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The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Office of Alumni Engagement recently released the Alumni Impact Report for the 2019-20 fiscal year. See the full report below:

This past year started off as a typical school year and quickly turned into something none of us could have expected. The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ community adapted to changes while maintaining strong ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ connections and support for students who will go on to provide the dynamic leadership our world needs now more than ever, as we face challenges including a global pandemic and the injustices of racism.

Throughout the year, alumni from across the globe made an impact by acting as partners, advocates and investors for ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ. Below are just some of the ways ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni exemplified their impact in the 19-20 fiscal year.

Last fall, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni showed that ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ connections are truly lifelong. Nearly 7,000 alumni engaged with each other and ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ on campus and across the country through regional chapter events, Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, athletic events, and ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ LEADS Campaign regional events.

Alumni actively participated in our four affinity networks including the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Black Alumni Network (EBAN), the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Latinx/Hispanic Alumni Network (ELHAN), the LGBTQIA Alumni Network, and the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Jewish Alumni Network (EJAN). Led by alumni and supported by staff, these groups are continuously growing and empowering both students and alumni who share common identities, passions and connections.

This year, close to 2,100 alumni volunteered in various ways including leadership roles for affinity networks. Over 500 individuals donated to the EBAN scholarship, which helps make an ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ education available to deserving Black students.

This year marked the launch of , a professional networking platform dedicated to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni. Hundreds of alumni logged on to find a mentor, search for jobs, expand their networks and more. This important new resource will continue to serve the alumni network and extended ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ family. In addition, over 1,400 alumni participated in 20 professional development webinars this past year.

Over 7,000 alumni made a gift this year, all of which count toward the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ LEADS Campaign and help improve ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s national rankings, strengthening the value of an ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ degree. Additionally, 140 regional volunteers helped pull off successful regional events attended by over 2,600 attendees to help support the launch of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ LEADS. 

On ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Day, over 6,100 gifts were made to help reach a record-breaking $2.5 million to enhance the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ student experience.

Soon after ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Day, COVID-19 took hold of our country. The ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ community pulled together in this time of crisis, in part by supporting the Chaplain’s Fund, which helps members of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ community facing unforeseen hardships. A new fund, Students First, was created to support students whose families are facing economic hardship due to the pandemic.

Facing new challenges can also bring new opportunities. Together, we welcomed Lifelong Connections, a new website dedicated to providing alumni with resources during the pandemic. Curated from alumni, these resources can help support mental and physical wellness, assist alumni parents with remote learning, and include a listing of alumni-owned businesses to support. Additionally, many alumni participated in a variety of virtual events, including ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Jeopardy, conversations with President Connie Book, webinars and College Coffee.

The Alumni in Action series was developed to highlight the extraordinary work alumni are doing across the nation and the world to help fight COVID-19.

While the year did not end as anyone could have expected, the Office of Alumni Engagement is ready to navigate the road ahead alongside the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ community. Whether it is in person or on campus, in another city across the world or in a virtual room, what makes the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ community special is collective strength, commitment and generosity.