Eastern Illinois University is betting it will catch the eyes of potential students with a rolling message on the side of big-rig trucks. Charleston school representatives says four trucks that belong to the Rural King retail chain will haul trailers bearing Eastern Illinois' logo and messages such as "Our Alumni Go Places." Those trucks travel an 11-state area.
Rural King owns stores that sell farm and home products and is based in nearby Mattoon. Steve Rich is assistant vice president for advancement at Eastern Illinois. He says the chain agreed to the idea provided the university pay for the vinyl trailer coverings carrying the ads. In addition to Illinois, the trucks travel through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and five other states where Rural King operates.
