Alumni open new season of 1st Thursday events

By Peppy O'Neill

More than 20 UW-Parkside alumni and their friends gathered on a recent fall evening at the newly-renovated Pazzo bistro in Kenosha for a few hours of friendly networking and the exchange of workplace or post-career tales. 

The event was hosted by the UW-Parkside Alumni Association and was the first gathering of the new academic calendar year in the organization's popular "Alumni After Hours" series, which unfolds on the first Thursday evening of each month at locations in Kenosha and Racine, although plans are underway to broaden the group's geographic scope soon. 

"We're looking seriously at branching out to meet and engage our alumni who reside in Milwaukee and northern Illinois," explained UWPAA President Jim Kramer, "as well as stay in close touch with our alumni base in Racine and Kenosha."

All UW-Parkside alumni are encouraged to join in the monthly gatherings.  The UWPAA provides the hors d'oeuvres and makes arrangements for the meeting spot each month, while guests can enjoy drinks poured at Happy-Hour prices and a monthly opportunity to meet new alumni while continuing to re-energize ties with those who've attended "Alumni After Hours" events in the past year. 

The After Hours series sprang to life just one year ago on a whim, according to Sabrina Morgan-Hill, who has been serving as chairman of the UWPAA's Social Committee. 

"We thought our alums would enjoy getting together to socialize and trade good campus and workplace stories.  It all worked. Now it's a year later and people are still enjoying themselves and making new connections.  It's been a winning combination for the UWPAA," she enthused.

Other alumni serving on the Social Committee are Andrea Aikens, Peggy Karls, Steve Kratochvil, Nieka Wesley and Kim Wright-Wooten.

The next Alumni After Hours event is set for Thursday, Nov. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at the 20 & Oakes Bar and Grill in the Racine Marriott, located at 7111 Washington Ave. (at the intersection of Highway 20 and Oakes Road).

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ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 10/8/2012

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