Calendar of Events

Saturday, Aug. 2
Des Moines, Iowa - 5 p.m. Principal Park, Des Moines. Join alumni and friends in the Des Moines area for a free tailgate preceding the Iowa Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies baseball game. For details and game ticket info, click here or call Emily Oshita Layton '98 at 641-445-5145 or send her an e-mail.

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.

Tuesday, Aug. 26
on campus - Remember when? Starry-eyed freshmen enter their first day of classes as fall semster begins.

Sunday, Sept. 14
Decatur - MCIA (Millikin Central Illinois Alumni) BBQ, 5-7 p.m. See right for details.

Oct. 10-12
On campus - Homecoming 2008! Click here to check out this year's list of hotel accommodations, available at a limited-time special rate!

Saturday, Dec. 6
On campus - 50th Vespers Celebration, reception from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in Richards Treat University Center (immediately preceding the 3 p.m. Vespers performance in Kirkland Fine Arts Center), hosted by Dr. Brad Holmes, director of choral activities, and featuring special guest Kay Hoffland, wife of the late Richard Hoffland, founding director of the Vespers concerts. Alumni who have performed at Vespers through the years are especially encouraged to join us for this event! Watch for more details in the fall issue of Millikin Quarterly, and upcoming issues of Out of the Blue.

Dec. 13-20
Europe
Join Millikin alumni and friends for an eight-day, seven-night trip to Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Click here for more info. The cost is about $2,768 per person (with a slight variance for insurance depending on age). To learn more, call Peg Smith Luy '75 in the alumni and development office toll free at 1-877-JMU-ALUM (568-2568) or send her an e-mail at pluy@millikin.edu

Jan. 3-12, 2009
Galapagos Islands
Alumni and friends take a cruise to the Galapagos Islands led by Dr. David Horn, assistant professor of biology. To learn more, 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

Jan. 9-15, 2009
Mexico and Belize -
Big Blue young alumni and friends cruise to Mexico and Belize.

Feb. 21, 2009
Decatur -
4 p.m. Help Millikin and Decatur break the world record for tango dancing. (P.S. to non-dancers: "If you can walk, you can tango," organizers say.) MORE

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.
The College of Fine Arts Patrons Society

RECOGNIZED LEADERS IN STUDENT AFFAIRS
AND ATHLETICS JOIN MILLIKIN STAFF.
Millikin's new dean of students is the current president of the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP) and brings more than 25 years of experience in college student affairs to his new position. MORE

The new director of athletics and recreation won 14 conference championships and secured nine trips to the NCAA championships in seven different sports during his eight years at his former position. MORE

STUDY AT MILLIKIN AND SEE THE WORLD.
Millikin students have been on the go this summer, learning in all parts of the globe. Among recent study abroad trips led by university professors were trips to China, Nigeria, Argentina, Ireland and the Caribbean.

MAIN STREET'S EXTREME MAKEOVER CONTINUES.
Progress continues on the West Main Street streetscape improvement project in front of Shilling Hall. The street, which is currently closed from Oakland Avenue to Fairview Avenue, is expected to be open to traffic by the end of July. Work on Fairview Avenue then is slated to begin in early August.

WILL SHE GET IN THE PICTURE, TOO?
A new reality show debuting this Sunday on ABC has a Millikin alum working behind the scenes. Jen Malenke '98 is a talent scout/coach for "High School Musical: Get in the Picture" and will mentor and coach students from across the U.S. who are vying for the grand prize -- a chance to star in a music video shown in the end credits of Disney's feature film, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."

CORRECTION! THIS JUST IN! Our apologies to Jen Malenke. Jen isn't behind the scenes, but a series regular who will appear in 14 episodes. She's one of six on-camera judges who work with the contestants and vote one off at the end of the week. Jen serves as a West Coast judge.

HOW DID SHE DO?
Erin Madden '04, the reigning Miss Greater Lakes featured in the last issue, was named second runner up in the Miss Illinois competition held in June.

1985 ALUM NAMED THE SPORTS VOICE OF MILLIKIN.
Bryan Marshall, MU's media relations director for the past eight years, has been named the new assistant athletic director for sports information and athletic communication. MORE

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY.
Join the MCIA (Millikin Central Illinois Alumni) for their annual BBQ, Sunday, Sept. 14, from 5-7 p.m. at home of Jim and Kathy Farleigh Gresham ’70. Games for kids and entertainment provided. Minimum donation for food and beverages is $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Proceeds support the MCIA Scholarship Fund for deserving students from Central Illinois. For more info, to get directions or to RSVP, call the alumni office toll free at 1-877-JMU-ALUM (locally, dial 217-424-6383) or send us an e-mail.

WHY COME TO HOMECOMING?
It's a great excuse to get together with your college friends and have a good time. Throw in the free morning reception and free lunch at Griswold on Saturday, several other free or low cost events, and discounted rates at area hotels, and you've got yourself an inexpensive weekend of fun, too. During the weekend, 15 alumni will be honored with alumni awards or inducted into the Millikin Athletic Hall of Fame. Learn who will be recognized this year and more on the Homecoming 2008 website. Questions? Contact the alumni office at 1-877-568-2586 or send us an e-mail.

YOUNG ALUMS: CRUISE AND AIRFARE FROM $1,092.
Escape the winter weather next January and join other young alumni and friends on a Jan. 9-15 Royal Caribbean cruise to Mexico and Belize, home to some of the best beaches in the world. Hosted by Dan Stuby '07, associate director of young alumni relations. For more information, including a complete itinerary, list of amenities and pricing details, e-mail Dan Stuby or visit www.tourgrouppro.com/MU and click on "Young Millikin Alumni Caribbean Cruise." The deadline to reserve your berth and pay the balance is Oct. 1. You are encouraged to make your resevation by Aug. 20.

NEED HELP AROUND THE HOUSE,
OR KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO DOES?
Is it getting harder for you to do your housework or yardwork? Do you live in the Decatur-area and need help with a home project you just can't do alone, or have a friend who could use assistance? Aaron Copley, Millikin's assistant director of residence life, is looking for alumni and friends of the university who live in the area and could use some volunteer assistance in their homes. Students in his freshman seminar class have committed to providing 10 hours each of community service during fall semester; two students will volunteer per home and the only stipulation is that transportation for the students must be provided. To sign up or for more info, call Aaron at 362-6410 or send him an e-mail at acopley@millikin.edu.

EDUCATION MAJORS, TAKE NOTE.
Millikin has partnered with Interfolio, an application portfolio management service, to provide your credential files in a more timely and cost-efficient manner. MORE

TELL YOUR MILLIKIN FRIENDS.
The Millikin alumni group on LinkedIn, a professional networking website, continues to grow and has now topped 150 alumni. Join in by clicking here. Eager for social networking, too? We're also on Facebook! More than 700 alumni have joined the MU alumni Facebook group to reconnect and stay in touch - click here and join the crowd!

PLAY TRIVIA AND YOU COULD WIN.
Answer this question and you could win a Millikin doo-dad!

In 1998, how many social fraternities and social sororities were on campus?

A. Eight
B. Nine
C. Four
D. Seven

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 --

Kristin Trpezanovich Crim '99
Jim Fitzgerald '53
Andrew Kirchgesner '03
Debbie Gelfo '88

Each won a Millikin leather coaster for correctly guessing that "Of Voices and Victories" is the correct name of the sculpture outside Perkinson Music Center.