Calendar of Events

Wednesday, April 16
Decatur - As part of MU's Food for Thought series, join Dr. David Horn, assistant professor of biology, and George Bennett, associate professor of chemistry, as they present "Green Energy: The Role of Wind Power and Clean Coal in Reducing Greenhouse Gases," 6 p.m. dinner and lecture at Tuscany Steak and Pasta House, 1099 W. Wood. Cost is
$15 per person; pre-register by Tuesday, April 15 to the alumni office or click here to register online.

Friday, April 18
Nominations due for Homecoming alumni awards and Athletic Hall of Fame nominations.

Friday, April 18
Peoria, Ill. - Join us for a Peoria-area alumni and friends gathering from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Caterpillar Inc. Edwards Demonstation and Learning Center, 5801 N. Smith Road, Edwards, Ill., hosted by Doug Oberhelman '75, Caterpillar Group president. Highlights include a demonstration of Caterpillar Inc. equipment and campus update from President Doug Zemke '66 and Peg Luy '75, vice president for alumni and development. Refreshments provided. RSVP to the alumni office by Tuesday, April 15.

Tuesday, April 22
On campus - John Cronin is the speaker at the 2008 James W. Moore Lecture, 7:30 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Art Center. Free to the public; tickets required through the Kirkland Box Office at 217-424-6318. Details at right.

Wednesday, April 30
Decatur - The final lecture in the Food for Thought series, Dr. Judy Parrish, chair and
associate professor of biology, will present "Beans and Increased Gases"and and senior biology major Katrina Strauss will present "Asking STELLA Whether to Rebuild the Ninth Ward In New Orleans" at Tuscany Steak and Pasta House, 1099 W. Wood. Cost for this noon lunch and lecture is $15. RSVP to the alumni office or click here to register online.

Saturday, May 3
San Rafael, Calif. - The student a capella group, 5one, winner of the 2008 Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes regionals, competes for the national title at the Marin Center. Tickets are $35 and $30.

Sunday, May 4
Decatur - Join MCIA friends in the lower level of Richards Treat University Center for Sunday brunch. The cost for brunch is $12. For more info, contact the alumni office at 424-6383; toll free dial 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2586). After brunch, you're invited to attend the Department of Theatre and Dance's annual Equinox Dance Concert at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Tickets sell for $6 each. Contact the Kirkland Box Office for tickets at 217-424-6318.

May 21-June 1
Argentina
Join Millikin alumni and friends for an eight-night trip to Buenos Aires, May 21-June1, including a look at Argentina through the eyes of your host, Dr. Eduardo Cabrera, associate professor of Spanish and a native of the city. For info, call Dave Brandon in the alumni and development office toll free at 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2568) or send him an e-mail.

Saturday, June 21
Decatur - Greek reunion at 4 p.m. at Lock, Stock & Barrel. Drink and food specials will be available, and a cover band will begin at 8 p.m. Planning to join the fun? Call the alumni and development center at 217-424-6383 or toll free to 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2586) by Wednesday, June 18, so that we can give a count to LSB.

Sunday, July 6
St. Louis - Millikin Day at Busch stadium. Join alumni and friends at the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Chicago Cubs. See more details at upper right.

July 24-30
Danube bike trip
Join alumni and friends for a seven-day, six-night bike trip from Passau, Germany, to Vienna, Austria, on a flat bike path along the Danube. For info or to reserve a spot, contact Mandi Landacre Podeschi ’02 of the alumni and development office toll free at 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2586), send her an e-mail, or click here for more details.

Saturday, Aug. 9
Chicago - Join our alumni and friends’ pre-race gathering before Sunday’s Chicago Distance Classic at Buca di Beppo restaurant at 6:30 p.m., Dutch treat. Click here for more info.

Sunday, Aug. 10
Chicago -Millikin hosts an alumni and friends event at the Chicago Distance Classic, a half-marathon organized by running expert John "The Penguin" Bingham '70. Join us for a gear check prior and goodies after the race in the MU tent, which is sponsored by Bingham. Click here for more info.

Oct. 10-12
On campus - Homecoming 2008! Classes ending in three or eight, it's your reunion year! Have ideas? Contact the alumni office at 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2586).

Jan. 3-12, 2009
Galapagos Islands
Join Millikin alumni and friends for a cruise to the Galapagos Islands led by Dr. David Horn, assistant professor of biology. Visit Fernandina, Floreana and Espanola islands to explore caves and underwater life, including dolphins, sea turtles and mola-mola, an elusive ocean sunfish. The cost is $5,950 per person for double occupancy ($8,258 for single) and includes hotel and cabin accommodations, round-trip airfare and coach travel from Central Illinois, admission to Galapagos national park, all meals and transfers, and a $50 gift is made to the Millikin Fund for every trip booked. Want to know more or be put on the mailing list? Call Dave Brandon in the alumni and development office toll free at 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2568) or send him an e-mail at
dbrandon@millikin.edu.


Hot links
Online resources:
Milli-Link XP, online directory
Millikin Quarterly magazine
Wallpaper for your desktop
Listen live to WJMU-FM
Young alumni news/info
History of MU.

Support MU:
The Millikin Fund,
The Big Blue Club, Millikin's official athletic booster club.

Shop online: 
Blue Connection art gallery
First Step Records
Bronze Man Books
Millikin bookstore

Help a future student:
Big Blue VIP program.
Legacy scholarship.
Sibling scholarship

Tell us about yourself:
Submit a class note
Update your info

Alumni performers, actors, artists and authors can post details of upcoming engagements or releases on the Millikin website:
Add your event/release
View the list

Submit wedding photos for the online Big Blue wedding album by e-mail, or call toll free to 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2586) for details. 

HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD...
FROM YOUR OWN BACKYARD.
Author, fisherman, teacher, filmmaker and advocate John Cronin will tell you how at the 2008 James W. Moore Lecture on Tuesday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Kirkland Fine Arts Center. The event is free to the public, but tickets are required. MORE

Earlier that day, Cronin will join a community dialogue about the current and future state of Central Illinois waterways and the struggle for water quality and quantity. MORE

THESE EVENTS "HELD" JUST FOR YOU.
International opera star and 1981 graduate Alan Held is in residence at Millikin through April 25 and will also be featured in four public events during his campus stay, including a 4 p.m., April 20 concert with the Millikin choirs in Decatur's Masonic Temple. MORE

THEY ARE CELEBRATING SCHOLARSHIP.
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is sponsoring the first “Celebrations of Scholarship” on Friday, April 25. During this annual day-long event, students from CAS departments and Honors Program will present results of their research, scholarship and creative efforts to the Millikin community. Additionally, the 15th annual Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium will offer presentations throughout the day, and the Humanities Undergraduate Research Forum (HURF) will have presentations in the afternoon. For more info, contact the CAS office at 217-424-6205.

WE'LL SUPPLY THE FOOD,
YOU PROVIDE THE THOUGHT.
Millikin's Food for Thought series features speakers who are passionate about the environment and the impact we have on it, including April 22 speaker John Cronin (see above). The series is co-sponsored by the alumni association and alumni and development office. MORE

ONE SPEAKER IS ALREADY IN THE HOUSE --
AND ONE HAS BEEN ALL AROUND THE SUN.
Congressman Ray LaHood (R-Peoria), a seven-term representative for the 18th District of Illinois, will give the address at the May 18 commencement ceremony. MORE

On the previous evening, Michael Waller, the retired publisher of the Baltimore Sun and a 1961 graduate, will address the candidates for PACE and master's degrees. Both graduations are ticketed events.

MUSIC FOR FREE.
Local-area alumni: You're invited to these free weekend performances:
Two of MU's top jazz groups perform at the Millikin Jazz Showcase on Friday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Kirkland Fine Arts Center. MORE
In addition, the university's Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform Sunday, April 20, at 2 p.m. in Kirkland Fine Arts Center. MORE

COME ON DOWN, BROTHER.
A weekend of fun is planned for the brothers and sisters of current Millikin students. MORE

ENJOY THE WILD LIFE.
Zany wildlife expert Jeff Corwin, star of Animal Planet's television show, "The Jeff Corwin Experience," brings his animal fun to Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Saturday, April 26. MORE

GET SLAP HAPPY.
Slap an alum on the back and say "well done" by nominating them for an alumni award! Nominations are still being accepted for this fall's Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, to be held Friday, Oct. 10, during Homecoming. Do you know an alum who deserves recognition? Click here for nomination form and award descriptions. Nominations are due this Friday, April 18. Alumni may be nominated for loyalty and service to Millikin, and/or outstanding career accomplishments. There's even a category for young alumni who are making their marks on the world.

REMEMBERING JAMES.
Millikin will honor the memory of James Millikin and celebrate the founding of the university on Wednesday, April 30. The day's activities include a wreath-laying on the tomb of James and Anna Millikin in Decatur's Greenwood Cemetery at 4 p.m. and a special Founder's Day dinner in Wornick Dining Room at 5 p.m. (pay as you go). Alumni and community members are welcome to attend. Call the alumni office for more info.

WANT TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW
BUT DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME?
Millikin offers a wide array of accelerated courses during its upcoming May immersion and summer sessions, and many are open to alumni and friends. Some include travel. MORE

REMEMBER YOUR FAVORITE STUDENT HANGOUT?
Were you wild about the Winery? Do you still get a hankering for Harold's House of Donuts? Do you reminisce about Ralph's or Ronnie's? Did you bond with your boyfriend at the Blue Mill? Did you ever carry home the essence of Ed's aroma on your clothes? Was the Sub your favorite place to spend time with your friends? We want to talk to you about your favorite student haunts for an article to appear in the summer issue of Millikin Quarterly magazine. Answer some questions here.

LET'S ROOT- ROOT- ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM!
(OH, IS MY BIAS SHOWING?)
Join us for Millikin Day at Busch Stadium, Sunday, July 6, as the St. Louis Cardinals take on top rival Chicago Cubs at 1:10 p.m. The seats are right outside and include access to the air-conditioned Bank of America Clubhouse. Cost is $115 per person and includes a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet and beverages of the adult and non-adult variety. For tickets or more info, call toll free to 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2586).

Round trip transportation, including beverages and snacks, from Decatur to the game from Decatur is also available for $25 per person. Be sure to let the alumni office know if you are interested.

SOME FIRST GENERATION TRIVIA FOR YOU
Millikin has often educated students who were the first members of their proud families to attend college. That still holds true today.

What percentage of the freshman class who came to Millikin last fall were the first generation in their family to attend college?

A. 42 percent
B. 19 percent
C. 31 percent
D. 80 percent

Send your best guess to alumnews@millikin.edu, and be sure to include your name and address. Five winners will be selected in a random drawing of all who respond correctly and each will receive a Millikin prize.  

Last month's winners --
Naomi Edward Davis '41
Andrea Roewe '06
Debra Ann Gelfo '88
Jim Dickerson '82
Karen Skowronski Harlin '77

Each won a Millikin leather coaster for correctly guessing that the student newspaper, Decaturian, was first published in 1903.