Dear Alumni,

As we head into the holiday season, I like to think about all I have to be thankful for. I hope each of you will give thanks to family and friends as you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday.

A new semester will begin before we know it. The GSU Foundation recently announced scholarships that are available for the upcoming semester. If you know any GSU students, encourage them to review the scholarship offerings at www.govst.edu/foundationscholarships. If you are a student, take a look at what is available.

I'd like to encourage you all to join the Alumni Clubs. There is something for everyone. Visit www.govst.edu/alumni for club information. Stay connected with your alma mater and get involved.

For more information, call the Alumni Relations Office at 708.534.4128. Feel free to visit the alumni website to view past editions of the e-connections newsletter and our annual print newsletter, Alumni Connections and to get up-to-the-minute details.

Sincerely,

Cheri Garey
Interim Director of Alumni Relations

As we approach the end of the year, I encourage you to consider including GSU among your philanthropic priorities. There are lots of creative ways to make gifts that will change lives of students, support the Alumni Association, encourage research, and provide resources that will help GSU become even more successful. For example, did you know that you can use your mandatory retirement distribution to make a gift directly to GSU and avoid taxes on the distribution? Be sure to contact Joan Vaughan at 708.534.4977 for details since there are strict requirements on making the transfer.

You can also make gifts in memory of or as a tribute to someone who helped you reach your goals. Your investment in GSU will change lives! Visit www.govst.edu/donate to make a gift today.

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Alumni Clubs

As a GSU alum, you are welcome to join as many of our Alumni Clubs as you like, free of charge. For a list of Alumni Clubs visit www.govst.edu/alumni or call the Alumni Relations Office at 708.534.4128.

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Join other book enthusiasts in a lively discussion. Books to be reviewed are chosen by the Alumni Book Club members. Call the Alumni Relations Office at 708.534.4128 to join or e-mail alumnirelations2@govst.edu and say "sign me up for the Book Club." Meeting invitations and notices will be sent via e-mail. Visit the website at www.govst.edu/alumni for details and book descriptions.

Book Club Schedule:  
           Date:                                       Book Being Reviewed:  
Thursday, December 22, 2011      Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Thursday, January 26, 2012         Mountain Windsong: A Novel of the Trail of Tears
                                                      by Robert Conley

The Alumni Association is in the process of starting its Alumni Communications Club. If you would like to be a member - it's free to all alumni -- please call the Alumni Office at 708.534.4128 or e-mail alumnirelations2@govst.edu and let us know. The first meeting will be held sometime in January.

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The Alumni Artforum Club will be hosting an Alumni Art Show in May. A call for submissions will be posted on the Alumni website as soon as the information is finalized. To be on the mailing list, contact the Alumni Office at 708.534.4128 or alumnirelations2@govst.edu.

Many veterans are fully qualified for careers in government. GSU's Office of the Coordinator of Veterans and Military Personnel is sponsoring a free, interactive workshop to help veterans find jobs in government and develop rewarding careers. The workshop is on Friday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in B1241.

Bill McClinton, operations staff supervisor of the Center for Human Resources, Chicago Region, Social Security Administration, will present at the workshop. Topics to be covered include creating a government resume; government hiring processes; navigating government employment websites; and gaining concise feedback from governmental HR departments.

The Office of the Coordinator of Veterans and Military Personnel also offers individual consultations. Contact Keith White at 708.235.2223.

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"The Nutcracker" - Saturday, December 10 at 1 and 5 p.m. Read more here.

Single tickets to The Nutcracker are $15 to $40 for adults and $15 to $35 for children 16 and under. For subscription and single ticket information call GSU Center's box office at 708.235.2222 or visit www.centertickets.net.

"Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!" - Especially for Kids series - Saturday, December 3 at 11 a.m. and Sunday December 4 at 1 p.m. Read more here.

Single tickets to the Junie B. Jones are $10.50 to $15.50. For ticket information call the GSU Center's Box Office at (708) 235-2222 or visit www.centertickets.net.

Special Ticket Offers 

Patrons who purchase single, regular price tickets for three or more shows (Mainstage, cabaret, opera and/or Especially for Kids series) in GSU Center's 2011-2012 season will receive a $10 gift certificate to be used for future ticket purchases. Limit one voucher per household, and additional restrictions may apply.

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The GSU Office of Career Services is holding a Health and Human Services Career Fair on Monday, November 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Lobby at GSU. Read more here.

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Join the Alumni Association for our annual Valentine dinner and show on Wednesday, February 8. Following the buffet dinner, enjoy a performance of the widely acclaimed play, "The Color Purple," in GSU's Center for Performing Arts. What a great way to celebrate an early Valentine's Day, mingle with fellow alumni and enjoy a wonderful show all in one.

Tickets: $58 (Alumni with Premium member status and their guests)
             $65 (All other alumni and their guests)

Tickets include a buffet dinner, dessert, coffee and tea, and main floor seating at the performance. Cash bar. To order tickets, mail in an order form or call the Alumni Relations Office at 708.534.4128.

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The Alumni Association will host the third annual Alumni Awards program, which honors graduates who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments and careers deserve to be recognized. The Outstanding Community Service Award and the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award will be presented at the Alumni Dinner Theatre event on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. The Alumni Award Criteria and the Alumni Awards Nomination forms are now available. Deadline to nominate or apply for these prestigious awards is January 7, 2012.

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The GSU Student Senate is committed to helping its students. The GSU Food Pantry has opened its doors to students in need. They are sponsoring the food pantry to assist fellow students during these difficult economic times.

The Student Senate is also asking for donations of non-perishable food donations for the food pantry. If you would like to donate to GSU's Food Pantry, contact the Alumni Office at 708.534.4128 for drop off assistance.

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