| Message from the WCU President |
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As we prepare to celebrate another class of Golden Rams, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be part of this community. Here’s what I know: no matter where you go or when you earned your degree, you’re part of a community that changes lives — starting with your own, and extending outward to the world around you.
All of us would love to hear what you’ve been up to. Maybe you’ve made a career move, achieved a personal milestone, or published something important to you. Sharing your news helps us celebrate your journey and strengthens the bonds among Golden Rams everywhere.
If you have a moment, please submit a Class Note. It’s a great way to stay connected, especially as we head into the holiday season.
To our newest grads and our proudest alumni – thank you for continuing to represent WCU with heart, drive, and lots of purple and gold pride.
Yours,
Laurie
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| Application OPEN for First-Ever Makers Market |
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Calling all vendors!
We're excited to share that the vendor application is now open for the first-ever West Chester University Alumni & Friends Makers Market:
Saturday, April 25, 2026
A festive and family-friendly outdoor market featuring a curated selection of 40+ makers, artisans, and small businesses.
Share your craft! We'd love to showcase your creativity for the University and greater West Chester communities.
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| Campus News |
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FOX 29's "Good Day Philadelphia" Features Four WCU Cheer Team Members Who Will Compete at WCU Nationals
Watch News Clip »
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Volunteering with West Chester University means making a real difference.
The WCU Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Engagement invite you to join fellow Golden Rams in supporting student success, strengthening our alumni community, and carrying forward WCU's proud tradition of service. Whether you lend your expertise, share your story, or cheer on our students, your involvement helps shape the next generation of leaders. Discover ways to get involved and sign up to join our mailing list at www.wcualumni.org/volunteer.
Current Opportunities:
Promise Program Gift Wrapping
Monday, December 15th
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
(Drop-In Hours)
Join us to wrap donated gifts for our Promise Program students in preparation for their annual holiday dinner. The WCU Promise Program serves our students who are unaccompanied homeless or foster youth by giving them access to year-round housing on campus, food and supplies from the WCU Resource Pantry, priority employment opportunities, access to scholarship finds, and monthly programming. All gift wrap and supplies will be provided.
If you'd like to participate, please RSVP by responding to this email and we'll share revelant details with you as we get closer to the event.
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| Alumni Spotlight: John Buchanan '79 |
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During a 47-year career as an actuary, John Buchanan ’79 liked to defy the stereotypes associated with his profession.
“People would say to me ‘You’re the most non-actuary actuary I know,’” says Buchanan, who prides himself on breaking the mold.
The Philadelphia native is nothing like the typical image of actuaries as serious figures bent over a calculator crunching numbers. You’re more likely to find him competing in salsa dancing competitions and making films.
When speaking to a crowd of colleagues at conferences, he liked to bring a bit of whimsy to his work. “I’m undoubtedly the first actuary ever to use audio clips from the Austin Powers movies — ‘Oh, behave!’ among others — when speaking to a group of over 400 actuaries,” recalls Buchanan, who lives in New York City. At a professional conference in Las Vegas, he used an Elvis Presley contest theme: “hunka, hunka burning losses” factored into the winning entry.
Read More »
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| Upcoming Events |
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Eagles Game Watch Party (Hosted by BAC)
Join the Black Alumni Chapter for a holiday meet-up at Franklin's East Falls in Philadelphia.
More Info » |
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Science on Tap
Dr. Megan Fork from the WCU Department of Biology hosts "Talking Trash: Plastics and other pollutants in our streams" at Barnaby's West Chester. Free and open to the public!
More Info » |
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WCU's 6th Annual Day of Giving
Join us on March 5th or make your gift early – today! Add it to your calendar, become an advocate, share with your social network, and together we can support student success across campus.
More Info » |
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43rd Annual Presidential Gala
More than a fundraiser, the Gala represents a celebration of opportunity, generosity, and the transformative power of education. Be a part of a bright future that will benefit all our students and the work that we will do together to fuel students' dreams.
Save the Date » |
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Alumni Weekend
It's YOUR weekend! Each year during Alumni Weekend, the campus comes alive as alumni, friends, and family reunite to reminisce and make new memories.
Save the Date » |
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| Alumni just like you help to make a difference every day. |
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| Trivia Time |
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In what year did the first WCU Holiday Program take place?
Submit your answer to alumni@wcufoundation.org and reference "Ramblings Trivia" in the subject line. Three winners will be randomly selected from the submissions to win this West Chester striped beanie hat.
Congratulations to our November winners — Latifah Fields '02 and Joy Smith Linton '73 — who will each receive a West Chester stadium seat.
November Trivia
Q: WCU's Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology is serving as a trusted resource for middle schoolers competing in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge. What is this year's theme?
A: Unearthed
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West Chester University Alumni Association
202 Carter Drive | West Chester, PA 19382
610-436-2813 | alumni@wcufoundation.org |
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