By Sarah Cooper, ’03
Alumni Association Board of Directors

The Alumni Association Board of Directors meets three times a year for the purpose of promoting an excellent liberal arts education.

This mission can be realized by the Board of Directors as we: (1) encourage communication between alumni and the College, (2) engage alumni to assist the College, and (3) promote the achievements of Albion’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni. These three actions are the inspiration for the recent development of the new committees described below.

By grounding the committees in the Albion College mission statement, the Board of Directors has a clear focus and will be increasing efforts to involve all alumni, including young alumni, in the life of the College and to keep them informed about new developments on campus. We understand that people are in different stages of their lives, are attracted to different types of events, want different things from the College, and are prepared to support the College differently. For many of us young alumni, meeting informally at a local restaurant or in conjunction with a community event, a sports contest, or a service project might be a way to stay connected to the College and network within our career fields.

I am excited to be a part of the Off-Campus Activities Committee that will pilot regional Alumni Chapters in Grand Rapids and Detroit. We will apply refreshing new ways of thinking within the context of these two cities in order to make connections and build relationships. Other committees include Career Development, Admission, On-Campus Activities, Scholarships, and Fundraising, Communications, and Awards. Our course of action is still being refined, and I urge you to contact me ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) or others on the Board of Directors to share how you’d like to stay connected to Albion College. I look forward to taking your input back to my committee when we meet again in 2009!