Come visit campus while spring is in full swing: A letter from Parents Association President Susan Beck Bates - Parent Times







SPRING 2009 IN THIS ISSUE Off to a good lead: Students pick up valuable career skills in UI leadership program Ombudsperson’s office a place for parents, students to turn Come visit campus while spring is in full swing Better with letters: Pen pal programs provide opportunities for students young and old University of Iowa Health Care: Changing medicine, changing lives...changing students' perspectives Luke Flaherty: Guiding students toward graduation Message to parents from UI President Sally Mason Keeping the faith: Spiritual outlets abound for students at Iowa A season for celebration Briefs Important dates University calendar

Come visit campus while spring is in full swing: A letter from Parents Association President Susan Beck Bates

Parent Association President Susan Beck Bates Greetings to each of you from the Parents Association Advisory Board. The University of Iowa campus blossoms in many ways starting in the months of March and April. Spring in Iowa City means green grass, blossoming trees and flowers, students studying along the riverbank, and music in the air.

During your next visit to Iowa City, please take time to stroll our beautiful campus with your student. Walk around the Pentacrest area, visit the museums, and new and/or updated buildings. Hop a Cambus and see all sides of the University. Get to know the Iowa campus and the place your student lives eight out of twelve months a year.

And with spring comes graduation. We congratulate graduating seniors and all of the families who have supported their academic efforts. We know their years at The University of Iowa have prepared them well for a bright future, and we offer them our best wishes.

This issue of Parent Times highlights Iowa’s Career Leadership Academy, a four-semester academic program that helps UI undergraduates develop their leadership skills. The academy, which is part of the Pomerantz Career Center, is comprised of seminars, activities, and events designed to give students an edge as they pursue leadership roles in their career field of choice. Our oldest son, Tom, will graduate from the leadership academy and the University this spring. The years have gone by quickly!

I also want to remind you that the Parents Association exists to serve the needs of parents of UI undergraduate students and that every parent of a current undergraduate automatically is a member. Please feel free to contact any of the members of the Parents Association Advisory Board, or to contact the on-campus liaison, Belinda Marner, at parents-association@uiowa .edu or 319-335-3557. We welcome input as well as new members to the advisory board.

Be sure to mark the weekend of Nov. 6–8 on your calendar for the next Family Weekend, which is always filled with enjoyable activities ranging from an indoor tailgate brunch to entertainment and, of course, Hawkeye football. Make it a memorable weekend with your student.

We wish all members of the Hawkeye family a happy and healthy summer with your students. On Iowa! Go Hawks!

Susan Beck Bates (BA ’77)