Media, Pa. -- The Penn State Alumni Association reported on its membership growth, expanded outreach to young alumni and continued service to the University in a presentation to the Penn State Board of Trustees today (July 15).
Marianne Ellis Alexander, a 1962 liberal arts graduate of Penn State who just completed her term as Alumni Association president on July 1, outlined the Association's ambitious agenda and impressive results of last year. Topping the list of accomplishments was growing the Alumni Association by more than 9,500 new members in the last two years to reach a record 156,142 members.
"We have continued to solidify our status as the world's largest dues-paying alumni association," said Alexander. "We continually strive to involve more alumni in the life of the University."
This growth in the first two years of a three-year membership campaign was due in part to an increased emphasis during Alexander's tenure on young alumni and students, who are members of the Alumni Association through the Blue & White Society.
"Blue & White Society has experienced explosive growth, increasing to 4,700 members and almost double the membership from two years ago," said Alexander. "Additionally, we've expanded the reach of the Blue & White Society with student members representing all of Penn State's campuses."
Alexander also reported to the Board of Trustees on a new award for young alumni, the Alumni Achievement Award. The first 13 recipients were on the University Park campus this spring to accept their award, guest lecture in various classes and meet with students at a networking event at the Hintz Family Alumni Center.
The Alumni Association continued its philanthropy to the University this year, giving $300,000 to establish a scholarship fund for undergraduates who plan to study abroad as part of Penn State's education abroad program. The need-based scholarships are open to students from all campuses and provide access to study through one of 130 programs in 49 countries.
"We are proud to be providing this gift," Alexander said. "In fact, since 1988, we have given nearly $12 million to the University, a level of philanthropy by an Alumni Association that is simply unmatched in higher education."
Among other Alumni Association initiatives highlighted by Alexander were:
-- The Alumni Association's contribution to Penn State's sesquicentennial celebration, including the Sesquicentennial Games in October and the symposium on the future of the American public research university in February.
-- The completion of the Alumni Gardens at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.
-- Recognition of The Penn Stater magazine as one of the four best alumni magazines in the country by The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
-- The expansion of the Grassroots Network to nearly 36,000 alumni volunteers, who personally encouraged their elected officials to support a fair appropriation for the University.
-- The ongoing support of diversity efforts to build a culture of belonging among all Penn Staters within the alumni community and on campus.
-- Newly adopted strategic priorities to guide the Alumni Association into the year 2008.
Alexander ended her presentation by introducing Lewis H. Gold, the new Alumni Association president who took office July 1 and will serve through June 30, 2007. Gold moved into the president's role after serving two years as the Association's vice president and serving since 1995 on Alumni Council. He is a past president of the Liberal Arts Alumni Society board of directors. Professionally, Gold is a shareholder and president of the law firm of Adelman Lavine Gold and Levin in Philadelphia.
The Penn State Alumni Association, established in 1870, will celebrate its 135th anniversary on July 28. Its mission is to connect alumni to the University and to each other, to provide valuable benefits to members and to support the University's mission of teaching, research and service.
For more information about the Alumni Association, visit http://www.alumni.psu.edu