The first anniversary of Howard L. Hawks Hall and the start of the 2018-19 academic year kick off with the sixth annual Back to School Bash, Friday, August 17, 2-4 p.m. New and returning students, parents, alumni, business partners, faculty and staff are invited to the Henrickson Family Atrium for live music, games, food and giveaways at the event sponsored by Sandhills Publishing. RSVP at https://business.unl.edu/bash.
 
“We hold the Back to School Bash each year to both celebrate our Nebraska Business community and welcome new students to Hawks Hall. It’s an opportunity to meet people, get acclimated to the building and interact with the faculty and dean in a relaxed setting,” said Laura Niles, external relations director for the college.
 
This year attendees can enjoy a Taste of Nebraska, featuring original Nebraska favorites such as Runza sandwiches, Valentino’s pizza, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Dairy Store ice cream and Kool-Aid — while supplies last. They can enter a raffle to win lunch with Dean Kathy Farrell, play carnival-style games, win Nebraska Business swag, and enjoy a photo booth and live music from the popular band Lemon Fresh Day.
 
Attendees also have the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art Hawks Hall, a 240,000-square-foot building that opened August 18, 2017, with a ribbon cutting ceremony with more than 900 in attendance, at 14th and Vine Streets.
 
“All of us at the College of Business want everyone to feel welcome and experience Hawks Hall as a home away from home. However, we also want them to remember and show pride for where they came from, so this year we added large maps in the atrium so all students, alumni and friends can mark their hometown, state or country. This is an event where you can meet and connect with faculty, staff, alumni and business partners – and know that you have friends to help you in the Nebraska Business community,” said Sheri Irwin-Gish, executive director of Communications, Marketing and External Relations.
 
Recent Nebraska Business graduate Angelica Carlini ’18, learned about all the connections firsthand. She recalled a series of events beginning at the Back to School Bash four years ago that ultimately helped launch her career.  
 
“It all started when I went to the Back to School Bash my first year of college, where I entered a raffle to win lunch with the dean and won! Through all my involvements in the college, I was featured in Nebraska Business magazine and was offered a job before I even graduated. Now I’m going to start my career, and it’s all because I made that decision to go to the Back to School Bash my freshman year. Don’t wait to make connections. There are so many opportunities at Nebraska Business, you just have to take advantage of them,” she said.
 
To learn more and RSVP for the Back to School Bash, visit: https://business.unl.edu/bash.  Published: July 12, 2018