UMass Amherst Alumni Association
News
Looking Forward, Looking Back
As we mark the conclusion of FY09, I am pleased to say that your Alumni Association has succeeded in achieving its goals of promoting greater involvement and increasing awareness among both alumni and students about the value of UMass Amherst as an ongoing, lifetime resource. With the launch of MaroonCentral we have provided, as part of our e-service strategy, a social networking service that encourages communication and professional networking, as well as job postings and mentoring opportunities. The response has been very positive with hundreds of students and alumni registering monthly. Our e-service strategy is in response to a call from graduating students and young alumni looking for greater and better resources that are secure, fiscally responsible, and green.
Through our Career Connections program, we have provided a diverse menu of career-related networking opportunities, including the introduction of webinars. The events are well-attended and we’ve received requests for more of the same. We encourage our alumni to consider being involved as presenters or panel participants at these events, sharing your career and life-learned skills.
We have experienced so many wonderful alumni events this year! Most recently, it was a sincere pleasure to meet our alumni in DC and Cape Cod; thank you for your ideas for future alumni activities. This year’s celebration of the class of 1959 50th reunion demonstrated the special bond and shared memories of so many traditions long since passed, and is inspiration as we develop UMass Amherst traditions that current students will make their own. Homecoming Weekend in October is one tradition that continues and that we work to make bigger and more memorable each year.
In closing, it gives me great pleasure to welcome our new vice chancellor of development & alumni relations, Michael A. Leto, who comes to us from Central Michigan University, where he was vice president of development & alumni relations. Vice Chancellor Leto brings with him not only his experience at CMU, but from Indiana State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Saint Louis University and Indiana Institute of Technology. We are very excited to welcome him to campus as we note and celebrate the Alumni Association’s 135-year anniversary.
As always, thank you for your support, your letters, e-mails, telephone calls, ideas, and yes, the hugs – especially the hugs.
Sincerely,Anna Symington '76S, '79, '83G
Executive Director
UMass Amherst Alumni Association
annas@admin.umass.edu
