You may be confused at the sight of more than 200 alumni on campus this weekend. Wait, wasn’t Reunion in June? That was my reaction in the summer of 2021 when I encountered CAVE for the first time. The Carleton Alumni Volunteer Experience brings together reunion committees, Alumni Annual Fund volunteers, and alumni leadership boards for meetings and workshops that help them perform their volunteer roles on behalf of the College. I do not know another college with such an extensive alumni leadership program and such committed volunteers.
This year, we have alumni from the classes of 1967 through 2024 attending. I know from my conversations in years past that these alumni love being back on campus, visiting favorite spots, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones, and learning what is new at Carleton. They attend sessions and presentations that help bring them up to date on things here, so that they can be knowledgeable ambassadors and fundraisers among their fellow alumni. I provide a set of remarks and Q & A with the attendees in Kracum on Saturday at which I share current events, aspirations, and challenges here on campus. The questions from alumni are always thoughtful and forward-looking. They are interested in hearing about new directions in the academic program; whether our financial aid policies are competitive with those of our peers; what they can do to help support today’s students.
It is always energizing to see the love and dedication of alumni who have traveled long distances and devoted their precious time to helping the College remain as strong in the future as it was during their own days on campus. We are fortunate to have this level of dedication and support for Carleton.
Featured in Carleton Today, August 8, 2024