UIC pride displayed for Student Alumni Ambassadors’ Spirit Week

Students will paint the windows in Student Center East this weekend to launch a week of events geared toward boosting UIC pride on campus.

Show your school pride during UIC Spirit Week, Saturday through Feb. 22.

The annual event, sponsored by the Student Alumni Ambassadors, kicks off with the Paint the Windows event Saturday and Sunday in Student Center East.

Paint the Windows attracts about 20 different organizations each year, with each student group decorating a window to represent their organization.

“UIC Spirit Week is meant to show who we are and what we’re here for,” said Guissell Galindo, public relations vice president of the Student Alumni Ambassadors. “UIC is seen as not having a lot of school spirit because of our large commuter community, but we want to change that.”

A different event will be hosted each day to increase school pride and morale through activities for students, employees alumni.

A new event, Cupcake Wars, debuts Feb. 18. Teams of student leaders will compete by decorating cupcakes to highlight UIC school spirit.

A popular event is “Hustle Up UH,” a scaled-down version of Chicago’s “Hustle Up the Hancock” event. Participants will race to the 28th floor of University Hall. Not only will they get a workout, but they will also raise money for the student scholarships at the Feb. 21 event.

The week ends with the “Circle Back, UIC Forward” celebration Feb. 22. The event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Circle Campus and will include a ribbon cutting re-enactment. Visit circleback.uic.edu for the complete schedule

Still need a reason to show up?

“Spirit Week offers students a great chance to network with UIC alumni as well — a great chance to bond over the experiences everyone’s shared on our great campus,” Galindo said. “And you get a free “I <3 UIC” shirt! Why not show up?”

UIC SPIRIT WEEK

• Paint the Windows, Feb. 14-15, SCE
• Kick-off reception, 4-6 p.m. Feb. 16, Montgomery Ward Gallery, SCE
• Spirit table, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 17, Pier Room, SCE
• Cupcake Wars, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 18, Cardinal Room, SCE
• Spirit booth, 7 p.m. Feb. 19, UIC Pavilion
• UIC pyrotechnics fire show, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 20, Inner Circle, SCE
• Hustle Up UH, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 21
• Circle Back, UIC Forward, Feb. 22