DC Illini - Winter 2014 Newsletter

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Happy Holidays!

The holiday season is in full swing, and in the spir

it of giving, Id like to encourage everyone to consid

er making a donation to our clubs scholarship fund

Last year, we awarded three

high school seniors $1,500 for

their tuition at Illinois. With

your generous donations, the

club can continue this tradi-

tion and help high school stu-

dents experience all the fun

and magic of obtaining their

degree from the University of

Illinois.

We consistently award more

scholarships than other clubs.

Our clubs scholarship fund is one of the key compo

nents that sets us apart from other clubs throughou

the country. Because of our scholarship tradition

and unique event offerings, the University of Illinois

Alumni Association awarded the Illinois Alumni As

sociation of Greater Washington, D.C., a 2014 Out

standing Club Award.

DC IllinotesUniversity of Illinois Alumni Club of Greater Washington D.C. Winter 2014 www.dcillini.org

President Easter

More than 400 Washington-area alumni

packed shoulder to shoulder into a Mayflow-

er Renaissance Hotel ballroom for a recep-

tion hosted by University of Illinois President

Robert Easter.

At the event, held Oct. 28, Easter called on

alumni to support the school as it increas-

ingly faces competition on an international

stage.

We must remain one of the premier uni-

versities in the world a goal that brings yet

another challenge as U.S. universities wrestle

with the same global pressures that are rede-

fining business and industry, Easter said.

The program featured remarks from other

top-level officials from the university and the

University of Illinois Foundation.

D.C. reception with Easterdraws more than 400

University o Illinois President Robert Easter speaks with alumni o the U o I system ollowing his address at theMaylower Hotel on Oct. 28, 2014, in Washington, D.C.

University of Illinois Alumni Association

The University of Illinois Alumni Association

honored the DC Illini as a 2014 Outstanding

Alumni Club this year at the annual leadership

conference that took place during Homecoming

weekend at the University of Illinois. DC Illini was

one of three clubs to receive the honor.

During the awards presentation, UIAA com-

mended DC Illini for hosting some of the most

unique events of the entire alumni network this

year.

Through a partnership with the UIAA, this clubhas made a mission to reach out to Illinois stu-

dents interning in the region to provide them valu-

able insight about job searching, networking, and

how to make it in Washington, the UIAA said.

UIAA also highlighted DC Illinis efforts to en-

gage alumni at all three U of I campuses.

While all of our clubs and groups are outstand-

ing, there are a few who deserve special honors

this year for their dedication to the University of

Illinois Alumni Association and the exceptional

work theyve done to connect our global alumni

network, the UIAA said.

The two other clubs to receive the 2014 distinc-tion were the Twin Cities Illini and the Houston

Illini. n

DC Illini Presiden

Nisha Patruni

DC Illini receive Outstanding Alumni Club award from UIAA

Kit Beyer (lef) and Janine Jones Smith (right) pres-ent DC Illini Julie Hutchins and Eric Hutchins with acertiicate during the 2014 leadership conerence inChampaign, IL.

Alumni supportkey factor in

clubs success

Easter on Page 6 President on Page 6


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University of Illinois Alumni Club of Greater Washington D.C. Winter 2014 www.dcillini.org

The University of Illinois Alumni Association

hosted its annual leadership conference on cam-

pus during Homecoming weekend this October.

Leaders from U.S. and international University

of Illinois alumni clubs heard presentations by

various speakers and discussed best practices with

other club leaders.

Several UIAA representatives gave updates on

the UIAAs goals and initiatives for the coming

year and beyond. Loren Taylor, president and

chief executive officer of the UIAA, said the UIAA

and the University of Illinois Foundation will be

forming a task force to better coordinate the rela-

tionship between these two entities.

The UIAA continues to strive to increase its

presence at each alumni club and is planning to

create an official speakers program next year. The

University of Illinois advocacy network, Illinois

Connection, continues to expand its efforts, par-

ticularly in the Washington, D.C., area.

Andrea Ballinger, vice president and chief finan-

cial officer of the UIAA, provided an update on its

strategic plan, which will be formally approved in

January 2015. The purpose of the strategic plan is

to improve how the university connects to alumni.

Notable components of this strategic plan include

improving the universitys data system, which

houses alumni contact information; strengthening

partnerships; completing a history and traditions

project; and focusing outreach efforts to alumni

from the Springfield and Chicago campuses.

The leadership conference also included a pre-

sentation about social media by College of Media

Professor Rhiannon Clifton. Her presentation was

followed by a question-and-answer session with

several current students and recent graduates. The

Illinois Alumni Club of Greater Washington, D.C.,

plans to implement some of the ideas presented

during the leadership conference in the coming

year.

Finally, the leadership conference included a

visit to the newly refurbished Alma Mater bronze

statue. The Alma Mater is now back on campus af-

ter spending more than 600 days in the Conserva-

tion of Sculpture & Objects Studio in Forest Park,

Ill. The Alma Mater was originally scheduled to re-

turn to campus last May, but years of water dam-

age and corrosion led to more extensive repairs

than originally anticipated. Receiving 1,000 new

bolts and undergoing a laser cleaning, the Alma

Mater looked almost new with its beautiful bronze

finish. n

UIAA offers tips to alumni clubsat leadership conference

Local interns attended D.C. Illinis fal

2014 Young Illini Welcome Reception and

Discussion Panel Oct. 2.

The club hosts this event in the fall, spring

and summer semesters, with this falls re-

ception and panel marking the programs

one-year anniversary. The event welcomes

University of Illinois interns from all three

campuses interning in the metropolitan

D.C. region for the semester, as well as re

cent alumni new to the area.

The reception took place at the D.C. of-

fices of the law firm Hunton & Williams andwas followed by a discussion panel led by

five D.C. Illini members from diverse pro

fessional backgrounds. The discussion in

cluded tips on how to succeed (and what to

avoid) in an internship as well as how to ge

ahead in the D.C. job market. The attend

ees, many of whom were part of the the Uni

versity of Illinois Illinois in Washington

Program, had the opportunity to network

with 25 local alumni.

With the reception and panel now mov

ing into its second year, we want to build

on its success. We are currently looking for

alumni to serve as mentors to interns who

participate in Illinois in Washington. Men

tors would meet with the interns two to

three times during the semester over coffee

or lunch.

Like the alumni discussion panel, this is a

rewarding opportunity for alumni to touch

base with what is going on in Illinois and to

give useful career and life advice to young

people in their first professional experience

We are also working to create new, more

diverse networking opportunities for club

members. In that regard, we are seeking

volunteers who are interested in helping to

grow this program into a broader series o

events.

At the same time, we are seeking loca

businesses to help sponsor future Young

Illini Welcome Reception and Discussion

Panels.

If you are a club member and/or loca

business owner interested in supporting th

program in any of these ways please contac

Eric Hutchins at [email protected]

Intern panelmarks one-yearanniversary

DC Illini Member Spotlight

Members o the Illinois Alumni Club o Greater Washington, D.C., traveled to Alaska to visit ellow Illini Kyle Easter (11AHS). The group, who met afer college, climbed Bodenburg Butte outside Palmer, Alaska. Pictured rom lef to right:

Adam Nekola (06 MEDIA), Keri-Marie Cantone (04 LAS), Jason Cantone (04 LAS), Whitney Wyckoff (09 MEDIA) andEaster. Have a photo we should feature? Email it to [email protected]

Alumni Association Conference


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Scholarship Recipient Profile

Alex Aulabaugh, of Fairfax, Va.,

arrived in Urbana-Champaign

this fall as one of DC Illinis threescholarship recipients in 2014. A

strong student in high school, Alex

quickly got involved in volunteer

work while maintaining solid initial

grades in the computer science pro-

gram at the University of Illinois.

In high school, Alex maintained

academic excellence while also re-

maining an active member of his

school and community. His impres-

sive math and science knowledge

led to his paid intern position in

the Science and Engineering Ap-

prenticeship Program at the Naval

Research Lab in Washington, D.C.,

and a yearlong school research

project on the collection and analy-

sis of large amounts of Internet

data.

He also stayed active with athlet-

ics, participating in his high schools

track team and co-winning second

place at the state-level regatta withhis high school crew team.

Within his busy high school

schedule, Alex found time to tu-

tor middle school students and

volunteer with Musicians on Call,

through which he performed for

hospital patients at Walter Reed

National Military Medical Center

and the Department of Veterans

Affairs.

Once Alex arrived in Urbana-

Champaign, he immediately be-

came involved in a congressional

campaign, volunteering at least

six hours a week registering vot-

ers, knocking on doors, and making

phone calls, Alex said.

Even though the candidate Alex

volunteered for lost the election,

Alex remains excited to be an Illini.

Alex joked that his favorite thing so

far might be Espresso Royale, but

then said in all seriousness, it is

probably the friendly and accom-

modating attitude of the profes-

sors.

Alex noted that all of my profes

sors are fantastic, and I feel very

privileged to be able to listen to

their lectures. And, we at DC Illini

are privileged to have another grea

scholarship recipient. n

On campus with freshmanAlex Aulabaugh

DC Illini scholarship recipient Alex Aulabaugh attends a political debate at Urbanas PBSaffiliate, WILL-TV.

Flyin Illini Stephen Bardo visited

DC Sept. 25. The club hosted the

event at DC Coast and saw a great

turnout of alumni who were inter-

ested in hearing Bardo speak about

his career and Illini basketball.

Bardo had an outstanding basket-

ball career and helped lead the iconic

Flyin Illini to the Final Four in 1989.

The event coincided with Bardos

book tour around the country.

He shared his perspective on cur-

rent Illini sports and his memories of

the Flyin Illinis record setting win-

ning season. Bardo captivated the

audience with candid stories from

his time as part of the Flyin Illini

and offered an insiders view on the

teams dynamic and coaching. He

also answered questions posed by

alumni in the audience.

At the end of the reception Bardo

stayed to sign copies of his book, The

Flyin Illini, which commemorates

the 25th anniversary of the winning

season.

Throughout the year Bardo vis-

ited other alumni clubs across the

country on his book tour, and the

DC alumni club was honored to have

him make a stop in our area. n

Bardo draws crowd ofalumni for book tour stop

Flyin Illini Stephen Bardo

DC Illini Club members and their guests enjoyed a great sold ou

show by comedian Paula Poundstone at The Birchmere on Nov. 21. Mi

chael Jaworek, DC Illinis 2014 Illini of the Year and vice president o

The Birchmere, helped organize this event. The group had great seats

reserved in front of the stage and enjoyed talking with fellow Illini dur

ing dinner before the show.

The DC Illini Club thanks Michael for helping to organize this event

We look forward to continuing our relationship with Michael and hav

ing future DC Illini events at The Birchmere.n

Alumni enjoy front rowfor Poundstone show

The Birchmere


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Volunteering and Philanthropy

Several University of Illinois

alumni gathered at D.C. Central

Kitchen Oct. 25 to combat hungerin the District.

DC Illini worked alongside grad-

uates of D.C. Central Kitchens

culinary job training program to

prepare meals for nearby homeless

shelters, transitional homes and

nonprofit organizations.

From slicing vegetables and fruit

to preparing hearty dishes, alumni

stayed busy for the entire three

hours they spent volunteering. It

wasnt all work, however; some

had the opportunity to taste the

culinary creations, including an ap-

petizing cake made from avocado,

delicious cornbread and freshly

squeezed lemonade. At the end of

the shift, several volunteers said

they hoped to return.

D.C. Central Kitchens mission is

to use food as a tool to strengthen

bodies, empower minds and build

communities. For more informa-

tion, visit the Kitchens website:

www.dccentralkitchen.org. n

Illini volunteer at D.C. Central Kitchen

DC Illini members volunteer their time, preparing meals at the D.C. Central Kitchen, on Oct. 25. Interested in helping out at a futureevent? Join us on January 31!

Game 1 Sept. 7

Penn State 0Illinois 24

Game 2 Sept. 28

Illinois 41Michigan State 6

Game 3 Oct. 5

Ohio State 6Illinois 35

Game 4 Oct. 18

Syracuse 7Illinois 33

Game 5 Oct. 25

Illinois 21Northwestern 8

Game 6 Nov. 2

Iowa 0Illinois 16

Game 7 Nov. 9

Illinois 14Miami (OH) 6

Game 8 Nov. 16

Illinois 20Florida State 7

Game 9 Nov. 22

Illinois 13Wisconsin 12

Game 10 Nov. 22

Purdue 19Illinois 6

DC Illini flag football enjoys 9-1 regular seasonCampus Alumni Network

The Illini line up on deense against Wisconsin on Nov. 22 in Anacostia Park.

Season Results

Flag football season comes to an end

on Dec.14 and the Illini are hoping to be

there. With a win last weekend against

Syracuse, the Illini are still alive in the

Campus Alumni Network playoffs.

On Dec. 13 the team is scheduled

to play Cornell at 11 a.m. at Anacostia

Park in the single-elimination tourna-

ment. The Illini are led by Brendan

Fitzpatrick and Seth Rogier.

For more information about the

league, visitwww.dcalum.org. n


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Documents

DC Illini - Winter 2014 Newsletter