Alumni Insider | November 24, 2010
Reunion/Homecoming 2010
A hugely successful Reunion/Homecoming 2010... Our tagline for this year's combined event was "Everybody's Coming Back" - and you did! Thanks so much to the more than 800 alumni who joined us from September 24-26 for an action-packed (and alumni-packed) weekend. See photos here.
Friday, the first day of Reunion/Homecoming, appropriately featured the Class of '60; their 50th Reunion began with a special brunch hosted by President Helm. That night, the Class mingled in a hospitality room in Seegers Union, and some ate in the gorgeous new campus restaurant - recently named the "Ilene and Bob Wood Dining Commons" to honor Muhlenberg's long-standing relationship with the M.W. Wood Company.
Also on Friday night, The Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Society (HMMS) and Circle of 1848 recognition dinner highlighted how the support of alumni, parents and friends affects students in meaningful ways. Later that evening, alumni, faculty, staff and students gathered together in Parents Plaza (the area just in front of Seegers Union) to hear several of the College's a cappella groups perform.
As is Reunion tradition, Saturday started early with bird watching (also known by the cooler name of "birding"). Special guest speaker Michael Pocalyko '76, accompanied by his father Walter '50, addressed Heritage Alumni (those alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago) and others, examining the history of Muhlenberg as it relates to World War II. This well-received session was followed by President Helm's State of the College address, which drew a standing-room only crowd and featured a question and answer session. The Class Recognition Luncheon in the Celebration Tent recognized each reunion class for their fundraising successes and ended with the first-ever alumni and student organization procession from the tent to the Homecoming football game. (The Mules kept it a nail-biter, beating Gettysburg in overtime, 33-27.)
Saturday afternoon featured myriad events on campus, including special receptions for alumni of Theatre, Dance and Music, Wescoe School, Psychology and Media & Communications, as well as Multicultural students/alumni and receptions for many Greek organizations. The annual Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony honored those who have made a special contribution to the life of Muhlenberg College. Honored this year were: J. Ralph Borneman, Jr. '60, Deborah Schneider '77, Rudolph Favocci, Jr. '79, P'12, Dr. Alfred Nicolosi '80, Kent Dyer P'07, P'10 and William Raines '49.
In the evening, alumni were reintroduced to the former Garden Room, now transformed into the Light Lounge and Event Space. Mules spanning several generations gathered for a cocktail reception before heading to one of the ten class-specific reunion dinners or the dinner for non-reunion year alumni. Topping off the evening was an All-Alumni Dance Party and karaoke (plus a little impromptu dancing!) in Parents Plaza.
Sunday's highlights included a chapel service organized by the Class of '60 that featured three pastors from the class who delivered homilies, and the debut of the Alumni Choir, which had been rehearsing during the weekend. After chapel, deceased classmates were honored at a special remembrance ceremony that included a moving rendition of the alma mater by the Alumni Choir. A farewell brunch hosted by the Class of '60 allowed alumni to join for one last Reunion event before heading away from Muhlenberg to their other homes.
Want to see what you missed or relive the great time you had? Be sure to mark your calendars for Reunion/Homecoming 2011: Sept. 16-18, 2011. Do you have reunion memories - from this one or others - that you'd like to share? Let us know at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu.
Alumni Board
An enthusiastic and motivated Alumni Board... The Alumni Board has met twice, September 11 and November 13, and welcomed new members Bruce Albright '74; Anna Marie Licenziato-Fanelli '83; Jenifer Martin Gilio '98; Alison Mitchell '07; and Christopher Rogers '01. Save the date: February 26 is an open meeting for those interested in being elected to the Alumni Board. More details to follow in the December Insider.
A main focus of the Alumni Board this year will be implementation of the recommendations made by the Alumni Governance Ad Hoc Committee and approved by the Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees at their April 2010 meeting. This committee was established in August 2009 to review the structure and governance of the Alumni Board. Established by Board of Trustees Chair Rich Brueckner '71, P'04, P'10, the ad hoc committee was chaired by trustee Tammy L. Bormann '83, and included several trustees who either have served as president or were otherwise significantly involved in the Alumni Board.
To begin working on the implementation of the recommendations, ad hoc committees were formed, including: New Member Orientation, Undergraduate, Development, Bylaw Revision and Document Revision. These special committees are being overseen by Alumni Board Vice President Michael Krouse '84 and Treasurer Jen McKee '02.
Have something you'd like to ask or tell the Alumni Board? Let us know at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu and we'll pass it along!
Regional Events
Well-attended and fun regional alumni events... Alumni, parents and friends have been turning out in large numbers to recent regional events; a huge "thank you" to our regional club leaders for their help in planning and hosting these get-togethers.
On October 13, the New York City Regional Alumni Club welcomed Dean of Students Karen Green and Public Relations Vice President Mike Bruckner to an event in Times Square; more than 50 alumni came out to celebrate these two special guests and have a fun time with their classmates. In Freeport, Maine, 45 alumni and parents joined President Randy Helm and his wife Pat Helm for brunch at the Harraseeket Inn. The Lehigh Valley Regional Alumni Club, which is hosting events almost monthly, drew a capacity crowd on November 17 for its "Ancient Voices" lecture with Professor Chip Gruen that examined the Trexler Library's fascinating papyrus collection.
Are you interested in attending, planning or hosting an alumni event in your regional area? Contact us at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu to see what options are available.
Work for 'Berg!
Alumni who want to work for their alma mater... Are you a talented professional? (Of course you are - you went to Muhlenberg!) Have you considered making a difference by working for the College? Exciting opportunities for alumni are available, including two in the Alumni Relations office.
If you are an alumnus or alumna who is in transition, thinking about a more meaningful job or just a real sucker for Muhlenberg College, why not check out employment opportunities here? Visit http://jobs.muhlenberg.edu to see what's available.
Pop Quiz
Those in the Muhlenberg family who faithfully support the College... As part of his "State of the College" address, President Helm gives a pop quiz to attendees. Most people fail this question: Match the giving rate with the group: 25%, 56% and 63%; Parents, Alumni and Faculty/Staff.
Did you guess that alumni have the highest rate? If so, you are wrong: Very, very wrong. In fact, alumni have the lowest giving participation rate at 25%, and it has dropped 10% in the past two years. Both parents (56%) and faculty/staff (63%) are miles ahead of us. And think about it - parents are giving in addition to paying their tuition bill, and faculty/staff are using part of the money they earn here to give back to the College. Alumni need to do much better, and we can. It's simple: MAKE A GIFT of any size. Every single gift - whether $20 or $20,000 - counts toward raising our alumni participation rate. Thanks to those who continue to support us, and if you have not made a gift to The Muhlenberg Fund yet this year, make a gift now!
Point of Pride
We're very proud of our own Sam Calagione '92, who is currently starring in his own TV show! "Brew Masters" airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET on the Discovery Channel. We also thank Sam for kindly providing some of his fabulous Dogfish Head beer for Reunion/Homecoming 2010!
Did you watch the show? Let us know what you thought at bergalum@muhlenberg.edu. (P.S. If you missed the first one, the Discovery Channel is repeating it several times - check your local listings.)
