Greetings and happy belated 4th of July!  I hope you and your family got to relax and enjoy the holiday.  I wanted to send you a quick message to bring you up to speed on some of the Las Vegas Illini Club happenings:

FIRST LAS VEGAS ILLINI CLUB SCHOLARSHIP!!!
I’m proud to announce that we’ve awarded our first two scholarships to students living in the Las Vegas area who are going to be attending the University of Illinois next year.  It’s the first time in our club’s history that we were able to do this and everyone who participated in helping these students should be proud of the accomplishment.  With the increase in tuition for both in-state and out of state students, being able to financially help out a student from Las Vegas is an important function of our Club.  We raised enough money to award a $1,250 scholarship to each student ($1,000 tuition and $250 for books). 

The first scholarship recipient's name is Joey Resch.  Joey will be a senior in MCB/Pre-Med, has a 3.6 GPA, plays for the Illini Hockey Club, is a tutor for MCB and is currently being accepted to TA physics for the Princeton MCAT course.  Here's a few excerpts from his essay application to the Las Vegas Illini Club: 

"I am highly involved on campus outside of my classes, present a strong academic resume, and am extremely motivated to building opportunities for a career path.  In fact, my sophomore year really helped spark my motivation level, mostly because it was a poor year.  School had always been easy and natural for me, and the little amount of study time that I used for prior courses carried into my Organic Chemistries and other MCB lab courses.  I also had too much time commitment, including, as funny as it may seem, a girlfriend who demanded more attention than I should have been giving, with the other activities and high course load that I was involved in.  My GPA plummeted to about a 3.4, far below average for medical school applicants, and I have been forced to play catch-up since.  Additionally, last summer was my first in Vegas, and not knowing anyone who could help me find a well-paying job, ended up working for Nevada Water Company, doing labor/factory work 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.  This pretty much ensured my knew work ethic upon getting back to school, as I knew even more that I wanted to have a career that I enjoyed doing for a living."

"Financially, with divorced parents (including one who doesn’t help pay for university fees), it is already difficult to pay for school, and much funding comes from financial aid, loans, and grants.  The money I make each summer goes straight to school and rent each year, although this year that sum will be much less than the previous two summers, as I will be doing research in order to better my applications in my future, and will only have a part-time job at best.  Therefore, this scholarship would obviously be a huge help for next school year."

The second scholarship recipient's name is Grace Courvoisier.  Grace will be an incoming freshman getting her B.F.A in Modern dance/performance.  Here's a few excerpts from her essay application to the Las Vegas Illini Club:

"As a dancer interested in choreographic studies, it is important to draw inspiration from individual persons, living in a society without the influence of dance, or art in general.  The University of Illinois not only offered a wonderful program for my B.F.A in Modern dance/performance, but also offered a colossal world of people interested in accomplishing writing, engineering, mathematics, psychology, or other social degrees, which I found inspiring; giving the best of both worlds.  When I receive my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Modern dance, I plan on moving straight to New York city, or Chicago to continue as a performing dancer.  Eventually, belonging to a company is in mind; however, my long term goal is to be a choreographer.  I believe the staff at the University of Illinois will supply me with the knowledge and experience I need to be hired by other artistic directors or teachers, to choreograph pieces for them or their companies."

"I want to succeed, and will succeed, which is the one hope I can bring to the University of Illinois as a student.  I can be living example, and proof, that the University guides individuals to be the type of performer or worker that student aimed to be.  I can be a living example that the University of Illinois does not wish to conform their attendees, but rather support the person growing within.  The only contribution I can give while on campus at the University is my diligence, passion, and genial acts of appreciation.  Because of these special qualities, I am the best candidate for this scholarship from the Las Vegas Illini Club.  Knowing there is a group of people willing to provide such an opportunity to attend the University of Illinois is a comforting notion.  My father, two of my aunts, and several cousins have attended the University, so being a part of that tradition is important and enthralling.  My family frequently visits Champaign-Urbana, and owns a farm in Greenville, Illinois; the scholarship does not only allow financial support, but also offers the support of the Las Vegas Illini Club, and I would be grateful and honored for the privilege of this scholarship."

If you'd like to contact either of the students to wish them congratulations, you can email them Joey at jresch2@uiuc.edu and Grace at gracec22@aol.com. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Happy Birthday to Myrna Evans Orlov on July 23rd and Matt Stallman on July 5th!!!

 

If you have a birthday or anniversary that you’d like us to know about, please fill hit respond and update me with your information.

 

UPCOMING LAS VEGAS ILLINI CLUB EVENTS

Put the following dates on your calendar:

 

Join us at the Las Vegas Illini Happy Hour located right across from Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip!!!

Dates:  8/9/07, 9/13/07, 10/11/07, 11/8/07

Time:  6pm - 8pm

Location:  Laughing Jackalope Bar, 3969 Las Vegas Blvd S., Las Vegas, NV, 89119-1047

Contact:  Ben Brownback, 702.429.5594, brownbac@illinoisalumni.org

Cost:  $10 Minimum Donation towards the scholarship fund

 

Also, we're trying to organize a few other events, such as luncheons, picnic's, shows, etc.  I'd really welcome your feedback if you've got an idea for an event.  Please email me at lasvegasillini@davproductions.com.

 

FIGHTING ILLINI FOOTBALL

Here’s the Football Schedule for Fall 2007:

 

09/01/07 vs. Missouri (State Farm Arch Rivalry Game), St. Louis, Mo. 2:30 p.m. CT

09/08/07 vs. WESTERN ILLINOIS, MEMORIAL STADIUM TBA

09/15/07 at Syracuse, Syracuse, N.Y. 11:00 a.m. CT

09/22/07 at Indiana, Bloomington, Ind. TBA

09/29/07 vs. PENN STATE (Foundation Day), MEMORIAL STADIUM TBA

10/06/07 vs. WISCONSIN (Dad's Day), MEMORIAL STADIUM TBA

10/13/07 at Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa TBA

10/20/07 vs. MICHIGAN (Varsity 'I' Day), MEMORIAL STADIUM 7:00 p.m. CT

10/27/07 vs. BALL STATE (Homecoming), MEMORIAL STADIUM 11:00 a.m. CT

11/03/07 at Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. 7:00 p.m. CT

11/10/07 at Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio TBA

11/17/07 vs. NORTHWESTERN (Senior Day), MEMORIAL STADIUM TBA

 

No west coast games this year.  I’ll try and organize some game watching events also.

  

As always, please let me know if you meet any other Illini that live in the valley that might want to participate in our events.  Thanks and try and stay cool!  Go IllinI!!!!

 

Ben

 

Ben Brownback, '99 LAS
Club Leader, Las Vegas Illini Club
brownbac@illinoisalumni.org
Mobile:  702.429.5594