COLUMBIA CONNECTIONS CONTINUED [ 3 OF 3 ]

Reunion Enhancements

Young Alumni Homecoming, held last October on Furnald Lawn, has become a popular event at which to meet and mingle. PHOTO: TIMOTHY P. CROSS

Attracting only 10–12 percent of reunion alumni in any year was persuasive proof that a golden opportunity for alumni to connect with one another and the College was being squandered. Applying Columbia Connections resources to the program enables the College to offer a more interesting and ambitious reunion experience. The results have been encouraging, with reunion attendance increasing by 20 percent across a two-year period.

This year’s addition of a young alumni party, which drew more than 1,400 alumni and guests, supports our view that appealing events, properly publicized, will attract previously unheard of numbers of College alumni to reunion weekend.

National and International Programs

Nick Serwer '78 is flanked in Singapore by Derek Wittner '65 (left), executive director of alumni affairs and development, and Ken Catandella, director of alumni affairs. PHOTO: KATHRYN WITTNER

Connecting alumni is not a New York-only effort. As greater numbers of our graduates come from areas outside metropolitan New York or move from New York after graduation, the College must meet the needs of alumni where they live. The Columbia Connections plan resulted in a series of events last year in Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Singapore and Hong Kong, with more to come this year. In addition to social occasions such as receptions at sporting events (yes, our basketball team played mighty UCLA last year!), activities have brought together incoming students and current students at advising sessions, as well as new parents, current parents, alumni interviewers and administrators to talk about life at the College. Visits by Dean Quigley and Dean of Student Affairs Chris Colombo, as well as admissions and alumni relations staffs, to Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles demonstrated the enthusiasm with which a national program is being greeted. Forays to Asia by Colombo, members of his staff and the alumni relations staff were warmly welcomed by local alumni, parents and students.

Dean of Studen Affairs Chris Columbo met with incoming first-year students in Hong Kong in June. PHOTO: KEN CATANDELLA

“College Days” programs are planned for Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Los Angeles this year. Building on the concept of the popular Dean’s Day in New York, these events will add to the academic component a time for local students, parents and alumni recruitment committee members to join the festivities and to make the day a true College community experience.

The growth of these programs will require a sustained effort designed to develop new, or enhance and support existing, local alumni activities.

Outreach Programs

College officials (front row, from left) Derek Wittner '65, Kathryn Wittner, Ken Catandella and Chris Colombo dined in Hong Kong in July with (second row, from left) George So, Allan Aw, Chan Ho Fung, John Chee '68, Helen Lin, Christopher Cheng, Edith Shih, Bob Chiu and Florence Deng.

Supporting alumni groups is a central objective of the Columbia Connections initiative. The Asian Columbia Alumni Association, Black Alumni Council and Latino Alumni Association are effectively connecting alumni through a variety of programs.

Black Homecoming drew enthusiastic alumni to Low Library last year, and plans are under way to expand activities this year. Asian alumni are holding a black-tie scholarship dinner this fall to raise money for financial aid. Latino alumni sponsor El Regreso (a successful homecoming event), mentoring sessions for undergraduates and monthly social activities.

Supplementing these activities with newsletters and electronic communications that deliver news and calendars of scheduled events will involve greater numbers of alumni. Further supporting these groups is an objective the Alumni Association board hopes to accomplish through its direct link to alumni groups.

Columbia College Women has greatly expanded its agenda as well, with its activities culminating in an annual Alumna Achievement Award. Holding a series of networking nights, CCW also reaches out to graduating senior women to provide mentoring opportunities.

Print Communications

At the core of any effort to connect people is the ability to communicate with them, and to do so consistently and regularly. Columbia College Today has served for many years as the principal means for alumni to hear about the College. The Connections program made possible increasing its publication, first to four issues a year and then, in the past year, to six issues. In addition, CCT is available online.

Share your thoughts

Columbia Connections represents a significant departure for the College. It is a work in progress and will be successful only if it responds to the needs of our alumni and students. While surveys may have helped to shape our initial thinking, experience will enliven and renew it. Therefore, we need your help: You can write, call or e-mail the Alumni Office or members of the alumni board with ideas, thoughts and suggestions. Contact information is available online or by calling our toll-free number 866-CCALUMNI.

We look forward to your involvement in the future of the College.

Derek A. Wittner '65 is the executive director of Columbia College's Office of Alumni Affairs and Development.

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