A Word from the President
Have you ever spotted Austin College alumni at a restaurant or other venue? Did your kids roll their eyes when you went over to speak with them? We cross that room to meet fellow ’Roos, confident in the welcome we will receive. Do you ever wish there were more opportunities to catch up with former classmates and old friends from Austin College?
Great strides have been made over recent years in providing opportunities for Austin College alumni to connect with each other. AlumNights continue to gain momentum and popularity. No longer do you have to come to North Texas to attend an alumni function. In the past year alone, 27 AlumNights were held in 23 cities. Graduates of the Last Decades (GOLD) alumni continue to meet, but are now joining AlumNights in many cities to take advantage of networking and mentoring opportunities with fellow alumni. Women Get Connected has a large following in the Texoma area, and gatherings are planned for other cities.
In the past year, alumni have moved to a new level of engagement. Last June, Austin College hosted the first Women in Philanthropy weekend; alumnae spanning seven decades gathered to trade stories and share ideas. Alumni participated this spring in mock interviews with students on campus in the first Career Readiness Check. An Alumni Discussion Group was piloted, with reading materials distributed in advance of the instructor-led webcast. “Letter Alumni” Associations (subgroups of the Alumni Association like the Choir “C” Alumni) continue to provide avenues for social and networking activities relating to the groups’ purposes. Associations exist for Athletics, Law, LGBT, Theatre, Education, and Choir. The “N” (nonprofit) association is under development now. Most of these groups have gatherings at Homecoming, and many have missions around scholarship, fundraising, and fellowship.
The Dallas Alumni Club came into existence in fall 2013, with several activities, including a kid-friendly picnic. Efforts are underway to get alumni clubs started in Austin and in Washington, D.C.
Of course, Homecoming remains the pinnacle alumni weekend. If you have not been to Homecoming in a while, a trip would be well worth your time. The Outback and the Big Tent are just two events that draw big crowds but many activities are offered; be confident that you will be welcome!
Sarah Gunderson ’81