New Year. New Board. Get to know your 2020 Indiana Memorial Union Board of Directors.

Seth Blunt

2020 Role on Union Board: President
Major(s): Arts Management
Minor(s): Business
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 joined through a friend and came to a music committee meeting. I first heard of Union Board from the Post Malone concert. Zach Woodley influenced me to run for Union Board.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I was previously the director for performance and entertainment. I was also on the music committee for a year and a half.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

I want to lead and inspire the directors while growing the organization.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

My favorite memories from Union Board is when Teja pranks people.

What is your favorite band/group?  Beastie Boys

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The IMU

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why? The Union Board Office

Teja Vontikommu

2020 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Finance
Major(s): Finance, Technology Management
Minor(s):
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 volunteering at a Big Friday Late Nite, and a member saw me volunteering. She’s seen me at a lot of Late Nites in the past and asked if I’d be interested in joining Union Board. I went to a meeting led by Kade Padget and liked the committee’s dynamics.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I was a member of Late Nite during the fall of my freshman year. During my spring semester of freshman year, I moved up as an Assistant Director of Late Nite. I continued to improve my leadership roles as the Vice President of Finance for the 110th Board.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

I want to help the Board be more confident in their programs, both financially and mentally. This board has a lot of great new ideas, and I want to help them execute their ideas into reality. I also want to help make the next Vice President of Finance successful when proposing to the Committee for Fee Review.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

During my last term (110th Board), our board went to the Bradford Woods for our fall retreat. We changed our setup a bit in that all of the Union Board student directors got one cabin and the advisors/staff got the other. The board decided to play hide and seek at night, where there were no lights and because we were in the middle of the woods, our cabin was pitch black. I remember finding Noah Bryles hiding on top of the refrigerator.

What is your favorite band/group?  Mates of State

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  How close the campus is to the downtown area, giving me access to a variety of restaurants and shops

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

My favorite space in the IMU is the bowling and billiards area. Because I am a gamer, I always find that space a place to destress after a long day of academics and extracurriculars.

Olivia Owens

2020 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Internal Affairs
Major(s): Individualized Major Program: “Global Conflict Analysis”; CEUS: Turkish
Minor(s): Spanish
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.

At the end of my senior year of high school, I was told by one of my teachers (an IU alum) that if I wanted to feel an instant connection to the campus and create roots right away, I should join Union Board. She knew that I was nervous about going to a larger school and had remembered the influence Union Board had on her time at IU. That was single-handedly the best piece of advice anyone gave me about coming to college. At the involvement fair that very first week of classes, [after a quick detour to the Big Cheese food truck] I ran straight up to the UB booth, signed up, and the rest is history 🙂

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I became a member the fall of my Freshman year and then was elected twice to serve as the Director of Lectures from 2018-2019.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

I want to expand the I.A. position to include not just a better experience for committee members/AD/marketing leads but for all who use the Union. To me, that means being committed to increasing institutional knowledge of UB, helping work on accessibility & sustainability initiatives, increase the number of new members while empowering our existing ones in unique and thoughtful ways, maintain an office culture that erases toxicity, unprofessionalism, and exclusion, and have consistent gratitude for this position that translates into tangible actions and outcomes.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

Can I have two??

The first was an event entitled “Surviving the Parkland Shooting”. This lecture was somehow put on in only 4 days. It was healing; it was heartbreaking; it was comforting. Life exists in the gray areas and this exemplified it. We had IU and UB alumna who was/is a teacher at Marjorie Douglas Parkland High School come and speak about gun violence, her experience that day, her love of her students, the future of teachers’ role in American education systems, and how students here can help. Following the event we had a Q&A, a vigil, and a time to learn about how to call senators/donate blood/and write to the families affected. Union Board is supposed to be a student voice on campus that has the capacity to respond to current news and provide understanding, safe spaces, and community. This event was that.

My other favorite event was Anderson Cooper. In contrast, this event took 10 months of planning. This was the first time we dared to bring someone so big and dedicated ourselves to finding sponsorships, creating unique marketing, and taking a grassroots approach to generating interest for the event. By the time it rolled around in late October, we had a sold-out venue, an endowment for the next year’s lecture, and a gaggle of deans and departments who knew the name, capacity, and purpose of Union Board. Anderson is one of my heroes and so to be able to pull off an event of this caliber with my committee was beyond incredible.

What is your favorite band/group?  Dolly Parton & Ensemble

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  The spaces of community I have found! Farmers Market regulars, climbing people at Hoosier Heights, fellow opera enthusiasts with season passes like me–it makes the city feel small.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The Byran Room! It radiates history and magic. I feel like I have been transported back in time because of its lack of modern renovations. And! You can see the entire university from that high up!

Ethan Phillips

2020 Role on Union Board: Vice President of Marketing
Major(s): Economic Consulting and Finance
Minor(s):
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 got involved through Late Nite and finding a place that felt like home. Afterwards I got involved with Summer Board and was able to find my family at IU. Which is why I kept coming back.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

Marketing Director – Summer Board

Assistant Director of Films – Fall 2019

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

To impact the Union and create a marketing legacy that I can come back in 20 years and still be proud of.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

When I helped put on the summer film “The Little Mermaid” and it was at the IU swimming pool.

What is your favorite band/group? Shawn Mendes

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The coffee shops

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The computer lab by the Dean’s Office because not many people are in there usually and it’s very nice and quiet.

Karleen Fraker

2020 Role on Union Board: Director of Spirit and Traditions
Major(s): Marketing
Minor(s): Apparel Merchandising
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.

During our freshman year, my roommate and I attended all the Late Nites. I became very passionate about alternative programming after singing karaoke for several Late Nite events in a row. A few months after attending my first Late Nite, I started working at an ice cream shop in Wells Library with then Director of Science and Environment, Sadia. I came into every shift and drilled her with questions about how to get involved with Union Board. I eventually worked up the courage to come check out the office and the rest is history!

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I was a committee member for Late Nite!

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

One goal I have as a director is to build an engaged committee. I want members to feel like the office is their home and UB is their family. I am also very excited to learn more about and partner with different organizations of campus, such as cultural centers, to cater to the IU community.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

One of my favorite Union Board memories is when a comedic band named Lewberger came in November 2019. While Lewberger performed their song “Things Got Silly Eating Chili” my friend, Ruth, and I got to go up on stage and pour cups of chili to hand out to the audience! Things definitely got silly… and messy.

What is your favorite band/group? The Beatles

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  The animals. The deer on Hillside Drive, the bunnies by Hutton, and of course the Mother Bear and her restaurant.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

My favorite space in the IMU is the bowling alley. I took a bowling class in this space, so I am very comfortable with these lanes. I like to bring my friends here to show off my skills and knowledge. I also have a Ziploc bag full of free game passes, so I will continue to frequent this spot for semesters to come.

Mackenzie Knight

2020 Role on Union Board: Director of Lectures
Major(s): Individualized major: Policy and Intelligence Analysis; Arabic
Minor(s): Spanish
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 told about it in high school, but I decided to get involved after my best friend Olivia Owens joined and told me how much she loved it.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I served as Assistant Director of the Lectures committee for two years before running to be a director.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

As the Director of Lectures, I want to bring diverse, powerful speakers to discuss important topics. I want to bring speakers who represent underrepresented groups on campus and who bring challenging, new perspectives. I hope by the end of my term that Union Board is a name and organization known by all IU students.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

My favorite memory thus far is Union Board retreat. All of us 111 directors hit it off immediately, and I knew that we would be great friends.

What is your favorite band/group? Brockhampton

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? The diversity and artsy-ness

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The Union Board office! I love coming up and seeing a bunch of my friends at any given time of day, and I love that I can come up here and work on homework, union board stuff, or just hang out.

Anthony Morales

2020 Role on Union Board: Director of Social Impact
Major(s): Psychology
Minor(s): Marketing, Counseling
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 originally got involved with the Union Board through Sohil, my RA at Forest Residence Hall freshman year. I was eager to get involved with organizations on campus and Sohil recommended that I attend a callout meeting. It was the start or something so much bigger than I could of anticipated. Union Board’s mission to promote the interest of students and encourage student growth are fundamental reasons I stayed involved. I wanted to be a part of that picture. I wanted to help highlight the incredible student programs Union Board puts on.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I was an active member of the marketing committee. During my time with this committee, I developed essential marketing skills to promote upcoming events on campus to a diverse audience. I attended several large scale events as a photographer and videographer to help document some of the countless programs Union Board presented.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

My first goal is to bring awareness to social issues that not only affect the IU community but also larger topics from a global perspective. Second, I hope to create an inclusive platform for all students to voice and address the issues that are important to them.

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

One of my favorite memories is this year during the Winter Retreat. It was the first time I bonded with the other directors in such an intimate and personal way. It was the start of growing friendships that I am so thankful to be apart of. I’ll never forget laughing so hard while playing board games that I needed to step away from the table.

What is your favorite band/group? U2

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  Opportunity. Whether it is through research, professional development, or leadership positions.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The South Lounge. The comfy chairs and always burning fireplace give this space a unique feel of home and hospitality.

Sahil Patel

2020 Role on Union Board: Director of Films
Major(s): Finance and Business Analytics
Minor(s): Political Science
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 friends who were on Union Board, however, it still seemed very overwhelming. I was scared to dive deep until I helped but on the Gun Violence reactionary event last semester. Being involved in that planning process made me feel heard, and cemented my desire to get more involved.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

I joined last semester as a member of the music committee.

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

I want to work with more cultural organizations, and grow the films committee well beyond our weekly film series.

What is your favorite band/group? Pinegrove

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington?  That it gets dark so late/walking down Kirkwood and just always feeling so comfortable.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The South Lounge. It always made me feel so comfortable on campus, especially when I didn’t feel comfortable anywhere else. It creates a relaxing homey environment which I love.

Sanjana Satish

2020 Role on Union Board: Live From Bloomington Director
Major(s): Marketing
Minor(s): Arts Management, Media & Creative Advertising
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.

As soon as I left my first Block Party my first week on campus freshman year, I KNEW I had to get involved with the organization that put it on. The feeling I felt in the crowd, the excitement, the fun, it was overwhelming for me that day and was one of the first times I truly felt comfortable and excited about getting settled in college. Once I found out that a student organization was responsible for planning such a large scale event, I went to find out how I can join. However, I got caught up in the stress of freshman year and forgot to come to the meetings during my first semester. But all through my first semester, my friends and I would go to the IMU/Union Board Late Nite series and it soon became our Friday night spot for guaranteed fun! Once again, I found out Union Board was often part of putting on such a great series and so then, I took it as a sign to get involved since this organization kept finding a way back into my life. Once I joined, I found a wonderful community of others passionate about music and the industry and got a true support system, personally and professionally to help me grow. Joining UB was hands down the best decision I’ve made since coming to IU – not only has it given me a great network and amazing opportunities where I otherwise wouldn’t have, but most importantly it’s given me a true family of passionate, talented individuals.

How have you previously been involved with Union Board? (Prior to this year)

Prior to being a director, I was a marketing lead/assistant director for the music committee this past term (110 board).

What are your goals as a Union Board Director in 2020?

My co-director, Bradley, and I are very ambitious with the LFB committee and are excited to expand the scope of LFB from what it’s been in the past. This involves planning more smaller shows, including local and student bands as well as coming up with creative events and collaborations with other student organizations. However, I’d say my biggest goal is the bring back the wonderful tradition of the LFB album and making sure that we have a digital album rolling out before the end of our term!

What is one of your favorite memories that involves Union Board?

While I have a lot of amazing memories with this organization, I’d say one of my favorites to date is playing board/card games with everyone during the Malkin retreat. This was one of the first times that we all really got to know each other and bond as a board and I think it was instrumental in creating the group cohesion and rapport that we currently have.

What is your favorite band/group? The 1975

What’s your favorite thing about Bloomington? Siam House. Hands down.

What’s your favorite space in the IMU and why?

The South Lounge is hands down my favorite IMU spot. It quickly became my favorite spot to study in mainly because it reminded me of home. Especially in the wintertime, the fireplace and seating made it feel very cozy and warm, giving me a nice home away from home and a place conducive to studying and relaxing.

By Hannah Marshall, 2019 Union Board Vice President of Internal Affairs

My name is Hannah Marshall and I am the Vice President of Internal Affairs of the 110^th Indiana Memorial Union Board. I am a senior at Indiana University studying Media, Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Nonprofit Management. I started with Union Board the fall of my sophomore year as a committee member for the Comedy & Entertainment committee. My aunt is actually a Union Board alumni and was the Vice President of Membership for the 2010 board (Hi Clare!). She is the one who pushed me to be involved with the organization because she knew I would love it.

During my time as the Vice President, I have worked on a lot of different projects. I would say however the one that I am most proud of and worked hardest on was the 2019 Union Board Biennial Reunion. I started working closely on Biennial in May. I went abroad this summer and there were a few meetings that I had to Skype into. During those meetings, I was completely overwhelmed. I don’t think I really understood the importance or large scale of this event until those meetings.

Now that my term is coming to a close, I can say with full confidence that planning and helping to make Biennial weekend happen was the favorite Union Board experience. I loved hearing stories from all the alums about their experiences on board, their experiences in college, and what they are doing now. Like I said before, I’m a senior, so I received a lot of great advice about job exploration and honestly some reassurance that everything will be okay when I graduate (because when my mom says it, I don’t always believe it).

The panels were my favorite times of the weekend: the Panel of the Decades and the Career Panel. I had sent out so many emails to the people participating in these and it was incredible to actually put some faces to the names. The things that were said and the banter that was quickly created on both panels were better than I was expecting.

When I was first tasked with being the student voice throughout the Biennial planning I was terrified. Programming for students is one thing, but programming for people who used to program adds a new layer of expectations – AND I don’t even program often! But I learned so much throughout the process of working with so many different people and seeing all the aspects that go into a full weekend of events and sessions. A job that I’ve had an interest in for a long time is live event production and being the one to create weekend seminars like this for companies. After helping with Biennial, it has just piqued my interest even more, and after all the positive feedback that has been received from the weekend, it makes me think that it is something I would actually be good at.

First, it was a friendly nudge about five years ago from fellow past Indiana Memorial Union Board member Christian Carroll. Carroll, a member of the John Whittenberger Society Board, urged Jerald Harkness to get back into supporting Union Board through involvement in JWS. Later there was a breakfast in Indianapolis with Indiana Memorial Union Executive Director Hank Walter. Finally, a meeting with IMU Assistant Director of Administrative Services Bob Musumeci in 2017.

What connected those events? A collective recognition that Harkness was the perfect choice, as an experienced, award-winning maker of documentaries, to capture the history of IMU in the visual format of this place Harkness calls home. It didn’t hurt that Harkness got his start in filmmaking volunteering on Union Board’s Video Concepts group and making videos for Union Board TV.

“Christian reached out and said I needed to get back involved with Union Board, and on a side note, that with IU’s Bicentennial coming up, he’d love to see a documentary come out on the Union,” Harkness recalled. “Then later I had breakfast with Hank and saw right away he was the perfect leader for IMU and Union Board. Then he brought up the idea of a documentary, and I said, ‘I’m all-in’.”

When Musumeci informed Harkness that IU Bicentennial special grants were available and that IMU and Union Board could match those funds, the production whistles started going off in Harkness’ head, and in November 2018 work began on “The Indiana Memorial Union Story: The Heart of the Campus.”

“I saw this project as a home movie and knew that anyone who was or had been associated with Union Board, well this was really going to be for them,” said the 1991 IU graduate. “I didn’t see this as a ‘get it out to the masses’ kind of project. And for me, it was a chance to get back involved with Union Board and, while it sounds corny, a great way for me to say thank you.”

Harkness loved film before he ever arrived at IU in the late 1980s. He describes his parents, Jerry Harkness and Judy Harkness, both of Indianapolis, as his first film professors. He still remembers the weather on the day his father took him to see “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” at Lafayette Square in Indianapolis.

“It was snowing and I was probably in third grade. I saw that movie and it was love at first sight,” he said. But it wasn’t just science fiction and action films that Harkness was treated to. “They’d take me to ‘Chariots of Fire,’ ‘The Verdict,’ all kinds of films. I think that’s what really got me interested in storytelling.”

Harkness said he actually felt some pressure to deliver on this project because of its personal importance. The feedback he got during filming from local historians from a preservation standpoint left an impression on him, and central to the project was capturing the essence of the Union Board experience: “That it doesn’t matter when you were part of Union Board because you’ll always be able to make a connection with that person.”

View the IMU documentary online now! bit.ly/imudocumentary

Greetings JWS Family,

I hope this fall season brings you joy and reflection. Fall is my favorite time of year for three reasons. One, Thanksgiving is my kind of holiday—food and loved ones—all I need to celebrate. Two, the reflective lessons of change Mother Nature provides us annually through her colorful display of loss and the hope of new growth. Three, the fact that every other year, these things come together at Biennial—a chance to gather with loved ones, eat your favorite IMU or B-town food, and reflect on all the changes our individual and collective community has experienced.

I am so grateful to each and every one of you who were able to join us this year. And I am sending love to each of those who were unable to attend—know that you were missed.

I believe the success of this year’s Biennial was defined by the collaborative work of the amazing current Union Board directors, assistant directors, and committee members; the talented IMU staff; and the incredible JWS Board Members alongside whom I am proud to work. As we celebrate this collaboration, it is fitting to celebrate the expansion of the JWS family. While we have all felt, known, and experienced the meaningful contribution and powerful impact of assistant directors and committee members within Union Board, it has taken us too long as a JWS Society to welcome them into our alumni family. This is now a reality. As we move forward in welcoming new members, please help us identify past assistant directors and committee members who we can reach out to and welcome. Imagine having a reunion committee meeting at the next Biennial in 2021!

In light of our growth, our focus for 2020 as a JWS Board is you. Connecting with each generation of Union Board alumni to listen and learn. In strengthening the bonds of our community, we seek to best serve you, reinforce or revive your connection to IU, IMU, and Union Board, and stand at the ready to support and celebrate the current students leading and living Union Board’s mission.

I am overwhelmed by the amazing individuals within our community and on the JWS Board. Board members have made a choice to spend their time and talents to develop, support, and celebrate our JWS community. In the picture above, you will see the beautiful faces of your board. In future newsletters, I will invite them to say hello and share their unique Union Board and JWS stories.

For now, I close with gratitude to and for you, and with hope for the new growth we will create together.

Love,

Laura Osteen (UB 1989–90, 1990, 1991)
President
The John Whittenberger Society
jws1909@indiana.edu

The 2019 Union Board of Directors were asked to share some details regarding their summer experiences. Before we all know it, they will be back in Bloomington for the first day of classes on August 26. Before then, enjoy this brief recap of some of their summer adventures.

Hannah Marshall, Vice President of Internal Affairs

Summer spent in: London, England

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

I am doing an 8-week internship in London, England at a concert agency called ATC Live. I am living right in the heart of London and loving my time here! Once my internship is over I will be going to explore France for a week before returning to the states and getting ready to start my final year at Indiana University.

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

Over the summer I am making sure that directors are staying in constant contact with each other so we don’t lose any momentum coming back in the fall. I am also talking with our Assistant Directors and Marketing Leads about how to make their experience on board better!

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

One thing I have learned, as simple as it may be, is that not everyone works and operates the same way you do. You need to be adaptable to however others operate better – especially in my role. I want to carry this through to the second half of my term to try to better communication among all aspects of the board.

Sohile Ali, Vice President of Marketing

Summer spent in: New York City

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

I am working in New York as a Production Intern at Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

Coordinating marketing for the Welcome Week Block Party 2019 with our Music Directors. Providing assistance for the Summer Board 2019 Directors. Working closely with fellow Executive Union Board Directors and our Advisors to plan and execute our new events for the upcoming Fall 2019 semester.

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

Communication is everything. Sharing ideas and having critical conversations about our events and programs during board meetings is how we will continue to improve and innovate. Through working with fellow IU students I’ve learned the best way for me to be a leader in my role personally. Also, Box at IU and Slack are godsends.

Seth Blunt, Director of Performance & Entertainment

Summer spent in: Bloomington, IN

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

I’m am planning on visiting Chicago for my sisters birthday and going to Lollapalooza. I’m the current chair for summer board, and I am interning and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

I am continuing to plan p&e events up until spring 2020. Along with acting as chair for the summer board.

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

Plan ahead and set others up for success.

Fuhang Mou, Director of Interdisciplinary Connections

Summer spent in: Indianapolis, IN

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

• Internship
• Hanging out with friends
• Traveling

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

Staying connected with my committee and engaging them early on

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

Keeping work-life balance and not worrying about minute things.

Teja Vontikommu, Vice President of Finance

Summer spent in: Singapore

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

This summer, I am interning at a smart solution company in Singapore at Variantz, a smart solution company. My role in this organization is a Summer Financial Analyst. Alongside my internship, I’m taking a summer class that allows me to understand how the workplace utilizes different characteristics of culture.

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

I’m updating all of the approved proposals that directors sent in the last fiscal year to ensure that directors are ready to start hosting programs once the fall semester starts. I’m also advising committees on how they can spend money as they continue to plan events for the fall semester. Lastly, I’m making sure that Summer Board is utilizing the money that the Union Board of Directors gave them for the summer.

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

I learned that some programs will encounter some unexpected costs that directors cannot always anticipate. That’s why I’m working on implementing a set buffer to proposals and creating a cost sheet that will help directors ensure that they cover other costs and have more accurate proposals. I’m also learned that communication is key to making sure that programs run successfully. This taught me that I should check in with directors as they plan their program too so that they can be prepared for any day-of issues and ensure that there aren’t overlaps in Union Board’s programs.

Alaina Patterson, Director of Films

Summer spent in: New York City

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

I am an intern for UNIQLO the global retail company! I am a Store Operations Intern; which means that I learn about the retail experience and all of the responsibilities a manager has! I have learned a lot about the role of a Store Manager at UNIQLO and I have met many amazing people in the company!

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

I am contributing to Union Board by planning out the fall general films schedule and Sundance movies as well! Also, I have been reaching out to directors and producers to come to IU for a small lecture!

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

As a Union Board Director, I have learned to plan months in advance for every event and always have a plan B in place! Also, to appreciate every day in the office because the energy that everyone brings is awesome! For the second half of my term, I will keep planning ahead and think more creatively about my events!

Patricia Cornejo, President

Summer spent in: Lima, Peru & Munster, IN 

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

This summer I traveled to Peru for a study abroad program. I learned about different Spanish business communities, I explored Lima, learned the customs of an indigenous community, celebrated my 21st birthday, made lifelong friends, and had the best coffee in the world. Since I have been back in the US, I have been working as a sales associate, studying for the LSAT, and working on bettering Union Board for the fall.

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

One thing I am working on is developing a 5-year plan for Union Board, from this plan I will see what I can do to expand the breadth of our organization on campus while developing plans to recruit and retain members. I am also connecting with multicultural groups and other student organizations such as IUSG and RHA. Lastly, I am encouraging my directors to plan ahead so we can have some of the best programming possible.

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

As President, you have to keep your eyes on the big picture: expansion, recruitment, and retention. My days are occupied by meetings, phone calls, answering e-mails, all while being a student! Sometimes, one can lose sight of what is actually important and needs to be prioritized. This summer, I have been working on some of the smaller details, so I can completely focus on building connections and expanding our organization on-campus in the fall.

Ethan Schwartz, Director of Lectures

Summer spent in: Los Angeles, CA & Indianapolis, IN

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

For the first month of the summer, I returned to my internship from last summer as a Media Relations intern at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After the Indy 500, I went back home to LA to begin my 10-week internship at Warner Bros. where I am working as a Marketing and Communications intern.

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

I’ve been arranging sponsorships for our fall lecture which is going to be in late October. My co-Director and I have been reaching out to different Dean’s across campus aiming to form partnerships. So far we’ve secured over ten thousand dollars in sponsorship from two Dean’s and are working with several others to get even more!

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

Plan early. By far the most important. You don’t need to plan early to have a successful event, but it’s always going to be a smoother process to have a longer frame of view versus planning in the short-term.

Sadia Habib, Director of Science and Environment

Summer spent in: Bangladesh

What are your summer plans/what are you involved in over the summer?

My plans for the summer has been to unwind and enjoy my time with family & friends while eating lots and lots of great food of the southeastern subcontinent. However, I’ve also been involved in doing some charity work which involves distributing food packages to the needy.

How are you contributing to Union Board over the summer?

My team and I have been working on our upcoming events for the year. We’re excited to present some new ideas with which we’re planning on bringing some big names to IU. We have also been working hard to work out the details of our existing programs already planned.

What have you learned in the first half of your term as a Union Board Director that you will bring to your second half?

Teamwork is the key to any great success story. Being able to connect with my committee and co-director during this first term has been essential in getting things done and I hope to enhance that ability even further this coming year. I also hope to come in with an optimistic and relaxed mindset, ready to get the year started with lots of fresh energy!

By Ceci Jerry, 2018 Union Board President 

Jennifer Parks started her career at the IMU in 1992, moving to the Director’s Office in 1993. In 1998, she joined the Union Board family.

For 20 years, Jennifer contributed each and every day dedicating her life to Union Board. Her title was Administrative Assistant, but her role and support of Union Board and all students she encountered reached far beyond her job description. The success of the Indiana Memorial Union Board is a direct result of her efforts and dedication. If you have ever been so lucky to share a few words with her, you would leave with a series of stories from past board members, her favorite memories, and what it truly means to be the governing body of the Indiana Memorial Union.

From Jennifer, I learned the value in slowing down to have a conversation with someone to get to know them rather than simply rushing to get the information you needed and moving on. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have worked alongside someone who understands how to bring the best out in each and every person that they meet.

Fortunately for her, and unfortunately for us, Jennifer has chosen to retire from her role with the Indiana Memorial Union Board, but the impact she has made will last a lifetime.