UPCOMING 
Important dates
Thursday, March 18:
St. Louis - Alumni and friends are invited to meet with Millikin President Douglas E. Zemke '66 at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at this Millikin Club of St. Louis event, hosted by Jon Tiede '92, president of JUMP Co. 

MORE on alumni events

Hot links
Both the men's and women's basketball teams are off to stellar starts (6-1 and 5-1 respectively). How will the Big Blue women fare in this weekend's Fourth Annual Harriett Crannell Holiday Classic tournament? Keep up with the latest basketball and other winter sports news by clicking here. 

Got a gig? 
All alumni actors, artists, singers, dancers and musicians are invited to let us know the dates and details of their upcoming engagements and we’ll promote them on the Millikin website. Drop a line to alumnews@mail.millikin.edu, or fax your performance schedule to 217-424-3755. Click here to see what's posted.

Need Millikin stuff? 
A musical memoir to the late Richard Hoffland, beloved University Choir director for more than 30 years, and his wife, Kay, is for sale online through  First Step Records, MU's student-run recording label. The two-CD set,  "A Musical Memoir," features a compilation of Choir recordings through the years, including the choir's signature hymn, "Praise to the Lord." To order it or other CDs in the First Step catalog, including the Vespers 2003 performance CD, click here.

Shop online through the Millikin bookstore to get MU gear, gifts and more.  

Remember 2004 Vespers even after this holiday season. Blue Connection, a gallery that sells  original art produced by students, faculty and alumni at affordable prices, is selling a limited edition Vespers ornament featuring this year’s theme – Magnifacat The Spirit Rejoices. Click here for complete order info.

They're taking their 
jazz to the d.r. 
Millikin's Jazz Band I will perform several concerts during a three-city tour in the Dominican Republic from Dec. 31 to Jan. 9. MORE

singin' on the road
The University Choir and Chamber Chorale groups also prepare to go on tour in January. 

BEALS KICKS HIS WAY TO ALL-AMERICAN STATUS.
Senior kicker Andrew Beals, who finished his college football career this fall holding six Millikin records -- including most career points -- garners another honor.
MORE

MORE THAN 80 NEW GRADUATES BECOME ALUMNI.
More than 80 graduates participated in the 2003 Winter Commencement ceremony held Dec. 14 in Kirkland Fine Arts Center. The winter ceremony was added four years ago to allow the growing number of mid-year graduates a chance to take part in a commencement ceremony. This year’s speaker was Dr. Arvid W. Adell, professor emeritus of philosophy. Among his many contributions, he has performed marriage ceremonies for more than 500 Millikin students, faculty and friends.

THE 70TH ANNUAL cookie party 
was a sweet success. 
More than 5,000 cookies were served at the 70th annual cookie party on campus in early December. At left, volunteer Marilyn Davis, executive assistant to the president, serves punch. MORE

DON'T SHOOT...
...unless you're going for the three-pointer in the Coaches vs. Cancer corporate 3-point shootout, to be held Jan. 17 at Griswold Physical Education Center following the Big Blue women vs. North Central game.  MORE

REFER A FRIEND
If you know of high school students who have begun their college search this fall, there's an easy way for you to introduce them to Millikin: Refer a Friend. Click here to fill out a simple form and we'll begin sending them info about Millikin. And who knows? They may make a lifetime of memories, find good friends and receive a great education -- hopefully, just like you did!     

TailGate tales
Alumni and friends enjoy a tailgate party held before the Big Blue football game at Illinois Wesleyan.  MORE  

HO, HO, HO, IT'S HOLIDAY TRIVIA TIME.
Ready for some trivia?

Last month's trivia contest winners correctly named Josh Jacobs '02 as the MU alum wearing a Sponge Bob Square Pants costume in a photo with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. They are: W. Scott Krepps '87, Linda Carter Ellerman '01, Aaron Kramer '01, Matthew Braden '99 and Andrea Reeser Shaffer '82. 

How many total tickets were sold for this year's Vespers performances? (Note: this year there were four performances instead of the usual three.) 
A. 7,978
B. 6,312
C. 5,432 
D. Vespers was not held this year.

Send your answer to alumnews@mail.millikin.edu; be sure to include your name and address. The first five correct responders each win a prize from the Big Blue closet of extraordinary doodads!