‘Peacock Spirit’ to salute MVSC Dedication

“Peacock Spirit” will be on display during the Military and Veterans Service Center (MVSC) Open House and Dedication Ceremony at Upper Iowa University’s (UIU) Fayette Campus Friday, October 27. The event, hosted by the UIU Student Veterans Club, coincides with Upper Iowa’s “Peacock Spirit 101” Homecoming Week festivities October 26-28.

“On behalf of the Student Veterans Club and the entire University, we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to officially introduce this wonderful facility to the entire community,” UIU Director of Military and Veteran Services Chad Cook. “We are especially looking forward to showcasing the vast educational services now provided under one roof to UIU military students and veterans.”

Located on the upper level of Garbee Hall at UIU’s Fayette Campus, the MVSC provides a relaxing physical space for veterans and military-affiliated students to study and connect with other students.  Assistance is also available to students who need help navigating resources and referrals. In addition to the work study area, the center features a pair of administrative offices, a conference room and a spacious lounge area. Cook noted that MVSC furnishings and supplies, including artwork, flags and flagpoles have been purchased with the generous donations of students, staff, faculty, alumni and other members of the Peacock community.

Meanwhile, the development of a virtual MVSC continues. The service will provide resources for online military and veteran students, and students of the military family attending UIU centers. If funding can be secured, the MVSC aims to hire additional staff members and incorporate additional programs to further serve current and veteran military students.

Cook will be joined by UIU President William R. Duffy and Student Veterans Club President Nicholas Engelhardt in leading a MVSC dedication ceremony from 2-2:30 p.m. in the new MVSC on Friday, October 27. Spc. Engelhardt serves with the U.S. Army Reserves 389^th Engineer Company. An environmental science major at UIU, Engelhardt is an Elkader, Iowa, native.

The MVSC Open House is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and members of the public are invited to drop in to view the new center. Refreshments will be served. Those individuals planning to attend the October 27 Open House or Dedication Ceremony are requested to use the MVSC north entrance at Garbee Hall (entrance nearest the Andres Center for Business Education). A map of Fayette Campus is available at uiu.edu/resources/map-directions.html.

Peacock Spirit 101 Homecoming Week

The official “Peacock Spirit 101” festivities begin with the annual pep rally, bonfire and coronation of the Homecoming Queen east of Victory Gate/Peacock Pavilion Tailgate Area at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 26.

In addition to the MVSC Open House and Dedication Ceremony, the three-day celebration continues with the following events:

Thursday, October 26

An art exhibition and dessert reception will be held from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Bing-Davis Memorial Gallery. “Five Years Out” features the works of UIU alumnae Jenna (Smith) Hughes ’13, Denver, Colorado; Becky Althouse ’16, Fukushima, Japan; Becky Carpenter- Barnes ’16, Brookings, South Dakota; Daphne Barness ’14, St. Louis, Missouri; and Marisa (Goerend) Krivachek ’16, St. Lucas, Iowa. The desserts are complimentary. The gallery will also be open from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, October 27, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, October 28, and 8 a.m. – noon Sunday, October 29.

Friday, October 27

Iowa’s Fossil History Exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. – noon at Henderson-Wilder Library, with a 10:30 a.m. presentation provided by UIU Professor of Geosciences Kata McCarville. Guests are invited to bring rocks or fossils from their personal collections to be identified. Digital images of the items are also welcome.

The Peacock women’s soccer team will play Minnesota State University-Mankato at 3 p.m. at Pattison Field.

The President’s Masquerade Ball will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. The fifth annual fundraising event features a cocktail reception, dinner program and dancing. Masks will be provided for this elegant affair.

 

Saturday, October 28

Grand marshal Kent McElvania will lead the Homecoming Parade through downtown Fayette at 10 a.m. McElvania, who retired in September after 32 years of service to Upper Iowa University, served as the University’s assistant athletic director for compliance since 2003.

Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. for the Alumni Awards and Honor Class Luncheon in the Student Center ballrooms, with a lunch program following at 11 a.m. This year’s event will honor the classes of ’47, ’57, ’67, ’77, ’92 and ’07 as well as recognize UIU’s distinguished 2017 Alumni Award recipients and Heritage Society Members.

Alumni Award recipients include Marcia Anderson ’72, Norton, Massachusetts, Professional Development Award; La’Mont Williams ’10, Chicago, Illinois, Emerging Alumni Award; Daniel Bencivenga ‘13, Yorktown, Virginia, Service to Community Award; Michael Knight ‘01, Urbandale, Iowa, Service to Country Award; Jann Henkes ’78, St. Paul, Minnesota, Service to University Award.

The UIU Homecoming football game against Southwest Minnesota State begins at 2:07 p.m. at Harms-Eischeid Stadium. The Post-Game Bash will conclude the festivities at 6.p.m in the tailgate area. Live music, a dance and a Halloween costume contest are among the scheduled activities.

Ongoing Activities

Alumni are once again asked to add their oral history to the UIU Archives by sharing stories of their time at UIU and after graduation. The recording booth is located at Henderson-Wilder Library. To arrange an alternative time, contact UIU Archivist Janette Garcia at 563-425-5722 or visit uiu.edu/oralhistory.

The public can take a walk down memory lane and view memorabilia from previous UIU Homecoming celebrations by viewing the Homecoming Archives display, located on the Student Center second floor.

The Minerals, Rocks and Fossils Display will be open at Garbee Hall in the Sustainability Solarium. The featured specimens were donated to the UIU collection by Burton and Dorothea ’71 Odekirk and Leora Sullivan ’61. The solarium is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Student events and activities

Throughout Homecoming Week, UIU students will host several events and activities. Peacock Pride will begin to spread across the entire UIU community Sunday, October 22, with the Beta Theta Omega Student Fashion Show. Comedian Ian Lara will be the featured entertainment during Comedy Night at 7 p.m. in the Student Center ballrooms on Monday, October 23. Window painting and King and Queen voting begins on Tuesday, October 24. The Sidewalk Chalk Challenge follows on Wednesday, October 25, and the Greek Picnic Cookout is scheduled for Sunday, October 29.

For additional information, visit uiu.edu/alumni/homecoming.html.