New graduates honored at DeVault Center

After four years, or possibly more, of papers, web work, labs and group projects, graduates are invited to the annual “Senior Salute,” to enjoy free food, live music and enter to win one of many raffle prizes, including an IU engraved \niPod nano. \nThe IU Student Alumni Association and the IU Alumni Association will congratulate the class of 2007 at this annual event.\nThe event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. behind the DeVault Alumni Center at 1000 E. 17th St. \n“It’s a celebration of the graduates’ accomplishments,” said Rachael Crouch, assistant director of membership of the IU Alumni Association. \n“It’s time for everyone to get together, be social with other graduates, and have a good experience before commencement. We hold it at the alumni center so the graduates know that the DeVault alumni center is now their new home on campus and after they graduate, they can always come back.”\nAll those graduates, including December graduates and graduates receiving masters or doctoral degrees, are invited to attend. Each student will receive a free IU alumni class of 2007 pint glass. \n“We are really excited about the senior gift because it’s some thing new and nice, they’ve been doing the license plate for the past four years” said senior Brittany Wallis, vice president of special events for SAA. \n“Dave and Rae” will perform live while students can enjoy free food from Papa John’s, Bucceto’s and Chipotle. Students can also have a piece of the class of 2007 cake or play a game of corn hole or wiffle ball. \nOne of the highlights of the event will be the tree ceremony where the alumni association will dedicate a red maple to the class of 2007. \n“We are planting our own tree, but a lot of times they dedicate a pre-existing tree,” said senior Andrea Faulconer, director of hospitality \nfor SAA. \nIn previous years, the tree ceremony had been a separate event, but “we are trying to bridge the two,” said Wallis. \nIn addition to the iPod, students can win a free lifetime membership to the alumni association, a class of 2007 class ring, a diploma frame, or a license plate frame. \nCrouch said a few tables from affiliate groups, like the Asian Alumni Association, the Latino Alumni Association, the Neal Marshall Black Culture Center, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Association, and the IU Alumni Association table will provide information for ways new graduates can learn about their local chapters, career services, and their free one-year membership to IUAA. \nEach school will also have its own table with raffles for students, Crouch said. \nWallis said that each school will give its graduates free gifts that are “unique and specific to their school” in addition to the general pint glass. \n“There’s just no reason not to attend,” said Wallis, “The Alumni Association, they are such a welcoming group \nof people.”