Dear Alumni,

I am extremely excited and pleased to share my decision to retire from my position at Governors State University effective July 31, 2011. It seems like just yesterday when I accepted my first alumni relations position thirty years ago. There was no way I could have known that I was about to embark on what I truly believe is one of the most exciting and rewarding careers in higher education!

Without doubt one of the most enjoyable parts of my job was getting to know you - GSU's alumni! I will be taking fond memories of the many Alumni Association gatherings with me. I will also cherish the friendships I have established with you over the years.

The Alumni Association has a lot of activities coming up and there are numerous ways you can stay connected to your alma mater. Read on and you will see what's happening at GSU over the next few months.

Feel free to visit the alumni website to view past editions of the e-connections newsletter and our bi-annual print newsletter, Alumni Connections and to get up-to-the-minute details.

Sincerely,

Rosemary D. Hulett
Associate Vice President
Advancement and Alumni Relations

Shhh - it's a secret! The Alumni Relations Office is putting together a "memory book" for Rosemary Hulett's retirement. If you would like to share your memories or well wishes with Rosemary, please send your comments to alumnirelations2@govst.edu.

A new alumni association fund is being established, in Rosemary's honor, to support Alumni Association activities and events. Please contact Alumni Relations at 708.534.4128 if you would like to make a gift in honor or Rosemary's retirement.

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Ships Ahoy! Join the Alumni Association for a delicious buffet lunch on the Mystic Blue cruise ship, which is docked at Navy Pier! Enjoy the Chicago Air and Water Show on deck or stay inside and enjoy the entertainment provided by the cruise DJ. Boarding is at 10 a.m. and cruise time is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The ticket price includes admission onto the boat and a full buffet, including great salads, entrees, sides and desserts, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Tickets are $65 each. Call the Alumni Office at 708.534.4128 to reserve tickets by phone or mail the Ticket Order Form.

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Join the Alumni Association and fellow alumni for fun afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field. Cheer on the White Sox as they take on the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, September 25. Game time is 1:10 p.m. Seats are in Section 111. Ticket price is $48 per person. Call the Alumni Office at 708.534.4128 to reserve tickets by phone or mail the Ticket Order Form. 

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Save the date! Plans are under way for an Alumni Association theatre and after party event featuring Thriller - The Legend Continues, a tribute to Michael Jackson at GSU's Center for Performing Arts. Enjoy the theatre's show, which features a Michael Jackson impersonator performing some of Michael's best songs live on stage, including:

• Man in the Mirror  
• Bad 
• Black or White 
• Beat It  
• Billy Jean  
• Thriller  
• ...and many more unforgettable songs

After the show, gather with other alumni and guests for a lively dance party. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 1, 2011 for this special event. More details to come. Visit www.govst.edu/alumni for up to the minute details, to be announced soon.

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Join other book enthusiasts during upcoming Alumni Book Club review meetings. Join our lively discussion on the current book. Books are chosen by the Alumni Book Club members at the meetings. Call the Alumni Relations Office at 708.534.4128 to join the Alumni Book Club now or e-mail alumnirelations2@govst.edu and say "sign me up for the Book Club." All invitations and notices are done via e-mail. Updated information is available at our website at www.govst.edu/alumni.

Book Club Schedule:  

            Date:                                       Book Being Reviewed:   

Thursday, July 28, 2011                 The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Thursday, August 25, 2011            Black Dahlia by James Ellroy

Thursday, September 22, 2011      The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Thursday, October 27, 2011          The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Read descriptions here » 

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The Alumni Dance Club is in full swing. Check out the class schedule and sign up for the classes that interest you. We do ask that you RSVP if you are attending classes. For questions, please call the Alumni Relations office at 708.534.4128 or email alumnirelations2@govst.edu. Check out our class schedule.

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Annual Dave Dreschel Golf Outing: Alumni are invited to attend GSU's annual Dave Dreschel Golf Outing on Sunday, September 25 at the University Golf Club (across from GSU). Registration and lunch begins at noon. Tee off time is 1:00 p.m. The cost is $75 per person. For more information or to register, contact Hollie Campbell at 708.235.6813.

Weekly golf schedule: The GSU Golf League continues to play every Tuesday through September 6 at 4:30 p.m. at Golf Vista, 5001 W. Augusta Boulevard in Monee, weather permitting. Arrive by 4:15. Groups will be assigned. All GSU Alumni are invited to join the fun. Identify yourself as a "GSU Golf League" member to receive the special rate of $5 for nine holes (walking), add a cart for $10, or share the cart fee and cut your costs.

Contact the Alumni Relations Office at 708.534.4128 or alumnirelations2@govst.edu if you would like to join the Alumni Golf Club (there is no charge to join Alumni Clubs).

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The Alumni Association is pleased to offer alumni discounted tickets to Great America. Have a blast this summer at Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee. Take the whole family and enjoy a day riding roller coasters and splashing in the water park.

Tickets include admission to the theme park and the water park. Tickets are valid for one day admission only on July 30, 31, August 12, or 13. Tickets are available for purchase at the Cashier's Office at GSU for $27 each. Tickets are limited to 8 per person and must be purchased in person. (No phone calls please.) Cashier's Office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

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Thursday, July 14, 2011, 6:45-8 p.m.
Sherman Recital Hall at Governors State University
$5 admission (Free to students- any school - with student ID)

Author Jonathan Lippincott will detail the rise and influence of this important center for some of the most iconic works of art to emerge from the period. Clement Meadmore, whose Spiral (1971) was recently conserved and moved to a new location within the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, was a family friend. Lippincott will also deliver remarks addressing Spiral and its creation. Read more here.

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Spread the word! The GSU campus and undergraduate degree programs will be showcased at the Undergraduate Open House and Instant Decision Day on July 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Hall of Governors.

During the event, prospective students are offered on-the-spot admissions with immediate transcript review and a simplified transfer process of associates degrees and additional credits. Financial aid advisors will be on hand to answer questions. GSU offers financial aid to qualified full and part time students.

For more information, contact Sharon Evans at 708.534.4490.

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A special workshop is being held on July 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at GSU. The"Sex in the Sand: Play Therapy Techniques with Couples" workshop is designed for psychology and counseling students and psychologists, therapists, and counseling professionals.

The workshop is presented by Dr. Catherine Ford Sori, associate professor in the Division of Psychology and Counseling.

Five CEUs are available. The cost of the daylong workshop is $65 for professionals and $20 for students. Advance registration is necessary. Contact Raquel Rios-Aquirre at 708.534.4516.

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You've probably heard about the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park's Autumn Art Odyssey overnight tours - last year's excursion sold out and we expect this year's weekend trip to St. Louis to do the same. Join Park Director Geoffrey Bates and your friends for a weekend packed with new places, new sights, and new ideas. September is a wonderful time to visit St. Louis - twilight lingers and evening temperatures are warmer than Chicago and the fall color will have just commenced. Get all the details here.

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GSU is offering a free Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) preparation class. The course begins with a mandatory pre-test on Saturday, August 20, at 9 a.m., in room B2203. After the pre-test, classes will be held on Mondays, beginning August 22 and through April 30, from 7:30 to 10:20 p.m., in room B2203.

University tutor David Sparks of the Academic Resource Center will teach the preparation class for the LSAT. Class work will focus on the three main areas of the test: reading comprehension, logic reasoning, and analytical reasoning.

Advance registration is required and seats are limited. For more information or to register, contact David Sparks at 708.235.3963.

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Helping people in the community find employment is the mission of the Mobile Workforce Center. The mobile unit will be at Governors State University every Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m., parked near the university front entrance.

Center services include resume development, access to online job boards and websites, instruction in how to conduct an online job search and improve keyboarding skills, and assistance of staff. It has 11 computer stations equipped with Internet access, printer and copy machines, and wheelchair accessibility.

Job search assistance is available to everyone. For more information, contact the Workforce Services Division of Will County at 815.727.4980.

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The many different ways children learn are celebrated and explained by the ooey gooey lady®, Lisa Murphy, at a free workshop sponsored by the GSU Family Development Center. The workshop will be held on August 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Sherman Hall.

Murphy is an early childhood educator and a strong advocate of play-based learning. In her presentation, she uses humor and real life anecdotes to engage workshop attendees and share information and activities that combine learning, laughter, and play. She offers inspiration and a wealth of hand-on activities for early childhood educators to use to create child-centered, play-based learning environments.

This workshop will benefit early childhood educators and students as well as childcare providers and parents and grandparents. The FDC is committed to offering excellent educational opportunities to the region. School districts are encouraged to register staff members for this free workshop.

Lunch is not provided. For more information or to register, call 708.235.7300 or visit the FDC website.

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GSU's outdoor Farmers Market has returned with locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, delicious honey, and other healthy products for sale. The market is open every Thursday through September and runs from 1 to 6 p.m., outside the main entrance.

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To thoroughly enjoy the summer, learn how to thoroughly relax and focus. Summer meditation sessions will be offered on Thursdays through August 4, from noon to 1 p.m., in E1590 (note room change).

The sessions are free and everyone is welcome.

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