Lincoln Avenue and raised an additional $325 from Charleston residents.

“It was great,” Drake said, “students were pulling out change, cash, and checks. One girl even stopped by and emptied her coin purse.”

Seto agreed by saying students gave their last bit of money.

“They would come by the table and pull out change from all of their pockets. (Students) were really apologetic,” she said. “They felt like they weren’t giving enough.”

Hencken told a story about four girls he saw while raising money outside the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. The girls were on their way to Subway, and one stopped by the table and jokingly said, “I don’t have a lot of money, I am only a college student,” Hencken said.

The girl put all she had in the box and Hencken noticed she had donated $5, he said, noting he doesn’t usually look at the donations given, but he “just had to look this time.”

Hencken said he later noticed the same girls leaving the union and all but the one who donated was carrying Subway bags.

Hencken told another story of a little boy who was walking with his mother, holding his piggy bank in his hand. When the boy walked by the table, he emptied his bank.

“I was getting emotional. It was touching for me,” Hencken said. “As president, you get credit for things you have nothing to do with, but I am very pleased to accept this award on behalf of Eastern’s faculty, students and staff.”

Hencken said that the plaque will be displayed in the Union, possibly the food court, so the whole campus can see it.