SENIOR Salute

For many members of IU's class of 2006, the past four years have been the party of a lifetime. Coming to Bloomington with your parents and a car full of "dorm room essentials" might seem like only yesterday. Soon you'll be getting ready to walk into Assembly Hall to receive your diploma.\nMost seniors will attest to the fact that their time at IU went by way too quickly, and now they're ready to move on to the next chapters of their lives. They're ready to get jobs, go to graduate school or -- for some -- move back home into their parents' basement, Xbox and Doritos in hand.\nWhatever their post-IU plans, it's safe to say that for now, all seniors have the same thing on their minds: they're going out with a bang.\nRest assured seniors, there's a myriad of specially-tailored activities, just for you, awaiting throughout the week all over Bloomington.\nSenior send-offs are the specialty of the IU Student Alumni Association, and a line-up of events and activities is in store for all upcoming IU grads.\nAccording to the IUSAA's Web site, www.indiana.edu/~saa, its goals are: "To help direct and assist with the goals of the IU Alumni Association by introducing students to the Alumni Association before they graduate, to develop effective and responsible leadership through contact and experience in university projects and programs, thereby enhancing the education of the students and preparing them to serve as future alumni leaders, and to work for and further the goals of Indiana University whenever possible."\nOne of the many activities lined up on the agenda is the "Senior Salute," scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in a tent behind the DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St., across from Assembly Hall.\nThe music of acoustic duo Dave and Rae (who play everything from "folk to funk") and free food and drink from Chipotle and Marco's Pizza will be offered, as well as door prizes such as a lifetime IUSAA membership, an official IU ring, a diploma frame and an iPod nano. The first 1,000 seniors in attendance will receive a free IU license plate frame. Seniors must present their student ID cards in order to receive prizes.\nThe Salute will kick off at 3:30 p.m. with the senior tree dedication ceremony. Speakers include Richard McKaig, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs and Kirk Walda, IUSAA president.\n"Senior Salute is more than just a good time," Walda says. "It is also a great chance for seniors to become more familiar with one of the best ways to stay connected to IU past graduation -- the Alumni Association. We'll send off seniors in style with giveaways from IUAA and all of the schools at IU, free food and music by Dave and Rae."\nSAA Vice President of University Relations, Jason Russ, is leading the student work behind the event.\n"Senior Salute is a very important tradition at IU because the Alumni Association gets a chance to welcome the seniors to their home away from home on the IU campus," Russ says. "It is also a way for seniors to have a good time together while learning about all the great opportunities that the Alumni Association has to offer to stay connected to campus after they graduate."\nThe annual senior tree dedication ceremony is another event to check out aimed specifically at IU seniors. This honored tradition commemorates each senior class with planting a new tree around campus -- an IU ritual that has been part of the school's history since 1873. The ceremony kicks off the "Senior Salute," so you can get the best of two events with one trip.\nThere are also lots of noteworthy events in Bloomington to check out during these last couple weeks of the s school year. Josh Holmes, who was recently voted "Favorite Solo Acoustic Artist" in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana area, will perform with his full band at Kilroy's Bar & Grill at 10 p.m. on Friday. Holmes is an Indiana native who has opened for artists such as The Crickets (the band '50s rock 'n' roll icon Buddy Holly formed) and Michael Glibicki of Rusted Root. \nThe IU Asian Culture Center will be hosting "Asian Fest" 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday and the admission is free. The festival is in conjunction with the Bloomington Farmer's Market, and will include an Asian cooking demonstration, musical performances by local and Indianapolis-based Asian artists and arts and crafts activities. You can find the Eastern-themed fun at Showers City Hall Atrium at Eighth and Morton Streets. \nIt's clear that while your time as a college student may be drawing to a close, there are still many opportunities that will allow you to take full advantage of your time left as an IU student. Both official University events, as well as goings-on around the Kirkwood area will let you end your college experience on a note that only Bloomington can provide. \nIf you have any questions or need any guidance to making your final few days of IU the most memorable as possible, get a hold of IUSAA at 855-7221. \nAnd don't forget about the Commencement Ceremony on May 6 at 10 a.m and 3 p.m. That's kind of an important event, too.