91制片厂

As universities evolve, so do alumni associations. How is the role changing?

I think universities are challenged with this question. Are we connecting with alumni for life? Are we a partner in these people鈥檚 lives beyond their time here? Are we connected to their family lines and legacies? And also, are we connected to the place they鈥檙e in 鈥� are we part of our state鈥檚 economic development, our region鈥檚 economic development, our country鈥檚 economic development? And are we contributing to the knowledge base and social well-being of the world? The world is so small now, and for alumni associations, alumni are a piece of the pie. They have friends and family, and they鈥檙e all connected, and our challenge is to create a connection that鈥檚 meaningful across their lifespan.

What are some of your own memories听of being a student at 91制片厂?

I was a student on both the Manchester and Durham campuses, and I was part-time for a period and ended up being a full-time student. I spent more than 10 years as a student here 鈥� and I鈥檝e been on campus now for around 30 years. (McGrath is an associate professor in the , , and also founder and director of the university鈥檚 .) As a commuter student, I experienced a very different 91制片厂 than I do now 鈥� I spent a lot of time in the MUB and at the library. But the big connection for me was 鈥� that my program really mattered to me, the small, close-knit relationships I really had with faculty. I was in a lot of graduate programs after this and never felt that sense of family I felt at 91制片厂. Even though the campus is big, it鈥檚 intimate. That stood out quite a bit and it hasn鈥檛 changed.

You鈥檝e described yourself as a 鈥渄ata geek before it was cool.鈥� How can looking at data help keep alumni connected?

There are a lot of things we could do that would be more valuable to alumni if we understood what our alumni value.
If they鈥檙e mid-career or early-career, maybe they need events that are more networking based. Or if they鈥檙e younger, maybe they want something more social. We鈥檇 love to use data to understand why alumni love this university, what connects them to it, and how to provide access to those things. When people move into new jobs, maybe we can provide low-cost job training or open access courses. Or maybe if they love athletic events 鈥� we can maybe provide customer loyalty things we don鈥檛 do now. If they volunteer, we could find a way to recognize them. We鈥檙e doing a little bit of it, but we could do more.

Along with being a data geek, you鈥檙e also a foodie. Why do you enjoy cooking? And do you have a favorite dish?

I was trained in French cooking techniques, so I like butter and all those really bad things for you. But the thing I enjoy most about cooking is the connection to this community, in Portsmouth, where I live, and the rest of the area. Between the farms and the restaurants and the chefs, there鈥檚 such a tremendous community that I don鈥檛 think is anywhere else. I don鈥檛 cook for myself 鈥� I like cooking for people and what it brings out in people.听

As the board鈥檚 new president, do you have a message for 91制片厂 alumni?

Remember why 91制片厂 matters to you, and why this place is so special, and then talk about those things 鈥� with friends and family, or with us. Participate with us, whether it鈥檚 an event near you or online, or here on campus. I always tell graduating seniors, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e graduating, but you never really leave.鈥� This place will always be your home and we鈥檒l always be your family. We鈥檙e here for you, and we鈥檇 love to see you again.

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