It’s a sunny Saturday in May, and you’re dressed in a maroon robe listening to the names of your classmates being read aloud. Next thing you know, you’ve been handed your diploma. You’re officially a graduate of Elon University. You’re also officially an alumnus. But what does that mean?
Being an alumnus of Elon offers you many opportunities — ones you may be aware of, and ones that perhaps you haven’t heard about. For example, did you know that there are more than 20 active alumni clubs and chapters across the U.S. that host social, lifelong learning, networking, service and sporting events all year long — and that you can attend most of these events for free? Or did you know that the support of the Student Professional Development Center doesn’t end when you graduate — that this is a resource that is available to alumni for help finding a job, connecting to a mentor, and more? Elon continues to partner with, advocate for, and invest in its alumni on the same level as its students. It’s all about what opportunities you take advantage of, and how you choose to continue your involvement with your alma mater.
There are many ways to stay connected to Elon after you graduate. First and foremost — come back! This year the university opened the new Martin Alumni Center just for alumni. You can stop in for a visit any time that you’re back on campus, receive a goody bag full of Elon necessities — a parking pass (no one wants to get towed while walking around campus!), campus Wi-Fi login information, and more. If you’ve been gone for a while, volunteers are at the ready to give you a personalized tour of campus based on your experiences and involvement as an undergrad.
Getting involved on a deeper level is easy, too, and there are many opportunities.
- Join the Young Alumni Council (YAC). Dave Dziok ’05 and Britten Pund ’06 discuss YAC in the September 2013 column. YAC is one way the university strives to communicate and meaningfully engage with the large and ever-growing young alumni population, and the Council is always looking for new volunteers willing to help shape the young alumni experience for their peers. YAC will accept applications for the 2014-2015 year beginning this summer.
- Serve on your local chapter or club. Regional chapters and clubs offer something for everyone and are always looking for new volunteers to plan a variety of events, offer suggestions for meaningful programming and/or communicate regional opportunities with fellow alumni.
- Volunteer for your affinity group reunion. Many alumni will fondly recall their undergraduate years related to specific student organizations — a sorority or fraternity, service group, religious affiliations and/or other on-campus associations. Each year during Homecoming, affinity groups celebrate milestone anniversaries and rely on the support from alumni volunteers to shape the celebration. Visit the link above for a full list of organizations celebrating a reunion during Homecoming 2014.
- Support Elon athletics through the Phoenix Club. As you’ve probably heard, Elon is joining the Colonial Athletic Association in 2014, and alumni support is more important than ever. Join the Phoenix Club to support student scholarships and come out to local games when the Phoenix are on the road to cheer on the team! Contact the Phoenix Club for more information and additional volunteer opportunities.
- Other opportunities include volunteering for your class reunion, starting five years after graduation, and every 5th year after that; serving as an Elon Mentor and sharing your career experiences and advice with current students; or coming back to campus and speaking to a class or participating on an alumni panel, just to name a few.
Jennifer Hiltwine graduated from Elon University in 2009 with a BA in English. She currently manages a grants program at the Center for Innovative Technology in Herndon, Virginia and stays actively involved with Elon through the Young Alumni Council, the Washington, D.C. alumni chapter, and her 5th year class reunion committee.