Chancellor's Breakfast & Annual Assembly
Campus Center Auditorium
Saturday, May 21, 2011
8:30 a.m.
- Executive Director’s Welcome
- Annual Assembly
- Alumni Clubs grew in number both in the United States and abroad and now total 41.
- More than 19,000 students and alumni participated in 325 social, networking and athletic events around the country this past year.
- Close to 60% of all UMass Amherst alumni and students are being reached through our electronic communications and event invitations.
- 230 alumni have joined the Association’s mentoring network and are helping current students and fellow alumni with professional development or life transition questions.
- The Career Connections program continues to provide vital support for alumni seeking jobs or career transitions during these difficult economic times.
- Close to $100,000 in scholarships and awards were presented to 92 deserving students.
- Thirty five alumni traveled to New Orleans for the Association’s second Home Rebuilding Project to tackle the lingering devastation from Hurricane Katrina, generating such interest and good will that, 3 months later, over 200 alumni participated in service projects in their own communities during Community Service Month.
- Officer and Director Elections
Ron announced the newly elected Board officers:
- Tom Campbell ’90 – Vice President
- Andy Hochberg ’84 – Vice President
- Kim Sherman ’87 – Vice President
- Michaella Morzuch ’03 ’08 MPA – Secretary
- Andy MacDougall ’95 – Treasurer
Ron then announced the newly elected and appointed directors:
- Bridget Boles ’12
- Jeremy Copeland ’00, ’09 MBA
- Konstantin Danilov ’05
- Gerald Fonville ’09 MEd
- Grant George ’12
- Michelle-Lim Lee ’03
- Christine Lopes ’97
- Sarah Low ’99, ’02 MS
- Joe Piedrafite ’06
- John Pride ’82
- Rahul Prakash ’08
- Treasurer’s Report
- Adjournment
Anna Symington welcomed all attendees and thanked the volunteers who assisted with reunion planning. She also thanked members of the Class of 1961 for their reunion gift designated towards the establishment of the Class of 1961 Artists Residency Program.
Chancellor Robert C. Holub spoke briefly to the assembly regarding the university’s continued commitment to advancing research, scholarship, creative activity and service as evidenced by several key achievements over the past year, including increases in funding for grants and contracts, tenured faculty members, SAT scores for incoming students, and minority studentrepresentation. He anticipates a strong and integral partnership will continue between the Alumni Association and the university as both organizations work together to help shape the future of UMass Amherst.
Anna invited Chancellor Holub and Sean LeBlanc, President of the Alumni Association, to distribute special gifts to the Class of 1961 in recognition of their 50th reunion.
Sean presented Anna with a gift in recognition of her upcoming retirement and then officially convened the Association’s Annual Assembly. He noted several key Alumni Association accomplishments over the past year:
Sean introduced Ron Grasso ’92, incoming President of the Alumni Association. Ron thanked Sean and presented him with a gift in recognition of his past service on the Board of Directors.
Ron noted that the Alumni Association’s role as an advocate for UMass Amherst is vital to the university’s continued growth. Through the Association’s online resources, communications, and engagement efforts, the organization is helping to build a stronger student and alumni network to support the future of UMass. In addition, the Association is forging partnerships with campus leaders to achieve strategic goals that will continue to enhance the university’s reputation as a renowned public research institution.
Ron noted that the FY 2011 Treasurer’s Report was available on each table for review.
Ron thanked everyone for attending the Alumni Association’s Annual Assembly. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.