PFPO Winter 2020 Illini Family Newsletter

IlliniFamily A publication of the Illini Union Parent and Family Programs Office • union.illinois.edu/pfpo

Inside This Issue Supporting Students.......... 2 Pre-Health at Illinois........... 3 Volunteer Work ................. 4 Upcoming Career Fairs ..... 5 Study Abroad................. 6 -7 Summer at Illinois................8 University Housing ............ 9 Financial Aid....................... 9 King Dad 2019.................. 10 Scholarship Winner........... 11 Moms Weekend 2020....... 11 Sibs Weekend 2020...........12

King Dad celebration, Pg. 10

Campus Safety Notices, Staying Informed University of Illinois Public Safety

The University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign is a very safe campus.

However, no community is completely immune from crime. Incidents which may pose an ongoing public safety risk will happen from time to time.

It is our philosophy that an informed campus is a safer campus, which is why the University Police Department is committed to keeping community members updated on public safety issues so they can take actions that can help keep themselves or others safe.

We call these notifications Campus Safety Notices.

Notices are automatically delivered to anyone with a campus email address.

Those without a campus email address must sign up to receive them. Family members or friends of students can sign up to receive Campus Safety Notices at https://go.illinois.edu/notices.

For crimes that are reported immediately, the notice is sent promptly after the crime has occurred. However, not all crimes are immediately reported to police. The delay in a reporting sometimes leads to a longer period of time between when the crime occurred and when a Campus Safety Notice is delivered. This is one of the reasons why

union.illinois.edu/PFPO

we stress to our community members the importance of promptly reporting suspicious activity and crime to police.

University Police always report the relevant details of the crime which may be useful to community members to keep themselves safe.

Because these notices are generated so quickly after a crime is reported, the police may not have all the details at the time the notice is sent. Often, crime victims are unable to provide a useful description of suspects, which means that police may not have a description to include in the notice. In cases of sexual assault, police may withhold specific details about the incident to protect the identity of the sexual assault survivor and to safeguard that person from experiencing further psychological trauma or retaliation – unless those details are important for community members to keep themselves safe.

Please feel encouraged to visit our website at https://police.illinois.edu to learn more, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can learn more about the University’s Clery Act efforts at https://police.illinois.edu/clery.

Web Addresses

Supporting Students During Stressful Times

Illini Union

Nichole Evans – Assistant Director, Outreach and Prevention, UI Counseling Center

• Illini Union Parent and Family Programs Office union.illinois.edu/PFPO

College is an exciting time of exploration for most students. Meeting new people, choosing a major, and making career plans is an important part of your emerging adult’s development, but these milestones can also cause a great deal of stress and anxiety. Following are some tips to consider when your student may need some assistance navigating the challenges of college.

union.illinois.edu

• Illini Union Board union.illinois.edu/iub • Illini Union Office of Volunteer Programs union.illinois.edu/ovp • Illinois Union Tech Zone union.illinois.edu/techzone • Illini Union Hotel union.illinois.edu/hotel • Illini Union Bookstore bookstore.illinois.edu

Student Affairs Campus Recreation campusrec.illinois.edu

The Career Center careercenter.illinois.edu Counseling Center counselingcenter.illinois.edu Dean of Students odos.illinois.edu Disability Resources & Educational Services disability.illinois.edu UI Police police.illinois.edu Financial Aid osfa.illinois.edu Housing housing.illinois.edu Inclusion and Intercultural Relations oiir.illinois.edu • 0Asian American Cultural Center

• 0African American Cultural Center • 0Diversity and Social Justice Education • 0La Casa Cultural Latina

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Resource Center • Native American House

• Women’s Resources Center McKinley Health Center mckinley.illinois.edu Study Abroad Office studyabroad.illinois.edu Student Affairs studentaffairs.illinois.edu Off-Campus Community Living occl.illinois.edu

Become familiar with resources.

Illinois has several offices designed to assist students with difficulties they may encounter as a student. For mental health challenges, there are several options available.

• Counseling Center offers sameday appointments so that students can be seen when their need is the most urgent. We offer time-limited individual and couples counseling and longer-term group counseling for students seeking support for ongoing issues. We suggest calling 217-333-3704 for an appointment at 7:50 a.m. when our lines open because appointments can fill quickly.

If a student is having a mental health emergency, they can always come in to be seen right away, but if possible, we request you call and let us know you’re on the way.

• McKinley Mental Health unit offers the option of scheduling in advance and has psychiatrists available to oversee medication management.

Suggest strong self-care habits.

College is often the first time many students are on their own and are able to determine for themselves

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what they eat, how they spend their time, and what they do to support their overall wellness. Sleep, nutrition, and activity all have a significant impact on mental health, so check in regularly to make sure your students are taking care of themselves.

Encourage Resilience and SelfSufficiency. When parents see their children struggling, it’s a common reaction to want to remove obstacles for your child. But stepping back and encouraging your student to confront issues they are facing and determine what steps they should take allows them to hone their problem-solving skills and become more confident and empowered.

Be mindful that different levels of care may be necessary. The Center for Collegiate Mental Health reports that more students are entering college with complex mental health conditions than in the past. Greater acceptance and understanding of mental illness as well as more effective treatments have made it possible for many students to leave home for college. However, most college mental health facilities are designed to assist students with common stress associated with college and refer students in need of long-term care to community providers. If your child is coming to college with a history of mental health issues, it’s wise to have a support network in place beyond the university to ensure your child has access to the support they will need.

Pre-Health at Illinois

Jennifer Crum – M.S., Senior Assistant Director for Pre-Health Advising, The Career Center Christina Huppert – M.Ed., Assistant Director, Pre-Health Advising to several assisted living centers. In our community students have access to virtually any kind of practitioner: physician, dentist, pharmacist, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, veterinarian, podiatrist, chiropractor, physician assistant, optometrist, audiologist, and more!

“I’m pre-med, what do I need to do to get into medical school?” This is a common start to a pre-health advising appointment at the Career Center. Unfortunately, there is no checklist, no one-size-fits-all “track” for preparing for a career in the health professions. Admission to such academic programs is highly competitive. Over 50,000 people applied for one of the 21,000 seats at US allopathic medical schools in the last application cycle. Admissions committees want to see an applicant create and follow their own journey, based on their own motivations, interests, and passions. Aside from basic required coursework (biology, chemistry), students create a path which may include community service, clinical exposure, leadership, or research.

What kind of activities are best? The Association of American Medical

Colleges (AAMC) has developed 15 competencies they look for in an applicant. These include characteristics such as having a service orientation, being ethical and reliable, the ability to work on a team, and resiliency. There is no “best” way to achieve these competencies, as they can be gained from a wide variety of experiences. It truly depends on the why: the motivation to pursue medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine. Competitive applicants have hundreds of hours of experience outside the classroom, so it should be something the student finds rewarding, valuable, and engaging. As a Research I institution we are home to world-class research and over 50 health-related student organizations. Champaign-Urbana has two hospitals and their clinics, plus many agencies who serve under-anduninsured populations, in addition

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Pre-health advisors assist students as they explore, prepare for, and apply to health profession programs. Our advisors are trained career coaches who provide support, guidance, and specific knowledge. We assist students as they discover their skills, interests, and values and gain experience through volunteering, jobs, and internships. At the Career Center we see students and alumni from all colleges and majors: there is no “best” major for a pre-dental or premed student, for example. Services include individual appointments, a variety of workshops and events including the Graduate & Professional School Fair, which this year hosted over 130 schools and programs. We review application materials and assist with interview preparation.

Our team of Pre-Health Student Ambassadors lead workshops and help create a supportive community for pre-health students at Illinois.

Pre-health students are faced with rigorous coursework, a demanding schedule of activities, and an expensive, stressful application process— we are here to help along the way.

Encourage your student to schedule an appointment with an advisor! www.careercenter.illinois.edu

Campus Phone Numbers (area code 217)

Volunteering at Illinois

April Garrison – Senior Programs Coordinator for the Office of Volunteer Programs

Asian American Cultural Center................................ 333-9300

vice focus. Remind your student to attend Quad Day during each fall semester or the RSO Student Involvement Fair each January to learn more about how they can get involved with a service organization that parallels their values around community and volunteerism.

Bruce D Nesbitt African American Cultural Center.................. 333-2092 Billing................................... 333-2184 Career Center..................... 333-0820 CITES Help Desk................. 244-7000 CITES Help Desk........ (800) 531-2531 Counseling Center.............. 333-3704 Dial-A-Nurse........................ 333-2700 Disability Resources and Education Service ............ 333-1970 Emergency Dean................. 333-0050 Financial Aid........................ 333-0100 Health Insurance, Student.. 333-0165 Housing Residence Halls................. 333-7111 Private Certified Housing. 333-1420 University Apartments...... 333-5656 Illini Union............................ 333-4666 Illini Union Hotel............... 333-1241 La Casa Cultural Latina....... 333-4950 LGBT Resource Center....... 244-8863 Library................................. 333-2290 McKinley Health Center...... 333-2700 MTD Safe Rides................... 265-7433 Parent and Family Programs.......................... 333-7063 Police, University................. 333-1216 Records Service Center...... 333-0210 Registration Assistance ...... 333-6565 Student Employment ......... 333-0600 Student Patrol/SafeWalks... 333-1216 Student Programs and Activities............................ 333-3660 Study Abroad...................... 333-6322 Off-Campus Community Living ............. 333-0112 Women’s Resources Center.333-3137 University Directory............ 333-1000

The Office of Volunteer Programs (OVP) is located in Room 288 of the Illini Union. A team of students who love volunteering are present to aid their peers in connecting to volunteer and community service opportunities on and off campus. The first step is to visit the OVP website at union.illinois.edu/ovp to complete a Volunteer Interest Form. Students can request to receive information regarding volunteer opportunities via email or they can schedule an appointment to meet with OVP staff to explore their interests and community organizations.

OVP shares its space with an independently registered student organization (RSO) known as Volunteer Illini Projects, Inc. This student organization has a 50-year history of service to this campus. The group offers students opportunities to become student leaders who are well versed in community service and to build friendships with others who value service, social responsibility, and close partnerships.

There are over 60 registered student organizations on campus with a ser-

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OVP has a vision to become the campus expert on community engagement and service over the next 5-10 years. To do this, OVP needs to broaden the way students see service on the University of Illinois campus. We will be challenging students to get involved, and to grow and maintain a service identity.

The campus’ strategic plan involves developing our students to be future leaders with deep understanding of the unique commitments, traditions, and challenges of distinct communities by increasing student opportunities for service learning and volunteering through campus organizations and off-campus organizations. When students graduate and tell their Illinois story, we want a program or opportunity they were able to experience through OVP to be mentioned as the agent that nurtured their service identity.

Please encourage your student to embrace the Illini spirit and get involved in volunteer programs today.

Spring and Summer Career Fair Opportunities Tara Sohns – Parent and Family Programs Office-Student Employee Tackling a career can be daunting, intimidating, nerve-wracking, and everything and anything in between; but it doesn’t have to be for your student. Your student may find it stressful when it feels like all their peers have an idea of what they want to do and have secured jobs and internships. Fortunately, one of the best parts of the University of Illinois is that your student is never alone in making advancements in their career.

The University of Illinois offers a multitude of resources and provides various opportunities for your student to figure out the next step in preparation for post-grad life. One of the best ways your student can seize a new opportunity is by engaging with one or more of the on-campus career fairs.

• Illini Career & Internship Fair: April 2 at the ARC from 1-5 p.m.

Your student can excel at these career and internship fairs by utilizing The Career Center’s wide variety of free services. There are many factors to consider when attending a career fair, some of which include your appearance, resume, and interview skills.

• The Career Closet offers professional clothing for students at an affordable price. Your student can upgrade their professional wardrobe at the Career Center’s Interview Suite.

• Students can utilize the Career Center’s online platform for resume and cover letter reviews. This provides a quick and efficient way to review their resume and cover letter in a time crunch.

• Your student can practice their interview skills with the Career Center’s Mock Interviews – a 60-minute interview where they’ll receive personalized feedback.

• In times of urgency, the Career Center also Plan Ahead. The upcoming spring provides drop-in services for on-thesemester provides Career Fairs that go resume reviews, career drop-ins, are catered towards all fields of study. cover letter reviews, and more.

• Engineering Career Fair: January 28-29 at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) from 1-6 p.m.

• Gies Business Career Fair: January 30 at the ARC from 2-6 p.m.

By planning ahead and utilizing the Career Center’s services prior to a career fair, your student will be more than prepared. Be sure to share these key dates and provided services with your student this semester!

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Get Involved!

The Moms and Dads Associations are two separate, non-profit entitites who strive to serve all students at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign.

There are many ways to get involved in the associations. The associations rely on vounteers for the success of their programs. Some volunteer opportunities include: Summer Registration, Moms or Dads Weekend, and Admitted Student Days.

If you’re looking to get even more involved, each association has a volunteer Board of Directors.You can find nomination forms for the respective boards on their individual websites illinimoms.com or illinidads.com.

For more information, email the Illini Union Parent and Family Programs Office at iuparentfamilyprograms @illinois.edu, or call (217) 333-7063.

Illinois Works to Increase Diversity in Study Abroad Alex Williamson – Coordinator for Media & Marketing at Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange As many fields make progress toward being more inclusive, international education continues to struggle with ways to increase professional staff and student participation. National statistics indicate that study abroad participants have historically been predominantly white, female-identifying students, and often with low financial need. According to the 2018 Open Doors Report, white students made up over 70% and female-identifying students made up over 67% of study abroad participants in academic year 2016-2017. At Illinois, the campus study abroad office, Illinois Abroad & Global Exchange (IAGE), sent 61% white students and 76% femaleidentifying students abroad in academic year 2018-2019. National and university participant demographic statistics like these indicate a need for continued commitment to bold strategies and innovative initiatives in order to provide inclusive access to study abroad, both nationally and at Illinois. In order to prioritize diversity in study abroad at Illinois, IAGE has created full-time and student staff positions dedicated to diversity initiatives, developed programming targeted to underrepresented students, and designed resources to break down study abroad barriers.

In 2017, IAGE created a new position, Coordinator for Exchange & Student Initiatives, the first in the unit with partial job duties specifically to increase access to study abroad through diversity and inclusion initiatives. In addition to this full-time position, IAGE also hires two part-time,

undergraduate student staff members, called Program Assistants for Student Initiatives, each academic year who support outreach and projects for the Coordinator for Exchange & Student Initiatives. “I hope that my own work at IAGE can allow more LGBTQ+ students to be comfortable with their own identities abroad, as I know that being a LGBTQ+ person in other countries can be a stressful experience.

I think having more support resources made by students for students will let more students in underrepresented groups ask questions to aid their study abroad experience.” – Gabe Herzog, Program Assistant for Student Initiatives. Positions like these have allowed IAGE to carry out projects like completion of the Diversity Abroad’s

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Access, Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (AIDE) Roadmap Assessment, an intensive self-assessment that examines diversity and inclusion policies and practices within an education abroad unit. The results of the assessment have allowed IAGE the opportunity to critically examine current policies at Illinois, as well as identify ways to strengthen practices that may encourage diverse students to pursue study abroad.

In addition to dedicated staff, IAGE has prioritized programming as a way to reach underrepresented students.

In February of 2019, the Council on International Educational Exchange’s (CIEE) Passport Caravan made a stop at Illinois. The CIEE Passport

Important Dates Caravan sponsors passports for students who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to purchase a passport. This initiative is part of CIEE’s Generation Study Abroad Pledge, which aims to fund 10,000 passports over a six-year period ending in 2020, with an ultimate goal of increasing participation in education abroad. At Illinois, the Passport Caravan sponsored 167 student passports, with 89% of participants receiving MAP Grants, 88% receiving Pell Grants, 73% being first-generation college students, 83% students of color, and 55% being Illinois Promise recipients. Special programs like the Passport Caravan is only one way IAGE is using programming to reach students of all backgrounds. IAGE hosts regular Funding Your Study Abroad Workshops, which highlights resources like financial aid and scholarships, and conducts Pop Up Advising around campus to reach students where they are. Additionally, IAGE regularly collaborates with the campus cultural centers to host student panels about studying abroad. These panels have been hosted in the Asian American Cultural Center, Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC), and La Casa Cultural Latina.

Another way IAGE is reaching underrepresented students is by creating resources that target or highlight students of various identities. For example, when IAGE undertook a website redesign in 2017, a new Identity & Inclusion section of the website was created that included pages with

resources for students with disabilities, international students, LGBTQ+ students, students of color, religious identities, students with high financial need, and women-identifying students. These pages were created as a starting point for students to consider how their identities might be perceived abroad and a hub of additional resources they can utilize to get more information. Additionally, IAGE also created translated study abroad videos in English, Mandarin, and Spanish to target parents with various native languages. Most recently, though, IAGE launched an Illinois Abroad Ambassador webpage that highlights over 40 study abroad returnees, including information on their major, study abroad program, and contact information. The Ambassadors also selfselected specialty tags so that prospective students can search for, read about, and reach out to students with similar identities. Some specialty tags include “First Generation,” “STEM Major,” “Out of State Student,” and “Student of Color.”

The field of international education has a long way to go in sending more underrepresented students abroad, but Illinois has begun taking steps to reaching students of many identities through staffing, programming, and resources. Through these initiatives, IAGE hopes to actively contribute to Illinois’ shared diversity and inclusion mission, and also provide greater access to study abroad for all Illinois students.

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Spring 2020 Spring Tuition Due

Feb. 28

Instruction Resumes

Mar. 23

Spring Break Begins Sibs Weekend

Moms Weekend Instruction Ends Reading Day Final Exams

Commencement

Mar. 14

Mar. 27-29 Apr. 3-5 May 6 May 7

May 8-15 May 16

Summer Session 1 Instruction begins Memorial Day

Final examinations

May 18 May 25

(no classes) June 12-13

Summer Session 2 Instruction begins Independence Day university holiday

June 15 July 3 (no classes)

Beginning of 2nd 4-week period of instruction

July 13

Instruction ends

Aug. 6, Noon

Final Exams

Aug. 7-8

Reading Day

Aug. 6, 1 pm

Summer at the University of Illinois Cori Dahl – Parent and Family Programs Office Student Employee

The spring semester is almost here, and the next big question your student might have is summer plans. One summer option your student may be considering is staying here at the University of Illinois.

During the summer there are many opportunities for jobs and internships as well as opportunities for your student to continue to take classes.

Registration for summer classes will begin early April, Time tickets (student’s assigned registration time) can be viewed beginning Monday, March 23. Summer classes are divided into several different semesters comprising of a full 12-week semester, first 4 weeks semester, last 8 weeks semester, and a last 4 weeks of summer semester. Because class ranges vary when taking summer classes, it is essential that your student keeps track of their class duration and dates.

If your student is looking for a summer job but doesn’t know where to start, the

Virtual Job Board by the Office of Financial Aid is a great first step. The Virtual Job Board features university jobs that may include jobs from different academic departments, University Housing, New Student Programs, and much more. Another great resource is the Job Board for Research Park. Here, companies in Research Park and other university departments post jobs and internships available for students. Research Park at the University of Illinois has more than 120+ companies and over 70 startup companies. Another place for students to look for summer employment is Handshake @ Illinois.

This website is where your student can find the campus-wide job board, and it is also how employers communicate with students about jobs, internships, events, and company info sessions.

What about housing? Many of the apartment leases continue through early August so if your student is currently in an apartment, they may be able to continue to live in their current apartment.

Make sure your student checks their lease dates as some jobs may require them to stay later in August than their lease date allows. If your student is looking to live in an apartment specifically for the summer only, subleasing could also be an option. Your student can learn more about leasing options from Off

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Campus Living Office. Another great option is University Housing, which offers summer rates and your student will be conveniently located on campus.

Don’t worry, if your student decides to stay here over summer, they will still come home to visit. Transportation during the summer is as easy as it is during the school year. If your student has a car, they can purchase parking permits through the university, the cities of Champaign or Urbana, or through their apartment leasing company. Bus companies still operate in the summer.

Your student can ride the bus to various Chicago area stops or to O’Hare International Airport or Midway Airport to catch a flight back home. Locally, there is the Willard Airport as an option for flights. Other airport options include the Indianapolis International Airport or the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Furthermore, students can take the Amtrak from the Champaign transit station. The Amtrak has trips going north towards Chicago as well south through southern Illinois as well as various other options.

Finally, there is a plethora of activities for your student to enjoy. The university has many events all summer long from movies on the Quad to exclusive summer deals for students at local business.

The summer is also great time for your student to explore off-campus. Both Champaign and Urbana have farmers’ markets, food and music festivals, and more! As you talk to your student about their plans for summer, don’t forget that a summer at the University of Illinois is a great option.

Why Your Student Should Return to University Housing Chelsea Hamilton – Senior Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing at University Housing Looking to find somewhere for your student to live next year? Returning to University Housing for another year might be the best choice for them. In fact, 29% of residents make the choice to live on campus for two years or more.

Convenient and accommodating, University Housing has room options all over campus including suites and singles, halls for students who are sophomores and above, halls with kitchens that don’t require a meal plan, and even apartments. Planning on studying abroad or student teaching? Students who live with us can be released from their housing contract after one semester without worrying about subletting.

Instead of worrying about grocery bills, monthly utilities, getting things fixed, or finding time to cook and clean, oncampus living means all the “adulting” is taken care of. They’ll find services such as 24/7 area offices; around-the-clock maintenance; access to computer labs, on-site libraries, and fitness rooms; and locations within walking distance from academic buildings. There’s always fresh and convenient food ready to go — with no cleanup — at multiple dining locations. Plus, everything they need is included in one bill per semester — even laundry is included!

All this adds up to more time for your student to focus on living their best Illinois experience.

Check out the University Housing website to learn why thousands of residents decide to return to live on campus each year.

Housing Sign-Up is going on now: housing.illinois.edu/signup CONTRACT CANCELLATION POLICY Once the student selects a room and completes a contract, they have a 30day period to cancel the contract with no charge. If they decide to cancel the contract after 30 days, there will be a settlement charge of up to 75% of the total contract amount. Contracts after April 15 are immediately binding.

Financial Aid

Virgil (Vie) Ward – Student Financial Aid Administrator The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) encourages all students to apply for aid each year. To be considered for financial aid, your student should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. The 2020-2021 FAFSA opened October 1, 2019, and should be submitted by our priority date of March 15, 2020. The FAFSA will ask for 2018 income and tax information.

Upon submitting the FAFSA, some students may be selected for verification, a process of confirming that the information reported on the FAFSA is correct. If your student is selected for verification, we will mail home

a letter explaining what additional documentation must be provided.

Students are encouraged to upload their documents to us electronically.

Documents may also be mailed, faxed, or submitted in person. Please make sure your student includes their name and University Identification Number (UIN) on each document submitted to our office.

Financial aid offers may consist of several types of aid, such as: grants, scholarships, loans, and federal work study. Some students are offered Parent PLUS Loan eligibility, which is the opportunity for a parent to borrow a federal loan on the student’s

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behalf. Parent PLUS Loans (https:// osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/ loans/types-of-loans/federal-directparent-plus-loan/) are credit based and must be applied for each time you wish to borrow one that has been offered.

If there has been a change in your family’s financial situation that is not reflected on the FAFSA, you may be able to request a special circumstance review in order to determine your student’s eligibility for additional aid.

The 2020-2021 Special Circumstances form will be available at https:// osfa.illinois.edu/forms/2020-2021forms/ in February 2020.

Dads Association Crowns King Dad 2019 Zuri White – Program Manager, Parent and Family Programs Office The Dads Association named Jim Jones from Elgin, IL, King Dad 2019 during the annual Dads Weekend on Saturday, November 2. Jim was recognized on the field during the football game against Rutgers. He was nominated by his daughter Lauryn, a junior Pre-Med student, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology. Read Lauryn’s winning essay below.

My father means more than the world to me. He means more to me than anyone or anything in my life and always will. This may seem like a typical thing to say, but it truly has a much deeper meaning. My parents were hit by a drunk driver when my mom was 31 weeks pregnant with me. My mother suffered horrific life-threatening injuries and almost did not survive, but we both defied odds and are here today. My father has always been our rock, caring for us and showing us endless patience and love. He has spent his life raising me, caring for my mother who is permanently physically and mentally disabled, and supporting our family. Saying he did these things to the best of his ability is an understatement. The amount of sacrifice my dad has made could never be measured. I believe my father has truly gone above and beyond, both as a father and as a husband. He always supports me, believes in me, pushes me to do and be my best, guides me when needed, and most of all loves me no matter what. I would not be who I am or where I am without him.

My father is a kind, honest, and selfless man who despite everything finds time to volunteer, help neighbors and strangers, and give back. He always has been my role model and is more than the best dad I could have ever asked for.

The other King Dad nominees were: Jeff Hook, Angel Reynoso, Michael Kramer, James Merritt, David Tobar, Joseph Dudzik, Zhenwen Zhou, Pete Nicholas, Andy Czart, Jason Rice, Bob Hennessy, Kenny Costa, Allan Bouton, Scott Dworkin, Owen Carney Sr., Michael Sabol, Chris Abrahamsen, Erik Davis, Mike Shirey, Roy Carlson, Gordon Leffler, Gary Drysdale, Jon Groch, Jack Zupan, Brian Josephs, Michael Doody, Brian Jarosch, Scott Johnson, Lou Laros, Kevin Hoople, and Joe Roberts

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2019 Moms and Dads Association 50/50 Scholarship Raffle Winner Selected

Moms Weekend 2020 is Just Around the Corner!

Zuri White – Program Manager, Parent and Family Programs Office

It’s never too early to think about Moms Weekend, taking place April 3-5, 2020. All of the favorite events will be back: the Illini Union Board Craft and Vendor Fair, the Flower Show, the Moms Association Annual Meeting, Mom of the Year, the Medallion of Honor, the Moms Association Brunch, various campus tours, and more. Start making your plans today. This popular event is one you do not want to miss! Hotels are booking up fast (some are already full!); so hurry and make reservations now. Be sure to visit the Champaign County Convention and Visitors Bureau at visitchampaigncounty.org to find information about hotel options. If you have questions, contact the Illini Union Parent and Family Programs Office: (217) 3337063 or iuparentfamilyprograms@illinois.edu. Don’t forget to save the date for Moms Weekend 2021 on April 9-11!

Congratulations to the 2019 Dads Weekend 50/50 Raffle Winner Jean-Pierre Wolfe, winning $3,265!

The Moms and Dads Association 50/50 Raffle has been a raffle that not only generates money for student scholarships, but also a cash reward for the winning recipient. Every year, the Moms and Dads Association hosts this raffle to give back to the students at the University of Illinois. The money generated is split in half between student scholarships and the winner.

As the father of a freshman, this is Wolfe’s first year participating in the 50/50 Raffle.

Wolfe “purchased the raffle to help provide scholarship money for students.” He has utilized the raffle winnings to save for his son’s college expenses, including both academics and organizations such as his son’s participation in intramural sport activities.

Wolfe’s favorite part of being an Illini dad has been “seeing the growth that my son is going through as he adjusts to living away from us;” additionally, his favorite experience on campus with his son has been “walking the campus when we dropped him off at the beginning of the fall session.” Finally, for Wolfe, “being an Illini dad means that my son will one day graduate from one of the great public higher education institutions in America. The impact that our public university systems have on our society is unparalleled. I am proud that my son will add to this legacy of excellence.”

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IB

This spring, the Parent and Family Programs Office will be hosting our second Sibs

AT U R DA S S

Weekend! From Friday, March 27 to Sunday, March 29 we’re inviting younger siblings

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Sibs Weekend is Back!

to share a weekend on campus with their Illinois student. There’s no better time for Sibs Weekend than the weekend of the 100th annual Engineering Open House (EOH). Admission is free and many of the exhibits are tailored towards elemen-

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I

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tary through high school age kids. Also, Saturday is considered Family Day for the

ITY OF IL

event, making it the perfect time for your student to bring their sibling. EOH showcases over 250 exhibits created by the Grainger College of Engineering, primarily student constructed exhibits. Exhibits from previous years include the Solar Car, the Tesla Coil Concert, and the Robobrawl.

Students and their guest will be able to attend the various exhibits and showcases across campus during the day and attend fun activities at the Illini Union in the evening on both Friday and Saturday. On Friday night the Illini Union Board will be hosting a Sibs edition themed Illinites as well as showing a kid-friendly movie during the Weekend Film Series. The Courtyard Café will also be hosting a family-friendly comedian for their Friday Funnies series.

On Saturday, there will be a Hypnotist show, bowling, crafts, and much more! And to end the weekend there will be a Sibs Sunday Breakfast (limited seats available). More events across campus will be added as we get closer to the date.

We hope to see you at Sibs Weekend in March! Details on events tailored for Sibs Weekend can be found at https://union.illinois.edu/pfpo.

Zuri White Program Manager Illini Union Parent and Family Programs zuri@illinois.edu

Whitney Welsh Program Specialist Illini Union Parent and Family Programs Wwelsh2@illinois.edu

Becki Salzman Acting Director Illini Union rsalzman@illinois.edu

Consider a Gift to the Parent Fund

Your unrestricted gift to the Parent Fund helps Student Affairs augment existing and new programs. You can help provide the services and resources that are vital to the overall learning experience of our students.

To learn more on how you can give to the Parent Fund visit

uofiparentprograms.illinois.edu/Annual_Fund/Giving.html