NEIU Weekend 2024
September 13-15
Mark your calendar and get ready for NEIU Weekend 2024! Whether you're a student, alumni, faculty, staff or a friend of Northeastern Illinois University, this weekend is packed with activities designed for everyone to enjoy.
Join us for a variety of events including a 5K run and walk, La Copa, music, delicious food, and exciting games. It's the perfect opportunity to connect with old friends, make new ones, and celebrate the NEIU community spirit!
Don't miss out on the fun ... sign up today and prepare for an unforgettable weekend!
Please note: More events may be added. Check the schedule regularly for updates.
Check out the NEIU Spirit Store located in the Student Union!
There's new merch for the Fall 2024 semester ... don't miss out!
The NEIU Spirit Store has limited hours of operation.
Campus Map and Directions
Friday, September 13
My Post-Art School Life
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Fine Arts Building, Room FA 212
4:00-5:00 p.m. - Panel discussion
5:00-6:00 p.m. - Post-panel snacks and refreshments
Join us for a panel discussion with four Art + Design Department alumni who will share their professional experiences since undergrad. Discover how they’ve navigated their post-school adventures, from launching creative careers and pursuing further education to inspiring the next generation through teaching. Our alumni will offer firsthand accounts on the diverse paths that can be taken with an Art + Design major. Whether you’re about to graduate or just curious about the possibilities of living a creative life, this panel will provide you with the tools, valuable insights, and inspiration to help shape your future.
Panelists:
Cristian Martinez Gomez (Graphic Design)
Cristian Martinez Gomez (graduated 2022) obtained his BFA in Graphic Design from NEIU in December 2022 and is currently an associate designer at Jack Morton, a global experiential marketing agency. He’s had the pleasure of working with a number of brands including Guinness, Under Armor and Mars Wrigley. In his free time he enjoys cooking, spinning vinyl, looking at art, scrolling away on TikTok, and shooting street photography.
Kelly Novak (Education)
Kelly Novak (graduated 2010) enrolled in courses at NEIU to pursue a degree in secondary art education. It was during this time she discovered metalsmithing and jewelry design. Upon graduating in 2010, she followed her passion, and earned her MFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry design from Indiana University in 2014. Novak is a tenured art teacher with Chicago Public Schools. She has created a metalsmithing course and studio for advanced art students at Lane Tech, while also teaching digital photography, and AP 2D courses throughout the year. Currently Novak is part of Garnet Studios, a group metals studio led by Pam Robinson.
kellymarienovak.com
@forever_minikin
Alec Thorsen (Studio Art)
Alec Thorsen is a filmmaker and fine artist working in the Chicagoland area. He got his start on stage, studying theater and singing in high school and at Illinois State University. After moving to Chicago and continuing to perform, he produced several of his own narrative short films before pursuing a degree in studio art (photography) at NEIU. After graduating, he worked in commercial film production in Chicago, and continues to exhibit fine art, shoot stills for events and make movies. Alec is also in the process of completing his teaching credentials at NEIU, so he can teach K-12 Art.
alecthorsenart.com
@al_writes_art
NEIU Greek Alumni Reunion
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Avondale Bowl
Join us for a nostalgic and exciting evening as we bring together alumni from Greek organizations for a memorable reunion at the bowling alley. Whether you were in a fraternity or sorority, this event promises to be filled with laughter, friendly competition, and cherished memories. Enjoy friendly competition on the lanes, catch up with old friends, and make new connections.
To secure your spot, please RSVP by 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13. For more information, contact Anna Augustyn at a-augustyn@neiu.edu.
Please note, Avondale Bowl is a 21+ venue. All ID's will be checked by the venue at the door.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Saturday, September 14
Golden Eagle 5k run-walk
8:00 a.m.
Physical Education Complex
Campus Recreation is leading the return of the Golden Eagle 5K run. Join alumni, faculty, staff and students for a new course map that takes participants through the University grounds. This event is open to the community.
la copa soccer tournament
9:00 a.m.-noon
Recreation Field
Teams will be 7 vs. 7, which includes the keeper. We will assign players to teams to evenly distribute age, gender and skill level. The goal for the tournament is to have fun! There will be a total of five teams. Each team will play each other once, thus each team will play a total of four times. The games will last 20 minutes, divided into two 10‐minute halves. If you would like to participate in the tournament, please complete the sign-up form.
Contact Dr. Scott, dt-scott@neiu.edu for questions about La Copa.
NEIU Fitness Fest
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Main Gym in the Physical Education Complex
Participate in fitness classes from local organizations and visit various health and fitness vendors. The Fitness Fest is sponsored by the H&PE Student Organization. This activity is open to the community; no sign-up required.
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Poetry and Pancakes
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Lech Walesa Hall Southeast Terrace
Come join the English Department for the 6th annual gathering of poets and pancake enthusiasts! Partake of breakfast served with live poetry readings. List of performing poets and readers: Mueze Bawany, Rachel Birkner, Ayanni Galanski-De Leon, Lena DeZutti, Em Flood, Josey Posey, Meagan Tyson, and Hana Wilson. (Please note: This is not an open mic event).
Creative Writing Coordinator Olivia Cronk will host the event, and English Department Associate Chair and chef Tim Scherman will serve warm pancakes with fresh toppings. As we always say, "Come for the poetry and stay for the pancakes!"
Campus Tours for Alumni
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
A tour happens every hour!
Check in at the Alumni Center (Building I)
Join us for a nostalgic journey back to campus! NEIU Weekend is a time to celebrate and relive cherished memories, and what better way to do that than with an exclusive campus tour designed just for our alumni? Whether it’s been a few years or a few decades, we invite you to revisit the places that shaped your academic journey and witness the exciting new developments that make our campus even more vibrant today.
Light refreshments will be provided by the NEIU Alumni Association.
MBA Palooza
2:00-8:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Student Union Building, Alumni Hall
The College of Business and Technology (CBT) is delighted to invite you to their CBT networking event featuring a Pitch Workshop co-hosted with 1871 — no business idea needed!
Join us for an exciting day of live music by the DaydrinkerZ, lawn games, the pitch workshop (starts at 4:00 p.m.), karaoke, and a photo booth! This event promises to be an evening of valuable connections, insightful conversations, and new opportunities.
All CBT Graduate students, faculty, alumni and BIG Center guests are welcome!
Fall Fest
3:00-9:00 p.m.
Main Campus
Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the Northeastern Programming Board (NPB) Fall Fest: A Golden Eagle MusicPalooza!
Join us on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 3:00-9:00 p.m. for a spectacular 18+ celebration filled with vibrant music, delicious food and endless fun!
Registered NEIU students can enjoy a free meal ticket, available with a student ID while supplies last. Indulge in fun foods, refreshing drinks and capture memories at our photo booth. Get a spray-on tattoo, shop from diverse vendors, and groove to live music. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to celebrate the new semester with the NEIU community!
Important time slots to keep in mind:
3:00-7:00 p.m. Check-in
3:00-8:00 p.m. Explore a variety of vendors offering unique items and tasty treats.
3:00-9:00 p.m. MusicPalooza time!
Questions? Contact the NPB at progbrd@neiu.edu.
Alumni Trivia Night
4:00-7:00 p.m.
Draft Bar Chicago
Calling all alumni! Join us for a night of nostalgia and knowledge at our Alumni Trivia Night! Test your school spirit and reconnect with old friends over brain-teasing questions and food at Draft Bar. Don't miss out on the fun – gather your classmates and show off your smarts!
Food will be served on a first come, first served basis. All drinks will be cash bar only.
Sunday, September 15
Visit CBT at Bryn Mawr Block Party
10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Join the NEIU College of Business and Technology for a full street festival from Kimball to Kedzie. We call it a "block party" because it conveys the casual, welcoming vibe of a neighborhood get-together where old and new friends bring a lawn chair and come and go as they please throughout the day. We invite our neighbors to do the same. The 2024 Block Party will consist of family-friendly activities, free concerts and performances, and the North Park Community Market.
Entry to the Bryn Mawr Block Party is free.
Chicago Sky Game with College of Arts and Sciences
5:00 p.m.
Wintrust Arena
All tickets have been claimed! Thank you for your enthusiasm!
NEIU is pleased to announce a partnership between the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and The Chicago Sky "Sky Cares" Foundation!
Join NEIU at Wintrust Arena for NEIU Night as The Sky takes on The Phoenix Mercury during Hispanic Heritage Night. The game is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Here's the exciting offer:
- Enjoy a Sky WNBA game with fellow NEIU fans! We will sit together and cheer The Sky on to victory in true Golden Eagle style!
- Support our NEIU student scientists as they participate in a “Sky-ence Fair” on the concourse. Seriously, how cool is that?!
- Have the opportunity to provide funds to the NEIU CAS College Undergraduate Scholars Program (CUSP).
- A bus will be available to transport folks from NEIU to the Sky Game (specific details forthcoming)
All members of our community can request tickets. We suggest a $60 donation/per ticket. The donation money is being used exclusively to fund student scholarships via our College Undergraduate Scholars Program (CUSP). You can make a donation, and if you wish to learn more about how CUSP supports students and how NEIU serves as the great equalizer, please read more in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), CUSP Updates.
Can't make it to NEIU Weekend? Join the NEIU Alumni Association!
Enjoy the full benefits of the Alumni Association membership program by enhancing your alumni status. By renewing your membership, you can take full advantage of our program's perks, and help your fellow Golden Eagles gain lifelong experiences through our internship program.
Soar into action by activating or renewing your membership!
What can the NEIUAA membership do for you?
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Career services
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Discounts, including travel
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Partnership with Campus Recreation
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NEIU Libraries
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Cultural events
See the full list of benefits. Rejoin our network of 87,000 and growing alumni and give the gift of giving.
