As director of alumni programs at the UIAA, I can tell you that no two days are ever the same - especially during the summer. Despite the weekly meetings and daily "to do" lists, alumni relations is about people. And that's what makes this job fun!

Just last week I had the privilege to visit with Dr. Kirk Phillips, 02MD, 05PhD, (bottom left) who dropped by the association to register for Alumni Band. Fort Myers IOWA Club leader (and UIAA board member) Justin McBride, 96BS, (bottom right) and his family stopped in last week, too. Then, late Friday afternoon, I hit the road for "BBQ-loo," Waterloo's annual barbeque contest. Memphis IOWA Club members Tim 'Ty' Theisen and Daryl Helle (above) are two of the teammates on TNT Smokers, who entered ribs, chicken, butt, and brisket in the competition. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend the actual judging on Saturday, but this Memphis crew always gets my vote.

What a week it was - and it makes me wonder what this week will bring. If your summer travels bring you to Iowa City, be sure to stop by the UI Alumni Association to see us!

Susan Griffith
Director of Alumni Programs

I'm happy to report that the August issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine has left the building.

Last Thursday, Art Director LeaAnn Henry drove to Davenport to deliver a set of page proofs and a CD with the InDesign files to our wonderful prepress vendor, Digiforce Graphics & Communications. Over the next couple of days, Jennell from Digiforce will be working her magic, checking to ensure that all the files, images, and fonts will come together properly on the printed page.

After we check the proofs one more time, Jennell then sends the files to our printer, R.R. Donnelly in Liberty, Missouri. Once the magazine has been printed, it wends its way to a mailing house and eventually to postal sorting offices across the country. In the meantime, in a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity, we check mail files, draw up comp lists, and transfer funds into our U.S. Postal Service account.

If everything goes according to plan (and unfortunately, there's a lot beyond our control in this complicated process), another outstanding issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine will arrive in your mailboxes in August, bringing you news of campus, alumni, sports, and more.

As for the magazine staff, well, we've already started to plan, write, edit, photograph, and design the next issue. No wonder we get confused sometimes - it's only July, and we've already done August and are halfway into October!

Tina Owen, Editor
tina-owen@uiowa.edu

One week from today, thousands of people will have one day of RAGBRAI under their belts. The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa starts in Sioux City with 10,000 cyclists who will navigate a 442-mile route through small-town Iowa, enjoying food from popular vendors such as Pastafari, the Pork Chop Man, and Farm Boys breakfast burritos. For the second time, I will be one of those riders. With just five days to go, my excitement has started to build - I already have my bike jersey and shorts ready to go. Obviously, I'm a bit antsy to hit the open road!

This year, throughout RAGBRAI, be on the lookout for our UI Alumni Association tent. We will have staff along the route handing out water and other goodies, so stop by and visit us!!

Best of luck to all riders.

Courtney Bond
Assistant Director of Membership and Marketing