April 8 - Cocktails Anyone?  Bartending for the Home Entertainer

So your boss is coming over for drinks or you want to have a swank cocktail party...What do you need?  Learn the essentials of social entertaiment.  Cost is $10, which includes a take-home shaker.  MUST BE 21 TO PARTICIPATE.  IDs will be checked at the door.

Online registration is now open

Louis Room, Norris University Center, 8 p.m.

April 23 - Financial Planning for Those Who Feel They Have No Finances to Plan and Networking Event

Sure you have a great Northwestern education, but do you have a financial clue?  Soon after your time at NU, you'll be entering the real world.  With it, you'll face real bills.  But before you leave Evanston, get the money education you need to not only survive, but thrive in our new world economy.  At this educational yet entertaining event, you'll learn:

• How much debt sucks (your money away)
• How to create a successful savings profile
• The relationship of income and wealth
• Why IRA Roth is not your congressman
• How to make the right benefit choices
• Where to go from here with Total Candor's FIRST THINGS FIRST checklist

PLUS: GET A FREE COPY OF MICHAEL B. RUBIN'S EASY-READING (YES, IT'S POSSIBLE FOR A FINANCIAL BOOK) Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck

About the Speaker:An expert gifted in simplifying money matters, NU alum Michael B. Rubin (KSM99) is the founder of Total Candor (link to http://www.totalcandor.com) and the author of Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck.  Michael has appeared in various media, including Fox News Chicago, radio stations across the country, and national media such as CNN Money.com, latimes.com, The Wall Street Journal, SmartMoney.com, Financial Advisor Magazine, and Investment News.

 The networking portion of this event will highlight the services and opportunities the Northwestern Alumni Association provides for recent grads.  Network with representatives from various regional and national clubs and learn how recent alumni have benefited from NU Club membership.

Cost is $5 before 2/20/08 ($7 after 2/20/08), which includes appetizers.

Online registration is now open

McCormick Tribune Center Auditorium, 1870 Campus Drive, 6:30 p.m

May 13 - NU Day at Wrigley

A Northwestern favorite!  Don't miss your chance to take in a game at "the friendly confines" with 1,499 other Northwestern fans.  Make sure to wear your purple!  The game starts at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale at Norris in late April.

June 14 - Senior Week, Senior BBQ

Kick off Senior Week 2008 with free food!  Come mix and mingle with your classmates, meet the staff of the NAA, network with area young alumni, and get some food, all care of the Northwestern Alumni Association.  Registration available in the spring when Senior Week tickets go on sale.

John Evans Alumni Center, 1800 Sheridan Road, 4 p.m.

June 15 - Senior Week, Last Lecture Bar Night

Come enjoy a lecture the way they all should have been.  The Class of 2008's favorite professor will entertain with words of wisdom at the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville.  Then party like only the Class of 2008 can!  We've got the bar to ourselves all night!  Registration available in the spring when Seniro Week tickets go on sale.

Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison Street, Chicago, 8 p.m.

June 28 - July 16 - European Odyssey Tour

The Class of 2008 will have the unique opportunity to continue their graduation celebration across seven European countries in a tour spanning almost three weeks.  Travel to London, Paris, Brussels, the Rhine River Valley, Munich, Salzburg, the Austrian Alps, Venice, Florence and Rome.  The Greek portion includes a retreat on the Island of Poros and a tour of the Acropolis and the Parthenon in Athens.  Visit www.alumni.northwestern.edu/students for more information.

PAST EVENTS

October 19 - Senior Homecoming Party, Prairie Moon, 10 p.m. - Close

See pictures of the KICK-OFF to the 2008 Countdown to Commencement Series at Praire Moon.

For questions regarding Countdown to Commencement, contact Jeremy Wingerter at 847-467-4324 or j-wingerter@northwestern.edu.