We all have great intentions of getting together with college friends but time slips by, professional obligations and family responsibilities require our time…you know how it is. The Illinois State College of Business Alumni Network (COBAN) can help.Step 1 – Quickly find former classmates.If the contact information you have for a fellow graduate is out-of-date, use the free Find-a-Friend service offered by Alumni Relations http://www.alumni.ilstu.edu/connect/findfriend_form.shtml. At that same site you’ll also find the online Illinois State University Alumni Directory.Step 2 – Make a DateWe have two upcoming opportunities where you can network with friends and fellow COB alumni.April 1st – 2:00 p.m.Braden Auditorium, Bone Student CenterJim Tyree, Chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial will talk about the 4 cornerstones of business and personal success as the keynote speaker for Business Week 2009.  Mr. Tyree and the Business Week 2009 Team are hosts for a 3 p.m. networking reception in Old Main immediately following the keynote presentation. The afternoon events are sponsored by Mesirow Financial.Register online at www.illinoisstatealumni.org/ccon/events.do by choosing the calender for April. Or ou may also call Alumni Relations at (800) 366-4478, or register by e-mail natread@ilstu.edu by March 27.April 30th  – 4:30-6:30 p.m.Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel, 540 North Michigan AvenueJoin COB leaders, alumni and industry partners for a Chicagoland after-hours networking reception. This event is sponsored by State Farm and Nicor Gas.Register online at www.illinoisstatealumni.org/ccon/events.do by choosing the calender for April. Or  you may also call Alumni Relations at (800) 366-4478, or register by e-mail natread@ilstu.edu by April 27.If you need special accommodation to fully participate in these events, please call Alumni Relations at (800) 366-4478.Make sure you receive future COBAN and COB communications by updating your contact information at https://www.illinoisstatealumni.org/ccon/my_profile.do.You can communicate directly with other COBAN members through the online professional networking service LinkedIn. It just takes a few moments to create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. There is no fee for the basic service. Use the following link http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/130547 to join the Illinois State University College of Business Alumni Network.If you have questions about COBAN or would like to opt out of future communications, contact Amy Humphreys, Assistant to the Dean for Constituent Relations alhumph@ilstu.edu.