There are some ups and downs to receiving a singing valentine. If you happen to be absent in class, the professor will definitely notice. If you’re there, you may be embarrassed, but at least you know you’re loved.

Nathan Hemken was absent Thursday morning.

As a way to have fun with him, “Gina” sent Hemken, senior in agricultural business, a singing valentine after obtaining permission from his professor, Tom Brumm, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering. Brumm, who was teaching Agricultural Science Technology 362, readily agreed.

“I appreciated that they came and got permission before just showing up in class,” Brumm said. “I thought it was a great idea and a little levity in the classroom is always helpful.”

After a distraction from construction workers while warming up in a hallway, the quartet went into 1810 Gilman Hall and asked Nathan wave, only to find he wasn’t there. The students and Brumm asked the quartet to sing anyway. They sang “Earth Angel” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” and left after a brief round of applause.

Heath Munson, sophomore in psychology, said this was his first year as a singing valentine.

“The fact that it was a roomful of guys was a little unnerving, but it was good to see the professor be so helpful,” Munson said.

James Rodde, director of the Iowa State Singers and professor of music, said the student officers take care of almost everything. He helps them rehearse the songs.

“[The Iowa State Singers] have been doing [singing valentines] for a number of years,” said Elizabeth Dahlstrom, junior in agricultural nutritional science. “They have been a fund-raiser since they started, but they were quite fun, so we keep doing them.”

Dahlstrom, one of the coordinators for singing valentines, said people anywhere in Ames can buy one.

“Last year someone proposed to their girlfriend after my quartet sang for her,” Dahlstrom said. “This is a pretty successful program — we have 30 singing valentines for Friday.”

Valentines are being sold in Music Hall until noon Friday to be delivered Saturday. The cost is $10.