The MSUAA membership
numbers are currently at more than 52,000. Renewals continue to be increasing,
especially through on-line registration. This membership increase provided
more than $165,600 in annual dues distribution to MSU colleges and school
alumni groups.
The MSUAA began
meeting regularly with MSU Development to discuss collaborative methods regarding
events, identification of donors, shared data base issues and important partnerships
regarding the Capital Campaign.
The MSUAA donated
earned revenues from post-season athletic tours to the Ralph Young Fund for
athletic scholarships.
The MSUAA expanded
its Alumni Career Center to
assist MSU alumni with career planning and job campaigning. Nearly 500 resumes
were posted by alumni on the MSU web portal on-line career page. Nearly 3,500
jobs were posted on the MSUAA web page for referral to MSU Alumni worldwide.
The MSUAA
Regional Clubs fundraising events this year are expected to contribute
more than $800,000 in scholarships for MSU students. This will exceed last
year's total of $744,033.
The MSUAA, working
as partners with MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships, trained more than
92 volunteer alumni to represent Michigan State University at 143 college
fairs across the country.
Service
Award winner Jerry McVety with First Lady Joanne McPherson and MSUAA
Exec. Director Keith Williams. |
The MSUAA held
the second annual Grand Awards Ceremony and honored eight recipients of the
Distinguished Alumni Award, four recipients of the Alumni Service Award, and
two recipients of the Honorary Alumni Award. The event was attended by more
than 500 people. Local media celebrity and publisher of Lansing Business Monthly,
Chris Holman was the master of ceremonies.
The MSUAA partnered
with MSU Development to establish the Philanthropist Award. Major donors,
nominated by MSU Development, were chosen by the MSU National Board Recognition
Committee to receive the award.
Pres. McPherson
greets a couple new graduates during the December reception. |
Cowles House
continues to be a major learning center for MSU interns from the School of
Hospitality Business. Tours of the house and garden by area school children
in grades K-12 have increased. Cowles House hosted events for on-campus departments
and other visitors including the MSU Police and Public Safety Department,
Intercollegiate Athletics, faculty organizations, and the Big 10 Editors.
Additionally Cowles House hosted more than 600 graduating students at receptions
each semester. More than 5,000 people attended functions at Cowles House this
year.
The MSUAA, by
using earned revenues from tours, became an official sponsor of Intercollegiate
Athletics, purchasing advertising and promotional space for membership recruitment.
Football Coach Bobby Williams with a fan and Dave Brown, MSUAA Clubs
Assoc. Director at the Kalamazoo County MSU Club picnic. |
The MSUAA cosponsored and coordinated 65 Regional
Club events within Michigan and across the country. Events ranged from
receptions, luncheons, dinners, freshmen welcoming picnics, and golf outings.
Total attendance for all events is approximately 75,000, with an average
attendance of at least 110 people per event.
The MSUAA remains
committed to accuracy in the MSU alumni/donor database. The MSUAA updates
addresses and confirms other data, including deceased alumni, through notification
from alumni worldwide by way of the MSU Alumni Magazine, Regional and International
Clubs, and by individual alumni contacts.
The MSUAA Student Alumni Foundation, as partners with MSU Office of Admissions
and Scholarships, trained student volunteers who conducted 395 campus tours
for over 10,000 people.
The MSUAA's
popular portal page incorporated a special center section link, complete
with logo, to the MSU Today magazine
produced by University Relations. This link provides the source of University
news to MSU alumni and friends visiting the MSUAA web site.
The MSUAA member
benefits increased from 45 to more than 63.
The MSUAA is
beginning the second phase of its Strategic Plan with emphasis on partnership
with other University departments to develop alumni as resources. Renewed
emphasis is also on strengthened communications and connections with alumni
worldwide.
The MSUAA co-sponsored
with MSU Intercollegiate Athletics the first annual MSU Coaches Cruise. Four
coaches
traveled with 80 participants. This trip will become an annual event because
of the very positive feedback from participants and coaches.
The MSUAA collaborated with MSU Development to redesign the donor identification
and information-gathering tools used on MSUAA tours. The number of passengers
traveling on MSUAA trips increased from 313 to 418.
The MSUAA collaborated
closely with MSU Development regarding all aspects of post-season athletic
tours including site visits to secure event facilities, registration of participants,
assignment of lodging, and aircraft seat assignments.
The MSUAA coordinated
the President's Guest Box for Football and Basketball games. Guests invited
included major donors, media leaders, business and labor leaders, honored
students, and honored faculty.
The MSUAA recently
redesigned and transferred major portions of its web site/portal from an outside
vendor to in-house personnel. This allows for immediate access and control.
The MSUAA launched
its own in-house e-mail forwarding service for alumni, which is the first
of its kind on a university campus. In the initial three weeks of the program
more than 1,000 alumni registered for the service.
The Sower
relief as seen through cherry blossoms in front of Beaumont Tower this
spring. Just one of many available eCards. |
The MSUAA created
special service for alumni worldwide with its Alum
eCards electronic greeting cards. These electronic cards, produced by
MSUAA staff, feature campus photos. Alumni can personalize the cards and send
them electronically anywhere in the world. This feature allows MSUAA to promote
pride among alumni at no additional cost to the association.
The MSUAA provided
MSU graduating seniors and advanced degree recipients with seminars on debt
reduction, relocation, new employment, business attire, business etiquette
and protocol, networking, resume building, and interviewing techniques. These
seminars were cosponsored by the Senior Class Council, Student Alumni Foundation,
MSU Federal Credit Union, MSU Career Services and Placement, the MSU Affinity
Card - MBNA, and Tomie Raines Realty.
The MSUAA arranged
with MSU alumni in Turkey and England a total of six international summer
internships for MSU undergraduate students. This was a partnership with MSU
colleges and departments including the Office of International Studies and
Programs, Office of Study Abroad, James Madison College, College of Engineering,
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Career Services and Placement,
Eli Broad College of Business, Lear Corporation Career Services Center, MBA
Placement and Career Center, and MSU Detroit College of Law.
The MSUAA membership revenues are expected to increase almost $40,000 over
last year. Much of this success is due to a lapsed-member mailing that resulted
in 1811 new memberships. A portion of these additional revenues will be disbursed
to the various colleges chosen by the lapsed member via the annual dues disbursement.
MSUAA Magazine
editor Bob Bao chatting with a colleague at the Big Ten Editor's Conference. |
The MSUAA hosted
the Big Ten Editors Conference at Kellogg Center, attracting 20 alumni editors
and assistant editors to campus. The curriculum included lectures by MSU professors
as well as area professionals, including award winning Detroit Free Press
columnist Sue Ager. Also included was a reception at Cowles House hosted by
MSU First Lady Joanne McPherson and a tour of the Wharton Center.
The MSUAA Alumni Magazine advertising
campaign included partnering with MSU Licensing to solicit all MSU licensees.
At present the MSUAA is negotiating with national advertising representatives
to solicit national and international advertisers to increase revenues for
the MSU Alumni Magazine.
The MSUAA began collaborating with the MSU Division of Human Resources and
MSU Controller to provide complimentary membership for new MSU employees and
to provide automatic payroll deduction for MSUAA membership dues for MSU faculty
and staff.
Producer
Ed Feldman (left) and actor Anthony Heald (2nd from right) mingling
by the rooftop pool at the Bel Age. |
In June 2000,
the MSUAA staged the "Spartans In Hollywood" event at the Bel Age
hotel in Los Angeles. Attended by more than 250 area Spartans, the event served
to honor 15 Spartans who had made a major impact in the film industry-as producers,
directors, actors, screenwriters and/or movie theater builders. The event
also served to rally our alumni in Southern California. After a video presentation,
each recipient received Crystal Spartan awards for achievement in film. A
rooftop reception after the event allowed for great networking among all Spartans.
The MSUAA hired a membership processing coordinator to organize processing
for the increasing volume of memberships. Additional MSUAA staff members have
been cross-trained in membership processing in order to efficiently process
the increase in memberships during peek times.
The MSUAA Regional
Club database converted to Access database to provide for timely updates of
club event announcements. This database is linked to the MSUAA web site for
instant web updates.
The MSUAA initiated
a new Regional and International Club and Constituent Group e-Newsletter.
This electronic publication is produced at least weekly and more often if
events warrant. This e-newsletter includes graphics, text, color and electronic
images and is sent to more than 450 recipients. Most clubs retransmit the
e-newsletters to their member lists and listserves. This method allows MSUAA
to reach thousands of alumni around the world within 24 hours.
Opera star
Roberta Peters delivering an incredible performance at this year's Kaleidoscope. |
The MSUAA saw
new activation or reactivation of many Regional Alumni Clubs. Some locations
include Michigan counties Washtenaw, Crawford, Lenawee, and Bay. Out-of-state
club activation included Sacramento and San Diego, California; Miami-Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida; Buffalo, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; Quad Cities (Illinois-Iowa);
and Little Rock, Arkansas.
The MSUAA held
the 27th Annual Kaleidoscope
Program with an attendance of 1,000. Keynote speaker was opera star Roberta
Peters. The event was funded by over $27,000 in cash sponsorships and $18,000
donated by way of in-kind services. Proceeds from this event raised money
for Mildred Erickson Scholarships.
The MSUAA held
the 73rd annual Patriarch Reunion for Class of 1951 and earlier class year
alumni. More than 220 attended the two-day event that included a welcome back
fair, luncheon and induction ceremony with President McPherson. Other activities
included an afternoon Swing Dance, an ice cream social, a breakfast with Provost
Simon, campus tours of Wharton Center and MSU Gardens, and a reception at
Cowles House.
The newly
redesigned MSUAA portal/ home page. |
The MSUAA
web portal had nearly 20,000 unique visitors in April 2001. More than
12,500 people are registered users. Nearly 11,000 people have requested to
receive the Alum eNewsFlash. In the first two months more than 860 eCards
have been sent from the MSUAA web portal. On average nearly 200 people join
or update their addresses each month using the MSUAA web page.
The MSUAA hosted
more than 5,000 people at its pre-game Football Hospitality Tent held at all
five home football games. MSUAA recruited more than 100 members during these
games and provided space to Regional Clubs and Constituent Groups for displays.
A partnership with MSU Intercollegiate Athletics made possible an interactive
football mock telecast for those aspiring to be football commentators.
Staffers
Dave Giordan and Pat Scheetz prep the pre-game tent before the Purdue
game last fall. |
The MSUAA coordinated
the University Homecoming Committee that includes partnerships with departments
campus-wide. Departments represented include Student Services, Police and
Public Safety, Housing and Food Services, Concessions, University Relations,
and Intercollegiate Athletics. Off-campus partners include City of East Lansing
and Lansing Chamber of Commerce.
The MSUAA Summer Alumni Magazine
was designed to include the first annual MSU Alumni Resource Guide and mailed
to more than 250,000 alumni households. The guide was filled with University
information for alumni and suggestions for ways alumni can help serve their
university. Resource listings included frequently called University numbers,
ticket information, event dates, cultural functions, listing of regional clubs
and consituent organizations, etc.
The MSUAA Communications
Plan was developed for the fourth year. This plan outlines opportunities for
earned and purchased media promotion opportunities. The MSUAA membership promotion
plan is budgeted from the ideas outlined in this plan.
Basketball
Coach Tom Izzo was the Homecoming Parade's Grand Marshall. |
The MSUAA planned
Homecoming events included the Green
and White Football Brunch and pep rally.
More than 750 attended the event with master of ceremonies David Andrews from
WILX-TV. Speakers included President McPherson, Athletic Director Clarence
Underwood and Head Football Coach Bobby Williams.
The MSUAA National
Board of Directors raised more than $14,000 in its first year of commitment
to scholarship fundraising. These scholarships will be used to assist MSU
students in the MSU Study Abroad program.
The MSUAA Alumni
Magazine carried a MSU Sesquicentennial feature in each issue. This feature
showcases MSU historical facts and will continue through MSU's Sesquicentennial
celebration in 2005.
The MSUAA and
the Student Alumni Foundation contracted for production of the first Michigan
State University candy bar - the Sparty
Bar. This was introduced during a nationally televised basketball game
in March. Morley Candy Company in Detroit has developed the candy's recipe
exclusively for Michigan State. The bar is currently available in many retail
stores across the state and is sold by MSU concessions on campus.
The MSUAA Student
Alumni Foundation's annual Family Weekend was the largest ever held with more
than 1,700 parents and family members at this pregame tailgate party. Participants
also took special tours of campus and attended a benefit jazz concert.
Dick Vitale
greeted the crowd and applauded Coach Izzo and wife Lupe. |
The MSUAA Student
Alumni Foundation's fourth annual Spartan Spirit event held for students during
Welcome Week attracted the largest crowd in its four-year history - more than
20,000. Sports celebrity Dick Vitale was the guest speaker for this event.
Prior to the event Vitale spoke to the MSU Marching Band and joined Basketball
Coach Tom Izzo at the Student Book Store for a book signing.
The MSUAA Student
Alumni Foundation collaborated with Intercollegiate Athletics to create a
spirit section for football and secured seating and ticket allocation within
Spartan Stadium for the new football spirit group Bobby's World.
The Izzone
at this spring's Purdue game. |
The MSUAA Student
Alumni Foundation's Izzone
basketball spirit section partnered with MSU Intercollegiate Athletics in
support of the Coaches for Kids Foundation project to help raise money for
a new pediatric emergency room at Sparrow Hospital. In addition to lending
its name to paper basketballs sold at area Kroger stores, Izzone volunteers
themselves sold over 1,200 posters and raised more than $1,000 for this cause.
The MSUAA sponsored
five away football tailgates serving more than 1,500 alumni and friends. Most
of the events were held outside in tents near the host university's football
stadium. This year's events attracted a larger group of recent graduates and
alumni families.
Scene from our Final Four Pep Rally at Orchestra Hall,
Minneapolis, MN (click photo for more...) |
The MSUAA hosted
three basketball post-season tournament receptions. At the Sweet Sixteen in
Memphis, MSUAA hosted more than 400 alumni and friends; at the Great Eight
in Atlanta, MSUAA had more than 1,500 in attendance including the MSUAA tour
participants; at the Final Four Rally in Minneapolis, the MSUAA hosted more
than 1,500 area alumni and friends at its pre-game rally.
The MSUAA recently
mailed more than 20,000 membership satisfaction surveys and 23,000 lapsed-member
surveys to MSU alumni. The return rate to date is nearly 10 per cent.
The MSUAA expanded
contacts with international
alumni clubs from 16 to 72 locations worldwide.
The MSUAA negotiated
with a vendor to sponsor an appreciation mailing to all current MSUAA members.
The mailing contained complimentary, personalized address labels with Spartan
logos.
The MSUAA Alumni
Lifelong Education offered 130 Evening
College courses during fall and spring semesters. Working as a partner
with MSU Computing and Technology, two classes were offered on-line.
The MSUAA Alumni
Lifelong Education hosted the fourth annual Evening College Faculty Reception.
The award-winning
SAF float in the Homecoming 2000 parade. |
The MSUAA Student
Alumni Foundation's Homecoming entry won the first place float award in the
Homecoming Parade. The float design
included a perfect model reproduction of Beaumont Tower.
The MSUAA Alumni
Lifelong Education continued to direct and sponsor the Community Fitness Program
at Meridian Mall, 50 Plus Fitness, which is offered free of charge three mornings
a week. Cosponsors of the program are Meridian Mall and Sparrow Health System.
These partners also joined the Arthritis Foundation to offer a new program
entitled the Walkabout Club, the first official walkers club at the Meridian
Mall. Over 200 community members signed up for the Walkabout Club during the
community kickoff.
The MSU
Cheerleaders pose with a fan at the Natl. Cherry Festival last summer.
|
The MSUAA celebrated
its 18-year partnership with the University of Oxford Department of Continuing
Education and with Northwestern University with Odyssey to Oxford 2001, the
two-week residential study program held at University of Oxford.
The MSUAA continued
to partner with area clubs around the state to represent MSU in community
parades and festivals. Sparty, MSU Cheerleaders and others represented MSU
in Holland at the Tulip Festival Parade, in Frankenmuth at the Bavarian Festival,
and in Traverse City during the National Cherry Festival Parade.
A devoted
fan posing with First Lady Joanne McPherson and Keith Williams, Exec.
Director of MSUAA. |
The MSUAA cosponsored
with the Blueline Club, and the Ralph Young Fund a pre-game NCAA Frozen Four
hockey reception for Spartans and friends in Albany NCAA Final Four hockey
tournament was played. More than 500 alumni and friends attended.
The MSUAA again
co-hosted the popular Cars on Campus annual event. This event raised funds
for area children's charities and for MSU Safe Place.
First Lady
Joanne McPherson showing the new solarium in the Cowles House four-season
room. |
The Cowles House
outdoor patio was transformed into an enclosed four-season room. The project,
funded completely by private dollars, was dedicated in August 2000. Current
project underway is the renovation of Cowles House guest bedrooms. A private
fundraising effort, chaired by MSU alumni volunteers, is expected to involve
major hotel chains as sponsors.
Cowles House
staff and Mrs. McPherson served as consultants to Eastern Michigan University's
First Lady and her staff who are planning an on-campus residence and event
facility based on the Cowles House model.
The MSUAA again
partnered with Admissions and Scholarships Enrollment Management in the annual
Academic Orientation Program (AOP) by conducting a series of presentations
entitled What It Means To Be A Spartan to incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Photographs by MSU Alumni Association, Copyright
MSUAA 2005.
