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Alumni

Revitalized Chapter Program Reconnects Alumni

Alumni Board Outreach Committee bolsters chapter program.

Responding to a need for programs that interest alumni of all ages and help them stay connected to their alma mater, the SMU Alumni Board has revamped the chapter program.

“We’ve always had a chapter system, but based on alumni feedback, we decided to refocus to reach the large SMU community that doesn’t live in Dallas,” says Mindy Rowland, associate director of alumni
programming.

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Bill Vanderstraaten

“Several chapters were fairly successful, mostly due to initiatives by individuals. But we wanted to be more strategic about professional staffing and volunteers for each chapter,” explains Outreach Committee Chairman Bill Vanderstraaten (’82). “Rather than take an ad hoc approach, we felt it was very important to provide more structure so that all chapters are on the same page.”

The Outreach Committee targets areas with large alumni populations and sizeable numbers of students to draw parents as well. “We sent out a survey in January to key chapter cities, asking alumni which events they are interested in, what days are best for activities, if they were interested in volunteering and other general information, and we got a good response,” Rowland says.

A cornerstone of the re-emerging chapter program is an online chapter handbook, which was expanded and improved based on alumni input. “It gives them the framework for developing effective programs to engage alums in different stages of their lives,” Vanderstraaten says.

The “life stages” programming concept means that some activities will be geared for specific groups of alumni. “For example, our surveys indicate that people just out of school are interested in social events revolving around sporting events and networking opportunities, while those married with children appreciate family activities, as well as networking opportunities. And empty-nesters tend to have more cultural interests, like a lecture series,” Vanderstraaten explains. “And everyone shares a common interest in sports. Of course, all chapter events are open to all alumni and parents, regardless of life stage.”

So far, three out-of-town chapters have been organized and leaders are in place: Atlanta, headed by Kimberly Head Amos (’94); Houston, Benjamin Lavine (’98); and the San Francisco Bay Area, Michael McWhorter (’96). The Outreach Committee hopes to have chapters in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City organized by the end of the year.

“The chapter leaders are vital to pulling together chapter teams to plan and execute events that keep alums engaged with and informed about SMU,” Vanderstraaten says.

Alumni support is vital for the achievement of University goals, he says. “We want to increase participation from alumni in all parts of SMU life: volunteering, recruiting prospective students, annual giving and serving as ambassadors for the University in the community in every way.”

Working with the chapters is Lyndsey Hummert Hill (’05), the new assistant director of chapter programs. For more information, e-mail her at Lyndsey@smu.edu or call 214-768-ALUM (214-768-2586).

Alumni Board

Nominations for the 2009 SMU Alumni Board will be accepted through Dec. 31. Alumni may nominate fellow alumni or themselves. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 214-768-2586 or e-mail smualum@smu.edu.
CHAIR Connie Blass O’Neill (’77)


PAST CHAIR Marcus Malonson (’93)


MEMBERS John Bauer (’66), Robert Cabes Jr. (’91), Stephen Corley (’90), Jennifer Hazelwood Cronin (’94), Regina Davis (’04), Stephanie Mills Dowdall (’81), Andrea Zafer Evans (’88, ’06), Mary Lou Gibbons (’77), Kim Twining Hanrahan (’92), Stewart Henderson (’81), The Hon. Blackie Holmes (’57, ’59), Ruth Irwin Kupchynsky (’80), Doug Linneman (’99), David Lively (’94), Ken Malcolmson (’74), Tamara Marinkovic (’91), Charleen Brown McCulloch (’70), Ryan McMonagle (’00), Jamie McComiskey Moore (’85), Dennis Murphree (’69), Elizabeth Ortiz (’03), Mark Robertson (’85), David Rouse (’95), Scott Rozzell (’71), Lisa Holm Sabin (’78), Maria Sanchez (’06), Jeffrey Thrall (’71), Bill Vanderstraaten (’82), Tracy Ware (’95), Jeff Ziegler (’84)

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