Alumni briefs

From M, fall 2003

100 candles and a cheer contest

A competition is now under way, open to all degree-holding alumni, to compose a new musical cheer that expresses, in 15 seconds or less, the spirit of Minnesota.

Envisioned as something like the short "Charge!" cheer heard at many sporting events, the winning entry should be "spirited and bold, with the staying power to foster a maroon-and-gold tradition at Gopher games for years to come," says Margaret Carlson, the alumni association's executive director. The entry deadline is October 1, 2003. The victorious cheer will be unveiled at the Birthday Party of the Century, set in and around the McNamara Alumni Center on Friday, January 30, 2004. The winner will receive $2,500 and other prizes, including the chance to direct the University of Minnesota Marching Band at a sporting event. Second- and third-prize runners-up also will be chosen.

Great Conversations

The 2003 Great Conversations on the Road series featured
Michael Osterholm (M.S. '78, M.A. '80, Ph.D. '80) epidemiologist and bioterrorism expert
Charles Nolte (M.A. '63, Ph.D. '67) U theatre professor emeritus

The series will visit alumni chapter areas this winter and spring for the third year.

Speakers for 2004 include
Will Hueston, veterinary medicine professor and director of the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety
Patricia Hampl, author and Regents Professor of English

Check the UMAA Web site or Minnesota magazine for dates and locations.

Full contest rules and more on the Birthday Party of the Century are available at www.alumni.umn.edu.

Great speech from a great event

"The U of M is the place we come back to--both physically and spiritually--when we try to understand what it means to be from Minnesota," said Harvey Mackay (B.A. '54) at the UMAA's 99th anniversary celebration in May. A best-selling author, businessman, and one of the world's top motivational speakers, Mackay joked, inspired, and advised the 1,200 alumni who attended the UMAA's centennial kickoff event. "The truth is, education is expensive," he said. "But if you think education is expensive, you should try ignorance." For the entire text of Mackay's speech, as well as photos and other UMAA centennial information, see www.alumni.umn.edu/centennial.