Dear Alumni and Friends,
The past eight months have truly been some of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding of my professional life. My family and I are so thrilled to be home. But since returning to Memorial in April to take on the position of director of Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D), there are two things in particular that have been etched upon my mind and have become part of my mantra.
(B.Sc. Hons. ’88 PhD ‘98, Western)
Director, Alumni Affairs and Development
The first is how truly amazing Memorial students are today, and how equally impressive our alumni body is. The sheer range of successes is remarkable. I was always proud of my Memorial education and knew from experience that it compared well with the very best the world has to offer, but the past eight months have amplified and strengthened these beliefs and feelings. Since arriving I have had the privilege of meeting a good number of the talented, ingenious, creative people that are our students and alumni – the kind of people that Newfoundland and Labrador is made of, and the kind of people who are attracted to this province.
The power of education, and in particular a Memorial University education, is remarkable. It helps people transform in so many ways, personally, intellectually, professionally. But more than having the power to transform individual lives, like those women whose idea it was to create a university as a legacy for our war dead, I believe that a strong, vibrant, leading-edge Memorial is the key to Newfoundland and Labrador’s future. I know many of you feel the same way.
This brings me to my second impression since returning: Memorial’s alumni and friends are the key to its future. A new strategic plan, soon to be finalized, will direct the university as it continues to grow and strengthen locally, nationally and internationally. You will hear much more about this plan in coming months, and I encourage you to listen closely and give us your feedback. However, this vision simply cannot be achieved without help. Memorial and its students need you in so many ways – as mentors, recruiters, volunteers, advisers, and yes, benefactors.
To help marshall the forces necessary for success, the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development will be growing in the coming months. The result will be greater service for alumni, more news of the university and our alumni, more opportunities for you to interact with Memorial and fellow alumni, and a more comprehensive range of programming and opportunities to volunteer. If you or someone you know is interested in coming back to the province to work for Memorial’s AA&D office in some capacity, please don’t hesitate to contact me.