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Keeping in Touch: The Alumni Experience
Graduates
of Trent University frequently exhibit a desire to give back to the Trent
community and remain connected to campus life. The ways they do this are
impressive and diverse.
Tony
Storey, director of the Trent University Alumni Association, has been
consistently impressed with the amount of alumni involvement at Trent
University. In fact, activity seems to be growing and, in 2002,
the Alumni Association made a concerted effort to gather concrete data
about alumni activities on campus.
A subsequent report, just recently released, presents a picture of the depth and breadth of alum interest. Twenty-eight active alumni were contacted by the Alumni Association and, based on their survey responses, an outstanding cross-section of involvement has emerged. For instance, 1,756 hours of volunteer time was donated by the 28 individuals in 2002; the highest number of hours donated by a respondent was 300; 15 per cent of respondents were members of the Alumni Association Committee; 6 per cent were members of a University committee; 9 per cent were members of an alumni chapter; 20 per cent were participants in recruitment; 6 per cent were involved in college or departmental programs; 3 per cent were coaches; 18 per cent responded that they regularly promote Trent University; 18 per cent socialized with other Trent alumni during 2002; and 8 per cent made company donations to the University.
The
financial impact of alumni involvement at Trent is substantial. The Alumni
Association has been able to ballpark the value of 2002 volunteer hours
at $203,575. Gifts-in-kind donated by alumni accommodation, reception
costs, donated photography, etc.) total another $9,750. Add another $596,486
in donations from alumni and their spouses and you have an impact in excess
of $800,000.
"Trent alumni play an important role in the intellectual, social, recreational, cultural and financial life of the University," comments Mr. Storey. "What impresses me is the level of enthusiasm, indeed passion, that alum have for Trent and how they are so keen to keep in touch with what's happening on campus."
In addition to organizing and tracking the volunteer work of Trent graduates, the Alumni Association hosts a number of events and meetings each year (in 2002, 65 meetings and 56 events.) Perhaps the most well-known event is the Alumni Reunion weekend held each year in connection with Head of the Trent. Other examples of alumni events and activites include the annual Alumni Lecture, the production of Trent magazine, fundraising dinners, chapter meetings all around the world, and information sessions organized for new students and parents.
"Our office is a busy place," smiles Mr. Storey. "Last year we handled over 3,300 phone calls and over 10,000 e-mails. We had 230 visits in person to our office, and there is always a lot going on."
Photo 1: Tony Storey, centre, with Dan Coholan, left (Board of Governors Alumni seat) and Peter van Rooitjen, right, at the Head of the Trent.
Photo 2: A crew at the Head of the Trent 2002 passing under the bridge as spectators look on.
For more information about the Trent University Alumni Association please visit www.trentu.ca/alumni.
Posted February 24, 2003
