MEMORANDUM
TO:
Campus Colleagues
FROM:
Alumni Relations
RE:
ALUMNI DAY 2014
Alumni Day - Homecoming 2014, Friday, October 3rd!
Alumni Day is an excellent opportunity to showcase successful alumni, enhance alumni pride in the University, provide
students with networking opportunities, and encourage faculty to become involved in Homecoming. We hope that you
will participate in this year’s Alumni Day!
PARTICIPATION DETAILS
Please select and invite your Alumni Day guest(s). Alumni Day is a wonderful opportunity to bring your alumni
back to campus, honor them for their achievements, and provide an opportunity for these alumni to share their
knowledge with current students. If you need assistance for alumni guest selection, please contact your
respective Dean or Development Director.
Keep in mind when selecting your guest(s) that there are many ways to determine “successful” alumni.
Successful alumni may contribute to the University through financial means, offer specific achievements that
have contributed to our ISU pride or may be a recent grad (future contributor) that is able to speak to students
about “what it’s really like these days.” All are important members of the Illinois State family and are able to
contribute significantly to the success of Alumni Day!
Please encourage Alumni Day guests to interact with students and faculty during their visit. Opportunities might
include speaking to classes, breakfast or dinner meetings, receptions, meetings with selected student leaders, or
panel discussions. Each unit should find a way to best use the alumni guests to achieve maximum interaction
with students and faculty.
Please complete the Participation Form. Important: The form is an online form to better serve you and your
guest(s). One completed electronic form for each Alumni Day honoree should be submitted no later than
Friday, September 5. These details are crucial so that Alumni Relations can effectively honor these special
alumni. Here is a link to the online form: http://alumni.illinoisstate.edu/regad/. You will be asked to enter your
ULID and password as you open the link.
Final changes to your honoree information must be submitted by Friday, September 19. After that date, we are
unable to make changes or issue refunds for this event.
Hotel Arrangements: Secure necessary travel arrangements and make hotel reservations, if needed, for your
alumni guest(s). A selection of room blocks have been secured at numerous local hotels. Please refer to ISU
Alumni Homecoming Blocks when making a reservation. For a complete listing, visit:
http://homecoming.illinoisstate.edu/visiting/
ACTIVITY INFORMATION
Alumni Day Luncheon: Alumni Day guests will be introduced at the Alumni Day Luncheon on
Friday, October 3 from noon - 2 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom at the Bone Student Center. Please note that the
doors open and check in will begin at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon will begin promptly at noon.
Important: Alumni Day honorees are also featured in a slide show on display during the luncheon. We strongly
encourage each department to submit a high resolution photo of their honoree(s) and a brief bio for the slide
presentation. Due to space constraints, please limit the bio to no more than 70 words.
Alumni Relations will provide two complimentary reservations for the luncheon, for use by each Alumni Day
honoree plus one guest (spouse, friend, or college representative). Additional guests (including other unit
representatives, students, and/or family/friends of the Alumni Day honoree) may purchase $15 luncheon seats
through the Alumni Relations office.
Gift bags: Special welcome gifts will be provided by the Alumni Relations office for each Alumni Day honoree.
The gift bags should be picked up at the Alumni Relations office (located in the Alumni Center at 1101 N. Main
St.) on Monday, Sept. 29 or Tuesday, Sept. 30. Please send a representative to pick up the bags for your guests
before 4 p.m.
Optional events to consider: Alumni Relations will provide each Alumni Day guest with two complimentary
tickets for the Homecoming football game.
Football tickets: Because of limited availability and the increased cost, Alumni Relations is only able to offer 2
football tickets per each Alumni Day honoree. All other tickets will need to be purchased through the Redbird
Athletics ticket office. Please note that tickets ordered through Alumni Relations will not be seated next to any
additional tickets ordered through Redbird Athletics. Below is the information you will need to order additional
game tickets:
Redbird Football takes on South Dakota St. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. in the newly renovated Hancock
Stadium. Because the Homecoming game will likely sell out, we encourage you to make arrangements for your
tickets early. Starting on July 23, Redbird Athletics will offer Homecoming football tickets to alumni at a reduced
rate on the newly renovated east grandstand of Hancock Stadium! By using the Promo Code ‘ALUM14’ when
purchasing tickets on GoRedbirds.com, ISU Alums will have access to best-available reserved tickets on the east
grandstand for only $25 per ticket. A limited number of tickets are available at this price so don’t delay! If you
need special accommodations or would like west-side seating at the regular ticket price ($30), please contact
the Redbird Ticket Office at 309-438-8000.
The Town and Gown 5K and 1-mile Fun Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, October 4 at 8 a.m., rain or
shine. Consider forming a group to participate in this annual activity. Participants who register early will receive
a discounted registration fee and a commemorative t-shirt on the day of the run. Registration is available online.
Check-in will be held outside the Student Fitness Center, with parking available in the South University St.
parking garage. To register, visit: http://homecoming.illinoisstate.edu/5k/
The Homecoming Parade is on Saturday, October 4 at 10 a.m. Units wishing to have parade vehicles for their
Alumni Day guests should make their own arrangements for a parade entry, vehicle and signs. Arrangements can
be made by visiting the Homecoming Parade section of the Homecoming 2014 website at:
http://homecoming.illinoisstate.edu/parade/
Redbird Hospitality Tailgate Tent - Prior to the football game, all alumni are encouraged to join us at the large
red and white tent located in the middle of the tent zone. There will be light snacks available and a cash bar.
Homecoming Schedule: This is just a brief snapshot of the many activities taking place during Homecoming
week 2014. Additional details regarding all of the Homecoming 2014 festivities are available online at:
Homecoming.IllinoisState.edu.
Guidebook App: Download the new, free Illinois State Homecoming Guidebook app for on-the-go access to the
complete schedule, maps, Twitter feed, and more. (http://guidebook.com/) Also, the official Homecoming
Twitter handle is #ilstuHomecoming.
TIMELINE
July / August
Select and invite Alumni Day guests. Consider honoring your alumni by not only inviting
them to return to campus for the Alumni Day luncheon, but to also speak during a class
and network with students.
Friday, September 5
Deadline to submit Participation Form online (http://alumni.illinoisstate.edu/regad/)
for all Alumni Day honorees to Alumni Relations, including all reservations for the Friday
Alumni Day Luncheon and Saturday Homecoming football game.
Units should promote Alumni Day activities to students and faculty, make arrangements
for special alumni engagement opportunities within your department/unit and
determine hosting and escorting duties for honored guest(s).
Friday, September 19
Final deadline to submit any last minute changes for the Alumni Day program. Based on
the timeline for the printed program, changes made after this date will not be reflected.
Mon, Sept. 29 & Tues, Sept. 30 Gift Bags will be available for pick up at the Alumni Relations office in the Alumni
Center. Please send a representative to pick up your honorees’ bags, which will include
their event tickets, by 4 p.m. on Monday or Tuesday of Homecoming week.
Friday, October 3
Alumni Day Luncheon will be held on Friday in the Brown Ballroom, Bone Student
Center. Doors will open and check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m. We encourage you to
check-in early because the luncheon will begin promptly at noon.
Many thanks for your continued involvement. We look forward to partnering with you as we continue to build upon our
Alumni Day program successes!
If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Sennett in Alumni Relations at 309-438-2586, 800-366-4478, or
jrsenne@ilstu.edu.