DEOs and ALT: 

I'm forwarding a recent message from our friends at the UI Center for Advancement about Alumni Day 2026, to make sure you have an opportunity to consider participating on some level if it makes sense for your department or program. 
---
Hello!

Hope your fall semester is wrapping up nicely. We wanted to share a brief update with you on plans for Alumni Day 2026.

Over the coming weeks, we are going to continue to reach out to campus partners to invite participation in one or both of the following opportunities (note some logistical updates):

1. Campus Village

The Campus Village will serve as a centralized, interactive space showcasing the University’s diverse strengths and offerings. It will feature a series of 20x20-foot tents, each divided into four distinct areas – creating 32 unique showcases. These spaces will provide engaging, hands-on experiences representing various departments and initiatives.

Additional outdoor areas will accommodate larger features such as simulation vehicles and food trucks.

The Campus Village will be open to Alumni Day participants for a four-hour window (10:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.) on Hancher Green (rain location: inside Hancher).

2. Presentations

Alumni are eager to learn what’s happening on campus! We plan to offer a series of 45-minute presentations by faculty, staff, and students in a centralized location. Topics may include departmental updates, research highlights, or educational sessions. Presentation opportunities will run approximately 9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.

Action Requested

You’ve likely encountered unique opportunities within your work that alumni would find valuable. If you know of a campus partner or department that would be a great fit for either opportunity – or if you have ideas for additional events (e.g., building tours, in-building activities) – please let us know.

Logistical Updates

• Save-the-Date email will be sent out on Dec. 18 to alumni who have engaged in some manner with the University over the past three years.
• Save-the-Date postcard (~17,000) will be mailed on Dec. 18 to alumni living in Iowa in which we do not have a valid e-mail address or have opted out of receiving e-mail.
• The Alumni Day website will have updated information mid-February. We are working on collecting as much information as possible by Jan. 16 to feed into the update.

If you have any questions about Alumni Day 2026, please do not hesitate to reach out to either one of us. As you know, this is the pilot year, so we are learning a lot along the way – but are excited to see the results.

On, Iowa!
Katie Kriegel and Kate Sojka