Alumni News

Illini Media Alumni Hall of Fame Weekend

Posted by: Kit Donahue on 2007-07-31 11:14:43

Join us to honor the 2007 Hall of Fame inductees. The Hall of Fame dinner on Saturday, Sept. 15 will be the highlight of a two-day celebration at our new building in Champaign for our alums & current staff.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14
Opening night reception – 6-9 p.m.
We’re starting the weekend off with an opening night reception here at the Illini Media Building. Our photo exhibit/sale and alumni book signing will cooincide with the reception and there will be light refreshments and entertainment.

Photo exhibit and sale – 6-9 p.m.
Our photo exhibit will feature published work from past issues of the DI, Illio and Buzz, as well as work from our alums. The show is open to the public and photos will be available for purchase. Contact Kit Donahue at 217-337-8323 or kit@illinimedia.com if you are interested in displaying work in the show.

Book signings and sale – 6-9 p.m.
Our alums are a talented group and we’re proud to have dozens of authors among them. Any of our alums that would like to sell his/her book(s) are welcome. The event is open to the public so it’s a chance for authors to show off their work and for buyers to get books signed. Space is limited so contact Kit Donahue at 217-337-8323 or kit@illinimedia.com if you are interested in participating.

Los Lobos concert – 10 p.m.
at Krannert’s Tryon Festival Theatre
For those of you that aren’t ready to call it a night, enjoy the music of Los Lobos at Krannert’s Wall to Wall Guitar Festival. We have a block of tickets available for $37 each on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets for this concert are already sold out so order early.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15
Illinois vs. Syracuse football game
(at Syracuse – 11 a.m. central time)
Join us at Legends for lunch and to watch the Illini take on Syracuse. Legends is next door to Illini Media on Green Street and used to be known as Deluxe. It doesn’t look the same, but they still serve great fish sandwiches and have pool tables in the back. The gathering will be informal and a chance for you to mingle with alums & current staff while enjoying the game.

Photo exhibit and sale continues – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Slideshow narrated by Dave Eggers “Southern Sudan Now: Pictures and Thoughts from Marial Bai.” – 1-2:30pm
Dave Eggers just returned from Sudan with Valentino Achak Deng, subject of his book, “What Is the What.” The two were back in Valentino’s hometown, where they established the location of the educational complex Valentino is building with the proceeds from the book. Join Eggers as he talks about the encouraging developments in the region, the challenges ahead, and the moving reunion of Valentino and his family in Marial Bai. Also includes stories and interviews with former slaves who have recently been returned to the area.

WPGU Flashback Hour – 2-3 p.m.
Join PGU for an hour tribute to the new PGU Hall of Fame inductees. The entire hour will be retro – everything from the music, to the liners and sweepers, interviews, and commercials!

Book signings and sale continues – 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Alumni/Student Roundtables – 3-4:30 p.m.
We will have informal roundtables with our alumni and current students about career options and other media-related topics. We will pick topics based on who is available and their particular area of expertise. Please contact Kit Donahue if you would be interested in participating in a roundtable discussion.

Illini Media 2007 Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner
Social hour 6-7 p.m., Dinner 7 p.m.
We will wrap up our weekend with the induction of this
year’s Hall of Fame class. Please join us to honor this prestigious group of Illini Media alums and to reacquaint yourself with friends and former co-workers. The event will take place on the 4th floor of our new building at 512 East Green Street, Champaign. Tickets are $60 per person.

Accommodations:
We have a block of hotel rooms for Friday and Saturday nights available to alums on a first-come, first-serve basis at Hampton Inn. This hotel is conveniently located just a mile or so north of Illini Media on University Avenue. Refer to the Illini Media block when making reservations. Deadline to reserve rooms is Saturday, Aug. 25.

Hampton Inn, 1200 W. University Ave., Urbana. (217) 337-1100. $109 per night.
Please check the Web sites for amenities hamptoninn.com

Congratulations to the following 15 outstanding individuals who were chosen to represent the 2007 Illini Media Alumni Hall of Fame class. Those listed in bold will be in attendance.

Rich Archbold, Daily Illini, 1956-60, EIC 1959-60
James Armsey, Daily Illini, 1937-41, EIC 1940-41
Morris Beschloss, Daily Illini, 1948-52
Ronald Cohen, Daily Illini, 1956-59
Bob Crawford, WPGU, late 1950s
Larry Doyle, Daily Illini, 1976-82
Dave Eggers, Daily Illini, 1988-92
Bob Epstein, WPGU, 1970-74
Hugh Hough , Daily Illini, 1948-51
Tom Jones, WPGU, 1955-56
Marcia Kramer, Daily Illini, 1967-70
Karen Lucas Petitte, Daily Illini, 1959-63, EIC 1962-63
Robert Novak, Daily Illini, 1948-51
Carl Schwartz, Daily Illini, 1967-71, EIC 1970-71
Gene Shalit, Daily Illini, 1945-49