U of M Places 5th in 2009 Solar Decathalon

Last month, the University of Minnesota contended in the first-ever international competition of its kind hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy – the 2009 Solar Decathlon! Just twenty college and university teams from across the world went to Washington D.C. to erect the solar houses that they have been working on since December of 2007. The U of M team took fifth! What an incredible and rewarding feat, especially for a first-time entry.

This international competition brings top colleges together not only to compete, but also to increase awareness and the science of solar-integrated housing – challenging students to "design, build, and operate" the most aesthetically pleasing and green solar-powered house.

Take a virtual tour of the house to see why the U of M’s Icon House is among one of the best in the world!

For more, check out these awesome videos:
Minnesota Daily Solar Decathalon Video
WCCO News Solar Decathalon Video

And read more on the U of M Solar Decathalon Web site:
http://www.solardecathlon.umn.edu/

-Dani

Allow me to introduce myself...

Hi everyone! My name is Dani Berry and I am the freshman admissions counselor for the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. I started this blog as a way to share with you some of the exciting things that are happening at the Institute of Technology (IT) and to give you an inside look at what it is like to be an IT student. On this blog, you'll find:

• Stories about IT students and alumni
• Important dates to remember for admission, housing, and more
• Great opportunities available to U of M students that will help you achieve your goals and dreams
• Insights about my experience as a former IT student

Before I sign off for today, I thought I would post this Q&A about myself so that you can get to know me a little better. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you, so I suppose it is only fair that I share some facts about myself, too!

Fun facts about me

Most memorable U of M experience: Going to football games and sitting with all of my fellow Gopher fans in the student section.

Favorite place to study: I loved studying in Walter Library because it's so beautiful--you can't get much more luxurious than goldleaf and hand-painted ceilings!

Favorite book: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Favorite music: Anything that gets my foot tapping from classic rock to country

Favorite movie: Children of Men

Favorite campus restaurant: Chick-fil-A in Coffman Memorial Union. I'm from the South, which is where this restaurant was started, so whenever I was homesick I would eat there!

Campus involvement: I served as president and vice president of Alpha Sigma Kappa-Women in Technical Studies. It is the first social sorority for women interested in mathematics, science, engineering and architecture and was started here at the U of M in 1989!

Pets: A Calico cat named Lila and a Jack Russell/Rat Terrier Mix, Sid Vicious

I hope you find this blog a great resource to learn about IT as your explore college options. Feel free to leave comments on the blog or contact me directly at berr0188@umn.edu.

I can't wait to hear from you!

-Dani