News Releases
Mini University, Blood Donor Challenge receive awards
October 30, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana University Alumni Association will be honored with three awards at the annual conference of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, District V.
Mini University, an annual vacation college co-sponsored by the IUAA and IU Bloomington Continuing Studies, will receive two awards — a gold medal for Best Collaborative Program and a bronze medal for Best Practices in Alumni Relations. Mini University is a week-long learning vacation held each June on the Bloomington campus. Participants attend up to 15 noncredit mini-courses that they choose from more than 100 offerings, taught by many of IU’s finest faculty members. The program celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2006 with a record attendance of over 450.
“Mini University sets the standard for university-related learning vacations,” said Ken Beckley, the IUAA’s president and CEO. “We are proud of our long-time co-sponsorship with Bloomington Continuing Studies. It’s a special joy each June to see our alumni ‘students’ back in the classroom.”
The diverse course offerings in 2006 included “Dangerous Debates: A Scientific Understanding of Human Evolution,” “A Look Back: The Campus 35 Years Ago,” “The Life of a CIA Operations Officer,” “The Ego Effect of Money,” “Katrina: Fact and Fiction,” “The Relationship Between Collegiate Athletics and Academics” and “Elvis’ America: All Shook Up!” Jazz legend David Baker presented a special concert, “Dave Baker’s Quintet Celebrates Mini,” in honor of the program’s 35th anniversary.
Next year’s Mini University will take place June 17-22, 2007. For information, visit www.alumni.indiana.edu/miniu.
The IU vs. Purdue Blood Donor Challenge will receive a silver medal for Best Collaborative Program, beaten only by Mini University. The Blood Donor Challenge is a collaboration between the IU and Purdue alumni associations and several Indiana blood agencies. Now in its 10th year, the friendly competition encourages Indiana residents to donate blood in the name of either IU or Purdue University. The university with the most blood donations is honored at the Old Oaken Bucket football game between IU and Purdue. Since 1997, more than 32,000 donors have participated.
“The two alumni associations have set a standard for cooperation in helping Hoosiers,” said Beckley. “Our universities compete on the athletic field, but the blood drive is one example of how we cooperate to save lives.”
This year’s Blood Donor Challenge is in progress and continues through Nov. 10. For addresses and phone numbers of participating blood donor centers, visit www.alumni.indiana.edu/events/challenge.
The CASE V region includes colleges and universities throughout the Midwest. Its 462 member institutions include all the universities of the Big Ten conference and several Indiana colleges and universities. The awards will be presented at the organization’s conference in Chicago on Dec. 12.
The Indiana University Alumni Association is dedicated to serving the university and its diverse alumni, students, and friends. As one of the nation’s largest alumni organizations, serving nearly 490,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, non-member alumni, and the university. For information, visit www.alumni.indiana.edu or call (800) 824-3044.