Illini Union Board President
Obaid Sarvana
Illini Union Board President |
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My story is the American story - values from a mid-west upbringing in a loving family, determination and education as the means of getting ahead, and the strong belief that life is meant to help others. In this, the year of Obama, I am very excited to be serving as your president. I am a junior, exploring the reaches of knowledge, and preparing to enter the real world. I have many interests, basketball and hanging out among them. After graduating, I hope to work in health delivery, particularly using innovative methods to deliver and manage health care in impoverished areas.
My mission for IUB this year is to provide the best possible programming for the University community. If this involves new ways of planning events, trying to find out the wants of the student community, or finding innovative ways to fund our events, I will do it. I also intend to take IUB into directions it has not considered before. I consider my position on the Board a privilege and an opportunity, and I will work tirelessly to be worthy of it. I am inspired because this year's Board is an excellent and very engaged group. They come from diverse backgrounds and have amazing ideas for the coming year. We are a team and will not let you down.
If we are going to do all this, though, if we are going to program with a purpose, we need your feedback. Let us know how we are doing, get involved, and gear up for an exciting year ahead.
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Obaid Sarvana
sarvana2@illinois.edu |
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Director of Enriching Programs
Maggie Smego
Director of Enriching Programs |
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Hello and welcome to the Illini Union Board! My name is Maggie Smego and I am the Director of Enriching Programs for this year! I am currently a junior majoring in Kinesiology, and I hope to go to grad school after graduation to become a physical therapist. I am also an active member of my sorority Alpha Omicron Pi, and exec board member of the senior honorary society Mortar Board.
My job as Director revolves around three main areas: the I-Book, Mini-Courses, and Lectures. The Enrichment committee designs the I-Book for the upcoming year and provides the materials included in it for all UIUC students to use. With Mini-Courses, we bring fun and non-traditional 6-week (non-credit) courses to our campus such as Belly Dancing, Swahili, and Sleight of Hand (magic tricks) to our students each semester. And finally with Lectures, we invite inspirational and famous speakers to come and deliver exciting and informational speeches to our campus. In the past, we have brought Ben Stein, Anderson Cooper, Dan Rather, and Evan Handler (just to name a few) to come and give a talk to our students.
I am looking forward to the upcoming semesters, and I hope that you are just as excited as I am for all the opportunities that IUB brings! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or ideas for upcoming events!
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Maggie Smego
msmego2@illinois.edu |
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Director of the Illini Union
Ed Slazinik
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Vice President for Policy
Simon Appleford
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Director of Illinites
Mara Dahlgren
Director of Illinites |
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Welcome to the Illini Union Board! My name is Mara Dahlgren and I am very excited to be the 2009 Illinites Director. Currently, I am sophomore pursuing a major in History and a minor in Informatics. After graduation, I plan on getting my master's degree in Library and Information Science. Outside of IUB, I am a Conversation Partner and a lifeguard at the ARC.
Illinites is a late night programming committee that offers the community free entertainment and interactive activities. We are always looking for more members and new and different ideas. If you are involved in any bands, RSOs, or organizations, we would love to work with you! Feel free to email me anytime with any questions and ideas.
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Mara Dahlgren
mdahlgr2@illinois.edu |
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Associate Director for Programs
Laurel Reed Rosch
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Vice President for Programs
Melissa Gold
Vice President for Programs |
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Greetings from the Illini Union Board! My name is Melissa Gold and I’m excited to be the 2009 Vice President for Programs. I am currently a senior pursuing a major in English & minors in both Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies. Following graduation, I plan on attending law school. Besides student programming, I am also an active member of my sorority Alpha Epsilon Phi and executive board member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Honor Fraternity.
This year’s board is full of creative and enthusiastic directors who are excited to bring great programs to the University of Illinois campus. We are committed to providing entertaining and engaging events that appeal to and represent the diversity within the University’s student body.
The directors and I are constantly looking for new ideas and are always interested to hear what you suggest! Whether you have a great recommendation for a new act, would like to get involved on our committees, or are interested in co-sponsoring with IUB please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am looking forward to another fantastic year on the Illini Union Board. GO ORANGE AND BLUE!
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Melissa Gold
mgold2@illinois.edu |
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Director of Marketing
Gia Katsoolias
Director of Marketing |
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Welcome to the Illini Union Board! My name is Gia Katsoolias and I am very excited to be the 2009 Director of Marketing. I am currently a freshman in the College of Business planning on pursuing degrees in Accountancy and Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Outside of school and IUB, I love skiing, golfing, watching the Cubs, and cheering on the Fighting Illini football and basketball teams.
Marketing is really exciting because the committee is responsible for marketing the entire Illini Union Board across campus. We are responsible for not only evaluating the programming and performance of the Illini Union Board as a whole, but also for designing our own programming and marketing plans to promote the Illini Union Board to all students at the University of Illinois. If you're creative, motivated, and interested in being a part of something great, the Marketing committee is perfect for you!
Please feel free to e-mail me or any of the Marketing committee chairs if you have any questions about the committee. We always welcome new members, new perspectives, and new ideas! The Illini Union Board Office in Room 227 at the Union is also a good place to head if you're looking for more information about the Marketing committee or the Illini Union Board in general.
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Gia Katsoolias
katsool1@illinois.edu |
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Faculty/Staff Representatives
David Tewksbury
Leslie Morrow
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Vice President for Finance
Westley Scott
Vice President for Finance |
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Greetings from the Illini Union Board! My name is Westley Scott and I am overjoyed to be your 2009 Vice President for Finance. I am in my third year of Psychology with a side of Business Administration and I wish I could start it all over and do it again! I plan to pursue a career in Human Resources after graduation and hopefully will return to the University of Illinois to further my education. I stay busy on campus with many superb organizations and when I have free time you can always catch me working out at my second home, the ARC.
I look forward to maintaining the efficiency of IUB’s finances while providing outlets for growth in the next year. I know our new cast of directors will make this a record-breaking season of activities, events, programs and overall entertainment for the entire campus and with our great supervisors it’s almost a guarantee.
As a board we are open to any suggestions and would love to for you to stop by 227 Illini Union to come see us in action. If you are interested in becoming involved you are just a simple email away from any of our directors and I am sure they will be glad to welcome you. This year will be a great year so make sure you’re a part of it!
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Westley Scott
wscott2@illinois.edu |
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Director of Musicals
Aaron Parker
Director of Musicals |
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I'm Aaron Parker, the 2009 Director of Musicals. I am currently a sophomore majoring in Psychology. I haven't figured out exactly what I would like to do in life, but I'm looking at some form of graduate-level education. In my free time, I love going to the ARC and watching my favorite shows on FX.
I oversee the area of Musicals for the Illini Union Board, which puts on both a spring and fall show every year. My purpose is to aid in the production of these shows by selecting a staff, setting a budget, and making sure things run smoothly for the actual show. This spring IUB will be producing West Side Story.
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Aaron Parker
aparker8@illinois.edu |
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Staff Advisory Council Representative
Janet Davis
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Director of Arts
Jacques Anderson
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Director of Progressive Programs
Mariam Rizk
Director of Progressive Programs |
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Hi and Welcome to the Illini Union Board!
My name is Mariam Rizk and I am the 2009 Director of Progressive Programs, which is one of the most diverse and exciting areas here at IUB! I am a sophomore at UIUC and my major is French Commercial Studies with a concentration in Business Management and Marketing. I am also hoping to pursue minors in International Studies and Business. My idea of an Amazing day would be to meet with the Fabulous Progressive Programs Committee, then head home and call my puppy while watching about 5-6 hours of really bad T.V shows that I can’t seem to get enough of!
Progressive Programs consists of LGBT Programs, Green Initiatives Programs and Women’s Programs. All three areas couldn’t be more different and unique, but they all share the same level of excitement! We plan fun events like the Drag Show and Earth Week and bring many famous guest speakers and performers to campus. Our goal is to entertain while also bringing awareness to various issues facing the campus and today’s communities.
New members are always welcome and we would LOVE to hear any new ideas you may have! So come and plan events with us, I promise this will one of the most fun and unique experiences of your life!
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Mariam Rizk
mrizk2@illinois.edu |
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Faculty/Staff Social Committee
Vacant
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Director of Cultural Programs
Sonny Song
Director of Cultural Programs |
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Welcome to the Illini Union Board! My name is Sonny Song and I am thoroughly excited to be the Cultural Programs Director! Currently, I am sophomore pursuing a major in Psychology and minors in Business and Chemistry. I also have a concentration in Pre-Dentistry! After graduation, I plan on attending dental school to become an orthodontist! Outside of IUB, I am a Multicultural Advocate in the University of Illinois residence halls, where I plan amazing programs focused on multiculturalism and social justice. Go diversity! When I am not frantically running errands, pulling allnighters or attending meetings, I am chilling with my friends or sleeping.
The Cultural Programs Area of the Illini Union Board is one of the best areas to join, mainly because there are so many directions you can go with it! Within this area, there are numerous areas you can program for! We are responsible for programming and planning events to promote appreciation and involvement with different cultural groups and organizations represented on campus, as well as an appreciation for diversity and inclusiveness on campus. We are always looking for more members to bring new and different ideas and perspectives to the area! We highly encourage cosponsoring programs with different RSOs and organizations on campus! Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me!
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Sonny Song
song17@illinois.edu |
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Director of Traditional Programs
Vacant
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Alumni Association Representative
Roberta Burris
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Director of Development
Jasmine Abdullh
Director of Development |
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Hello!
My name is Jasmine Abdullh and I am excited to be this years Director of Development. This is my second year at the U of I and I love it! My major is Human Nutrition and my concentration is Pre-Dentistry. When I am not studying hard or going to class, I am hanging with friends, watching movies, and playing volleyball.
As Director of Development, I plan info night, spring and fall retreats, organize volunteer recognition banquets, and I am also responsible for recruiting new members. I am glad to be a part of the IUB family and hope that my service can create the best experience possible. If you have any ideas to contribute or comments, please e-mail me or come to talk to me anytime!
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Jasmine Abdullh
jabdul3@illinois.edu |
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Director of Weekend Entertainment
Matt Anderson
Director of Weekend Entertainment |
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My name is Matt Anderson and I’m excited for a semester of weekend fun with IUB. I’m a sophomore from the Chicago suburbs studying marketing. My favorite sport is handball and I’m president of the Illini Handball club. You should check Handball out; it will change your life. After I graduate I want to get an adventurous job. My ultimate goal is to become a novelist. Michael Crichton is my favorite writer - read Travels - it is amazing.
Weekend Entertainment brings in stand-up comedians and bands/live music to perform on campus and in the Illini Union. Join Weekend Entertainment if you like planning and marketing events in addition to picking bands and comedians that you want to see. So please join - the time commitment is very manageable and IUB is a fantastic organization.
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Matt Anderson
mander34@illinois.edu |
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Catherine M. Heidke (