Diptanshu Rao
2022 Role on Union Board: President
Major(s): Finance, Accounting, & Real Estate
Minor(s): Japanese
School Year: Junior
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
When I was a freshman, I had a friend who told me to check out Union Board. He served as the VP of Marketing for the 111th Board and saw me as a good fit for the organization. I wasn’t sure but I decided to give it a shot, and it was one of the best decisions I made in my college career.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
I started my time at Union Board as the Director of Finance for the 2020 Summer Board. I then served as the Vice President of Finance for the 112th Board during my junior year.
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
Going into 2022, I hope to steer Union Board to even greater heights, building off the strong foundation laid by 112. My personal goals are to support the directors in creating a board focused on facilitation and delegation so that Union Board’s bandwidth to put on high-quality programming can increase exponentially.
What is your favorite band/group? AJR
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? Breaking Bad is an 11/10 recommendation
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint Chocolate Chip
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The campus!
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
I’ve made countless memories over my time on Board, but if I had to pick one it would be my last day on the 112th Board. All the members of Board stayed back in the office after our weekly meeting and spent hours talking about why the people on board meant so much to us. It was a very touching memory with all of us reminiscing about the struggles, failures, and successes we experienced as a group. It is moments like these that stick with me way more than a memorable event because it reminds me why UB exists and that is to bring people together.
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
Outside of the Union Board office, my next favorite place in the IMU is the billiards space. I took on billiards as a casual hobby during my freshman year, and very soon got obsessed with the sport. Whenever I’m able to take some time off, or if I’m having a particularly stressful week, I’ll go to the IMU and play a few rounds. It’s a place I go when I want to spend time with my friends or if I want to be alone and reflect while playing a game.
Zac Ekedahl
2022 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Finance
Major(s): Accounting, Finance, and Economic Consulting
School Year: Sophomore
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
One of my fraternity brothers, the current President of UB Dip, had reached out to me to attend a UB callout to see if the organization is right for me. As soon as I stepped into the office, I knew this was going to be a home for me. After listening to the past directors talk about their experiences, I was hooked. Now within the role, it has been everything that I wanted and more.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
Nope
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
One of my main goals is to improve our CFR process to ensure that the next Vice President of Finance does not have to bear the weight on their own. Along with that, I am looking into finding better ways to allow all directors to visibly see their diversity statistics.
What is your favorite band/group? Quinn XCII
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? The Circle
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint Chocolate Chip
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The people
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
My favorite memory has to be Installation. The entire process was very motivating for me and got me excited to get right to work. We also were able to go onto the roof of the IMU, which was an amazing experience that I was able to share with my fellow directors.
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
The Hoosier Room has been my go-to study spot ever since freshman year. I have spent so many hours in there with my friends studying for exams or just having fun. As I have gone through my past two years on campus, I always find myself back there.
Autumn Stringer
2022 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Internal Affairs
Major(s): Hospitality, Tourism, Event Management
Minor(s): Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship
School Year: Junior
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
I heard about it in high school. Sadia, who was a director, was also my RA and Atticus Westerfeld was an Assistant Dean at my high school so it was inevitable that I had to join.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
Committee member on Lectures and Performance and Entertainment. Co-Director of Spirits and Traditions and VPIA twice now
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
Make UB a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive space. Support directors, ADs, and members by putting on really cool internal events, empowering our members to become directors. Ensure our members feel included and valued!
What is your favorite band/group? None
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? Euphoria
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookies and cream!
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? Friends
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
Anderson Cooper lecture.
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
My desk because it’s cozy.
Caroline Sultz
2022 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Marketing
Major(s): Marketing, Professional Sales
Minor(s): Social and Digital Business Applications
School Year: Sophomore
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
My involvement with Union Board started last year when I was a freshman, but I have had a connection with UB for a while. My mom was the Vice President when she went to IU, and I know how much Union Board shaped her college experience. So, when I chose to go to IU, I knew I wanted to get involved with Union Board!
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
Last year I was the Director of Mind & Body, which was a new committee. I started as a Director my freshman year because I wanted to find a way to get very involved in a large organization!
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
I am hoping to continue to develop our marketing strategy, as well as increase brand awareness. One of my big goals is to start a Union Board newsletter that would highlight events, as well as share how to get involved with UB.
What is your favorite band/group? Taylor Swift
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? Chicago Med
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? How beautiful campus is!
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
One of my favorite Union Board memories is definitely going to the roof of the IMU after Installation last year. We were able to take lots of pictures, as well as look over all of campus. We just went up again last week and it was at night, so all of the buildings were lit up!
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
My favorite spot is Sugar and Spice! Sugar and Spice was a place my mom and I always go to together because she got cookies and snacks there when she was a Director. Also, the desserts are so yummy!!
Gabriella Couloubaritsis
2022 Role on Union Board: Director of Lectures
Major(s): Economic Consulting
Minor(s): Law & Public Policy
School Year: Sophomore
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
Freshman year, my good friend and I made it a tradition to attend movies in the Whitt and grab dinner at the Globe afterward. As a Films committee member, she gave me a tour of the UB office, and the energy from the arts & crafts event going on seemed fun and welcoming. Apparently, I couldn’t escape Union Board, because funny enough, my next-door neighbor was Uma. Hearing about her good experiences as Director of Lectures encouraged me to join.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
I joined Union Board in Fall 2021 as a Lectures Committee member. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the different members and directors!
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
One of my goals is to facilitate more interaction between speakers and students, leading up to the lecture and during the event. I’d also like to perform a diversity audit of our speakers from the last five years. These steps would strengthen Union Board’s depth of programming and community engagement.
What is your favorite band/group? Black Eyed Peas
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? The Tonight Dough
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? 4th Street Restaurants
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
The Hasan Minhaj event!
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
The study area right above the Biddle Hotel lobby entrance. I love the natural lighting and the mini tables. It’s a good spot for studying, hanging out, or people-watching.
Madison Cox
2022 Role on Union Board: Director of Canvas Creative Arts
Major(s): English and a Certificate in Journalism
School Year: Junior
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
When I first started at IU, I was searching up and down campus for different arts opportunities similar to the ones I had in high school—readings, showcases, other arts events. One day I was walking through the IMU when I saw a flyer for a CANVAS Poetry Jam, and I knew then that I wanted to be one of the people who made those happen and provide IU students with such great arts experiences.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
I served on the 112th Board as Co-Director of Canvas, and I’m so thrilled to return this year and head the committee on my own!
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
This year, I definitely want to provide even more arts experiences for students at IU and partner with more student organizations for a diverse array of arts events, but my biggest project this year is archiving and digitalizing the 25-year-long anthology of the CANVAS Creative Arts Magazine to make all editions accessible on the UB website!
What is your favorite band/group? Bleachers
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? My most recent binge has been Rupaul’s Drag Race!
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie dough
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? All the antique stores!
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
One of my favorite memories was definitely the 2021 CANVAS Magazine premiere party! I worked really hard putting the magazine together, so it was super rewarding to hold the final product in my hands and meet the artists whose works were published!
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
The UB office! I’m famously the director most seen in the IMU—spending pretty much all my free time between classes in the office either doing work or hanging out with other board members. I’ve really made a home for myself in the office and programming arts events, which I love doing more than anything, so it’s hard to stay away.
Laurie Frederickson
2022 Role on Union Board Director of Spirit and Traditions
Major(s) Psychology, Criminal Justice
School Year Freshman
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
Coming to IU’s massive campus as an out-of-state freshman was incredibly intimidating. At the beginning of the year, I really struggled to find somewhere that truly felt made me feel like I was part of an on-campus community. I was looking to join more clubs when my uncle, who also attended IU, told me about his experience on Union Board. He reminisced the tight-knit Union Board community and the meaningful relationships he found during his time on Board and encouraged me to join. Next thing I knew, I was fully immersed in Board.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
I was on the lectures committee this past fall.
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
This year, I want to hold events that help people feel a deeper connection to IU. I want students to feel seen by the programming I provide.
What is your favorite band/group? Taylor Swift
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? Succession and New Girl
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Coffee
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The fall
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
The Charli XCX concert! It was the first concert I had ever gone to, and being there the first week of college was such an incredible experience.
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
My favorite space in the IMU is the Union Board office.
Maggie Ison
2022 Role on Union Board: Director of Live From Bloomington
Major(s): Philosophy, Political Science
Minor(s): Latin
School Year: Sophomore
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
I came to a callout meeting and immediately felt very welcomed and accepted. I loved the mission of Board and wanted to become more involved on campus, and this felt like a perfect place to actively make an impact.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
Previously I was the Assistant Director of Canvas Creative Arts.
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
As the Director of LFB, my main goal is to bring back the flagship Live From Bloomington album to uplift and celebrate student musicians. More generally, I want to work on increasing accessibility within UB programs and the Union itself in order to make the space available and equitable for all students.
What is your favorite band/group? The Greeting Committee
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? Will and Grace
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Toasted Coconut
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? All the restaurants!
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
While cliche, I love every minute that I get to hang out with my fellow directors. Before Installation, we all hung out in the office in our nice clothes and goofed off, and it was so fun to just be weird together. I loved spending time with these people who put so much work into making campus a better place!
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
The Union Board office! I love getting to hang out with my fellow directors and decompress from everything going on! It’s always fun to laugh with everyone.
Kavin Kasi
2022 Role on Union Board: Director of Gaming and Pop Culture
Major(s): Finance, Accounting
Minor(s): Fashion Design
School Year: Sophomore
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
Being fully virtual and at home in California my freshman year, I felt like I had no real community or place I belonged at IU. I struggled a lot with making connections and feeling like IU was a campus for me. I was speaking with a friend about how there were many others who were in my position, and he took me to the Union Board office for the first time and I was in utter awe! He spoke highly of the impact that this organization makes on people and how amazing the other members are.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
No
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
In terms of my position as a Director of Gaming and Pop Culture, I want to provide quality programming that can make anybody feel as if their living room has been brought to campus! I want to host all sorts of events from gaming tournaments to movie watch parties and work to make sure that students can help find friends and build a community at these events.
What is your favorite band/group? Migos
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? Cliche, but The Office if you haven’t seen it.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Popsicles are better!
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The people.
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
Hanging out with other directors during a karaoke event.
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
The Starbucks
Chloe Myers
2022 Role on Union Board: Director of Mind & Body
Major(s): Marketing
Minor(s): Creative Writing
School Year: Junior
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
I was looking to get involved with organizations my sophomore year when I was home because of Covid. I decided to join Writers Talk (a group for students interested in creative writing). I enjoyed it immensely and got to be the social media coordinator. From there, I got to know Madison Cox very well. I got to hear her talk about Union Board all the time, but I was too nervous to go to any of her committee meetings. Eventually, she became the president of our organization and asked me to be her vice president. I decided to apply to be a director on a whim because she was always so passionate about Union Board. I got an interview the same day I was exposed to someone who had tested positive for Covid and called to cancel, stating that I understood this would pull my application. They offered to give me a Zoom interview and from there, I got in! And I am so grateful Madison continued to convince me to get involved with Union Board.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
I have none almost at all! I did not know what Union Board was until Madison told me what it was. I had been to several events without knowing Union Board was involved in any capacity.
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
My goals are to provide a focus on mental and physical health for students here at IU. There are so many of us who are struggling and my goal is to provide a space where students can focus on themselves and their wellbeing instead of anxiety about school or personal matters. Whether that be through playing a quick game of volleyball or getting free testing and treatment for STIs. I want students to be able to satisfy their base needs of health so they can begin focusing on their happiness and fulfillment as individuals. My goal is to be able to provide help every step of the way.
What is your favorite band/group? The Blues Brothers
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? Letterkenny
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate w/ Brownie Chunks
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? How many incredible organizations and places exist that you get to explore! From vintage clothing shops to Artisan Alley, from animal shelters to glass blowing classes.
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
The first few days of class, getting to know everyone on Board and where they come from. The students I met were kind, sincere, and passionate about their positions. They went out of their way to say hi and get to know me and the others that hadn’t been on board before. There is an innate feeling of family that the members of board give off where they are open to everyone and extremely compassionate. I remember I was having a particularly rough day and after I went home from board I got a message from Autumn asking me how I was doing. It was a simple thing, but it meant a lot to me and further developed that sense of family where we are all in this together and we all care about each other.
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
Is it too obvious if I say the Union Board offices? It is just so comforting, a place where we can hang out, do work, and relax on the couches. The environment encourages working, but maintains that human aspect where I always feel welcome and know I will be able to see someone and have a fun conversation. The environment is comfortable and relaxed without being unproductive. Besides the offices, I am partial to the main stage seating area. You can watch the IMU and see all the people, there may be a table set up advertising an organization, you can run into so many people while you grab a coffee and respond to emails. It gives a sense of anonymity that doesn’t take away your personal identity and distinctions.
Reese Myers
2022 Role on Union Board: Director of Films & Entertainment
Major(s): Finance & Accounting
School Year: 2023
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
Before joining Union Board, I would regularly go to watch movies in the Whittenberger Auditorium. When I realized there was a way I could get involved in selecting the films that play in the Whitt, as well as curating other fun film related events, I jumped at the opportunity.
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
I previously served as an Assistant Director on the Live From Bloomington committee for one semester.
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
To create events that bring people together and to provide students with entertaining and inspiring films to watch at no cost.
What is your favorite band/group? The Beatles
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The food
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
Last year’s films committee filling up the Whitt for an early screening of Dear Evan Hansen!
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
The South Lounge – I love to sit and read by the fire.
Ben Ring
2022 Role on Union Board: Director of Out & About
Major(s): Biology (Pre-Med)
Minor(s): Spanish
School Year: Sophomore
How did you get involved in Union Board? Was it an event? A person who influenced you? A desire to get involved? Tell your origin story.
I had an underlying desire to get involved, but Union Board spoke to me. Freshman year (last year) was a tough year to feel like a Hoosier when so little was going on, everyone was on their own, and there wasn’t much of anything for school spirit. But one thing that I did rely on was Union Board programming, whether it was film screenings or watching the presidential debates with students at the Prebys Amphitheater. Last fall at the club fair I found out how easily I could be a part of UB and ultimately decided to apply to be a director!
How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)
Freshman year I was a happy attendee of UB programming. Last fall I joined as a committee member and became part of the Films and Live from Bloomington committees.
What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2022?
With my committee, Out & About, I will work to provide off-campus experiences in and beyond Bloomington for all students that are both fun and meaningful (and therefore memorable)!
What is your favorite band/group? RÜFÜS DU SOL
What show are you binge-watching or would you recommend others to binge-watch? Succession
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie Dough
What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The opportunity in the air!
What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?
Watching Scream on Halloween night with friends and fellow students outside at the Prebys Amphitheater.
What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?
Tough choice, but I might go with Alumni Hall/Solarium. I love admiring the beautiful interior and hearing the organ’s power.
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