Office of Alumni Relations staff: Jodi Swartz, Becky Bramer '92 Deitrick and Susan Kreisher

Dear fellow alumni:

Thanks to those of you who have opened your doors and shared your ideas, thoughts, and suggestions with me this spring and summer. I am amazed by the number of alumni who tell their Susquehanna story proudly and remain so enthusiastic and thankful for the years spent on campus in Selinsgrove. I am also inspired by so many great ideas for events and points of connection that have come directly from conversations with you. Working with Susquehanna alumni makes my job rewarding and, honestly, a great deal of fun.

There are so many exciting things happening. Let me share several:

• New face in Alumni Relations. I am so pleased to announce that Susan Kreisher has joined the team as associate director of alumni relations and director of parent relations. Susan brings to Susquehanna a great ability to connect with folks. She impressed the search committee as being someone who is approachable, a good listener and very engaging – crucial skills for Susan’s three primary areas of responsibilities in her new position: working with parents, young alumni and current students. As you see Susan on campus or at regional events, be sure to give her a big welcome.

• Football Trip. How about taking a weekend trip to New England college football and fall colors? We’ve put together a weekend getaway that will serve as an introduction to a school in our new football conference, the Liberty League. We aim to fill a few buses with alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends for travel to Worcester, Mass. (Nov. 1-3), and we look forward to joining alumni and friends in that area for football tailgating. Help support the team at one of its longest road trips – and help Susquehanna make a great first impression with our new friends at WPI. For additional information, click here.

• Regional Programs. Pittsburgh, Pa., is the first area in which alumni are forging a new partnership with the Alumni Relations Office that will set a standard for increased flexibility and alumni-driven programming. Many thanks to Aaron Bilger ’91, Kaycee Palko ’99, and Valerie Bodam-Franks ’02, who are taking the initial steps to start what will hopefully be a very active regional chapter. If you are an alum in Pittsburgh, more information is coming your way soon! And, in the next 12 months, we also aim to launch regional chapters in Washington, D.C., and New York City, with opportunities for additional regional groups to follow. If you would like more information about how to become involved in developing alumni programming in your area, please contact me at deitrick@susqu.edu or 570-372-4516.

• Student Recruitment. Recruitment of students to universities like ours is more competitive than ever. Alumni (as well as parents and current students) know Susquehanna best, and can speak to prospective students and their parents in ways that convey the Susquehanna experience with passion and authenticity. Thanks to alumni and parent volunteers with the Alumni-Parent Admissions Network (APAN), who helped us recruit an extraordinary incoming class. A new partnership between the Office of Admissions and the Office of Alumni Relations looks to make APAN even more effective. Representatives from the two offices traveled this summer to connect with APAN members, providing opportunities for us to introduce, train, and thank existing volunteers, as well as welcome new members. To learn how you can channel your enthusiasm for Susquehanna into this important recruitment program, please contact Angela Auman ’03 Motto, assistant director of admissions and APAN coordinator, at motto@susqu.edu or 570-372-4051.

• Save the Date. March 7th, 2008, is a date to put on your calendar. There is more to follow on this one, but for now: plan to be in New York City for an extraordinary evening!

• Alumni Award Winners. You’ll want to be back on campus October 5-7 for Homecoming Reunion Weekend 2007. Click here for a list of the weekend’s activities.
One new component to the celebration is the Alumni Awards Banquet, at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 7. Plan on attending this event that will close the event and allow us will allow us to recognize and celebrate seven alumni award recipients. The alumni award winners for 2007 are: for achievement, Marla McNally ’79; for leadership, Joseph “Jay” Snyder ’64 and Pamela Gehron ’74 Robey; for service, Warren Herrold ’41 and Stephie Moore ’60; and in the young alumni category, Jayanthi “Jay” Wolf ’96 and Peter de Mets ’93. Profiles of four of the recipients appear in this issue; the remaining three will be featured in the fall issue of Susquehanna Today.

I’m looking forward to a great year. Keep those ideas coming, and I hope to see you.

Sincerely,
Becky Bramer ’92 Deitrick P’11

 

Annual Alumni Meeting The Susquehanna University Alumni Association will hold its annual meeting and election during Homecoming Reunion Weekend 2007 on Saturday, October 6, at 10:30 a.m. in Isaacs Auditorium, Seibert Hall. All Susquehanna University alumni are invited to attend this meeting. The nominees are: For one-year terms as officers of the Alumni Association: President Jennifer Rojek '99 - Timonium, Md. First Vice President Jeffrey Morgan '82 - Crownsville, Md. Second Vice President Keith Costello '73 - Palmyra, Pa. Secretary Dee Wesner '81 - Dauphin, Pa. Treasurer Leonard Ebel '96 - Mount Wolf, Pa. For three-year terms as members-at-large to the Alumni Association Executive Board: Jenna Fredericks '06 - Selinsgrove, Pa. Luke Eddinger '00 - New Haven, Conn. Linda Kline Bugden '72 - Harrisburg, Pa. PUBLIC NOTICE PROPOSED REVISION TO SUSUEHANNA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS Changes to the Constitution and By-Laws will be presented for action at the annual meeting of the Alumni Association to be held on October 6, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., in Isaacs Auditorium, Seibert Hall. The proposed changes (1) conform language to the university’s change in its governing body from a Board of Directors to a Board of Trustees; (2) provide for such officers (in addition to the president and vice president) as the Executive Board determines; (3) provide for emeritus members of the Executive Board; (4) provide a new name for the committee to act between meetings of the Executive Board; (5) add flexibility in designating committees of the association; (6) recognize the importance of electronic communication through the Web and provide for its use in giving notice with respect to various Association business; (7) conform the bylaws to changes in the constitution; and (8) make a number of minor editorial corrections. Complete details are available here. Those without electronic access may obtain a copy by calling the Alumni Office at 570-372-4115.