It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as president of the Alumni Council. I will end my term at the Spring 2001 Alumni Council meeting, and the presidency will be turned over to the capable hands of Robert Danziger '89 and the outstanding Executive Committee.
Before departing, I wanted to spend a few minutes sharing with you my thoughts on the important role alumni play in the life of the College.
I would encourage everyone to take an active role in alumni affairs at least once in your life. Get involved in your local alumni club. When asked to serve as a ReUnion class president or ReUnion coordinator, say “yes.” Also say “yes” to serving as a class representative to the Alumni Council, and take that commitment seriously. Out of the hundreds of class representatives, many appear for very few or no Council meetings. This is unfortunate, since we are now a very diverse group of alumni. I hate to see an important voice go unheard from a particular class or classes due to a lack of participation.
I also encourage new Council members to serve on one of the various standing committees. Participation ensures that the College will hear the concerns and ideas of alumni on such diverse topics as athletics, academics or student life, to name a few.
I would also encourage all alumni to come back to campus for ReUnion and Homecoming weekends, even if it is not your “year.” The campus has been enhanced by the several new buildings and improvements and has never looked better. The College Relations Office, under Vice President Tom Gutenberger, and the Alumni Relations Office, under the leadership of Nick Famulare '92, have pulled out all the stops to make these two weekends a really special time.
As always, your financial support of the College and its programs is strongly encouraged. We have had excellent support from the alumni, but we need to get over the fifty percent participation rate for the Annual Fund. With the support of all alumni, we can start the new millennium off on a good foot and propel Union to the level of national recognition and prominence it so richly deserves.
Louise Dunn '76