The Office of Alumni Relations is always looking for innovative ways to bring alumni closer together. And these days, one of the most exciting ways to do that is through the World Wide Web.
Thanks to the efforts of Steve Gorenbergh ’74 and Dick Calagiovanni ’70, G’99, a new Internet alumni outreach program–Electronic Class Newsletters–will soon be introduced.
mike prinzo
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"The alumni listserv has been a good way for many generations of alumni to discuss various topics related to SU," Gorenbergh says. "With individual class-year newsletters, alumni with common experiences and University memories will be able to exchange information more specific to them."
Pilot newsletters will be created for the classes of 1970 and 1975, both of which celebrate anniversary reunions this fall. A third newsletter, for the Class of 1974, will serve as a pilot for a class that recently celebrated a reunion.
Gorenbergh says the ’70 and ’75 newsletters will focus on 2000 Reunion and Homecoming activities, while the ’74 newsletter will present follow-up news from those who participated in Reunion ’99. "I was at the Class of ’74 Reunion, and collected many e-mail addresses," Gorenbergh says. "I will contact participants for news they’d like included in the newsletter, and encourage them to contact other alumni to do the same."
Ultimately the Office of Alumni Relations would like to have newsletters for every graduating class, with reunion news, personal news, photos, and individual listservs. "We welcome involvement from all classes," Gorenbergh says. "Eventually we’ll need alumni editors for each newsletter."
Gorenbergh and Calagiovanni have devoted a lot of time to this project, but feel it is a worthwhile endeavor. "I want to do all I can to maintain an ongoing sense of community with the people I spent four wonderful years with at SU," Gorenbergh says. "These electronic newsletters are sure to be a big part of that."
CHARTERED SPECIALTY CLUBS
First in a Series
Alumni clubs affiliated with Syracuse University fall within three general categories: U.S. regional, international, and special-interest clubs.
While the membership of regional and international clubs is primarily determined by geographic location, special-interest clubs bring together alumni who may have graduated from the same school or college, work in similar professions, or enjoy the same interests.
Among the 16 special-interest clubs affiliated with SU is Friends of Syracuse University (FSU), which for some 25 years has brought together African American and Latino alumni to interact with SU students and share their professional experiences, support scholarships for minority students, and create networking opportunities among members of FSU.
Founded in New York City, FSU has spawned chapters in Central New York, Georgia, Florida, and Washington, D.C., and its membership continues to grow.
FSU members are involved with the mentoring program at the New York City High School for Leadership and Public Service, which is affiliated with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. In conjunction with SU’s Office of Program Development, FSU created the Alumni Career Enhancement Series, which provides a forum for professionals at all levels to continue their career education, and established a resume bank for graduating students and alumni to support their careers.
"At its heart, FSU is about connecting," says Benjamin I. Green ’85, a former FSU president and longtime advisor to the club. "FSU keeps alumni connected with one another–as working professionals and friends–and connected with the University. It also connects recent graduates with experienced alumni, and prospective students with the University. Finally, it connects alumni of all ages with networking, training, and mentoring opportunities.
"Through FSU we help each other, and those who will follow," Green says. "We’re family."
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MISSING YEARBOOKS
Robert F. Dewey has been named executive director of operations at the University’s Joseph I. Lubin House in New York City.
He succeeds John C. Allen III, who retired after serving the University in various capacities the past 18 years.
"There is an outstanding program in place at Lubin House, and I am honored to become part of it," says Dewey, who had served as senior director of development for planned giving at Syracuse since 1993. "This is a challenging opportunity to play a leadership role in Syracuse University relations in metropolitan New York, and I look forward to it with enthusiasm."
In his new position, Dewey will oversee the administration and operation of Lubin House, work to heighten SU’s presence in New York City, and continue to develop Lubin House programs. |