Kathy Assayag (right) with Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor Judith Woodsworth (left) and Calgary Chapter president Dan Rochon, BComm 77, at the Meet the President and Vice-Chancellor Cocktail Reception February 18 in Calgary.
Both Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor Judith Woodsworth and I were proud to witness the spirit of togetherness that makes the Concordia community unique during our visit in February to our Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton alumni chapters.
The support and warm hospitality we received from our alumni were proof-positive that Concordia benefits from tremendous goodwill.
The mood at these meet-and-greet cocktail receptions was contagiously enthusiastic and the turnout far exceeded our expectations. As Dr. Woodsworth noted in the diary she kept throughout our trip, “these gatherings brought together a diverse group of alumni [ranging in ages from their early 80s to their early 20s] yet the friendships across generations and across occupations and fields of study was strongly evident.”
Concordia boasts 150,000 graduates worldwide, including some 3,500 in western Canada. Alumni who participated in the event expressed both a deep affection for Loyola College and Sir George Williams University, our founding institutions, and a keen interest in the Concordia of today. They were eager to lend a hand in planning these events, and expressed a desire to help promote our university, recruit students and serve as our ambassadors.
Edmonton Chapter President Peter Pagano, L BA 67, who assisted in organizing the reception in the Albertan capital, said he was “happy to have another opportunity to promote the university that continues to play an important role in our lives.”
Besides giving of their personal time and efforts, our alumni also prove to be among our most generous benefactors. They choose to keep investing in Concordia with a “count me in” attitude. They share fond memories of their experiences as students, value the pivotal role education continues to play in their lives, and are eager to mentor future generations of scholars.
Much of this unwavering support is reflected in the results of our Annual Giving Campaign. Despite the economic downturn, we’ve managed to raise 26.5 percent more than the previous year. The number of contributors to the campaign also increased by 15 percent!
Our alumni are also reaching out to others and creating more opportunities for both personal and professional development. For example, they are increasingly taking part in our popular Mentor Program, which allows them to dispense career advice and guidance to both our students and younger alumni. The program is so successful that participants have asked for more events and activities that would make it conducive for them to network and exchange ideas.
That’s why the Concordia University Alumni Association and Advancement and Alumni Relations Office recently expanded the program to include new initiatives, such as the speed-networking (think of speed dating but with a twist!) event that was part of Homecoming 2008. In February and March, we launched “Dinner for 8,” which makes it possible for students to meet with alumni and ask them questions about their work experiences in a relaxed setting while sharing a meal.
Some alumni offered their homes while others hosted their groups in restaurants. Our initial feedback indicates that these dinners were an enriching experience and value-added offering to both alumni and students. “I would say it’s the real meaning of networking, a high quality one. By being part of this event, I feel a strong sense of belonging to Concordia, and I highly appreciate the fact that Concordia has done so much to offer great support to its students and alumni. I really feel like home whenever I think of Concordia,” one student commented.
These adverse economic times have actually succeeded in drawing individuals closer together and uniting members of the Concordia community toward the common causes of higher education and promoting personal and professional growth. Indeed, it is incumbent on each and every one of us— now, more than ever—to get involved and become active members of our growing community of alumni, students, friends and donors. Together, we can weather any storm and help chart Concordia’s path toward a better future.
