Go! Go U! Go U Mass! Go UMass!
We are two months into our newly structured membership and we have been hearing from so many of you – thank you! As our membership has undergone restructure, so too has the campus over the summer. In preparation for the new school season, walkways and roads have been upgraded or reconstructed including: a new roundabout at the intersection of North Pleasant Street, Eastman Lane, and Governor’s Drive; new plantings installed across campus; and a portion of the campus pond refurbished. Memorial Hall, home of the Alumni Association, is experiencing some of the upgrades as well, including installation of outside benches and tables for visitors and the soon to be addition of new plaques on its northeast side, in recognition of alumni serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As to our membership restructure and the informational membership brochures we sent to all of you, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, save a couple of comments of concern regarding the reference in our brochure to our funding pom-poms for students to cheer on UMass teams.
As we consider school spirit and tradition, we think about the students returning to campus this month, as well as all the students beginning anew. During the first week at UMass, they are welcomed to campus with many events—fun events—to kick off the academic year. These events help to welcome students into and back to the UMass family, to build spirit and long-lasting tradition. While it is true that a good education will take you far—and what an excellent education UMass delivers—part of the education experience is the spirit and support for our campus, athletes, marching band, arts and culture, and the many extracurricular activities that contribute to a well-rounded and rich college experience. And yes, some of that experience involves having some fun.
Your Alumni Association helps to support all facets of the student experience and maintain that connection to what become fond memories as alumni. Regarding concern about the provision of some pom-poms from time to time to cheer on our alma mater and support our UMass family as we compete against other universities, it is but one, small component toward instilling spirit and recognition for our Maroon and White, and rounding out the full college experience.
Your Association supports and funds over 40 Alumni Clubs around the world, helping you to stay connected with your fellow alumni and to your alma mater. We provide resources and opportunities for alumni looking to change or enhance or find new careers, or students venturing into the career market. These resources include networking events, career panels, career-building workshops and webinars. We provide scholarships and internship possibilities to students every year. We host hundreds of alumni and student events ranging from social to educational, from athletics to the arts, from family-oriented functions to community service. While pom-poms pale in comparison to the many grand services and programs the Alumni Association provides, they are a small gesture in support of our Maroon and White.
Rah! Go UMass!
Anna Symington '76S, '79, '83G
Executive Director
UMass Amherst Alumni Association
annas@admin.umass.edu