This year we held our first alumni reunion weekend during commencement. This new initiative was one of the strategies we planned as a part of a 3 year UNCF grant we received last year. So far, we have been very successful with this grant, increasing both the number of alumni givers and amount given by alumni by almost 50% in one year.

We capped the event with a banquet where we recognized the reunion classes of 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, and 1999. The alumni who were there from 1959 and earlier were recognized with a special stole.

Golden Alumni

We also recognized all alumni and individuals who have given more than $25,000 lifetime. We named this the M. L. Harris Society after the 4th president of the College. We will add new levels as we have persons who have easily surpassed the $25,000 level.

M. L. Harris Society

 

So this was a good start of a new tradition. My wife's alma mater, Talladega College, has done this for some time, and she actually attended their weekend this year.

The Prez