Stanley G. Rives was born in Decatur, Illinois and attended public schools in Peoria, Illinois. He attended Illinois State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Speech Communication. In 1963 he went on to earn his Ph.D. in Speech Communication from Northwestern University. Dr. RIves began his career at Eastern in January 1981 as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In July 1983 on the departure of Daniel Marvin, he became the acting President and later that year, in October, Rives became the President of Eastern Illinois University. He was the sixth sitting president of the university. Rives served as president until 1992 and stayed in Charleston after retiring from the presidency. He served on local, statewide and national boards, panels and commissions. Rives died on November 13, 2019.