Smokey has always been a loyal Vol, but he also loves to travel- to unusual places and meet interesting, new people. "Where in the World is Smokey?" is a contest designed to see just how many different places people in the UT community can take Smokey to visit.
The goal of the contest is to have some fun while focusing attention on the Ready for the World initiative. UT Knoxville faculty, staff, students and alumni are all invited to participate. Here’s how:
• Request a Where in the World is Smokey? T-shirt using the online form at http://www.utk.edu/readyfortheworld/smokey/index.php or call 974-5034.
• Wear the T-shirt and have someone take your -photo or make a video of you while you’re on your international or intercultural adventure. (Cell phone or digital camera videos are fine.)
• Upload the video to YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/) and then e-mail the video or the photo of yourself to Media and Internal Relations at utnews@utk.edu. Include your name and a description of where you are and what you’re doing. Your photo or video might then appear on the Ready for the World Web site as well as in other campus publications.
At the end of the semester, everyone who submitted a photo or video that was used on the Web will be entered into a drawing for a video camera.
"Initial response has been tremendous. Where in the World is Smokey? debuted Sept. 26 at the Study Abroad Fair. In the first week, we had more than 200 people sign up," said Amy Blakely, assistant director of Media Relations, working with the program.
"For example people have offered to take Smokey to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field in Chicago; on a Semester at Sea cruise; on their tropical honeymoon; and to various international meetings. We’re eager to see the photos and videos that arrive and read about the adventures they highlight.
"We’re pleased so many people want to participate in Where in the World is Smokey? and help us draw attention to Ready for the World."
Ready for the World: The International and Intercultural Awareness Initiative is designed to prepare students for working and competing in the 21st century world through increasing the diversity among our students, faculty and staff; altering the curriculum; encouraging faculty to incorporate international and intercultural aspects in all of their courses; expanding study abroad and work-study opportunities; and encouraging students to take advantage of all of these opportunities.
For more about Ready for the World, see http://www.utk.edu/readyfortheworld/.