Don’t miss out on this inaugural event to benefit the homeless and others in need. The buzz around campus reflects the excitement about our upcoming mile-long walk/run in which participants strip off extra clothing to donate to the Salvation Army. Registration (it’s free, but you must donate at least one piece of clothing) is now open. Plan your costume creatively and you might win one of the prizes being awarded. Remember, it’s all happening at Hubbard Park on Saturday, March 7, 2009, 2-4 p.m. We hope to see you there!

What professor do you want to deliver the Last Lecture as part of Senior Send-off?

VOTE by March 27 for one of these professors:

• Mitch Kelly, Educational Psychology;
• Frank Durham, Journalism and Mass Communication;
• Ken Brown; Management and Organizations;
• Leo Eko, Journalism and Mass Communication;
• Rich McCarty, Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

While all students are invited to attend the Last Lecture on Saturday, April 25, during Riverfest celebrations, the first 50 S.T.A.T. SENIOR members at the lecture will receive a special gift.

Check out your April issue of “S.T.A.T. Underground” or visit the graduation website after April 1 to find out who will speak. Additional S.T.A.T Senior Send-off event information is available at www.iowalum.com/graduation, too, including specifics about a Senior Reception at President Mason’s house.

Katie Fuchs is a junior accounting major from Hoffman Estates, IL. As a S.T.A.T. Ambassador, she is also the force behind the upcoming S.T.A.T. Nearly Naked Mile event. Learn more about Katie from her answers below.

• Where will you be in 5 years?
  • I will be in the Midwest working as an accountant at a private company.
• What is a random fact about you?
  • I like to volunteer at the animal shelter.
• Favorite Place:
  • Santa Monica, CA
• Spring Break Plans:
  • I am going to California with my mom to visit my boyfriend.
• Greatest accomplishment:
  • Planning a very successful philanthropic race: The Nearly Naked Mile
• How has being a part of S.T.A.T. impacted you?
  • It’s gotten me a lot more involved in campus- and community-wide activities. It has helped me develop friendships with many members.
• What is your favorite S.T.A.T. memory?
  • Going on the Ambassador retreat to an overnight camp where I really got to know the other Ambassadors.
• What is one thing everyone should do while a student at the University of Iowa?
  • DANCE MARATHON!

Do you know a S.T.A.T. member who deserves the spotlight? E-mail Leslie Jensen with your nomination and indicate why the person should be featured.

Starting this month, we'll be offering podcasts from the UI Alumni Association, S.T.A.T Ambassadors, and student volunteers. Tune in to "Sound Off," an audio podcast about what's happening on and around the UI campus. Hear about the latest news, upcoming events on campus, and lots of other interesting topics involving Iowa City and the University of Iowa.

Volunteer Opportunity! If you want to get involved, gain valuable experience, and help with the production of our new podcast series, contact Zack Schmidt, UIAA Web Developer, at zachary-schmidt@uiowa.edu.

Check out this week's podcast on The Nearly Naked Mile!

Dance Marathon 15 shattered previous fundraising records by raising $1,030,428.15 on February 7, 2009. Seniors, this doesn’t have to be your last dance!

Dance Marathon Alumni Group (DMAG) is here to help former DM participants stay connected after graduation. More than 75 DM alumni participated in this year’s event. Young or old, near or far from campus, you can stay connected and continue your DM relationship through DMAG--a UI Alumni Association group that helps organize alumni socials and fundraisers and produces e-newsletters to raise money For The Kids. Check out the DMAG website for more information.

Put your spring break to good use and join college students from all over the U.S. to help rebuild Cedar Rapids. The Office of Student Life is coordinating a team of UI students to make a difference in Cedar Rapids March 14-20. Dates and times for volunteering are flexible, and transportation can be provided. This experience will also count towards earning your 10K Show tickets. Learn more, and sign up today!

Did you know that navigating a cocktail party can make you look better—or worse—as a job candidate or even among your coworkers and bosses in the real world? On February 18, some 16 S.T.A.T. members seized the opportunity to learn cocktail party etiquette from expert Margie Peskin of Search Forward, a career development firm.

After attending her class, students practiced their newly learned skills with a dozen volunteer alumni at a posh cocktail party at the Levitt Center—sans alcohol. Alumni chatted about the working world and shared advice on interviewing, networking, and life beyond college. It wasn’t all work and no play, though, as everyone enjoyed talking about the university and student life.

Don’t miss your chance to polish your real-life skills at a S.T.A.T. etiquette dinner in the fall. With help from the UI Alumni Association, S.T.A.T. will host another Mocktail Party during the 2010 spring semester.

Join the UIAA’s Iowa Voyagers on a European adventure to experience the wonders of London, Paris, and Rome for 11 days this summer (May 29-June 8)! A six-day extension to Southern Italy, the Greek Isles, and Athens is available to round out this European experience. Enjoy a balance between scheduled sightseeing and free time with the convenience of not having to worry about travel details. Don’t miss out on this Hawkeye rite of passage! See for yourself at www.aesu.com/alumni/iowa.html.

Contact us at 319/335-3294 or e-mail Gloria at gloria-hurtado@uiowa.edu for more information.

S.T.A.T. Underground is a publication of IOWA S.T.A.T. (Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow) and sponsored by the UI Alumni Association.  S.T.A.T. strives to get students involved with their campus and to make their experience at the University of Iowa the time of their lives!

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