As the shuttle bus pulled up to the Plexiglas shelter and the doors opened, a man dressed in a blue polo shirt, a blue Panthers baseball cap, khaki shorts and a warm smile welcomed students aboard the Panther Express.

Dan Icenogle greeted the oncoming passengers and swiftly shut the door, and the shuttle was on its way.

Icenogle, of Mattoon, has driven the Panther Express as full-time driver for three years and as a substitute the first year the shuttle service began in 2008.

Before coming to drive for Eastern, Icenogle drove buses for Lake Land College in Mattoon, transporting athletes to sporting events and other groups to their activities.

As he weaved through the shuttle’s route, which takes 40 minutes to complete, Icenogle said he is more comfortable driving a shuttle bus for Eastern because he is not required to spend long hours on the open road in various weather conditions.

Eastern’s shuttle program is funded by student fees and currently employs three full-time, two part-time and four substitute drivers.

Two buses operate daily and average 1,000 miles per week.

Icenogle said he enjoys being able to work with students and getting to know members of campus.

“Personally, this is fantastic for me. I love it,” he said as the shuttle’s tires rumbled on the pavement. “I am really privileged to do this.”

Stopping along the circular drive of an apartment complex and greeting a mother and her young daughter, Icenogle said he cannot help but enjoy his job.

“The bottom line is, if a person can’t come to work and enjoy what he or she is doing, they should find employment elsewhere,” he said.

Another reason Icenogle loves his job is that he has summers off. When not driving for Panther Express, he enjoys farming a small crop of corn and soybeans, attending Panther basketball games, and golfing as much as possible.

While summer breaks appeal to Icenogle, he said the opportunity to see students on a regular basis during their commutes and hearing about their experiences is rewarding.

Pulling back up the shelter, the shuttle nearly empty, Icenogle said as each semester comes and goes he realizes more and more faces he become familiar.

However, while the vanishing faces can be somewhat saddening, the cycles of a university environment are just part of the dynamics that make driving students so unique and satisfying.

“Really, it’s one of most satisfying jobs I’ve had,” he said. “You guys are just a great bunch of people.”

Tim Deters can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].