Festivities at IU Northwest for IU Day, a celebration of all things IU across all campuses and around the world on April 19, took on a special RedHawk flavor.

From handing out IU cookies and stickers on campus, to filling social media feeds with festive photos and fun, our students, alumni and friends did an amazing job of spreading IU Northwest spirit.

Some facts about IU Day 2017 at IU Northwest:

• Nearly $2,500 was donated for student scholarships.
• IU Northwest donated one pair of gloves to the Gary Boys & Girls Club for each donation received.
• In addition, all IU Day donors were thanked for their generosity with their own pair of IU Northwest gloves.
• More than 40 students served as IU Day Ambassadors, spreading the great news about IU by volunteering at Spirit Stations around campus, where guests could celebrate IU Day with stickers, cookies and selfies. Students received sunglasses, headbands and buttons for sharing their selfies on social media.
• In recognition of how integrated IU Northwest is into the region, members of the IUNAA and IU Lakeshore Chapters served as IU Day Ambassadors by greeting hundreds of employees (including many IU Northwest grads), and members of the public, at several local hospitals with IU cheer and goodies. The participating hospitals were Methodist Hospital’s Northlake Campus in Gary, Methodist Hospital’s Southlake Campus in Merrillville, St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart and Community Hospital in Munster.
• Hundreds of folks stopped by all the Spirit Stations to chat about IU Northwest, make a donation or simply make new IU-loving friends.
• One of the highlights for IU Northwest was the Mascot Dance-Off, which had Rufus the RedHawk shaking his tail feathers in an impressive routine that earned him the second place title. The winner was decided by online voting.

“Although IU Day is over, the IU spirit feels stronger than ever. Thanks to an amazing group of students, alumni and community partners, for 24 hours, we were able to truly celebrate what it means to be a RedHawk,” said Jeri Pat Gabbert, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and External Affairs. “With our supporters’ generosity, hearts were warmed, and so were hands, through our glove donation to the Gary Boys and Girls Club.”