Scenessummer 2014 LETTER from the PRESIDENT
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SCENESsummer 2014 LETTER from the PRESIDENT Dear High School and Admissions Colleagues: relatively new to admissions or high school counseling, I encourage you to plug-in to As I write this letter, we are about to begin the 2014 RIDE Iowa ACAC. For newer professionals, that (Rediscovering Iowa’s Diverse Education). Thirty-five high could start with your attendance at ACU in Iowa City on July 22-23, 2014. You learn by school counselors and professionals will be touring 10 connecting with others, and Iowa ACAC is a colleges and universities in southwestern and southern Iowa. great way to become connected. For those who have been in the profession for a while, 2014-2015 Every six years, if you are a post-secondary institution, your Iowa ACAC I’m always amazed at the new connections President institution will be visited by our state’s school counselors who that still develop. If you’re not learning Dan Schofield from someone else, you are probably just choose to go on the RIDE. I have been in the admissions standing still! profession a long time—and I am still learning about Iowa’s The cycle of admissions and high school Counseling includes seasonal changes, rich heritage and diverse array of post-secondary institutions along with staffing and career changes. I that make our state of Iowa a great state. am reminded of the strength and durability of our Iowa Association for College Recently, many of us from our state for all your hard work—and Iowa ACAC’s Admissions Counseling when I see some attended the MIDWest Conference held Conference Planning Committee. You valued colleagues cycle off the executive in Madison, WI May 18-20, 2014. The collaborated and partnered with WACAC, board, but I see other colleagues cycling collegiality, the collective energy, and MACAC, and DACAC to make this a most onto the board and committees, bringing the power of so many high school and successful and memorable MIDWest with them—in their new roles—large doses admissions counseling professionals in one Conference. Planning for the 2015 Iowa of enthusiasm and talent. location for three days was invigorating. ACAC conference is already underway, with Have a relaxing summer, and find time to There were sessions for everyone, and Iowa City hosting. enjoy the people who are in your life! networking opportunities throughout. Iowa ACAC strives to provide Dan Schofield Thanks to Erin Gabriel (Drake University— opportunities for member involvement President and soon Dowling Catholic High School) and professional growth. If you are Iowa ACAC 2014 Best of the MIDWest Conference Wrap Up Madison, WI Keynote speaker VJ Smith Thank you to all of our members who attended this year’s spring conference, “Best of the MIDWest: Setting Sail with Higher Education.” The event brought over 530 admissions professionals from Iowa, Mark your calendar Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and MAY North Dakota together in Madison, WI for next year’s Iowa to enjoy over 40 presentations and great networking opportunities as we wrapped ACAC Conference up another admissions cycle. Keynote 17 to be held at the speaker VJ Smith provided comic relief and Sheraton in Iowa an important message—always say thank you!—during our lunch on Monday. City May 17-19, 2015. During the conference, a few of our members were recognized for their outstanding work. Congratulations to Renea Ogren (Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn), 2014 School Counselor of the Year, Jim Davis (Indian Hills Community College), Admission Professional of the Year, and Hannah Suddendorf (Mount Mercy University), our 2014 Rising Star! Dan Schofield, Debbie Barger, Omar Correa Jim Davis Through raffle ticket sales and our benefit 5K run/walk, we raised over $2,000 for the Ronald McDonald House! Monday night’s social brought more fun times at the Overture Center for the Arts where attendees enjoyed dueling pianos and a photo booth. You can check out the photo booth pictures—and download them for free—at www.capmem.com. Favorite Iowa Getaways Lauren Garcia/Associate Director of Admissions/Mount Mercy University “My favorite Iowa Summer Getaway is to the fabulous ‘metropolis’ of Burlington, IA. Every summer during June, they host their own mini-fair and concert series called Steamboat Days. The variety of artists varies every year with this including Chris Young, Jerrod Niemann, Karmin, Halestorm, Hairball and Toby Keith. You can also visit Fun City, which has an outdoor waterpark, indoor ball pit, sky trail, indoor bowling, laser tag, arcade, and go carts. It also has Catfish Bend Casino attached. Besides all of this, they do have the Burlington Bees, a minor league baseball team in town as well. There are some cute little shops in the downtown area that’s right along the Mississippi River, and some great local restaurants to check out while there too. Burlington is also home to the ‘crookedest street in the world’… people can drive down it when there aren’t other activities such as the Snake Alley Art Fair going on.” For more information about these places see the links below. www.steamboatdays.com www.catfishbendcasino.com www.gobees.com www.snakealley.com Stacy Henningsen/Director of Transfer Admissions/AIB College of Business Almost every year my husband and I take the family to Storm Lake for 3 days of fun in the sun! Prices are fantastic for a family of 7 and the family suites are big enough to hold us all and includes a kitchen! Cabins are available, golf, boating, biking and the outdoor and indoor waterpark. There is a mini golf course and a large beach area with playground; something fun for all ages. There is even a nice restaurant and bar for mom and dad to enjoy a nice drink in the evening while the kids watch a movie and unwind. Check out Kings Pointe Resort for your next weekend trip with the kids. www.kingspointeresort.com Megan Pitz/Senior Director of Admissions/AIB College of Business Des Moines – a city that continues to be recognized nationally as a great place to live for many reasons. For example, it’s been ranked the No. 1 Wealthiest City in America by the “TODAY” show and the No. 1 Midwest City for Young Adults. Plus, there are so many fun things to do in Des Moines, no matter what your interests are: Gray’s Lake is perfect for a run, a walk, a bike ride, a swim or a sail – and it hosts free events including yoga, zumba and concerts. Downtown Des Moines, where you can find arts and cultural events, as well as restaurants and night life on popular Court Avenue. The Historic East Village has a culture all its own, with ongoing events, eclectic restaurants and fun boutiques. Des Moines is home to professional sports teams, including baseball, basketball, arena football, soccer and hockey. The ever-expanding Jordan Creek Town Center area offers abundant shopping, plus restaurants and a state-of-the-art movie complex. Adventureland has been recognized as one of the top amusement parks and water parks in the country. You can learn more about things to do in Des Moines at www.catchdesmoines.com/events Jessica DeWall/Admissions Counselor/UNI A visit to the Amana Colonies can easily fill an entire day! There is much to see, do, and eat, but it’s all done at a relaxing pace. The Amanas were founded about 150 years ago by a group of German people seeking religious asylum in America. They originally lived in a communal setting but in the 1930s abandoned that for more individuality. Main Amana is the largest of the colonies and has the most businesses and sights for tourists. At Main Amana you can find an ice cream shop, quilt shop, chocolate shop, winery, candle shop, most of the restaurants, lace shop, Christmas shops, bakery, basket shop, brewing company, woolen mill, furniture shop and factory, & meat shop. The most important thing to remember about the Amanas is that these shops are all locally owned and operated. There are also other villages that have more historic buildings, but with less shopping. www.amanacolonies.com Callie Morningstar Admission Counselor/Coe College “I would have to say Lake Okoboji is my favorite Iowa Summer Getaway. There’s so much to do in that area and who doesn’t like spending time on a lake?” www.vacationokoboji.com Jill Kuhlers/Senior Associate Director of Admission for Programming/Coe College “I don’t think it counts as a summer getaway, but I know that summer isn’t complete for my family until we have made a trip to the Iowa State Fair. Looking at all of the exhibits, attending shows, riding the midway rides and more food on a stick than you can eat in one day; It is a great summer tradition!” Angie Eilander/Admissions Executive/AIB College of Business In my travels of NE Iowa, one of my favorite towns to stop and enjoy the scenery is in www.iowastatefair.org Guttenberg, Iowa–located right on the Mississippi River. Pictures from my last trip in mid- April are not as beautiful as they would be if I had waited to visit in May, but the day I was there I had some down time to stop and enjoy a Subway sandwich roadside and snap a few shots of the town. Check out the website if you are looking for different getaway spot. I see Guttenberg Germanfest is named one of the top 10 events in Iowa! www.cityofguttenberg.com Melinda Arndt/Office Manager, Admissions/Maharishi University of Management © Iowa State Fair This summer we look forward to spending time at Waterworks Park, our favorite summer spot in Fairfield, Iowa.