Director's Letter

Your Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Affairs have had a busy summer, and we are energized to carry forward many new initiatives. At the June board meeting, the draft of the strategic plan was presented and approved. The association is grateful for the time and energy committed by the alumni who participated in three focus groups. Four themes emerged as central focal points as a result of the process: alumni outreach, chapter/affinity development, university relations, and student outreach. Specific strategies are being developed to tackle and assess these issues. As we move forward, we will be seeking new ways to engage alumni in the process of achieving these goals.

In May, we launched our new web portal, zPatriots.com. The response has been very favorable. Many of you have noted the value of the forwarding e-mail service, the convenience of having one centralized site to organize and conduct your Internet business, and the ability to enhance your connection to the university and support the Alumni Association. The new community-building tool is already enhancing communication and outreach for alumni chapters. Consider making zPatriots.com your start page, and be sure to register for your free zPatriots.com e-mail account.

Over the past few months, the Alumni Association has hosted events around the country with several other Virginia universities, including a trip to a Boston Pops concert, a New York City Harbor cruise, and, most recently, events in San Diego and Los Angeles. Local events have included a Potomac Cannons baseball game and a WNBA Mystics basketball game. Check out our website for information regarding upcoming events and other opportunities to get involved. We welcome your participation and input.

Christine Clark-Talley
Director, Alumni Affairs