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Holiday Greetings from the Office of Alumni Affairs and a Hearty Thank You!

As we prepare to close the book on 2016, warm Holiday Greetings and thank you to W&L’s marvelous and loyal alumni. Your Association offers these highlights since June 30 as we strive to serve you.

AlumniOfc2015_web-800x533 Holiday Greetings from the Office of Alumni AffairsHappy Holidays from Alumni Affairs. Front row, from l. to r.: Kelly Martone, Molly Myers and Rosa Weeks. Back row, l. to r.: Tom Lovell ’91, Mary Webster, Sue Woodruff and Beau Dudley 74, 79L.

Strategic Plan

  • The alumni board and the campus office are great partners implementing Alumni 2020.

Chapter and External Programming

  • Over 600 volunteers make the chapters run successfully — Thanks!
  • We are actively supporting 78 chapters stage hundreds of events with increasing variety. Just over 80 percent of our alumni live in chapters rated healthy by specific metrics, thus sustaining the goal set by the Alumni Board in 2010. Numerous faculty, staff, coaches and administrators have visited.
  • The friendly competition of the Chapter Colonnade Challenge (C3) is generating chapter networking events (up significantly), community service and cultural activities (including a Boston Pops Holiday concert).
  • Our largest chapters in D.C. and Atlanta continue their diversity and inclusion efforts. Both have added a multicultural seat on the chapter board.
  • We sponsored a solid Chapter Leadership Conference with representatives from 17 chapters. A competition to create the most distinctive new event was won by Cumberland Valley, Maryland.
  • Welcome to the City events for 2016 grads in 19 chapters, up from seven just two years ago.

On-Campus Programming      

  • Another very successful Alumni Weekend in May for classes celebrating their 15th through 50th reunions. It was a banner year in attendance and giving, substantive programming and high-quality social events.
  • Young Alumni Weekend Oct. 21-22 saw record-breaking attendance, highlighted by the 5th and 10th class reunions. Over 200 undergraduate seniors joined the festivities Saturday night.
  • Multicultural events were successful during Alumni Weekend and Young Alumni Weekend.
  • We partnered with University Advancement to implement a multi-pronged approach to engage young alumni, including social media, the importance of giving, a new leadership giving plan and building class unity.
  • The Five Star Festival for those beyond their 50th reunions included the first ever 65th reunion, by the class of 1951!
  • Partnered with Athletics to sponsor the Hall of Fame ceremony; five stellar former athletes were tapped.

Campus Connections

  • Our alumni leaders-in-training group, Kathekon, is thriving and productive. They hosted a sentimental farewell party for President Ken Ruscio at The Village, the new housing for third-year student, on Dec. 6.
  • We launched a new, mobile-friendly Alumni Affairs website!
  • Substantial improvements to the speed and utility of Colonnade Connections, including social media sign on.

What’s Coming Up in 1Q 2017?

  • We are excited to bring W&L’s new president Will Dudley to a number of chapters.
  • As this communication arrives, we have launched registration for Black Alumni Reunion 2017 for March 3-4.
  • Richmond, Dallas and New York Chapters will stage local Fancy Dress

We are fortunate to work joyfully for this great institution. You make it easy by coming back, giving, volunteering, promoting W&L locally, living lives of integrity, and contributing to your communities.  We wish you a wonderful holiday and many blessings in 2017.  GO GENERALS!