http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/ The official blog of the UI Aumni Association staffers, posting interesting tidbits about programs, events, Iowa clubs, Iowa-related stories, UI news, and other topics of interest to UI alumni. en-us Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:35:09 GMT Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:00:10 GMT CF Blogger by DayDream Inc http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss zachary-schmidt@uiowa.edu zachary-schmidt@uiowa.edu http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=D36426B7-EBB1-E69E-BA8411017673886A Last night, we had our annual S.T.A.T. informational meeting. You might think that we would only have a handful attend, but you would not be taking the free Beat State Week shirt into consideration. It is amazing what one little free T-shirt can spark in a group of more than 700 students. We would love to think that 700 busy students came to learn about the benefits of S.T.A.T., but I do know better. As a result of our meeting, we had more than 100 new members join, ten new applications for the ambassadors, and handed out more than 500 free Beat State shirts.For Beat State Week, we have a great line-up. Check out the schedule here.Go, Hawks!Leslie PrideauxAssistant Director of Alumni Programs Alumni Association News Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:00:10 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=D36426B7-EBB1-E69E-BA8411017673886A http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=CF22FAD6-C68E-7379-FE51B80E00FB4A98 If you live in the Chicago area, we would like to invite you to join fellow alumni for lunch on Wednesday, September 8, at Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House in Naperville. This is a career-themed networking lunch organized by the alumni associations of Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa. The topic is "Aligning Generational Differences In Today's Workplace," presented by Jeffrey Parsons, a 1989 graduate of the University of Iowa and president of IGC Associates. Mr. Parsons has 20 years experience as a global facilitator, coach, and consultant. Act quickly if you want to register for this lunch as the deadline is tomorrow.If September 8th doesn't work, you'll have another chance to join us in downtown Chicago on Wednesday, October 6, at Petterino's. The topic of this lunch will be "Big Thinking in Business," presented by Mary Beth Hughes Wilke, a 1977 graduate of Iowa State University. She is the co-founder of Big Thinking by the Hour, a Chicago-based company that helps organizations program their own websites with content that attracts audiences and promotes sales.The lunches are from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and we'd love to see you at one or both - your career will thank you!Jane KirschPrograms Assistant What's Goin' On Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:10:30 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=CF22FAD6-C68E-7379-FE51B80E00FB4A98 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=CA0DA4FD-E088-48C5-268BB9221B3D0433 The Iowa Voyagers group from our 2009 Antarctica trip: Gary and Gloria McIntyre (UIAA Old Capitol Club members) of Rockwell City; Janet Bailey of Sacramento; Marilyn Wirtz (UIAA annual member) of Iowa City; Janet and Richard Vavra (UIAA annual members) of Antelope, CA; Sandra Lawrence (UIAA Old Capitol Club member) of Solon; and Jean Landon of Coronado, CA. One of the most adventurous trips offered annually by the Iowa Voyagers is the Antarctica experience. Every year, a small band of intrepid Iowa travelers brave the long flights, the infamous Drake Passage crossing, and the chilly weather of austral summer to experience firsthand the marvels of Earth's most remote continent. These adventurers are rewarded a hundred-fold when they get to interact with penguins, feel dwarfed by immense and colorful icebergs, and bond with one of nature's most spectacular and fragile ecosystems.Travelers should book early: our 2011 trip is sold out already. If Antarctica is on your life list of places to experience, mark your calendar for January/February 2012 when we will once again take a handful of Iowa Voyagers to this phenomenal place. For more detail or to put your name on an advance notice list, e-mail diane-baker@uiowa.edu.Diane BakerDirector, Iowa Voyagers Iowa Voyagers Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:29:06 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=CA0DA4FD-E088-48C5-268BB9221B3D0433 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=CA085649-DA87-B029-8A5ECBD1B3D8E0A3 I recently made a new friend who asked me how we come up with story ideas for Iowa Alumni Magazine. I told her that inspiration can strike anywhere - and at any time.For example, last Friday, I attended the Landlocked Film Festival in downtown Iowa City. I was watching a documentary called From the Badlands to Alcatraz (which followed a group of Lakota youth challenged to swim from Alcatraz to the San Francisco shore) when I realized the director and doctor who mentored the young adults graduated from the Carver College of Medicine. Immediately, I knew I'd love to do this story for readers of Iowa Alumni Magazine.How and where do you find your muse?Shelbi ThomasEditorial Associate Behind the Scenes Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:23:18 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=CA085649-DA87-B029-8A5ECBD1B3D8E0A3 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=C489FD52-9A69-79DB-B323D6AAD8FA2DC3 Hawkeye spirit is in the air, and all roads lead to Iowa City! In just five days, Kinnick Stadium will be rockin' for Iowa's season opener against Eastern Illinois. Thousands of fans will head to town a day early to celebrate the second annual FryFest at the Iowa River Landing on Friday, September 3. This year, FryFest attendees are invited to help break the Guinness World Record for the largest organized Hokey Pokey Dance - we just need 4,431 Iowa fans to 'put your left foot in...Go Hawks! Beat Eastern Illinois! Susan GriffithDirector of Alumni Programs Hawkeye Sports Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:47:11 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=C489FD52-9A69-79DB-B323D6AAD8FA2DC3 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=B5501186-A7BC-A1B3-2D33B36DB810B3F0 One week from Saturday marks the start of the much-anticipated 2010 Hawkeye football season. At my house, we're experiencing a different kind of countdown. One week from Saturday could be the day our third child makes her way into the world. My actual due date is September 10 - but I have a feeling there's no way I'm going to make it until then. I'm the office pot who looks like she's going to boil over any second; we even have a baby pool going to see when this kid will arrive.Although September 4 (Iowa vs. Eastern Illinois) sounds like a great day to have a baby, I'd prefer to avoid football Saturday. I can't imagine trying to get to UI Hospitals & Clinics on game day. No, Sunday sounds much better.I'd also prefer to hang around the Levitt Center these next few days, just to wrap up my final stories for our October issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine (including a special feature on - what else? - Iowa tailgating) and other UIAA-related projects. I aim to serve.So, I'm shooting this baby a memo now:Dear Baby Girl, I've given this a lot of thought and feel it's in our best interest to go for Labor Day (September 6). I mean, how appropriate is that? Now is as good a time as any to start listening to your mother.Are you with me? Can't wait to meet you, MomKathryn HoweAssociate Editor Behind the Scenes Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:49:37 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=B5501186-A7BC-A1B3-2D33B36DB810B3F0 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=AF6248FC-F85E-6489-C8CF05E5B68657CE This past weekend, I had the joy of working with my co-chair, Ryan McFadden of Res Life, to put on the first event of Welcome Week called the Hawkeye Bash. It was a smashing success with more than 1,000 students attending. We had a Casino Night (not with real money) with 20 tables of blackjack and poker, a karaoke room packed to the brim with students giving their vocal chords a workout, a rave where students danced and were entertained by Intersection, a men's a cappella group, and a drag show, and a V.I.P. section where students were able to meet some of the administration, deans, and presidents. The Bijou also presented the movie Fight Club, and students had the opportunity to take a shuttle to Target to shop after hours.All in all, I can't think of a better way to welcome the largest first-year class to the University of Iowa.Leslie PrideauxAssistant Director of Alumni Programs What's Goin' On Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:11:48 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=AF6248FC-F85E-6489-C8CF05E5B68657CE http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=AA4BB2F3-DABA-3A66-2856D003824EA9BA Webinar is short for Web-based seminar, a presentation that is transmitted over the Internet. It is an interactive seminar that merges a conference call and a Web presentation.The UI Alumni Association is teaming up with the Pomerantz Career Center to host monthly webinars on a variety of subjects. No travel is involved to participate in these professional development webinars - just a computer and an Internet connection with speakers or a headset. Registration is free for UIAA members and $5 (per webinar) for nonmembers.During the webinar, you'll be able to hear the presenter, see a slideshow, type in questions to the presenter for a live response, and take online polls to see how your opinions compare to the other virtual attendees. After the webinar, the presentation will be archived and accessible exclusively to registered attendees for up to 30 days.The webinar topics will range from making a good first impression to tips on using social media. Times will alternate between the lunch hour and evening to accommodate different personal schedules.In preparation for the upcoming webinars, staff at the alumni association (including myself) and Pomerantz Career Center participated in a practice webinar a few weeks ago. It was very interesting, a lot of fun, and I especially liked the online polls.To learn more about participating in the webinars or to register, go to: www.iowalum.com/career/webinars.Jane KirschPrograms Assistant Alumni Association News Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:29:01 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=AA4BB2F3-DABA-3A66-2856D003824EA9BA http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A61774A3-C81E-0AE5-0BF3C857E5BCA87A Today is day three of my UIAA trip to Oxford with our UI alumni and friends from the Michigan State University Alumni Association. The weather today was wonderful, the sun was shining, and there wasn't any rain. A success on all accounts!I've traveled to England before, but I still always smile when I see such typical "English sensibilities." This includes cute little bins to collect litter (not trash, mind you), and this sign on the bathroom door near the courtyard in our housing facilities on Oxford's campus:In the U.S., our reminders in bathrooms to wash our hands (Employees MUST wash their hands immediately!) usually feels like an old, grouchy school marm that's about to swat us across the knuckles with a ruler. But this sign? I feel like a kind, little grandmother with a kitten lapel pin on her shirt collar is going to say this with a tray of freshly baked cookies in her hand.Christina WrightAssistant Director of Alumni Programs Iowa Voyagers Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:53:29 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A61774A3-C81E-0AE5-0BF3C857E5BCA87A http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A4CAD6DA-9BFD-1D76-08F7E93DEC7853A8 As I see all the kids going back to classes, from tiny ones with backpacks twice their size to young adults in college, it seems very odd not having a child in school this fall. My daughter graduated with her B.A. from the University of Iowa in May and is, for the first time in 20 years, a non-student. There's always been school of some sort: Good Shepherd preschool beginning at age two-and-a-half, kindergarten through sixth grade at Shimek Elementary, junior high at South East, City High for four years, and finally four years at the UI. She was always so involved in school activities at every level. Though she plans to attend law school next fall 2011, we're both feeling a bit of a void right now. The other day she said, "Mom, now I'm just an ordinary working person and that's not very exciting."Diane Baker Director, Iowa Voyagers Behind the Scenes Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:50:10 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A4CAD6DA-9BFD-1D76-08F7E93DEC7853A8 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A4B91DFC-922A-B17E-2EA61C2C251BB59F Aasif MandviIt's 6 o'clock on a weekday evening. Do you know where your college student is?Chances are your Hawkeye is in front of the TV watching the Daily Show, a satirical look at the day's news. When I lived in the dorms, I'd walk down the hall at that time and find more TVs tuned into Jon Stewart than Peter Jennings. Many of my journalism professors enjoyed the Comedy Central show, too. They not only liked the humor, but also the guest list, which read like a who's who of Capitol Hill.The UI has had its share of guests on the show. Earlier this summer, the whole campus tuned in to see Iowa Writers' Workshop professor Marilynne Robinson plug her new book, Absence of Mind (here's the episode).Tonight, UI Daily Show lovers are in for a real treat. As part of Welcome Week, Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi will share "The Real Story Behind the Fake News." Check it out with me tonight at 7:30 at the Englert.Shelbi ThomasEditorial Associate Campus News Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:30:49 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A4B91DFC-922A-B17E-2EA61C2C251BB59F http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A0EA69A2-D953-08AE-0D00AE66BCB39938 It's here - the 2010 fall semester at the University of Iowa has begun!About 4,500 first-year students (the UI's largest incoming class ever) and 1,200 new transfer students have officially started their first year at Iowa. Following the kickoff of Welcome Week this past Saturday, classes have started and the campus is bustling with activity.While I hate to see summer come to a close, the arrival of students on campus and the energy and enthusiasm that comes with them makes fall one of my favorite times of the year. In Iowa City, the changing of the seasons is marked by more than changes in temperature and varying types of precipitation. The arrival and departure of students, Iowa City traffic delays, and the competition schedules of various Hawkeye athletic teams - from football to softball - also help us measure the passage of time.On, Iowa! Go Hawks!Susan GriffithDirector of Alumni Programs Alumni Association News Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:46:11 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A0EA69A2-D953-08AE-0D00AE66BCB39938 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A0D583E6-0271-1BA3-B64A719CF6E54445 One of the many perks of my job (there are lots) is the ability to travel abroad with our alumni. This year, I am assisting with our alumni trip to Oxford (England, not Iowa) that will also include alumni from Michigan State University. The trip over was good (no delays!), and the weather here is cool and cloudy, a nice reprieve from the desperately humid Iowa weather right now.Today, we arrived to Oxford and checked in to our accommodations. I met Martha, an Iowa alumna from Hampton, and Anita (above), an MSU alumna from Chicago, and we immediately hit it off. Of course, right after orientation this afternoon, the facilities opened their bar to us, and, we all enjoyed a glass of champagne or wine (or Diet Coke for me...oh, how I already miss my Diet Dr. Pepper) to celebrate our safe trip here.The UIAA hosts LOTS of trips (a fellow coworker leaves this week for an Alaskan cruise), so check them out: www.iowalum.com/voyagers.Christina WrightAssistant Director of Alumni Programs Iowa Voyagers Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:23:21 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=A0D583E6-0271-1BA3-B64A719CF6E54445 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=914DF6D0-9E2F-CEB5-62DB1A247A9922C5 If you'd asked me a year ago which blogs I read regularly, I likely would have sneered. Blogs, shmlogs, new-fangled nonsense! I would have mentally harrumphed.I am now officially eating my words. It took me a while, but I've finally realized why people rave about blogs. Admittedly, there are still plenty of boring blogs out there (rambling, self-centered, filled with misspellings and poor grammar), but a good blog is a joy to discover. They're insightful, funny, unexpected, and much more. It's like your best friend chatting with you—right there on your computer screen.A quick poll of UIAA staff members resulted in this list of must-reads."Kiss My Aster"—an informative, inspiring, and humorous offering from Horticulture magazine.http://www.hortmag.com/kissmyaster"First Impressions"—memorable thoughts, observations, and questions from a UI alumna who ended up in California (via Iowa) from India.http://www.mansibhatia.com"Geeks Are Sexy"—technical news, reviews, and tutorials for IT professionals and computer enthusiasts (in other words, nerds).http://www.geeksaresexy.netGIZMODO—for those who can't resist the latest electronic gadgets (yes, Tina H., I'm talking about you!).http://gizmodo.comBlack Heart Gold Pants—a blog that's been "swelling with Hawkeye pride since 2007."http://www.blackheartgoldpants.comLargehearted Boy—a blog complete with free—and legal!—downloads for music and literature lovers.http://blog.largeheartedboy.comDooce—a hilarious look at the trials and tribulations of modern life, families, and careers from a professional blogger.http://www.dooce.comWe'd love to hear about your faves, too, so leave your comments. And don't worry about sparing our blushes—if "Iowa Insider" is one of your must-read blogs, then, by all means, say so!Tina OwenEditortina-owen@uiowa.edu What's Goin' On Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:00:59 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=914DF6D0-9E2F-CEB5-62DB1A247A9922C5 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=86E0C5B3-E438-B74C-36C6C85D7E932247 Leave the intrastate rivalry at the door - your career will thank you.Organized by the alumni associations of Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa, these career-themed networking lunches in the Chicago area offer interesting speakers discussing ways to improve yourself to help improve the workplace.Attend one, two, or all three lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hugo's Frog bar and Fish House on September 8 and Petterino's on October 6. For more information and to register, visit www.iowalum.com/career/lunch/chicago. What's Goin' On Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:25:31 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=86E0C5B3-E438-B74C-36C6C85D7E932247