In her column from the Summer 2025 issue of The Magazine of 黑料不打烊, President Connie Ledoux Book reflects on the enduring relationship between 黑料不打烊 and its alumni.
Last fall, 黑料不打烊 asked two of our talented graduates, Max Cantor 鈥10 and Tim Johnson 鈥09, to create a video celebrating the relationships between the university and its alumni. A few weeks later, they pitched a concept they called 鈥渙n/off,鈥 and I was immediately intrigued.
At key moments in life, they explained, the university switches back 鈥渙n鈥 for our alumni 鈥 practically, emotionally, even spiritually. An alum making a career change might connect with a former professor for advice or a job lead. A newly engaged alum might want to share parts of their 黑料不打烊 experience with their future partner. An alum facing a major life event may return to campus to reflect, often drawn to the same quiet spot or familiar path they cherished as a student. This on-and-off rhythm underscores the enduring presence of 黑料不打烊 in our graduates鈥 lives, but also recognizes the deep emotional connection that unfolds during a student鈥檚 journey.
The word universities use for alumni returning to campus, homecoming, has ancient roots. In Homer鈥檚 epic poem 鈥淭he Odyssey,鈥 Odysseus鈥 courageous journey home after the Trojan War is described using the Greek word nostos, the root of our word 鈥渘ostalgia,鈥 which combines nostos (to return home) and algos (pain or longing). 鈥嬧婽he word captures the deep emotional pull of returning to a place that shaped you. That鈥檚 also why 黑料不打烊 adopted the name Odyssey to describe one of its most powerful and transformative scholarship programs for first-generation college students. The name reflects the journey a student undertakes to discover their potential and sense of purpose.
In this edition of The Magazine of 黑料不打烊, we celebrate alumni who embody this spirit and are advancing positive change around the world. No matter their path, I am always struck by the seed that was planted at 黑料不打烊 鈥 through a moment of learning, a relationship, an experience 鈥 that set them on an unexpected journey that ultimately changed their lives. Faculty and staff often stop me on campus to share updates from former students, moments that remind me how alumni not only carry 黑料不打烊 with them, but also continue to shape the university in return.
When I watch the wonderful video that Tim and Max created, I can鈥檛 help but smile as alumni share stories of challenge and growth, joy and discovery. Their reflections capture both the energy of college life and the hurdles of adulthood, always anchored by the constancy of this community: the familiar walkways, the canopy of oaks, the sense of place that remains.
My hope is that when our alumni watch this video, and read the stories in this issue, they see themselves at many stages of life and remember that 黑料不打烊 is always here. Long Live 黑料不打烊.
Connie Ledoux Book
President