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| Alumni Affairs History The Association grew from the vision of Dean Edward J. VanLiere. In a letter to the alumni in 1952 he wrote, "It is the aim of the Board of Governors and the University administration to develop this Medical Center so that it will really serve the State in which we live. This is a great responsibility and challenge . . . we need your help and wholehearted cooperation." Carrying out its mission "to promote the welfare of the School and the establishment of a mutually beneficial relationship between the School and its alumni," the Association has been a continual partner in the growth of the School-from the early 1950's in the Two-year School, through the 1960's with the completion of the medical center complex, the addition of the Charleston Division in 1972, and the significant physical growth during the 1980's and 90's. And today, our shared vision and collective efforts have led to an unprecedented period of advancement with greater changes than at any time in our history. These changes include curriculum redesign, modernization of classrooms, advances in technology, accelerated research, and expanded patient care through our new Eye Institute, Heart Institute, Stroke Center, and the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute. The role of the Association has been and remains threefold: to enable graduates to stay involved, to encourage students to succeed, and to engage faculty in student and alumni programming. The Association started the first annual alumni fund in 1971, established four student loan funds, one continuing education endowment, donated thousands of dollars to student loan and scholarship funds, created four award programs, and supports more than twenty annual programs for students, faculty and alumni including family orientations, class reunions, and the John W. Traubert White Coat Ceremony. |
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