student-alumni engagement award
Student groups and organizations are an integral part of campus life at Binghamton University. Hundreds of special affinity groups exist which provide programming, education and outreach to a wide variety of student interests. Naturally, former students (alumni) who were involved with these groups and organizations often have a strong interest in remaining connected to current students and the groups/organizations with which they so closely identify. With more than 15,000 Binghamton University undergraduate and graduate students and more than 110,000 alumni, there is a tremendous opportunity for students and alumni to collaborate. The Binghamton University Alumni Association supports and encourages these connections, recognizing that partnerships can help to establish and promote life-long relationships with the University.
The Binghamton University Alumni Association Student-Alumni Engagement Award was created to help foster the connections between student groups/organizations, their alumni and the Alumni Association. The award will provide the recipient group/organization with seed money for a special program or initiative proposed by the applicant group that connects students and alumni in meaningful ways. All Binghamton University student groups and organizations with an interest in connecting with alumni are eligible to apply for this special award. Proposed programs can include (but are not limited to) alumni speaker/panel events, student-alumni networking events, workshops, or any program that connects students from the group/organization with an alumnus/alumni.
The first award recipient group/organization will be selected in January 2013 with the award funding ($1,000) directed to a program/initiative that will be offered in either the Spring or Fall 2013 terms. In addition, representatives from the award recipient group/organization will have an opportunity to participate in and be recognized at a special Alumni Leaders Conference scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2013. This conference will bring together a diverse group of volunteer alumni leaders and administrators from across campus including members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Award Criteria:
This Student-Alumni Engagement award will be awarded to a student group or organization that has (or is interested in) establishing connections between its students and alumni and is planning a program or initiative to facilitate these connections.
The proposed program must involve students and alumni and/or the Alumni Association in some way. The award will be determined by a representative from the Office of Alumni Relations, a representative from the Division of Student Affairs and three alumni.
The committee will consider the following when determining the recipient:
- Proposed program goals
- Program potential to engage and connect students and alumni
- Program creativity and innovation
- Student group/organization size, budget, history
- Willingness of student group to provide the Binghamton University Alumni Association with any alumni roster information the group may have and/or information on alumni who attend the proposed program so that we can ensure we have updated information on alumni who identify strongly with the group/organization.
Award:
The winning group/organization will be awarded $1,000 which can be used to offset expenses for the proposed program. The award may only be used for the proposed program. The recipient group/organization must be willing to provide the Binghamton University Alumni Association with photos/video from the event and a list of event attendees. The recipient group/organization will be recognized at the Alumni Leaders Conference to be held at Binghamton University on Saturday, April 27, 2013. The group/organization receiving the award must ensure that a representative from the group/organization will be available on Saturday, April 27.
Application Process:
1. Interested groups must complete the Student-Alumni Engagement Award Application and submit to the Office of Alumni Relations (Couper Administration Building, Room 217) by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.
2. Interested groups must submit one letter of support for their program from a faculty, staff, or graduate associated with their group/organization along with the completed application.
Questions?
Please contact Melinda Holicky, assistant director of alumni relations - student programs, with any questions at 607-777-6206 or mholicky@binghamton.edu.
Thank you for your interest in connecting with Binghamton University alumni! We invite you to explore the Alumni Association website to learn about existing programs that connect students and alumni.
