Volunteer spotlight: Reaching out to young alumni

By Steve Seepersaud

As the University has grown its student enrollment, the alumni network has grown to a number that now exceeds 100,000. And, as the University graduates larger classes now, the alumni body is trending younger.

The Alumni Association has engaged several volunteers in the effort to create an engaging set of programs and services for younger alumni. Bearcats of the Last Decade, or BOLD for short, is a group for Binghamton University graduates who have earned their degrees within the last 10 years. 

BOLD officially launched on June 28, with an alumni mixer at HB-Burger in midtown Manhattan. Almost 200 alumni attended this social and professional networking event.

"This [first] event went extremely well," says Bryan Roberts '10, member of the BOLD planning committee. "It's important to be able to give back to Binghamton by providing a resource to alumni which demonstrates the importance of networking. We are actively brainstorming different events that provide that networking atmosphere."

BOLD will have an event at the Rubin Museum in Manhattan in August, which will include a mixer and museum tour. Alumni will receive an invite via e-mail.

"Our alumni are really going to enjoy this," says Jose Moreira '00, MBA '03, member of the BOLD committee and Alumni Association Board of Directors (at right of photo with, left to right, Hans Dalmolen '98, Andrew Flug '03 and Dan Cherico '08). "The venue is amazing. The people who came to our first event said they like happy hours and social events, but also wanted events that have more substance."

Moreira says that BOLD can be an important pipeline for alumni volunteer engagement. In addition to attending BOLD events, young alumni will be encouraged to lend their time and talents to a University project that matches  their interests.

"I met a number of people at the event who said that they'd like to be involved with the University, so we'll certainly be keeping in touch with them," Moreira says.

"Our goal is broader than just coordinating events and meet-ups," says Sebastian Rodriguez '08, committee member. "We are trying to create a community for young professionals that extends beyond their four-year undergraduate experience. I think this is a big step in the right direction."

BE ENGAGED - MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Learn more about how you can make an impact as an alumni volunteer. We have a number of ways you can be involved; we are certain you will find at least one that matches your talents and interests.