Iowa Insider

"Ad"-orable

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:59:39 GMT

Click the image above to watch the full comercialSuper Bowl XLIV is now history, and the New Orleans Saints are the world's reigning football champions.Debate continues to rage, though, regarding the best 2010 Super Bowl ad. Per the national media outlets and a quick review of online musings, there doesn't seem to be a clear favorite among this year's ads. I enjoyed several of the 30-second spots - including the Snickers ad featuring Betty White and Abe Vigoda, and of course, the E*TRADE ads ALWAYS crack me up.Without a doubt, my No. 1 vote goes to the Doritos ad featuring a man sitting on a park bench trying to get a white lab-looking mutt wearing a "no bark/shock collar" to speak in exchange for a tasty treat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDqk8i8o6YQ). For those who saw this ad, you know the story. The dog unbuckles its shock collar and proceeds to place the collar around the neck of the man on the park bench. The dog barks. The man squeals in pain and ends up prone face-down on the sidewalk, and the dog's head is then completely entrenched in the bag of Doritos.Perhaps this ad is my favorite due to my love of canines. Or, maybe it ranks No. 1 with me, because, compared to many of the game's other commercials, this Doritos ad show a scenario that is not all that far-fetched. I had, on occasion, used a similar collar (mine sprayed citronella instead of providing a shock) on one of my pooches to help eliminate his urge to warn me of any and all movement outside the house. This past summer the collar turned up missing. It wasn't until raking leaves in early November that I found the collar buried under a pile of disintegrating leaves rusty and ruined. Something tells me that the collar didn't just slip off.In addition to this Doritos ad, last night's Super Bowl provided loads of other highlights. What a game. What a story. And to witness Iowa's own Dallas Clark out on the field was the best treat of all.Susan GriffithDirector of Alumni Programs

Attention UI Latino & Native American Alumni - Input Needed

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:14:18 GMT

In 2011, the Latino and Native American Cultural Center (LNACC), formerly known as the Chicano and Indian American Student Union, will celebrate 40 years on the University of Iowa campus. We look forward to hosting alumni and friends of all generations to help celebrate this milestone. A specific date will be determined, in part, from the opinions gathered in an online survey. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey to help plan for the 2011 LNACC celebration. We value your input and want the celebration events to reflect your interests.You'll also be asked if you are interested in helping with the celebration or a specific event - alumni volunteers are a critical component to the success of this momentous occasion.Christina WrightAssistant Director of Alumni Programs

UI Dance Marathon exceeds $1 mill for 3rd consecutive year

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:45:20 GMT

University of Iowa students raised $1,058,658 during the 16th UI Dance Marathon that was held Feb. 5-6 at the Iowa Memorial Union on the UI campus in Iowa City. ...read more

How to Embrace Being a UI Student

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:33:59 GMT

(Click the image above to view full size image.)Once upon a time, I was a UI student, and I was fortunate enough to get involved in UI student activities right from the get-go. I was a part of RiverRun, PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America), a regular at the House of Aromas coffee shop - and I was very devoted to Dance Marathon. The people that I met during my undergrad days changed my life and have become my closest confidants and friends. In addition, through these activities, I learned skills that have helped me personally and professionally.I encourage everyone to get involved and to also stay involved as an alum. Last weekend was Dance Marathon 16, and I attended, volunteered, and helped in any way I could - it was a great time! An active and engaged alumni community will only strengthen the University of Iowa!So I challenge all students to GET INVOLVED in campus activities and/or enjoy Iowa City and its unique culture. Involvement does make a difference, and it will make your time at Iowa more meaningful. The Office of Student Life has a neat poster this year called "47 Things YOU Should Do at IOWA," and here are some of the ones I like:Feed the ducks by the IMUStudy in the 11 libraries on campusParticipate in a fraternity or sorority philanthropy eventVisit the inside of the Old CapitolVisit the Hall of Fame MuseumAttend a University of Iowa Lecture Committee lectureGet your photo taken with HerkyGRADUATE!!!Your years at the UI will fly by, so make the most of them TODAY!Courtney BondAssistant Director of Membership and Marketing

Wave Goodbye

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:21:34 GMT

An aquatic era draws to a close this evening, when the UI holds its last competitive swimming event at the Field House pool.Although the facility was the world's largest indoor swimming pool when it was built in 1927, time has taken its toll. Many potential incoming recruits can't see past the "old" to appreciate the historic details in a pool that now leaks and is difficult to heat. The state-of-the-art Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, due to open this spring, will serve as the swimmers' new home next season.All fans who attend tonight's meet against Western Illinois will receive a free poster to commemorate what head swimming coach Marc Long calls "one of the legendary pools in America." One of the first schools in the nation to compete on a collegiate level, the UI competed at the first NCAA Championships. In 1934, coach David Armbruster, 20BA, 31MA [deceased], invented the butterfly stroke in the Field House pool.Although tonight sees the final collegiate meet, the pool will actually close in a few months' time, after swim alumni return on April 17 for what will undoubtedly prove a very emotional meet - and one last lap in the Field House.Tina OwenEditor

First Mascot Matchmaker event yields phenomenal turnout!

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:35:14 GMT

Nearly 60 alumni came to the Blue Moon Piano Lounge in Des Moines for the UIAA's first Mascot Matchmaker event to see if they could make a love connection with one of their fellow intra-state alumni. This event was created in conjunction with the alumni associations of Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. The speed dating lasted two hours last night, and some participants stuck around with their newfound friends to enjoy the dueling pianos.Since this has had such a great turnout, we are considering other cities to recreate this event. If you think your city is a good base, please let us know! A Big Ten Mascot Matchmaker event is possibly in the works for summer 2010 in one of our larger alumni base cities.Leslie PrideauxAssistant Director of Alumni Programs

Marilynne Robinson will present 2010 UI Presidential Lecture

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:43:14 GMT

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson, a faculty member in the Iowa Writers' Workshop, will present the 27th annual University of Iowa Presidential Lecture, "Being Here," at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, in the 4th Floor Assembly Halls of the Levitt Center for University Advancement. ...read more

UI students on President's List for fall 2009

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:00:55 GMT

Some 250 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the president's list for the 2009 fall semester. ...read more

UI Career Networking Event: Des Moines, Feb. 24

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:28:12 GMT

One mission of the UI Alumni Association is to "tell the good news" of our institution and our alumni. We have such accomplished graduates that are easy to brag on. But I also think it's important to tell the story of those that have fallen on hard times in this economy, those people who are in a troublesome job market. These past two years have been quite difficult for a lot of our alumni who've been laid off, especially those in the banking and finance area. I have attended a couple alumni events in Des Moines that were networking or career development-related. In one instance, we had seven alumni who had recently been laid off from a large Des Moines financial company. It's really heart-breaking to hear the stories of these alumni - who vary in age from 25 to 55 years old - who are struggling in this job market.On February 24, the UIAA and Tippie College of Business are partnering on a career development and networking event in downtown Des Moines. Dr. Amy Kristof-Brown will discuss finding a good fit in both your company and your career, and we'll have UI alumni from Des Moines that are in the HR/recruiting/staffing industry on hand to review résumés. They'll be great appetizers and a cash bar provided. This event is open to the public.We invite everyone to this event; whether or not you have a job, it's always important to increase your network and build your skill set.To learn more and RSVP, please visit www.iowalum.com/lifelonglearning/emails/01_10find.html.Christina WrightAssistant Director of Alumni Programs

UI students on Dean's List for fall 2009

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:47:49 GMT

Some 3,700 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the dean's list for the 2009 fall semester. ...read more

Hawkeye Spirit Down Under

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:18:56 GMT

A jovial bunch of Iowa Voyagers enjoys a Hawkeye reception on board the Oceania Nautica during their Australia and New Zealand cruise, January 5-23. Last week, I received these photos from the tour director who managed a large group of alumni from a variety of universities and schools during the "Splendors Down Under" cruise operated by Go Next. She took these during our special Iowa reception on board the Oceania Nautica. She commented that our small Iowa group was so friendly and good-natured. That comment comes as no surprise, since our Iowa Voyagers travelers are known for their cordiality. It's just that Hawkeye spirit!Diane BakerDirector of Alumni TravelSpecial thanks to Richard and Barbara Graf (University of Iowa Alumni Association life members), of Highland, Wisconsin, for serving as greeters for our Iowa group!

The Hawkeyes Make Their Korean Pop Culture Debut

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:01:41 GMT

Iowa has already made a name for itself on the gridiron, but its fame may have reached a whole new pinnacle this past week with a pop music video released halfway around the world.Girls' Generation - the most popular music group in South Korea - showed some love for the Hawkeyes in this video for its number-one smash hit, "Oh!" Starting about 28 seconds into the song, group members hug, kiss, and toss around a Hawkeye football helmet. The viral video has received more than 1.5 million hits since last Tuesday.Puzzled by the Iowa connection, I asked two of my friends who are Korean-American UI alumni to explain the video and why Girls' Generation appears to be such Hawkeye fans. Here's the response: "Hate to disappoint, but the song has nothing to do with the helmet or the Hawkeyes. This song is basically about a girl liking and thinking about a guy. So I guess the helmet represents the guy."None of us have a clue about why Iowa is the only football team represented in this cheerleader-themed video, but no need for the lyrics to remain a mystery: The English translation can be found here.How 'bout them (world-famous) Hawkeyes?Shelbi ThomasEditorial Associate

UI Dance Marathon Kicks Off Friday Night at 7!

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:37:43 GMT

The Dance Marathon Alumni Group (DMAG), sponsored by the UI Alumni Association, will be at Dance Marathon this weekend to donate money raised during DM alumni fundraisers and support current students through their 24 hours of dancing. Once a DM participant graduates, they are automatically a part of DMAG. Each year, we host events and send out DMAG newsletters in order to keep everyone updated with news and opportunities. Visit www.iowalum.com/dancemarathon to find out more!Alumni Events at DM16Just because your days as a University of Iowa student are history doesn't mean you have to give up on DM. You can still sign up to be a dancer, spirit dancer, or to attend DMAG events during the big event. Alumni are free to come and go from the IMU, but please check in at the DMAG table first to get your event pass.Friday, February 5 - Join DM alumni for a social in downtown Iowa City from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Airliner (upper level). A group will be gathering at the IMU at 8:30 p.m. to walk together to the Airliner.Saturday, February 6 - Dance Marathon will host a FREE meal for all alumni at 11 a.m. in the IMU's River Room. Following the meal, DMAG and all alumni at the event will be recognized on stage between 1 and 2 p.m. Don't miss out! See you there, and as always, it's For The Kids!Courtney BondMember of DMAG Leadership BoardAssistant Director of Membership and Marketing

IOWA Clubs Advocate for the UI

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:24:11 GMT

Alumni groups across the county come together hundreds of times throughout the year to share Hawkeye camaraderie and to support Iowa's athletic teams both in person and via local game watches. But these groups - UI Alumni Association-supported IOWA Clubs - do far more beyond their support of Hawkeye athletics.This year, IOWA Clubs from New York to Orange County, CA, and from Fort Myers, FL, to Phoenix, provided scholarships to a dozen students attending the UI from their respective club regions. IOWA Clubs raise scholarship funds through a variety of events and activities. To find an IOWA Club in your area, visit www.iowalum.com/clubs/usclubs.html.On, Iowa!Susan GriffithDirector of Alumni Programs

UI helps Coralville health information provider

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:18:32 GMT

The University of Iowa's Small Business Development Center is helping a Coralville business that helps health care providers make sure their patients know exactly what's wrong with them. ...read more