http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blog What this blog is all about en-us Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:39:03 GMT Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:36:57 GMT CF Blogger by DayDream Inc http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss nospam@all.ge.tit nospam@all.ge.tit http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=9C893D2C-5056-BD34-25D41A7D29B57648 Anyone who doesn't live in a cave is probably aware of the devastating floods that have deluged Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and other Midwestern towns. All of a sudden, Iowa City and the UI are big news all over the country and even the world (I received phone calls from worried friends in Britain and Australia who'd heard about the historic floods).The UI campus is hit pretty hard, with many buildings closed (including the UI Alumni Association offices). That doesn't mean UI staff aren't busy, though. Many of us have been helping with sandbag efforts to hold back the rising river. Others (including the Iowa Alumni Magazine team) are working from home. It's work as usual--well, apart from the catastrophic events and the surreal feeling that we're starring in a M.Night Shyamalan movie!You'll read more about the floods in the August issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine. In the meantime, check out coverage at the Daily Iowan. TinaEditor What's Goin' On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:36:57 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=9C893D2C-5056-BD34-25D41A7D29B57648 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=9F8D50AE-CD40-207B-D223989A24103D6F That's what I'll be doing this Friday, when the legendary newsman visits the UI campus to meet students and tour the very impressive facilities at the Journalism School.Art Director LeaAnn Randall and I will be following Tom around all afternoon and then sitting down with him for an interview and photograph shoot. By all accounts, despite his superstar status, Tom is a very laid-back, genuine, nice person with strong feelings for the University of Iowa (he spent a year here as a student before transferring to South Dakota, where he earned a political science degree in 1962).The results of our interviews and photo session will appear in the August issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine. That's when UIAA members will get to meet Tom Brokaw, too. TinaEditor Behind the Scenes Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:37:28 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=9F8D50AE-CD40-207B-D223989A24103D6F http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=5E06CD2A-A956-F58B-BB14C06BD6CB09D6 The Gridiron Bash we told you about in the April magazine turned out to be a gridiron bust. All of the concerts that were supposed to take place this month as part of the nationwide college football celebration—including Kelly Clarkson at Kinnick Stadium—were postponed to the fall. Event organizers wanted to check with the NCAA about rules that might limit student-athlete participation.Despite this turn of events, the UI has brought one of the best line-ups of bands to campus that I've seen in recent years. Indie artist Ben Kweller and classic rock group Three Dog Night pepped up crowds on the Pentacrest for Homecoming. The Counting Crows drew a sold-out crowd to the IMU on Tuesday, and you might have seen me rocking out at the Athlete and Switchfoot show last night.As if that weren't enough, OK Go will be playing at the Englert next Tuesday. The band is headlining the 10,000 Hours Show, which you can read more about on page 36 ("What Are You Into?") of the April magazine. When I attended OK Go's show at the IMU two-and-a-half years ago, the band performed the dances from their famed music videos, so get ready to break out those treadmills! ShelbiEditorial Associate What's Goin' On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:15:14 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=5E06CD2A-A956-F58B-BB14C06BD6CB09D6 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=593C19C4-C131-375A-19861739149DC00A Speaking of rock stars, I felt like one at the CASE Editors Forum this past March in New Orleans. When I told my fellow alumni magazine editors that I was from the University of Iowa, they knew our publication well and raved about our redesign. One of the conference speakers even used February's "Tattoo U" article in a presentation that featured best practices for covering controversy.Just as musicians have their Grammys, alumni magazine editors strive for CASE's Circle of Excellence awards. When I arrived at the conference, organizers gave me a red ribbon to wear underneath my name badge that read, "Award Winner." I saved it to give to my coworkers, Kathryn Howe and Tina Owen, who earned the rock star recognition for IAM's December 2006 feature on meth addiction that won a silver medal for "Best Article of the Year."Our peers have weighed in on the revamped Iowa Alumni Magazine; now we'd like to know what you think! Please send us your comments.ShelbiEditorial Associate Magazine Redesign Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:55:21 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=593C19C4-C131-375A-19861739149DC00A http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=5884D7B4-CDC2-3CE0-670BAAAE74513A37 Working on a feature for the June issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine, I've eagerly been sharing my discoveries with all and sundry. For instance, did you know that the University of Iowa has one of the largest and most important fossil collections of all American universities? Or that even now, researchers, professors, and enthusiastic amateur fossil-hunters are unearthing ancient specimens that have the potential to transform our understanding of our world and its history.Tiffany Adrain, 03MS, the charming, engaging, and enthusiastic manager of the UI paleontology collection , captivated me for two hours with a behind-the-scenes tour of the historic marvels that lie packed away in drawers, boxes, and storage units in Trowbridge Hall.Tiffany, a fellow Brit who also ended up in Iowa, rounded off our visit by sharing her bag of Cadbury's mini chocolate eggs (a much-loved sweet treat from home). They're long gone now, of course, but I promise to share with Iowa Alumni Magazine readers other rewarding--and longer-lasting--mementoes from my visit.Tina Editor Behind the Scenes Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:35:11 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=5884D7B4-CDC2-3CE0-670BAAAE74513A37 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=164EB757-04D5-D0A8-191816066B5D73CD I took it as a compliment some time ago when a colleague told me that my office reminded him of a museum. He said he was always curious to see what I display on my shelves.Over the years, I've brought in traditional office accoutrements--pictures of family and friends, a variety of reference books, and plants--but I also surround myself with other things that fascinate or cheer me. Look at the picture I snapped this morning and you'll see some of the treasures that I arranged on the floor for a quick pic.The eggs are from Araucauna chickens that have been dead for years--killed by a fox or coon or weasel who managed to enter the coop. The skull might be the earthly remains from such a predator. I picked it up one day on the farm and kept it. I have another skull from the farm on my piano at home. It's from one of the Angora goats I once raised. I wish I knew if my office skull is that of a fox, but I'm not sure.You can also see the illuminated letter that Editor Tina Owen drew and painted for me long ago, a piece of eroded coral from the beach on the Big Island that a friend found for me, a brown cobblestone from Oxford, the fossilized impression of a fish that lived 50 million years ago, the coiled interior chambers of a conch shell, and a colorful slab of polished stone.I love each one of these things and to me they are art. In our April issue, readers will enjoy looking at some of the art that Iowa City's artists and art experts have chosen to display in their homes. Like Todd Thelen, 90MA, 93MFA, and Eric Dean, I guess I have a magpie's view of the world. Whether the art's created by man or nature, it doesn't have to be expensive to be precious.What about you? What art decorates your home or office? E-mail me to tell me about a special piece that you can't live without. You can attach a photo, too. If response is good, we might share your stories online or in print and prompt more conversation about art.Carol, Editor in Chiefcarol-harker@uiowa.edu What's Goin' On Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:01:07 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=164EB757-04D5-D0A8-191816066B5D73CD http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=D2D522D8-0693-7D8D-859A898D39282BCF ...and write. And e-mail. Whichever communications method they chose, readers certainly weren't slow in letting us know their opinions of the redesigned Iowa Alumni Magazine. We've heard from dozens of people who offered both bouquets and brickbats in response to a somewhat controversial issue of the UIAA's flagship publication. What was all the fuss about? Well, some people didn't like our choice of subject--a UI student who posed for Playboy--for the first in the new series of articles called Consider ...my perspective. And quite a few readers really didn't like our cover story--a photo essay depicting some of the many tattoos that adorn the bodies of UI students, staff, and alumni.While magazine staff never set out to upset or offend readers, we definitely do want them to notice the magazine--and to let us know what they think. So, thanks to everyone who took the time to e-mail, write, or phone to express views like these:"Iowa Alumni Magazine needs not so much a new design as it needs new content.""So much for higher education. This speaks of low expectations for the university and the state of Iowa. It cheapens the pursuit of meaningful education. Where is your sense of integrity?""I loved every word of the "Tattoo U" article for the depth, range, humanity, and delight that the writer brought to that wide-open subject.""The fact that the alumni association decided to cover some edgy topics is even more exciting. I know now that I can look forward to a fun read each and every time the magazine arrives in my mailbox.""I really enjoyed the "Marriage Survival Guide" article! Before I got married, I had these fairy-tale views of what it would be like, and the reality hit me hard."Members of the UIAA will read the full text of these and other readers' letters in the upcoming issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine. Available early in April, the magazine includes features about UI contributions to science education, the allure of self-help books, and a blind professor who's inspiring faculty members and students at the UI with his insights about our world and particularly its treatment of people with disabilities. As always, we can't wait to hear what you think... Tina (Editor) Magazine Redesign Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:33:46 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=D2D522D8-0693-7D8D-859A898D39282BCF http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=80EA23C5-937E-9C9B-E2AFCD559FEF23F1 Congratulations to the Hawkeye women's basketball team, your 2008 Big Ten regular season champions!Learn what's next for team captain Johanna Solverson in the April magazine.ShelbiEditorial Associate Kudos to Iowa People Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:47:51 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=80EA23C5-937E-9C9B-E2AFCD559FEF23F1 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=65FC35A4-D867-63FF-4F83A87067527725 Senior forward Jenee GrahamLast night's wintry weather couldn't keep me away from the final home game of the season for the Hawkeye women's basketball team. I love the energy of game night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena&#8212especially on a Senior Night where a share of the Big Ten title is within reach.Yesterday's game featured all of the things that I've come to enjoy about Carver-Hawkeye&#8212the stillness during "The Star Spangled Banner," the wild cheers of the crowd as the players are introduced, Herky and the pep squad, three-point posters held high, splurging on $3.50 ice cream cones, and those steep steps that make you feel like you've completed your workout for the day.But, what made last night most memorable to me was watching the five Hawkeye seniors go out with a bang: Abby Emmert scored three points and five rebounds, Jenee Graham made a team-high seven rebounds, Johanna Solverson scored 13 points and a team-high six assists, Stacy Schlapkohl contributed six points, and Krista VandeVenter made five rebounds.During the last minutes of the second half, Coach Lisa Bluder put all of the seniors out on the court. Together, they racked up Iowa's largest lead of the night, placing the Hawkeyes 28 points ahead of the Northwestern Wildcats with 4:36 left in the game. One by one, Bluder pulled the seniors out for recognition and standing ovations from the crowd.Iowa clobbered Northwestern with a final score of 68-42. The Hawkeyes are tied for first place in the Big Ten with Ohio State and a road game at Wisconsin on Sunday will decide whether they will claim their first Big Ten regular season title in 10 years. You can read more about the Hawkeyes' memorable season, as well as a profile about how sixth-year senior Johanna Solverson overcame back-to-back ACL injuries, in the April issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine.ShelbiEditorial Associate Kudos to Iowa People Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:17:50 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=65FC35A4-D867-63FF-4F83A87067527725 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=4232FB0B-A9A1-68AD-F217C90E28B910B4 I had a date with Brad Pitt this past weekend at the UI Museum of Art. He arrived in his boxer shorts, sopping wet and holding a gun. Fortunately, it was a water pistol, or I would've called security.Brad wasn't the only familiar face I saw. I also met Johnny Depp, Salma Hayek, Sean Penn, and Winona Ryder. They weren't in town to film a sequel to The Field of Dreams, but appeared in high-definition video as part of the Robert Wilson exhibit, "Voom Portraits."If you haven't visited the museum for awhile, you're in for a shock. Not only did the gallery darken its windows and build extra walls for the exhibit, but it also put most of its permanent collection—including its signature Jackson Pollack—in storage. Far from the tidy labels and white walls of its past, the museum has been transformed into a funhouse—with whimsical music and a surprise lurking behind every dark corner. The exhibit gave me the eerie feeling that I was being watched. At first, I wouldn't notice the subjects of the portraits move. But then, a blink of an eye or a flick of the wrist would give them away. Each portrait demanded more than a passing glance, and a little bit of patience reaped huge rewards—sunrise turned to sunset, a boy put on a mask, a panther talked. I walked out feeling I had just experienced the future of art. I've seen moving artwork before in science-fiction—specifically, in Ray Bradbury's The Veldt and with the animated wanted poster in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban—but this exhibit turned fantasy into real life.You can come face-to-face with a shaggy dog, spunky skunks, a cosmic porcupine, and other visually arresting portraits like I did from now through March 30 at the art museum. For more on the exhibit, check out our article in the February issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine. And, if you get a chance to see "Voom Portraits" before it leaves Iowa City, let me know what you think.ShelbiEditorial Associate What's Goin' On Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:31:20 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=4232FB0B-A9A1-68AD-F217C90E28B910B4 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=3CE2EF88-09DC-0981-5B15F94181E89491 Members of the magazine staff have received both curses and kudos since our first issue of a made-over magazine was mailed a couple weeks ago. We always want feedback, and this time we've been rewarded beyond expectations.Many readers took issue with our cover story, the photo feature on tattooed students, alumni, and staff at the UI. They reasoned that because we included a story on tattoos on campus that we were promoting them.Actually, we didn't intend to either promote or denigrate individuals with tattoos, but rather to note that they are much more common today than heretofore.Counting up all the e-mails and telephone calls I've received to date, I can report that 63 percent of these express negative reactions to the article, while 37 percent are positive.Not surprisingly, most of the positive feedback came from younger readers, although there were happy exceptions to the rule.Ours is a general-interest publication aimed at a broad range of readers with many passions and viewpoints. Of course, we'll keep trying to reflect the University of Iowa as the microcosm of ideas and attitudes that it is--and we hope that positive response to our next issue will predominate over negative.As I said, we'll keep trying--and you'll be the judge.Carol, Editor in Chief Magazine Redesign Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:45:48 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=3CE2EF88-09DC-0981-5B15F94181E89491 http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=13D1F3CD-F461-35E0-31544FDE06F694AA Usually, it takes IAM staff about two months to plan, research, write, design and proofread an issue of the magazine. Well, we've just gone through the longest two months in history!We "started work" on our February 2008 issue some 18 months ago, when we first met to discuss a planned redesign and relaunch. Many, many, many meetings later, the new publication arrived in UIAA members' mailboxes a few days ago and the stunning new Web magazine made its debut online. Whew! We're glad it's finally over--and we're very excited about the new magazine. We hope our readers are, too.Not that we expect--or can realistically aim--to please, everyone, of course. Our 54,000 alumni readers have widely varying interests, opinions, and experiences.We undertook the redesign to help keep the magazine current with media and readership trends, and to ensure that it stays relevant and interesting to UI alumni. Were we successful? Only time--and, more importantly, our readers--will tell. Do let us know what you think about YOUR magazine. E-mail tina-owen@uiowa.edu. or post a comment in reply to this blog entry.TinaEditor Magazine Redesign Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:22:49 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=13D1F3CD-F461-35E0-31544FDE06F694AA http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=F4F98441-EDD8-D5BD-A82A301993C13F5E What an inspiration! I've been corresponding with former UI Golden Girl and current Miss Iowa, Diana Reed, about her experiences at the Miss America pageant. It's easy to sniff at such events for reducing participants to little more than big smiles and big hair. But there's much more to Diana than meets the eye. Yes, she's lovely. She's also intelligent (she graduated from the UI last year with a joint degree in business and performing arts entrepreneurship), talented (she earned a standing ovation at the Miss America pageant for her baton twirling performance--and she didn't even do her signature flaming batons routine!), and caring. As Miss Iowa, she travels around the state, meeting children and explaining to them why character counts. It's a refreshing message--and a very Iowa one--in a world where many people often seem driven by a "me-first" attitude.You'll read about Diana in the April issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine . But, don't wait that long to find out more about this incredible woman--check out her blog.TinaEditor Kudos to Iowa People Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:37:48 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=F4F98441-EDD8-D5BD-A82A301993C13F5E http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=CBD30B9C-B01A-3EDC-06BBA5787B0B6FAE Hawkeye households stayed close to their TVs Saturday night to see how UI business grad and former Golden Girl Diana Reed fared in the Miss America pageant. Reed made it to the top ten, only to be eliminated as she was about to perform her highly anticipated three-baton routine. Fortunately, word got out to the pageant host that Reed's performance in the preliminary talent competition had "brought the house down." He gave her 30 seconds before commercial break to showcase her talent, which ended with a standing ovation.Today, Reed was featured in " target="_blank">Fortune Small Business magazine, but I don't expect that will be the last you'll hear of her. Chances are good that you'll see Reed on Broadway...and in a future issue of Iowa Alumni Magazine.ShelbiEditorial Associate Kudos to Iowa People Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:51:21 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=CBD30B9C-B01A-3EDC-06BBA5787B0B6FAE http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=B32E3606-9778-C68D-AD7F2B8431E12694 You never know who you might run into at a Hawkeye football game. While tailgating with some friends before this season's home opener, I met Miss Iowa. At first I wondered why a woman wearing a sash and tiara would ever want to visit a rowdy sporting event. Then it dawned on me--this wasn't just any beauty queen, but former UI Golden Girl Diana Reed.Diana has already twirled her way into the hearts of Hawkeye fans. Now, as a contestant in this year's Miss America Pageant, she's doing the same with the judges, as well as fans of the T.V. show Miss America Reality Check. On her blog this past Wednesday, the 2007 UI business grad expressed her joy over winning the pageant's preliminary talent competition. Tomorrow, we'll find out whether she can translate this success into a Miss America win. The pageant airs on Saturday, January 26, at 7 p.m. on TLC.The Norwalk native hasn't forgotten her Iowa roots in her quest for the crown. To prepare for the interview section of the competition, Diana turned to her former professors at the Tippie College of Business, who invited the public to meet her and ask her questions at a series of events in Iowa City. Though the Q&As are over now, you can still help Diana with your vote.I hope I have the opportunity to meet Miss Iowa again--not only as a Hawkeye fan, but as a reporter introducing Miss America to alumni association members through Iowa Alumni Magazine.ShelbiEditorial Associate Kudos to Iowa People Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:00:25 GMT http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/blogdisplay_blog.cfm?bid=B32E3606-9778-C68D-AD7F2B8431E12694