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Alumnus Profile
JOE NAPOLI (DR ’91) AND DON GIBBS (DR ’69)
ALUMNI OPPORTUNITIES.
Giuseppe “Joe” Napoli (DR ’91) and Don Gibbs (DR ’69) are among several past graduates actively working to revitalize the Tech’s Alumni Association. They tell us a little bit about how and why this is especially important at this time:
DON: Tech alumni now number around 10,000 and live around the world, not just across the country. Relying on phone trees or postcards--even email--has become ineffective. Active alumni, and especially board members, have rededicated themselves to establishing effective means to allow alumni brothers to stay in touch with those they already know, build new relationships, and stay current with developments at the Tech.
JOE: The Alumni Association has put together a really strong assortment of events to reunite alumni with the Tech. In the past, it felt as though the school would reach out when funds were needed. Today’s requests have been more about involvement with the school, other alums, and future alums.
Past alumni engagement was good, but limited. You had to come to the Tech, or to a Tech event to get involved. The pandemic introduced zoom meetings and that provided us an opportunity to connect in more ways than just about ‘the Tech.’ We got to see inside one another’s lives--the motorcyclist, guitarist, gamer, car nut, whatever! What we had in common was more than just the Tech. The zoom meetings not only gave us a glimpse into one another’s personal lives, but the technology made it possible for people to realize you don’t need to be at the Tech to support the Tech.
DON: The biggest external changes in the last year or two are making better use of channels like social media and physically going out to areas far from the Tech to make it easier for alumni to gather. The monthly Gear and Tech Connection publications announce Tech/alumni events and the website, boscotechalumni.com, is a place to find fellow alumni with a sketch of their careers and willingness to mentor.
JOE: The unique nature of The Tech provides us with opportunities to reconnect with the school, with alumni, and with current students. There are many alumni who have a lot to offer to students, and to the Tech.
I would love to see alumni share their stories with current students. We have all been through a lot. We have all used our skills from the Tech to get us through life. Although I sell real estate, my experiences in Drafting help me visualize how to best remodel a property. When an instructor shares that with a student, the student may think it’s lip service. When an alumnus says it, then there is substance to the message.
DON: If you think you did well by the Tech and have something to offer, talk with us. This is a great way to give back to the school for the benefit of the current and future students. And gain some memorable experiences along the way!
If you are an alumnus and have not yet logged onto boscotechalumni.com, please do so today. It’s a great way to reconnect with your alma mater. No matter where you are--in the country, in your career, or in your field--this digital network allows you to connect with Tech graduates and take advantage of an alumni body of 10,000 strong.
