Hofstra Magazine

Letter from the President of the Alumni Organization

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Dear Hofstra Alumni,

It’s hard to believe that a full year has passed since I became president of the Hofstra University Alumni Organization. It has been an exciting year, both for me and for the Alumni Organization. This past year we have worked hard to develop ways to strengthen the Hofstra connection for the more than 118,000 Hofstra alumni. Our focus has been on creating more relevant and meaningful affinity programming – areas in which alumni can express interest in staying connected – and we’re starting to see significant increases in volunteer interest and involvement.

You may know that the Alumni Organization has been renewed and restructured over the past year. Thanks to the efforts of Alumni Organization Vice Presidents Fred Davis ’85 and Rob Salvatico ’95, and the various committee chairs, our alumni leadership has made significant accomplishments redesigning the ways in which all alumni can make an impact here at the University.

We have established 10 general areas of involvement – admissions, campus relations, career networking, communications and marketing, finance and development, fraternities and sororities, Graduates of the Last Decade, homecoming/reunions, regional chapters and scholarships. If you have an interest in joining one of our areas of involvement, please contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at (516) 463-6636.

We are always looking for alumni to get involved. If you want to make a difference in the lives of fellow Hofstra graduates and current Hofstra students, and are interested in being reconnected to your alma mater, please consider attending the newly created “Committee Rush,” planned for spring 2010. The “rush” will provide you with an opportunity to meet current alumni leaders and learn about the work our committees are doing. Contact the Alumni Affairs staff for more details.

This year’s Homecoming, held in October, focused on the theme “Myths & Legends” and was a tremendous success. Thousands of alumni, students and families enjoyed the Homecoming Weekend activities, reconnecting with the University and with friends, faculty and others who made our time here exciting and interesting. Next year’s Homecoming Weekend will focus on a tremendous milestone – the University will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The Alumni Organization, along with a large University committee, is planning many special celebratory efforts. If you have never come to Homecoming before, this would be the perfect time! Scheduled for September 23-26, 2010, the University will hold Homecoming, Reunions, Family Weekend and the 75th anniversary celebration all together. Surely there is something planned that will capture your attention.

One of the focuses of the Alumni Organization has been ways to assist alumni and students in their professional lives – and this has become of particular importance over the past 18 months. Our Career Networking Committee proudly launched MyWorkster@Hofstra, an online career-advising program for alumni and students. Working closely with the Hofstra University Career Center, the committee is recruiting alumni advisers while, simultaneously, career counselors promote the program among students. Not only does this online feature assist students, but it is also designed as a tool for those currently employed looking to make a move, or for those seeking employment. It’s a tool that strengthens the Hofstra network. We know that professional networking opportunities are of great value to our alumni, and we are very excited about the opportunities this new initiative provides. Please be sure to visit hofstra.edu/careers and sign up as a mentor!

Finally, I wish to offer congratulations to Hofstra Radio as it celebrated its 50th anniversary in November with a wonderful gala attended by more than 400 alumni and friends. Additionally, Hofstra Radio inducted an inaugural class of 18 impressive alumni and friends into the newly established Radio Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Radio Alumni – here’s to another 50 years!

Hofstra University’s future holds many exciting opportunities for alumni. I look forward to welcoming you back to campus.

With Pride,

Laurie J. Bloom ’95
President, Hofstra University Alumni Organization