Alumni and Undergraduate Social
(CHICAGO, IL) On Friday, May 29th, the Illinois Pride Alumni Network held our first in-person event with members and allies at the Center on Halsted located in the North Halsted neighborhood of Chicago. The Center on Halsted has been in operation for more than 40 years with a mission to advance community and secure the health and well-being of the LGBTQ people of Chicagoland and throughout the Midwest which aligns perfectly with I-PAN and was an appropriate fit for this kick-off event. The event featured opening remarks from Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, I-PAN President, followed by round robin introductions and social networking. “Our community is being told, in a hundred different ways, that we’re not welcome, that we don't belong, that our stories don't matter. And in that context, a network like this one is not a luxury. It is a necessity. We’re not just an alumni club. We’re a community of people who carry the name of a great public university — one that belongs to the people of Illinois — and we have a responsibility to use this platform,” shared Carson Wilson with the group. Chicago’s weather cooperated spectacularly as the group gathered on the Center’s 3rd floor rooftop with music provided by nighthawk, a duo of the Lakeside Pride Music Ensemble who plays deep house tracks with live sax and trumpet to accompany. Fittingly, the duo - Scott Malinowski and Mike Knepper - both attended Illinois. Attendees ranged in age and affiliation representing a broad reach for the I-PAN community. Representatives from the Suburban Illini Club, University of Illinois Alumni Association, and even Director of Alumni Clubs and Engagement, Tyler Gagai, were in attendance, demonstrating the deep support and strong reach that I-PAN has secured thus far across the Illini network. We look forward to creating more in-person events like this around the country with all our membership in the future and are currently in the works for an in-campus event this fall - stay tuned! CLICK HERE for more photos.