Dear Fellow Alumni,
It has been a busy year for the Alumni Association, one filled with so many accomplishments. Our growth continues unabated, three new chapters were chartered this year and more are planned for next year. To assist with this growth, the Chapter Development Committee has developed a “Best Practices” Guide for all of our chapters. The Outreach Committee continues to provide social outlets for all alumni throughout the year. Our next big event is the 5th Annual Rams in the Sand Happy Hour planned for Saturday, July 21st at Coconut Cove in North Wildwood. In addition, that committee is working hard on the final plans for our inaugural travel program. Yes, WCU Alumni are invited to sail down the Seine River from Paris to Normandy in Spring 2013. Watch for the announcement and come join us for a great adventure.
The biggest change is the one that you don’t see, but one we hope to enjoy during next year’s Alumni Weekend celebration. After more than a year of internal discussions, the Board of Directors recently voted to replace the current Veterans Memorial Alumni House (VMAH) with a newly renovated and redecorated building. The VMAH has served this association well for so many years, but, as you look around this weekend, you’ll notice that we need much more space. As WCU grows, so too does this Association. Meeting space is limited and the VMAH can no longer handle large events like those you may attend this weekend. We anticipate moving into our new home in early 2013. This new center, which we will co-own with the WCU Foundation, will house both organizations and the Office of Alumni Relations. In addition to indoor and outdoor meeting/social space, there will be a large banquet facility with seating for several hundred people. We’re hopeful that the wedding bells of WCU alumni soon fill those halls.
So, your Alumni Association continues to provide the kinds of services and social opportunities that the alumni of a first class university demand. We promise to continue moving forward as we move into 2012-13. If you’re not an active member of one of our chapters, please consider joining one.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Monroe
President, WCU Alumni Association