What will 2008 hold for EMU alumni chapters? “One need only to look back at the past year to see examples of all the ways that their spirit, involvement and hard work have been paying off,” said Ken Ruppel, assistant director for alumni relations. “When alumni with similar interests or professional goals connect through chapters, great things happen.” Here is a summary of 2007 accomplishments:

Student outreach
Making a difference through outreach, National Capital Alumni Chapter volunteers helped to recruit new students at area high school college fairs in Washington, D.C. “Alumni tell our story, which makes a positive impact on decisions by prospective students,” said Tom Borg (’79), Alumni Association Board member and coordinator of the Alumni Admissions Recruitment Team (AART). Chapters also actively supported current students through such events as the Historic Preservation Alumni Chapter’s new student welcome at Sherzer Observatory, the Scholar Athlete Award Dinner sponsored by the E-Club Alumni Chapter, the Greek Awards Ceremony sponsored by the Greek Alumni Chapter and the Black Alumni Chapter’s presentation of “Young and Successful under 30” program and ongoing student mentoring at the Undergraduate Symposium.

“Now is a great time to become an active member of one of our alumni chapters,” said Eric Brown, EMU Alumni Association president-elect. “There are many benefits to alumni, and it feels good to give back to EMU.”

Events/alumni outreach
Alumni chapters hosted more than 34 events, engaging alumni at small dinners throughout Arizona, golf outings at Eagle Crest Golf Course, educational and awareness programs on EMU’s campus and football viewing parties in Washington, D.C., and California. Chapters continued to prove that events not only connect people, but impact and improve lives.

“Our chapter events allow employers, graduates and faculty to connect, promoting employment and internship opportunities for EMU students,” said Jeff Humes (’04), Accounting Alumni Chapter president. Tamara Click (’03), president of the Historic Preservation Alumni Chapter, added: “Our alumni provide current students with advice and supplemental education, while alumni benefit from the affordably priced sessions.”

Many chapters also held Homecoming events. “Our afterglow cabaret featured alumni singing, dancing, comedy and magic, serving as the perfect post-game celebration to round out Homecoming week,” said Pat Barry (’71, ’73), Communication and Theatre Arts Alumni Chapter president and Alumni Association Board member.

The Office for Alumni Relations collaborated with the Black Alumni Chapter to sponsor an event at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. This event earned EMU the Bronze Award for “Best Diversity Program” from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Scholarships
EMU alumni chapters have a long history of giving back to students, said Darryl Sczepanski, the EMU Foundation’s executive director and vice president for advancement. Last year marked continued growth in student scholarship aid – in no small part due to chapter fundraising efforts. The Construction Management Alumni Chapter led the way in chapter scholarships; six students received aid from its Dr. John Weeks endowment last fall.

The Latino, Historic Preservation and Greek Alumni chapters also supported or awarded scholarships. And the Communication and Theatre Arts Alumni Chapter was instrumental in creating the P. George Bird Endowed Scholarship and raising more than $10,000 for it. Of course, all EMU chapters share pride in the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, which grew more than 6 percent last year.