'This is very much about participation'

Martha Merrill '84, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid speaks to the 40+ alumni, faculty and staff who participated in Insights 2006.

Participate.

That's the message President Lee Higdon delivered to a group of alumni at a workshop for volunteers last month.

"One of the strengths of any great college or university is its alumni network," Higdon said. "Giving back to your alma mater comes in a whole host of ways and this is very much about participation. Together, I hope we can help our alumni and students understand the importance of giving back."

Forty alumni volunteers from class years celebrating a reunion in 2007 and 2008 returned to campus on Sept. 29-30 to hear Higdon speak and participate in Insights 2006, a workshop designed to strengthen the College's alumni network and help volunteers plan a memorable reunion for their classmates.

Alumni volunteers interview prospective students, share career advice and bolster connections among CC graduates by hosting and planning events. The Insights workshop, which will be held annually, was hosted by the Offices of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. In addition to meeting Higdon, senior administrators, faculty and members of the Student Government Association, volunteers networked and shared ideas.

By volunteering, alumni strengthen their alma mater and help students enjoy the advantages of a Connecticut College education.

Lynda Batter Munro '76, P'08, president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, said the board wants to strengthen the connections alumni have with the College and with current students.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.conncoll.edu/alumni or e-mail alumni@conncoll.edu.

Read more about Reunion 2007.