| A LUM N I A S S O C IATIO N
Dear Alumni, It is my pleasure to write to you as the new director of alumni engagement. From the moment I stepped onto the grounds of Olivet College, I was surrounded by warm greetings and congratulations. Many alumni have stopped by the office to share their experiences with me about how Olivet impacted their lives. To see their smiles broaden and faces light up as they share their stories is a testimony of this great college. Together Again Hometown Gatherings It has been wonderful to meet so many alumni at our Together Again Hometown Gatherings. Since my arrival in April, we have hosted four alumni events in Michigan (Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit and Traverse City). New relationships and connections blossomed during these events, while others were strengthened through rich history, memories and story sharing. Before my arrival, alumni had the opportunity to reconnect at similar events in Florida and Chicago. Our goal for these events is for alumni to not only remain deeply rooted and connected to Olivet but to bring Olivetians together to reconnect with each other. Introducing a New Alumni Mentoring and Networking Platform We are excited to announce our new mentoring platform that will allow alumni to network with each other and with current students. Students and alumni can find careers within this platform, seek guidance, provide mentoring partnerships and build Olivet communities. Watch for more information and how to register in the upcoming e-newletters. What a Homecoming It’s Going to Be We are excited to be bringing back some traditional activities during Homecoming, including tailgating, ghost tours/historical tours and food trucks! This year, we’ve added new events, including a wine and canvas painting, the musical stylings of OC’s own choral and Gospel choirs, a book reading by alumnus Robert Shegog and a cornhole tournament. There’s plenty of fun for the kids, including painting, pumpkin decorations, caricatures and inflatables. Friday will kick off with an All-Alumni Luncheon on campus, with the Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony and the Athletic Hall of Fame dinner in the evening. Conveniences have been added, including Friday shuttle services from the airport and train stations to hotels. Alumni will receive discounted room blocks at local hotels in Marshall and Charlotte. Enhance Your Alumni Experience – Here’s How You have a gift! I’m often asked what makes a successful alumni engagement program. The question isn’t necessarily what but WHO makes it successful. The answer is simple: You. Gifts come in many forms, but the one I’m going to focus on is the gift of time. Our alumni department is striving to build, strengthen and sustain alumni relationships at Olivet College and we cannot do it without you. The more you become involved, the more robust and valued our community becomes, and let’s not forget the more fun we will have. Contact the alumni department and ask for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
HOMECOMING
Here's Your Chance: Shuttle volunteers are needed! If you only have a couple of hours (2 hours) to volunteer during Homecoming, we have a seat for you!
2022
Respectfully,
Erin N. Homer Director of Alumni Engagement
OLIV E T
COLLE GE
SUMMER 2022
25
