The first I Heart UTM Week, presented by the Undergraduate Alumni Center, is slated for April 21-24.
The event, which coincides with the last week of classes at UTM, is set to be a weeklong celebration of UTM for students, staff and faculty.
“I think this is something that we can start a good tradition on,” said Andrew Hart, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving and main advisor for UAC. “It’s a great time to do it, especially with it being the last day of classes and that you have a different theme everyday, a different focus of why you should love your university.
On Monday, April 21, from 4-7 p.m. at Pacer Pond, the Mike Munkel BBQ will be going on. The first hundred students who bring three canned goods will receive a free I Heart UTM tank top.
There will also be a table set up outside of the University Center for students to fill out signs explaining why they love UTM.
Tuesday, which is being known as Athletics Day, will feature a softball game between UTM and MTSU scheduled for 4 p.m. The softball team has partnered with UAC to giveaway gifts to some of the fans in attendance.
On Wednesday, the Senior Drive Thru will occur. Seniors will be encouraged to drive through the parking lot of Dunagan Alumni Center to receive a free alumni decal, as well as an Orange Crush and a blueberry muffin. That portion of the day’s events will be happening from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Prior to the start of the Senior Walk, there will be a table set up outside of the UC for students to fill out thank you cards to their soon-to-be former professors
“A handwritten note to professors, we thought would go a long way,” Hart said. “Just to thank them for anything they did for them while they were here.”
Members of UAC will then deliver the letters to the professors.
The day will conclude with the Senior Walk, which will start at 3:45 p.m. and end when the students arrive at the Elam Center for commencement practice at 4 p.m.
An ice cream social, sponsored by the Office of Housing, will happen outside of the University Villages between 3-5 p.m. on Thursday.
The week’s festivities will conclude on Friday with various Campus Rec games going on in the quad. There will be free popcorn and Chick-Fil-A sweet tea to those in attendance.
Hart said that everyone has been very supportive of the idea.
“Everyone has been very supportive. When I called housing to ask if they would sponsor an ice cream social, they were on board immediately. Pepsi donated the Orange Crush to give out at the Senior Drive Thru. It’s been overwhelmingly positive.”
For more information on I Heart UTM Week, contact Hart at ahart@utfi.org.
