Endnotes

UIW HOMECOMINGS AND REUNIONS

The next full reunion for all Incarnate Word classes, college and university, will be April 2006 as part of the 125th anniversary of our founding. All anniversary classes will be honored at that time, and volunteers are always welcome to help with the planning.

There will be a Homecoming Mass as part of Fiesta for all who can attend on April 17. The Mass will be followed by a social and is open to all alumni/ae and former students.

The 50th anniversary class of 1955 will be honored at the May 7 graduation on campus.

Other alumni activities and events, or those open to alumni, will be scheduled as well.

LUNCH BUNCH SEPTEMBER GATHERING

Photo courtesy of Gary Tschirhart

Clifton Jansky was the featured entertainer at the annual Incarnate Word Lunch Bunch gathering last Sept. 13 at the Old San Francisco Steak House. Above, Alumni hosts Gilbert and Shirlie Grant Kaats welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Jansky to the Annual Alumni Luncheon.

A huge and special thanks go out to Shirlie Grant Kaats, ’56, her husband, Gil, and their whole family for making the Sept. 13 luncheon so very special at San Antonio’s Old San Francisco Steak House. The theme of saluting those who have served our nation and a remembrance of 9/11 was carried out to the last detail in a PowerPoint presentation, displays, and table decorations. Shirlie arranged for a special surprise with a performance by family friend Clifton Jansky, 2002 Christian country music male vocalist of the year. About a month after the luncheon he won the 2004 Christian Country Music Entertainer of the year award in Nashville.

Shirlie Grant Kaats, '56, at brunch gathering

Shirlie reminded everyone that these annual September gatherings are social only, and to get on the invitation list all you

need to do is ask. Shirlie is the chair for 2005 as well. Call the Alumni Office to get on the invitation list for the Lunch Bunch.

IMPROVE OUR COMMUNICATIONS

Send us your e-mail address and keep up with the UIW website www.uiw.edu regularly. There is a new Alumni Calendar and many new folks on the Alumni Networking Network, plus a monthly e-mailed newsletter. Also, all of the details on Homecoming and the annual Scholarship Sweepstakes are available on the Web site or by contacting dickm@universe.uiwtx.edu or calling 1(800) 584-5322. If you have an e-mail address, send it to the Alumni Office, as many alumni mailings are now done by e-mail to save on paper and postage.

NEW ALUMNI NETWORK OPERATING

For all alumni and former students with computers, UIW now has a new Alumni Networking Network in operation to help with your communication, job search or locating other former students in your area.

Once the Alumni Office verifies your status the completion of the network entry and keeping it up to date can be done directly by the alumnus/a and safeguarded by a personal username and password also created by the alumnus/a. As of this issue, nearly 700 former students had registered with the network.

To join the network just go to the following link and follow the instructions. And remember, registration is not automatic and you will be notified by e-mail, once your entry has been verified.

http://www.uiw.edu/alumni/anet/index.htm

CREDIT CARD DOLLARS:

Thanks to all who regularly use their MBNA UIW affinity credit card. As you know, UIW receives a percentage quarterly on all credit card use and it does not cost the alumnus/a or the university anything extra. We now receive an annual revenue of $4,000 from MBNA, which goes directly to the Faculty Development Endowment to continue to improve the quality of classroom teaching. And, we can use that revenue for matching Federal dollars. A win-win all the way.

ALUMNI REFERRAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Executive Council of the university, in conjunction with the offices of Admissions, Public Relations, Alumni, and Financial Assistance, has established a new student scholarship program to be named the McCracken Alumni Referral Scholarship Program. The University of the Incarnate Word McCracken Alumni Referral Scholarship (MARS) was established with the goal of recognizing UIW alumni as an effective vehicle in the recruitment of new students, passing on the “legacy” while strengthening the connection of our graduates to the university.

UIW alumni will be involved in identifying prospective students who will benefit from an Incarnate Word education and uphold the mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. This scholarship is named in honor of Richard McCracken, long-time dean of alumni, in recognition of his many years of service and loyalty to UIW and its graduates.

The guidelines are as follows:

• Any UIW alumnus/a may nominate one (only) student per academic year to receive the $1000 voucher.
• Student must be a first-time, full-time undergraduate student.
• Voucher is good for first year only and is non-renewable.
• Nominated student must meet university admissions acceptance standards.
• Deadline for submission is Feb. 1 for fall 2006.
• Nominated student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• UIW employees who are also graduates are eligible to disperse voucher, but not to spouse, son or daughter receiving tuition benefit.
• The nominating alumnus/a must complete all portions of the MARS nomination form and return to:
  University of the Incarnate Word
  Alumni Office
  4301 Broadway
  San Antonio, TX 78209
• The Alumni Office will verify nomination forms before a student will be awarded. Students receiving the MARS award will be notified by mail.

You can download the form at www.uiw.edu/alumni/

Forms are also available from the Alumni Office at (800) 584-5322.

ALAMO TRAVEL GROUP OFFERS INCENTIVE

The travel agency that the University of the Incarnate Word works with has kindly offered an incentive to all Incarnate Word alumni and friends. Alamo Travel Group offers a wide variety of cruises and other travel arrangements. If you book a cruise or your travel through Alamo, the university will receive a commission toward the annual fund. For more information or the Incarnate Word booking code, please contact the UIW Alumni Office at (210) 829-6014 or (800) 584-5322. Visit the website at www.alamotravel.com Carlos J. De Uriarte, Director of Business Development.