Thank you and goodbye!

This blog is now officially finished. It was created to document UAA Homecoming 2011, with contributors from across campus. Thank you to everyone who contributed! The blog had about 3,500 page views.

See you next year!

FINALLY! The Shopping Cart Parade video

  

Here is the list, provided by parade organizer Jessica Dyrdahl, of all the participants in the parade:

• Alpha Sigma Alpha
• Cama-i Room
• Center for Community Engagement and Learning (CCEL)
• Barista Christina and her Coffee Cart (one of our bloggers!)
• Department of Residence Life
• Financial Aid
• Student Health Center
• Japanese Culture Club
• Justice Club/Alpha Phi Sigma
• New Student Orientation
• North Hall (Residence Life)
• Outdoor Club
• SAFE ZONE
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon
• Sigma Sigma Sigma
• Student Activities
• Student Clubs and Greek Life
• Student Union and Student Commuter Services
• The Family
• The Northern Light
• UAA Campus Bookstore
• UAA Gymnastics Team
• UAA Students for Life
• Veterans Student Association
• West Hall

And the winners (drum roll) are.....
 
Overall:
Student Veterans of UAA

Seawolf Pride:
1st – UAA Ski Team
2nd – North Hall (Residence Life)
3rd – UAA Gymnastics Team

Sustainability
1st – Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department
2nd -- Christina’s Coffee Cart
3rd – Alpha Sigma Alpha

Showcase Organization
1st – Sigma Sigma Sigma
2nd – New Student Orientation/Wolfpack
3rd --  Cama-i Room

These 10 carts appeared on the ice at Kendall during the break between the first and second periods.  Congratulations, everyone!
 

And, finally, a big thank you to the three judges in the HOT SEATS, watching the parade and deciding on placements. Special thanks to:

• Meredith McIntire
• Anna Hoffman
• Amie Stanley

Really cool slideshow from the Green & Gold Gala

The Green & Gold Gala is an annual scholarship fundraiser sponsored by the UAA Alumni Association. Here's a great slideshow from this year's event, really shows the good time that everyone had! 

And the extra good news is: This event raised more than $50,000 for scholarships for UAA students. Hurrah for a great project and a great result!

Shopping Cart Parade video, coming later today.

And that's a promise, my fellow Seawolves! Come back this afternoon and relive that crazy wonderful first-time-ever Shopping Cart Parade.

Last word from La Barista

Oh my goodness, did I have a crazy weekend!

For those of you who don't know, not only am I a barista, but I help out with the hockey games. You might have seen me at the Sullivan Arena, passing out Kendall towels and hockey season magnets.

Winning Friday's game was a great way to open the Kendall and only lead to a win the following night. Both of our goalies were on fire and did an amazing job, along with the rest of the team.

Way to fill out the student section, you guys! I could hear everyone on the other side of the arena!

Thanks to Seawolf thunder for playing some great beats to sing along with.

Back at the coffee shop... I can tell that fall is upon us. Customers have gone to ordering different flavors such as: pumpkin pie, candy corn, gingerbread and caramel apple.

The specials for the rest of this week are:

• Wednesday: Nutty Irish Man Americano
• Thursday: Macadamia Nut White Chocolate Mocha
• Friday: Coconut Cream Pie Italian Soda

This morning I am drinking a pumpkin spice americano and I love it! You should try one for yourself. Yummy!

To my followers who always wonder where I am, my current location is at the Union Station Cafe. I know there are still a few who haven't figured that out yet (grin...)

Until next time,

-- Christina, your friendly barista

Not to mention the amazing performance of the Seawolves Cross Country team

Still more news to make Spirit a proud mascot! The UAA men's and women's cross country teams, who performed well at the Western Classic Invitational in Bellingham, WA this past weekend.  Let me just quote the lead from the goseawolves.com coverage:

The Alaska Anchorage men’s and women’s cross country seasons remained perfect with team and individual victories at the 38th annual Western Classic Invitational on Saturday. The undefeated Seawolves were led by winning efforts from senior All-American Ruth Keino and junior All-American Micah Chelimo at East Lake Padden Park.

Makes a mascot H-O-W-L-I-N' proud!

Seawolves Volleyball sweeps the Wildcats of Central Washington U

Spirit is just bustin' with pride over the Seawolves Volleyball team performance over this past weekend (the last big performance during Homecoming Week for the VB team).

But don't take it from me. Their sweep of CWU netted some pretty fantastic press. Here's a sample of Friday coverage:

• Wildcats suffer sweep against Anchorage Alaska (NBC)
• Veterans power Seawolves past the Wildcats (goseawolves.com)

Sophomore libero Quincy Haught tallied 18 digs for the third straight match, helping UAA earn a rare sweep of Central Washington

Junior Nikkie Viotto had a team-high 18 digs in Saturday's loss at NNU.

OK, so you can't win 'em all. Saturday coverage:

• Seawolves spikers fail to Crusaders (ADN)
• Crusaders snap Seawolf streak (goseawolves.com)

The Seawolves – now at the halfway point of the GNAC campaign – play five of their final nine matches at home, beginning Saturday, Oct. 15 against Alaska Fairbanks. First serve is 7 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

Seawolf Hall of Fame honors six new inductees at ceremony Oct. 9

From left-to-right, Jerry Wood (brother of Linda Bruns), Ryan Williams, Zuzana Razusova Rogers, Sarah Mills (daughter of Dr. William J. Mills, Jr.), Rick Stafford and Bill MacKay were honored or represented honorees at the 2011 Seawolf Hall of Fame ceremonies Oct. 9, 2011.

New Health Sciences Building features grand opening during Homecoming Week

The Health Sciences Building grand opening was amazing. It was great to share the new home to the nursing, medical, physician assistant and medical laboratory programs with the community.

Chancellor Tom Case welcomed friends and supporters

Scene from inside a simulation lab in the new building.

The highlight of the event may have been the tours of simulation labs where human mannequins can have heart attacks and other medical emergencies. Medical, nursing and physician assistant students demonstrated the next wave of education in these cutting edge labs. This technology allows students to learn to think on their feet and work 
with others in crisis situations.

Also great were the medical lab tours where we learned about the medical tests which are mysteriously run in us at the doctor’s office and the heart sounds demonstration in the physician assistant classroom. Among other things, I learned that our third PA cohort just started this year and has 22 students.

Of course, this building is the first phase in a two phase project. We hope to double the size of the building by adding on a new wing which will allow UAA to further expand the WWAMI School of Biomedical Education, simulation and to bring more of the health programs into the Health Science Building. Of course, parking is a part of the plan!

If you were among the lucky ones who actually got the meet and talk with SimMan, well, we documented that moment. Come visit our Flickr slideshow and find yourself, shaking hands with the (SIM)man!







Thanks to President Gamble, Regent Wickersham, Senator Johnny Ellis and Senator Kevin Meyer for joining us for this special event.


PS: News coverage here:
KTUU

Kendall Hockey Classic: It's V-Day for UAA

Spirit is proud!

WOW!!! What a great hockey tournament, and UAA played fantastically both nights.

Here are two shots from Mike Dinneen during Saturday night's game and victory celebration. 

DO GO to www.goseawolves.com to read an account of UAA's hockey victory, their sixth in the Classic's 21-year history. Find out who scored and how the team pulled together for this great beginning to UAA Hockey 2011!

Congratulations, Seawolf Hockey!

Mickey Spencer became just the second Seawolf to earn a hat trick in 21 years of the Kendall Hockey Classic.

How sweet it is!

Seawolves tie Clarkson 4-4; take the shootout 1-0

From left-to-right, Alex Gellert, Quinn Sproule, Mickey Spencer, Daniel Naslund and Mitch Bruijsten celebrate a second-period goal Saturday against Clarkson in the Kendall Hockey Classic. 

 

 

Read the goseawolves.com game account here.
Anchorage Daily News coverage of the St. Cloud victory over UAF here.

Field Day fun

Mike Dinneen captured some of the fun from Field Day, Oct. 5, 2011 during UAA Homecoming Week. His album is up on the UAAnchorage and the UAA Homecoming Facebook pages. Here's a few amazing shots.

Inflatable jousting

Going for the high kick!

 

The climbing wall!

Barista reporting from Sullivan Arena

Christina Grimsley is at the Sullivan Arena tonight. She reported:

5:26 p.m.

At the St.Cloud v. UAF game right now! Be here at 7:30 to catch the pre-show for the UAA v. Clarkson! It's gonna be a great game!

6:49 p.m.

Also, we are giving away free Kendall towels and season game day magnets! I will send pictures after our game starts!

For the UAF/St.Cloud Game, we are in the third period, Huskies 3, Nanooks 1. With 12 minutes left. Playing St. Coud tomorrow should be a great game for UAA. (Final score, 4-1, St. Cloud)

8:30 p.m. 

One side of the arena during the UAA v. Clarkson game.

Seawolf Thunder!

  

 Shopping Cart Parade between play periods. 

10:18 p.m.
UAA ties it up, 4-4, with Clarkson!

10:33 p.m.
UAA/Clarkson go in to OT, tied 4-4

10:45 p.m.
UAA/Clarkson go into Shootout.

10:46 p.m.
UAA wins shootout 1-0!

 Great game!

UAA meets St. Cloud tomorrow at 7:07 p.m.

Seawolf Thunder gets new T-shirt

Brian Moon of Seawolf Thunder shared this design for the new Seawolf Thunder T-shirt!  Find them at the UAA Campus Bookstore. Brian says T-Shirts will be given away during the games this weekend.

UPDATE: Brian filed a correction on this post. Thanks, Brian! The T-shirts at tossed out at the game were Homecoming 2011 shirts. The new Seawolf Thunder shirts are available at the UAA Campus Bookstore.

Update on FREE FOOD at Kendall Hockey Classic Oct. 7-8

Brian Moon of Seawolf Thunder gave us some important details about the Student VIP Room at the Sullivan Arena during the Kendall Hockey Classic: 

Oct 7:
7 p.m. - Student VIP room opens. FREE Wendy's chili dinner, snacks and prizes. For any student with a valid UAA Wolfcard.
8:07p.m. - GAME TIME!!! UAA vs Clarkson


Oct 8:
6 p.m. - Student VIP room opens. FREE Subway sandwiches, snacks and prizes for any student with a valid UAA Wolfcard.
7:07 - GAME TIME!!! UAA vs. St. Cloud State


Make sure to sit in the student section along with Seawolf Thunder to help support our team!

And the Shopping Cart Parade winners are......

Wow -- what an awesome Shopping Cart Parade! We had 30 carts decorated, that is an amazing number! Thank you, everyone who participated, it was so much fun seeing you!

You did Spirit proud! 

[Watch for some video footage still coming ;-)!]

Student Veterans of UAA won "Overall"

And the winners (drum roll) are.....
 
Overall:
Student Veterans of UAA
 
Seawolf Pride:
1st – UAA Ski Team
2nd – North Hall (Residence Life)
3rd – UAA Gymnastics Team
 
Sustainability
1st – Health, Physcial Education and Recreation Department
2nd- Christina’s Coffee Cart
3rd – Alpha Sigma Alpha
 
Showcase Organization
1st – Sgima Sigma Sigma
2nd – New Student Orientation/Wolfpack
3rd-  Cama-i Room

These 10 carts will appear on the ice at Kendall during the break between the first and second periods. 

Congratulations, everyone!
 

8 A.M. Thursday: Did somebody mention FREE COFFEE?

Serious muffins

Good Morning Seawolves (free coffee, muffins, bagels and cream cheese, a Homecoming Week treat) brightened the lobby of the Administration/Humanities Building deep on the east side of campus early Thursday morning.

Skateboard as handy breakfast tray.

What a great smile, for 8 a.m.!

Advancement staffers Jessica Reyna, Heather Karwowski and Alumni Relations representative Julia Martinez and Chancellor Tom Case were there to greet students creeping sleepily toward 8-ish a.m. classes. They passed out Homecoming 2011 T-shirts and the bottomless Homecoming drinking cups -- good for free drip coffee the rest of this week all over the campus coffee havens. 

Matt, from the History of Philosophy class that was meeting in the building, said his professor kindly suggested the class head to the lobby and fortify themselves with food and coffee. He and other students were happy to comply!

"All gone," says Jess.

Jessica and Heather said they caught people headed in to two morning classes, a break in between classes and those trailing through the building on business, including members of the Classified Council meeting in ADM 204. 

By 10 a.m., the only thing left was coffee, water and one XXL Homecoming T-shirt. Job well done!

TONIGHT! A Cappella Festivella

What a show, tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium. This is the 18th annual A Cappella Festivella, which really says something about history and tradition. Besides Sonos, you will hear Pitch Slapped and our very own UAA Glee Club. So come on out for a great time tonight.

Zac Clark of the UAA Concert  Board worked hard to put together A Cappella Festivella and comedian Mike Birbiglia as special Homecoming entertainment, and he was on the radio at KLEF with Rick Goodfellow promoting the show just the other day. We asked Zac about that experiences, and here's what he had to say.


What was your main topic on the radio interview? How long were you on?
I was lucky enough to spend an hour in-studio, which ended up being three breaks of about 3-5 minutes each. We spent most of the time discussing A Cappella Festivell 18, also talked comedian Mike Birbiglia, and what Homecoming means to UAA.

UAA's Glee Club will perform tonight. Here, at Green & Gold Gala.

What was Rick the most interested in?
Mainly interested in all the great things UAA is doing in general. Every department at UAA is doing something amazing, he was really interested in giving the Anchorage community  a look into UAA life!

How did A Cappella Festivella get started?
One of the first student Concert Board members saw how popular A Cappella festivals were at other campuses, and wanted to try and capture that at UAA. Now it's in in its 18th year!

Why is it soooo popular on the college circuit?
It is fun for the whole family! People usually know the songs and can sing along! Not to mention getting up and dancing!

Is this the first appearance at festivella of the UAA Glee Club?
This is UAA Glee Club's first appearance at A Cappella Festivella! They are currently the only requested vocal club at UAA. They do a lot of things, from singing to improv.  They are a group gaining a big following!

The Barista Shopping Cart, plus tips on Kendall fun

Today at the coffee shop I was asked to create a coffee that did not taste like coffee and was light on the caffeine,  but could wake the customer up. Well at first, I made an Angel Kiss Mocha (French Vanilla and Marshmallow) with whip and caramel sauce on top.

This drink, however, still tasted too much like coffee. So on to plan B.

I made a Raspberry Vanilla White Chocolate Mocha Frap. I ended up using a little bit of half and half and vanilla frap powder to create this master piece, which I will say my customer loved!

Later in the day, I was asked if I would like to decorate a shopping cart for my coffee shop.  And of course, I said yes. I spent my day brainstorming how I would decorate my cart. I decided that a coffee pot would fit best, being a coffee shop and all.

After learning about quadratic and linear equations in my math class, my friend, Amillia and I got the materials needed and got to work. After an hour and half (and putting off some reading homework), we ended up with a nice little coffee cart. I can't wait to see all the carts tomorrow during the parade. I personally will not be able to push my shopping cart, but it will be in the parade. The cart parade starts at 2:15 p.m. and I can tell you from personal experience that there are some good carts and it will be difficult to pick a winner.

The Kendall is this weekend and I can not wait. Head Hockey Coach Dave Shyiak and Associate Head Hockey Coach Campbell Blair come see me at the coffee shop everyday to get their daily cup of Joe, and we have talked about this weekend's games often. I can tell you that they are both excited and said that they should be good games.

I am helping out with the Kendall this year and I can assure you that we have a great pre-show planned for everyone, so you better get there early to get good seats. Seawolf Thunder will even be there, and I know they have some new beats to show off.

Don't forgot about the Student VIP room! Who doesn't want FREE soda, popcorn, chili  and prizes. Also did you get a Homecoming coffee cup? If so, do stop by Fireside Cafe, Spirit Express, Cuddy Coffee House, or Union Station Cafe to get free drip for the rest of the week. Until next time...
-- Christina

Shopping Cart Parade prep, late into the night!

Preparations for today's 2:15 p.m. Shopping Cart Parade picked up some serious steam Wednesday -- all day, and in to the night. Here's a few shots of what's coming this afternoon! Join as in The Spine for a rain-free parade to rally our Seawolf Spirit for the Kendall Hockey Classic that begins Friday and runs through Saturday at the Sullivan Arena.

Alpha Sigma Alpha's Shopping Cart gets tricked out.

At right, members of Alpha Sigma Alpha going for the Shopping Cart Win! They are Stephanie Schuman, Devon Musselman and Izzy Sill. 

Physical Education Club cart team.

And last night, after I listened and laughed at Mike Birbiglia's comedy show at the Wendy Williamson, I went back over to the Student Union, to find three groups working hard on their carts for today's Parade.  Notably, view on the right, is the team working on the Physical Education Club's cart. They are Eric Dahl, Matt Davis and Joe Harris. They were going hard at it Wednesday night at 9:45 p.m.

Which carts will make it to the Sullivan Arena to please the Kendall Classic crowds? Come to The Spine near WFSC today at 2:15 p.m. and find out!

Field Day photos

Inflatable .... jousting?

Take .... THAT!

Got a picture of yourself up on the climbing wall? Share it.

Noon Music featured A Cappella Festivella groups

Do you have your ticket yet? Read about the three groups that will be performing Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m. in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium at the 18th annual Acappella Festivella -- Sonos, Pitch Slapped and the UAA Glee Club! (They performed at the UAA Alumni Association Green & Gold Gala Oct. 1. )

Sneak preview of a Shopping Cart Parade entry

Hey, here are some Homecoming heroes! They've been busy decorating the Shopping Cart Parade entry for the Financial Aid Office.

Here's the motto for their cart, something we can all relate to:

"More bang for your buck!"

And the folks who created it are 

Amanda Burnell, Laura Warren, John Johnson, Patricia Kelly and Pam Doerner

Thanks!

Ashleigh Gaines models the Homecoming T-shirt

Noontime Wednesday, outside the UAA/APU Consortium Library. Meet UAA students Ashleigh Gaines and Kristen Pearce.

You can read more about Ashleigh, who was featured in the Spring 2011 Accolades magazine (large PDF file, after all it's a whole magazine -- she is on Page 12 of the magazine. Here is a tiny picture of her from the magazine).

Anyway, Ashleigh is president of the Black Student Union. She will be working tonight at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium for 2011 UAA Homecoming as a member of the Concert Board, featuring comedian Mike Birbiglia. Kristen is a freshman at UAA, and just because she was sitting next to Ashleigh and talking to her about the comedy show, Ashleigh was able to share a free ticket with Kristen. Kristen was really happy about that!