ALUMNI ACTION
EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK Dear Elon alumni,
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n behalf of the Elon Alumni Board, I would like to thank alumni, parents and friends who came together in January for National Networking Week. Events were held by chapters in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, Richmond, Seattle, North Carolina’s Triangle and Triad and Washington, D.C. These gatherings presented an amazing opportunity for alumni to connect in cities around the country. While networking has been around for a very long time, the concept has dramatically evolved in recent years through the advent of social media, which allows people to make multiple connections simultaneously rather than one at a time. And while social media is an excellent tool to build contacts, it will never replace personal contact and topflight communication skills. To excel at networking, you need to be good at both. { John Hill ’76 } Using networking effectively can have a remarkable impact on your professional and personal life. The key is to understand that networking is more about giving than getting. You will be amazed at how your networks will expand if you share your expertise and lend a hand and open a door to others. As alumni, our love for Elon is a common bond that provides a natural opportunity to connect. There are more than 30,000 Elon alumni in our network and when you consider parents, friends and professional connections, the number is much higher. We are currently launching a massive and energized campaign to engage our alumni. Programs such as the National Networking Week, Elon Mentor Network and other tools already in place are making it easier for alumni to expand their networks. Now is the time to jump on board. We encourage you to consider connecting with us on LinkedIn or through Facebook, joining a mentoring network, contacting Elon’s Office of Corporate and Employee Relations to share internship or job opportunities at your company, or attending an upcoming chapter meeting or event. The possibilities to grow your personal and professional network are endless. We can’t wait for you to be an active part of the Elon network. John Hill ’76 President, Elon Alumni Board
24 the magazine of elon
Thank you Elon alumni for a successful Homecoming 2012! More than 1,200 alumni returned to campus Oct. 19–21 to celebrate their Elon heritage and participate in the more than 100 events the Elon Alumni Association planned for graduates and their families. Some of the highlights of the weekend include: » Members of the Class of 1962 celebrated their 50th class reunion by making a gift to their alma mater.
» The Elon Black Alumni Network honored outstanding alumni Frank Haith ’88, L’Tanya Richmond ’87 and Melissa Jordan ’04 during the Black Alumni Scholarship Gala. » The Elon LGBTQIA Alumni Network hosted several inaugural events to celebrate diversity and honored three leaders who are making a difference on campus and the community at large: Kirstin Ringelberg, Elic Senter ’99 and Lowry Sinclair ’65. To see photos from Homecoming weekend, including some submitted via Instagram, see the inside back cover or visit elon.edu/magazine.
We’re inviting alumni to join us this April in making a difference in communities near and far as part of Elon’s nationwide month of service. » Take part in one of the many activities sponsored by Elon’s regional alumni chapters and clubs. » You can also register your own service activity at elon.edu/riseupandserve. » If you register at least three weeks in advance of your service project, the Alumni Association will send you a free T-shirt for you and any guests who join you in service. » After you’ve completed your project, post a story, photo or both on the Elon Alumni Association Facebook page to let others know about the impact you’ve made. For more information, go to elon.edu/riseupandserve or call the Alumni Association at (877) 784-3566.