Dear Fellow Alumni,

Your Alumni Association Council has been making strategic changes to better (re)connect you to the TC community. We want you to feel inspired, continue learning and experience a sense of kinship with a diverse group of colleagues who share a common educational experience and belief in life-long learning.

For those who may have wanted to connect to other graduates but didn’t know how, we have expanded the ad hoc member role on the council, so you no longer have to be a full member to participate. This offers an opportunity to be an integral part of evenings with experts, idea cafes and the social/networking events that you may have read about or attended. Not sure what I’m talking about? Take a look at the committee descriptions below, and consider how you might want to engage, either as an ad hoc committee volunteer or simply an attendee.

The Alumni Wants and Needs Committee determines council activities that would be most attractive to TC alumni. If you want to represent the interests of alumni from your particular TC program, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at tcalumni@tc.edu or call 212.678.3215. If you simply want to be informed about these events, email us.

The Programs and Resources Committee actively plans lectures, socials, screenings and networking events. Members take leadership roles in executing events, supported by ad hoc council members and the Office of Alumni Relations. The committee has sponsored, among other events, Gordon Gee’s lecture on the future of higher ed and a speed networking evening. If you have a creative idea for an event, or know an interesting, affordable space in the city where alumni can gather, contact us. 

The Awards and Recognition Committee recommends ways to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of alumni, in particular by proposing candidates for the annual Distinguished Alumni and Early Career Awards, which will be given at Academic Festival 2012 on April 21. To nominate a fellow alumnus who has made an extraordinary impact on his or her field since graduation, download our form at www.tc.edu/alumni. This year, we are also exploring more creative forms of recognition, including Skype video interviews with alumni in the field.

The International Outreach Committee recruits alumni outside the U.S. to serve as Country Representatives for the International Alumni Network and supports them in organizing local alumni activities. The committee also promotes events for current international students to keep connected to TC after they return to their home countries. If you would like to get involved as your country’s IAN Rep, email tcalumni@tc.edu.

Finally, the Nominating Committee solicits nominations and selects candidates for membership on the council, evaluates ad hoc member contributions and recommends candidates for inclusion on the full alumni council. If you think you would make a strong contribution to the Association as either an ad hoc or full member, download the nomination form at www.tc.edu/alumni or contact the Office of Alumni Relations for more information at tcalumni@tc.edu or 212-678-3215.

Please send any further suggestions to Rosella Garcia, Director of Alumni Relations, at garcia@tc.edu.
Thanks for all of your contributions.  I look forward to connecting with you at one of our events this year.

Sincerely,
Adam Vane, President,
TEACHERS COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION


TEACHERS COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
   
The Teachers College Alumni Association is led by the Alumni Council, which consists of 35 members who represent all 90,000 graduates. The Council partners with the Department of Development and External Affairs to advance the goals of the College by providing alumni with opportunities to remain involved in the life of the College through social activities, volunteer efforts and financial support.
   
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Adam Vane, PRESIDENT
Robert Weintraub, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Patrick McGuire, PRESIDENT-ELECT
   
STANDING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS

ALUMNI WANTS & NEEDS COMMITTEE
Peter Dillon, Carolyn McNally

AWARDS & RECOGNITION COMMITTEE
Susan Diamond, Diana Newman

INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Marion Boultbee, Fred Brodzinski

NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Connie Green, Maryalice Mazzara

PROGRAMS & RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Patrick McGuire, Kathleen Morin

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Maritza Macdonald, Tara Niraula

HISTORIAN
James J. Shields
   
All alumni are encouraged to get more involved with the Alumni Association by serving on one of the standing committees. If you would like to serve on the Alumni Council, you can find a nomination form on the alumni website. Nominations for the coming term’s membership, which begins in May are due by December 31, 2011. Council members serve a three-year term. For more information about the Alumni Council and to download your nomination form, please visit our Web site: www.tc.edu/alumni.
   

Published Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011