Alumni Connections Newsletter

MARCH/APRIL 2021

March into spring with IMSA's Spring Festival, presented by the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the Language Department. Replacing the traditional show of floats that usually runs through the old cafeteria, students creatively designed a virtual parade celebrating festivals from a variety of cultures around the world.

Check it out!

CONGREGATE

Inside the Great Minds

IMSA continues to celebrate Black History Month well into March and is pleased to present Inside the Great Minds with civil rights icon, Dr. Angela Davis, on March 18 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Join us for a virtual conversation and fireside chat via YouTube live stream. This program is free; however, registration is required by March 16. A link to the program will be provided to registrants via email.

CELEBRATE

History and Heritage

IMSA celebrated Black History Month throughout February with a flurry of activities, including Black History Read-Ins and student video tributes about influential Black Americans. The Black Student Union (BSU) in partnership with IMSA Student Productions (ISP) presented a video series called "Our Stories." BSU Board Members shared their stories of black heroes in their lives and how they have been inspired by them.

Watch and listen to this four-part series here:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

March is National Women's History Month

and Girls IN2 STEM took the pledge to show support for the International Women's Day 2021 campaign, "Choose To Challenge" on March 8th. This day celebrated women's achievements, raises awareness about women's equality and lobbies for accelerated gender parity. The club produced a video on the history of IWD, including anonymous stories and palm messages from students and staff, including faculty, on what they choose to challenge, featuring Isabel Lee '17. Watch the video.

Throughout March, the student group BELLA (Beautiful Empowering Ladies Leading All) is raising money for organizations helping in the fight against period poverty, including; Chicago Period Project Project, Helping Women Period and Days for Girls.

Other March Happenings

lrish American Society has a few things planned for St. Patrick's Day, including spreading luck and good wishes to all students across the campus and a green dress-up day.

The Admissions Review Committee met on March 11-12. The committee consists of 90 members, including staff, faculty, Alumni, and parents of Alumni; as well as scientists, business professionals, STEM experts, and educators. 42% of our committee members belong to historically underrepresented groups and 45% are bringing experience of rural or urban viewpoints into their teams.

IN THIS ISSUE

CONGREGATE

Inside the Great Minds

CELEBRATE

Black History Month
Women's History Month
Irish American Heritage

PARTICIPATE

A Mission to Mentor

INFORMATION

Alumni Spotlight
2021 Alumni Awards
Reunion Update
Repopulation Plan
K-12 STEM Adventures

We are grateful for Alumni service to the IMSA community.

Student Council

Mental Health Panel held on Feb. 24

Amanda Besinger '02

Ellen Wiewel '97

Jessica Brand '99

Brotherhood/Sister Circle Retreat

held on Feb. 28

Al-Jalil Gault '14

Alyda Huerta '15

Amber Acquaye '16

Amy De La Torre '15

Anthony Ortiz '14

Chinyere Kemet '16

Corey Hornbeck '13

Courtney Thompson '03

Cristal Quiones '16

Dawn Triche '18

Derek Houston '98

Dion Steele '89

Dorcas Washington '12

Erika Ezife '19

Isiah Ramos '11

Isiah Butler '14

Jaida Lewis '15

Jasmine Davila '13

Jason Barazza '17

Jelani Rowland '12

Jessica Forbes '18

Jordan Williams '12

Jorge Acosta '13

Kendell Byrd '13

Kenny Harvey '11

Kenzo Esquivel '13

Laura Lehmann '15

Max Ackerman '15

Morgan Ashley Craft '12

Mosope Kusoro '18

Natalie Sanchez '20

Nick Reid '10

Ope Kusoro '09

Quinn Lewis '15

Rhyston Mays '12

Rios Guzman '14

Takudzwa George '18

Tavis Reed '16

Whitney Kwamin '12

Yasmine Gordan '15

New Titan Crew Members

Ongoing

Anne Pipathsouk '09

Apinya Lertratanakul '93

Bo Shi '08

Mariah Yelenick '17

Valerie M. Buitron '95

International Women's Day Video on March 8

Isabel Lee '17

PARTICIPATE

We want to hear from you

A Mission to Mentor

Do you have a passion to be a student mentor/sponsor or serve on a panel for IMSA students? There are a variety of opportunities for Alumni to engage with students.

Student Council is planning a two-part virtual series connecting Alumni and students through one-on-one or small group pairings featuring break-out room discussions and Q & A sessions about students' future pursuits. Virtual sessions are available on April 13 and 27 and

April 15 and 29 from 6:00-7:00 PM CT. Sign up for one or both sessions.

Alumni Panelists Needed for Senior Transition Event April 26th.

Senior Transition Education Program (STEP) is hosting a virtual panel of Alumni from the class of 2018, 2019 or 2020 to answer student questions about life after IMSA. The event is from 5:00-6:30 PM CT. Sign up.

Alumni Evaluators needed for Student Leadership Exchange April 28th.

Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) will be evaluating student projects and research about social topics globally.

The event is from 9:00-11:30 AM CT.

Learn more and sign up.

IN2 and the Internship program connects IMSA juniors and seniors to real-world learning experiences with Alumni to carry out an industry, business or product-focused research project. IMSA Interns are unpaid and earn 1.0 semester credit hour upon completion. For a more information about mentoring or sponsoring an intern during the summer or next fall Academic Year visit our Internship web page and register here.

Alumni Spotlight & Information

More about Alex

More about Olivia

Congratulations to the 2021 Alumni Award Winners

The Board of Trustees announced the 2021 Alumni Award winners on March 10, 2021. Dr. Jerome "Jay" Budzik ‘95 was recognized with the Titan Award, Dr. Carl Earl Lambert, Jr. ‘03 and Michael Peil ‘90 were named for the Distinguished Leadership Award, and Dr. Neha Narula ‘99 was honored with the Alumni Trailblazer Award. Learn more about these wonderful Alumni Award recipients.

A recognition assembly is scheduled for May 28, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.

Reunion Announcement

IMSA and IMSA Alumni Association (IAA) announce that in-person reunion on July 17, 2021 for the classes of '91, '96, '01, '06, '11 and '16; as well as 0s and 5s who were set to be included because of the in-person reunion cancellation last summer, will be postponed due to the limitation of large gatherings permitted by the state and limited vaccine availability. IMSA and IAA will announce alternative plans in June.

IMSA Repopulation

IMSA's plan to repopulate in the spring semester encompasses a low-density model to help in the fight against COVID-19. Read the plan here.

K-12 STEM Adventures

Would you like to receive emails about programs that are being offered for K-12 students by the Center for Teaching and Learning? If so, fill out the interest form and we will send you information about Summer STEM Camps as well as STEM enrichment programming throughout the year. Learn more about the Center for Teaching and Learning programs.

Interest Form

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

Good day, Alumni! I would love to have one-on-one conversations with you to learn more about you and your time at IMSA. Please reach out to me to set up a 30 minute time to chat.

Take care and be well!

Tamara Newquist

Alumni Relations Coordinator

tnewquist@imsa.edu