GradBird Appreciation Week

April 7-12, 2024

• Sunday, April 7

  GradBird Family Ice Skating, Bloomington Ice Center

  Bring you and your family out to hit the ice at Bloomington Ice Center with the Graduate School! Whether it's your first time in skates or you are a seasoned skater, we'll have something for everyone. The Graduate School will provide skating admission, skate rental, snacks, and drinks to our GradBirds and their families for this cool event.

  https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/event/10016598

  2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

• Monday, April 8

  Solar Eclipse Party, ISU Quad

  Did you know that the solar eclipse happening this year will be the last one until 2044? Come out on the quad and grab your safety sunglasses from the Graduate School as we celebrate this special occasion. Grab a couple of prizes while you're there as well, since the only thing brighter than the sun are our students!

  https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/event/10016613

  1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

  Therapy Dogs for Student Wellness, Bone Student Center Circus Room

  There's no better way to relieve some stress of classes than by petting some of the furry friends from Town & Country Kennel Club! Stop by and enjoy some of the best company on campus while enjoying cookies and lemonade as well. We are proud to feature the Graduate Student Association as a co-sponsor for this event.

  https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/event/10069654

  3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, April 9

  Prize Giveaways, Bone Student Center Concourse

  If you've had your eye on any of the hottest Graduate School apparel items, such as t-shirts, notepads, stress balls, and more, this is your chance to win big! Stop by our table by the Redbird Spirit Store in the Bone Student Center to spin our prize wheel and earn yourself a new item.

  https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/event/10016691

  12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

  Jackbox Game Night, Zoom

  No matter where our students are at, we want to see our GradBirds at virtual events this week too! Join us for a fun night of laughs and playing Jackbox Games over Zoom all from the comfort of your home.

  https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/event/10023131

  6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, April 10

  GradBird Trivia Night, Stevenson Hall 401

  Join the Graduate School to see who our brightest trivia minds are! Do you think your College has the smartest students? Prove it by gathering a team of up to 6 players and competing in our trivia night challenge. Come by for entertainment, prizes, and, of course, free pizza for attendees.

  This event will have limited space so RSVPs are highly recommended! Dinner will be served at 5:30 and trivia will start at 6:00 p.m., players who do not RSVP will be let in on a first-come-first-serve basis.

  https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/event/10023869

  5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

• Thursday, April 11

  Virtual Meditation with Jim Almeda, Certified Wellness and Health Coach, Zoom

  Meditation can be a valuable tool for grad students to manage stress and keep their minds healthy. Join ISU Wellness and Health Coach Jim Almeda for a virtual meditation session to learn about and participate in this great activity whenever you need it. 

  https://redbirdlife.illinoisstate.edu/event/10024058

  2:30 – 3:30pm

• Friday, April 12

  University Research Symposium, Bone Student Center Ballroom

  The main event! Hundreds of graduate students will be presenting their research in the morning and afternoon sessions of the symposium, so come out and learn about some of the great research that our GradBirds have been working on. This event is free and open to the public. 

  9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

  Learn more about the University Research Symposium

  •  Week-long Events

  Virtual 5k Race

  We love having healthy GradBirds, that's why the Graduate School will be hosting a week-long 5k race where everyone is a winner! We understand schedules can be hectic, so you can do this race at any time that works for YOU. Any participant that completes a 5k on a route of their choosing will win a grad school t-shirt as a prize and get a shout-out on our social media. 

  https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Normal/GradBirdAppreciationWeekRace

  Swag Shop

  Are you in need of new Graduate School apparel? Check out our online store throughout the week; update your wardrobe and show your GradBird pride! The online store will even feature the winner of the t-shirt design contest, which will be a limited-edition piece created by your fellow students. 

  View our GradBird Appreciation Week online store