The Student Alumni Ambassadors and other registered student organizations are sponsoring the first ever Grad Week, a week of events to celebrate the graduating class of 2008.

“A lot of people wanted a senior week,” said Sarah Losh, junior in LAS and one of the Student Alumni Ambassadors who helped plan the events.

“So, we kind of ran with that idea and tailored it to our mission of connecting students with the University and collaborating with other RSOs on campus.”

Grad Week has been going on all this week and leads up to Grad Fest on May 10th, said Kevin Caron, junior in LAS and Student Alumni Ambassador who helped plan the week.

On Monday there was a free comedy show in Lincoln Hall Theater. Los Angeles comedian and Illinois alumnus Michael Kosta was expected to talk shortly about graduating from the University but then go into his comedy routine, Losh said.

The Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council co-sponsored a movie on the quad Tuesday night, Losh added.

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was shown and popcorn was to be provided, she said.

On Wednesday, Mike and Joe, a Chicago-area cover band, is scheduled to perform in Foellinger Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m., Losh said. Tickets are $3 in advance on the quad or $5 at the door, she continued.

“All proceeds from the concert are going directly into a scholarship fund, so it’s a way for students to give back to the University,” Losh said.

There will be free pizza at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 601 S. Lincoln Ave. in Urbana, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Losh said.

The ambassador programs from some of the colleges are co-sponsoring this event, said Kelly O’Neill, senior in AHS and a Student Alumni Ambassador.

“These events are for everyone to bring the campus together. It’s an alcohol alternative, and they are free and low cost events,” O’Neill said.

Grad Fest is May 10 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center, Caron said.

“All graduates and their families are invited to come, and there’s going to be a cookout-style lunch for them to come and just hang out with their friends and family,” she said.

Lunch will be $5 a plate and the Alumni Association has offered to provide free drinks and desserts for the graduates and their families.

The first 1,000 graduates in attendance will receive a free flash drive, he added. There is going to be a caricature artist and Illini Contraband is playing.

“I’m a senior, and I know I’m coming with my family,” O’Neill said. “Graduation weekend is hectic, so you can come here and sit with your family and friends for as long as you want.”

Caron, Losh and O’Neill said they are excited for the events and hope Grad Week will be successful this year. It will become an annual week of events to celebrate the seniors, O’Neill said.

“It’s kind of like students celebrating the accomplishments of other students,” O’Neill said. “We wanted to celebrate the graduates and welcome them to the alumni community.”

Calendar of events

• Monday< – Illinois alum Michael Kosta free comedy show, Lincoln Hall Theater, 7-9 p.m.
• Tuesday – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off movie on the Quad, 8-10 p.m.
• Wednesday – Mike and Joe concert, Foellinger Auditorium, 7-9 p.m.
• Thursday – free pizza, Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 3-5 p.m.
• May 10 – Grad Fest, Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 12-3 p.m.