WISHING ABERDEEN ALUMNI IN THE USA A HAPPY THANKSGIVING | The University is supported in the USA by the University of Aberdeen Development Trust USA (UADT USA). This special edition of our monthly e-bulletin is exclusively for USA-based alumni and includes an update from the President, Dr Jonathan Daube.
We wish you well at this special time of year and look forward to staying in touch with you in 2009. |
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MESSAGE FROM THE UADT USA PRESIDENT, JONATHAN DAUBE (MA 57) I graduated from the University a long time ago: 1957. (It sounds better just to say, "in the last century.") At that time, the University of Aberdeen was still split between King's and Marischal...and the Medical School, of course. The one advantage of the Marischal site was the Kirkgate Bar, where I once won a Saturday morning pie-eating contest. Years ago, and until fairly recently, the University was what the Americans would call a liberal arts college. Small, cosy, comfortable, local. Anyone who visits today, will see a continuing connection with the North-East of Scotland. But you will also see the markings of a major university. Duncan Rice's vision, in particular, has made "our" university into much more than we could ever have dreamed. The quality of the teaching and research: outstanding. The breadth of interests: outstanding. The vision for the future: breathtaking. When you visit, you see the traditions of over five hundred years that we learned to love; you also see a major institution and marvel at the progress that is being made. Furthermore, you want to become a part of it. I urge all alumni who are now living in North America to become re-acquainted with "our" University. Take a trip to Old Aberdeen, become involved in the activities of the Development Trust, renew your pride in the place that gave you a start or a gentle push. Fifty-plus years ago, no one in Aberdeen knew what Thanksgiving is; now, I assume they all do. I wish you a happy Turkey-Day and hope that your Aberdonian thoughts are warmer than the climate I can remember. Thai haif said | USA ALUMNI ANNUAL FUND Last year more than 100 members of the US alumni community donated to the USA Alumni Annual Fund. These gifts, combined with corporate gifts and grants from trusts and foundations, enable the UADT USA to make an annual grant to the University. In 2008 the Board supported student scholarships, the new library, the Matthew Hay Project and funded vital research at the University. The USA Alumni Annual Fund was established in 2002. This year we are hoping to increase our donor participation to 200 – and we hope you can help. Your gift, regardless of size, will make a difference to the University. Please consider making a gift this year. To donate online, click here. Alternatively you can visit our website and download a donation form here. Thank you to everyone who has made a gift to date. We hope that you will continue your support next year. P.S. Our Student team will be calling US Alumni in December – we hope you enjoy speaking with them! |
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USA ALUMNI SURVEY
The Alumni Relations team is committed to continually improving the service it can offer to meet the needs of its growing audience. We’d like you to tell us what it means to be kept informed of the latest developments at the University and to help us build an improved and tailored alumni programme in your area. We invite you to complete the online survey by clicking here. It should not take long for you to participate. We hope to hear your views. | The Alumni Relations team is increasing its activity around the world. In particular we are currently focusing on increasing our presence in the USA. We have identified six areas of strength within the US – Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco and WashingtonDC. We aim to increase our activity in each of these alumni hubs. As part of this, we plan to hold at least one event a year in each of these cities. A number of events have already taken place this year in the US. Tony and Anne Pogrel kindly hosted an alumni BBQ at their home in San Francisco, and John and Kelly Raley hosted an alumni gathering in Houston. Plans are underway to hold events in Boston and Washington later this year. If you would be willing to become a volunteer in your area, or if you would like more information about upcoming events, please contact the Alumni Relations team. |
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