Investing in Alumni Is Investing in the Future
by Eric Fennel '92, Alumni Council President
In the most recent Dickinson Magazine, President John E. Jones ’77, P’11, highlighted the many ways that Dickinson invests in the future. New academic programming like the Burgess Institute for the Global Economy is creating unique experiential learning opportunities. The Career Communities model provides focused support for exploration of different industries and professions. The John M. Paz ’78 Alumni & Family Center and renovation to the HUB are transforming the on-campus experience for students and alumni alike. And the key to unlocking the full value of all these investments will be an active and engaged alumni network.
The Burgess Institute has enabled students to engage deeply with executives in residence on campus. It has also created off-campus experiences that help students see how their classroom learning can be applied to a range of organizations and roles. Importantly, all of these learning opportunities featured or were sponsored by Dickinson alumni, providing students with a powerful example of what’s possible with their Dickinson education.
The recently launched Career Communities model connects students with industry-specific pathway advisors. Students get personalized guidance, enabling them to explore various career fields, gain relevant experience and build professional networks, starting with Dickinson alumni working in their fields of interest.
The mission of the Alumni Council is to activate and sustain alumni engagement across classes and generations. We’ve focused on creating tangible opportunities for alumni to support current students, the college and each other. And alumni have answered the call.
- In February, alumni volunteers joined with the Center for Career Development to conduct over 70 mock interviews for students seeking to hone their skills.
- In April, we joined with the Burgess Institute to co-sponsor a financial literacy workshop for undergraduates, where a diverse alumni panel provided practical guidance for managing personal finances.
- We conducted training sessions throughout the year on the Alumni Portal, expanding opportunities for alumni to engage each other in supporting the college.
Throughout the year, the Paz Center has served as a home for our work and a gathering place for our numerous volunteers. For the undergraduates we’ve hosted there, it has also provided a reminder that Commencement is not the culmination of their journey, but rather the next step in their lifelong relationship with Dickinson.
In June, we will celebrate the recipients of the Alumni Leadership awards. At that time, we will also welcome new leadership to the council and prepare for our next term. It has been an incredible privilege to serve as Alumni Council president for the past two years. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering efforts of all of the council members and numerous volunteers who have helped strengthen the Dickinson community, and we look forward to sustaining the momentum in the years ahead.
Read more from the spring 2025 issue of Dickinson Magazine.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published June 10, 2025