On Friday, September 23, 2011, Hofstra University and the Alumni Organization hosted the Alumni Awards Dinner – unquestionably one of the highlights of the University’s event schedule and an amazing way to kick off the annual Fall Festival. With a filled ballroom at The Garden City Hotel, we honored nine individuals whose professional accomplishments and service to Hofstra University make them role models for all 120,000+ Hofstra alumni around the world.
We all have opportunities to be role models; in fact, you can visit hofstra.edu/alumni to view the listing of the more than 750 alumni volunteers who offered up their time this past year. These men and women came back to campus to speak with students, to review students’ resumes and help them hone their interviewing skills, or to help plan class and special interest group reunions for their fellow alumni. Away from campus, alumni helped recruit students, organize regional get-togethers and host receptions at their work sites. While volunteering gives alumni a feeling of connectivity to Hofstra, it also expands professional networks and opens doors to new business or personal opportunities. The possibilities are endless, and “service” need not require you to spend hours at Hofstra organizing or planning. The goal of volunteering is creating an experience that is both meaningful to you and helpful to the University community.
Throughout the past year, the Office for Alumni Affairs – in partnership with the Alumni Organization – has created better programming that allows for greater networking opportunities, and, as a result, we have seen an increased number of recent graduates attending events and volunteering within their alumni affinity groups. In fact, there are more networking opportunities for all alumni – through academic alumni associations like those of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business and the School of Communication, through regional events like the NYC Alumni Holiday Party, and through the celebration of special occasions like Alpha Theta Beta’s 75th Anniversary Weekend, just to name a few.
Additionally, this year the Alumni Organization has recognized the establishment of new alumni groups, including my own fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. Doing so increases alumni visibility among students and fosters lifelong bonds with Hofstra University.
I’m proud to report that alumni philanthropic giving to Hofstra increased this past year – both in terms of contributors and dollars raised. For national rankings, such as the rankings of U.S. News & World Report, the size of one’s gift is less important than the act of giving. It is so easy to make a secure contribution and/or to set up a monthly payment arrangement online at hofstra.edu/giving.
Through the expansion of social media, Hofstra alumni are connecting with each other more than ever. There are more than 200 Hofstra alumni-related groups on LinkedIn and Facebook. I urge you to join us at “Alumni of Hofstra University” on LinkedIn and “Hofstra University Alumni” on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter at #HofstraAlumni.
When news happens at Hofstra – whether it’s the announcement of a presidential debate, excitement over a successful athletic competition or the creation of a new academic program – we want to keep you informed. When you learn about the campus happenings and can relay them to relatives, neighbors or co-workers, you become a natural ambassador for Hofstra University. Please go to hofstra.edu/alumni to update your email address.
If you would like to become more involved, we can help. Alumni Organization volunteer leaders as well as members of the Alumni Affairs staff will be glad to meet with you to discuss the possibilities. Please contact the Office for Alumni Affairs at 516-463-6636 with any questions you may have.
I sincerely wish you and your families a happy, healthy and prosperous holiday season and a wonderful 2012.
Yours for Hofstra,
Frederick E. Davis, Jr. ’85
President, Hofstra University Alumni Organization
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