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Clear Goals, Fresh Approach



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In early September, we rushed headlong into the 2012-13 academic year. The Durham campus, now home to some 15,200 students, is vibrant and growing. And UNH Manchester, which has expanded into the landmark Pandora Mill building, now boasts an enrollment of more than 900 students. Both campuses abound with energy, learning and student engagement.

I'm honored to serve for a second year as your Alumni Association president, and I am privileged to work with an outstanding staff and board. Please spend a few minutes to get to know your board of directors (alumni.unh.edu/board.html). They're driven to make UNH stronger and more financially accessible for students.

The work of the association has changed to meet the challenges faced by UNH. Expanded alumni outreach and engagement, revenue generation, communications and advocacy, and community building are central efforts for the staff and board.

In 2010, President Mark Huddleston announced a new strategic vision, "The University of New Hampshire in 2020." (www.unh.edu/strategicplanning/) To bring this vision to life, the president created a new UNH Advancement team, bringing together the Alumni Association, UNH Foundation and University Communications and Marketing. Debbie Dutton is our new vice president for Advancement and president of the Foundation. (See story in this issue.) She is an ardent advocate for public higher education and a team builder who understands the essential role of alumni in achieving critical results.

EXPANDED ALUMNI OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: Engagement is a clear priority for the advancement team. The Alumni Association must help foster a broader, more involved and better informed alumni body. Alumni engagement in nearby communities will establish a fresh UNH presence there. A more comprehensive reunion program, increased outreach to students and young alumni, new professional and social networking programs, community service initiatives and a more vigorous calendar of social, cultural and sporting events are top priorities.

REVENUE GENERATION: This year, the association assumed responsibility for generating more revenue to support UNH. It now directs the Annual Fund (foundation.unh.edu/unh-fund), which supports The UNH Fund and other targeted fundraising initiatives.

ALUMNI COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVOCACY: We'll continue to build on the success of our award-winning UNH Magazine through enhanced electronic communications. And we are assisting UNH's efforts to restore state funding—which was cut by 49 percent by the Legislature last year—in exchange for providing more financial aid and freezing tuition for in-state students for two years. State support now totals just 6 percent of UNH's operating budget. We need alumni and friends to reach out to elected and appointed officials to make increased state funding for UNH and public higher education a priority. To join our efforts, visit www.unh.edu/works/.

COMMUNITY BUILDING: Finally, a dynamic university community is crucial to the viability of UNH. Please (re)connect with your university. Visit your campus. Take a fresh look at how your college is contributing to improving life in the state and world. Reach out (www.alumni.unh.edu) to an old friend or classmate, former club or house member or professor to rekindle a valued relationship. Plan now to attend a reunion or a local chapter event. And don't hesitate to contact me (alumni.board@unh.edu) or tweet me @MikeHickeyUNH. ~

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