Laura Fraembs Excellence in Journalism Scholarship

This scholarship is established in honor of Laura Fraembs who began a journalism career founded on strong local reporting at Eastern Illinois University. She served in several positions at the Daily Eastern News and worked in the newspaper business all of her life. Her first byline appeared in the DEN in January 1978. She was a reporter for four semesters before serving as a copy editor, Administration Editor, and News Editor. She was Editor in Chief in the fall of 1980 and Consulting Editor in the spring of 1981 before graduating.

She took her passion for journalism to The Dispatch in Moline, Illinois where she was hired as a reporter following graduation. Laura was a steady newsroom presence working in several capacities including copy editor, features editor, and associate managing editor. She nurtured and encourage several young journalists over the years, among them Eastern Illinois University interns.

Laura’s ties to Eastern Illinois University run deep. Her grandfather, Ora Railsback, taught physics at Eastern for 25 years. Laura’s parents, Frank and Janet Fraembs, both graduated from EIU in 1952. Laura’s sister, Linda Fraembs graduated in 1983 after following Laura to the Daily eastern News and a career in journalism. Norman Railsback, an uncle, and Marion Railsback, an aunt, graduated in 1950 and 1951, respectively. Laura’s sister, Lisa Fraembs, also attended EIU.

Frank Fraembs taught zoology at Eastern from 1964 until retirement in 1996. Janet Fraembs worked in various offices at the university before retiring in 1988 from bookkeeping for the School of Continuing Education.

Laura remained true to her roots, regularly returning to Charleston for Eastern Illinois’ homecoming and spending time talking to former Daily Eastern News colleagues and advisors at journalism events. She died in March 2020 at the age of 60.