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Historically, the development of alumni affairs, the idea that graduates
might be of real service to their alma mater, is an American phenomenon.
It began in the United States in 1792, when a group of Yale graduates
designed an organization based on class structure and appointed class
secretaries to gather information to be published in a series of newsletters
to alumni--the first alumni association. These class activities led to
two outgrowths: the solicitation of alumni for financial support,
and the creation of local clubs and chapters.
Alumni are, by definition, educated people. The advantages they
have, by virtue of their education, enable them to assume responsible roles
in society. The work of people in the alumni profession relates to two
fundamental aspects of education: the advancement of society and, the improvement of the quality of life.
Our jobs here at the Health Sciences Center take this one step higher
because our alumni are health professionals, people at the very core of our
well-being.
Our alumni have lifelong commitments to their Schools and programs.
In fact, the value of their degrees and validation of their professional lives
depend on society's perception of the institution's quality. Robert
Forman, former executive director of the Alumni Association at the
University of Michigan wrote, "Alumni are motivated toward their alma
mater by that which some, including the academic community, may dismiss as
emotional and irrational--love. But it is this intangible love for
their academic roots that motivates them to service." Our grads
go a step beyond - the Mountaineer Mystique, an unexplainable feeling which makes alumni affairs at WVU a successful pleasure.
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