Eric Yoder, 2002 graduate of Saint Louis University, made the
cut to the top 32 contestants on Fox’s American Idol 3. Yoder was
involved in the Bare Naked Statues, University Mastersingers and
the University Theatre while attending SLU. He had a starring role
in SLU’s production of Godspell in 2002.

A Sullivan, Ill., native, Yoder came to SLU to study aeronautics
through the aviation science/professional pilot program in Parks
College of Engineering and Aviation.

“Last year he was thinking about American Idol and then decided
to audition in Atlanta,” said Laura Spencer, a junior who met Yoder
while in University Mastersingers.

“I think he will do well because he has a very strong
higher-range tenor, which is hard to find,” said Spencer, “He is
very personable and an all-around nice guy.”

The recent excitement of having a SLU graduate contending on
American Idol has spread throughout campus. Freshmen Allison Myers
and Anna Calhoun try to watch the show every Tuesday and Wednesday
night because of the SLU connection.

“I think it’s great that SLU is getting the publicity and that
Eric Yoder is pursuing his dreams,” said Myers about the success of
the SLU graduate. “It’s cool to tell people that a SLU grad is on a
national TV show,” Calhoun added.

University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., even got into the
hype of having a SLU graduate competing on the show. In his
February message sent to the students he wrote, “While I admit that
I’ve never seen the show before, I think we can all agree that
there’s now a reason to tune in to Fox on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and
support a fellow Billiken as he continues to ‘reach for the
stars!'”

Yoder will next appear on American Idol Tuesday Feb. 24 on
Fox.